Your Immune System

A healthy immune system has never been so important

A healthy immune system has never been more important than it is right now. Our bodies are under constant attack from invaders and our immune system is the first line of defense against these smart, & effective enemies. In this article we will discuss our immune system, what we can do to support it, and why it's so important.


What is my immune system?

The human body is a complex machine and your immune system is one of the most complex systems in your body with many moving parts that are in a constant, delicate dance to keep your body free from disease.


What are the parts of my immune system?

This is a very broad question with an even broader answer, for the purposes of this article we will discuss the main parts of the immune system and the application and importance of each one. 


  • Skin, mucous membranes, & other first line defenders - Your skin is the largest organ in your body and the absolute first defense against invaders big and small. Even the hairs in your nose can be your first string players, stopping viruses, bacteria, fungi, & toxins by trapping them before they invade cell walls. The skin and all it's moving parts is the first line in preventing and destroying germs before they can enter your body. Your respiratory system, digestive tract, reproductive tract & urinary tract all have a protective mucous membrane that traps and sweeps away germs that many times will pass without incident. Even your tears and other secretions contain germ busting enzymes.
  • Blood Cells - When your first line of defense fails, it's time for your body to get to work in destroy mode in your blood. Red Blood Cells release free radicals at an invasion of germs that break down the cell wall membrane of the pathogen to keep it from multiplying. White Blood Cells serve as the army, seeking out invaders and destroying them.
  • Spleen, Stomach, & Bowels - Your gut is full of beneficial bacteria and a whole host of other flora that are so so important for your health. Some of these good bacteria will seek and destroy invaders, also at play is the stomach acid that kills most bacteria and other pathogens soon after entering the body. Your spleen stores up a portion of your white blood cell army & also filters and destroys damaged red blood cells which can also be harmful to your body.
  • Lymph Nodes - Your lymph nodes are little bean shaped lumps of tissue located throughout your body that contain special white blood cells and filter lymph fluid carried by lymphatic vessels. They filter out pathogens and waste and destroy bacteria and cancer cells via lymphocytes.
  • Tonsils & Adenoids - These little organs (located in your throat and nasal passages) act as little traps for pathogens & have their own store of special immune cells that produce antibodies against the invaders
  • Bone Marrow - Beautiful little cells called stem cells are located in the center of your bone called the marrow. They develop into red & white blood cells, plasma, and other immune cells that are released by the billions into your blood every single day.
  • Thymus - This special little organ is extremely important in a healthy immune system. It sits in your upper chest and is responsible for maturing a very special type of immune cell that recognizes and remembers pathogens in order to make a streamlined and efficient attack the next time the invader is encountered. 


What can I do to support my immune system?

  • Eat vitamin rich whole plant foods & healthy fats: Some wonderful foods you can add to your diet include: Bell peppers, citrus fruits, garlic, ginger, spinach, broccoli, tumeric, elderberry, papaya, mango, shellfish, fermented foods (such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, etc.) green tea, protein rich foods, salmon, olive oil, walnuts, & flaxseed. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that are vitally important to your gut health & overall immunity 
  • Get plenty of sleep: A good nights sleep is extremely important to a healthy immune system. Adults typically require 7 or more hours of sleep at night while children need 8-10 hours of sleep (and of course babies can sleep more than 14 hours a day). I know it's not easy to discipline yourself to get adequate sleep, but it is essential for your body to work at peak performance. Please check out these two articles on Sleep & Circadian Rhythm for some tips and tricks on getting better quality sleep.
  • Get plenty of moderate exercise and fresh air - Moderate exercise can help boost your immune response but it also reduces inflammation, which in turn helps with more efficient regeneration of immune cells. If you are going to engage in vigorous exercise, please boost your immune system with supplements, food, and adequate hydration. Intense exercise can suppress your immune system.
  • Keep your stress level down - Stress weakens your immune system & promotes inflammation. Some things you can do to help reduce stress & anxiety include: Yoga/exercise, meditation, getting outdoors, diffusing essential oils & taking a daily CBD supplement.


Never in our lifetime has it been more important to understand why we need a strong immune system and how we take charge and give our bodies the best support we are able. Stay healthy & happy!




** These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog

By Rachel Crawford January 28, 2026
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
By Emily Held January 19, 2026
A simple guide + DIY cleanser recipe
Light Grey Celtic Sea Salt
By Ian Hilley March 24, 2025
Let's hear from the experts on the benefits of Celtic Sea Salt
What is CBG?
By Rachel N. Crawford September 26, 2024
CBG is known as the "Mother of all cannabinoids". In this article we will explore CBG, its many benefits, and how to choose the right product for your needs.
•	The Greek Physician Dioscorides described Agarikon mushrooms as the elixir of long life
By Rachel N. Crawford May 18, 2023
Agarikon loves your respiratory system. Read about this amazing nutritional mushroom
Explore the benefits of the Reishi Mushroom
By Rachel N. Crawford March 15, 2023
Reishi was first documented in one of the world's oldest pharmacopeia, possibly written as long as 5000 years ago! That's wild. Known in Chinese medicine as "Ling Zhi" meaning "plant that nourishes the spirit", this little mushie has a big personality.
Cordyceps - a boost of caffeine free energy
By Rachel N. Crawford March 8, 2023
Improve your energy levels, endurance, & immunity with cordyceps
Beginners guide to nutritional mushrooms:  How do I use them?
By Rachel N. Crawford February 7, 2023
When Studying the health benefits of mushrooms, one could easily become overwhelmed. In this article we are going to focus on 6 species of nutritional/medicinal mushrooms. Lions Mane, Turkey Tail, Reishi, Cordyceps, Agarikon, & Chaga.
There is much more to cannabis than THC & CBD.  Let's look at minor cannabinoids
By Rachel N. Crawford December 29, 2022
CBD & THC are not the only beneficial cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, not by a long shot. In this article we are going to look at some of the lesser known cannabinoids & the role they play in your health.
Many plants and super foods are cannabimimetic, meaning that they have properties that mimic cannabi
By Rachel N. Crawford July 24, 2021
Many plants and super foods are cannabimimetic, meaning that they have properties that mimic cannabinoids in our bodies. Our Endocannabinoid System needs cannabinoids to function properly.
More Posts