Herbal Remedies to Strengthen Your Immune System

According the the Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, the immune system is defined as "the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells and tissues by producing the immune response." In other words, it is the thing in our bodies that protects of from all kinds of diseases. And, when we get sick from anything, or we don't eat right, our immune system quits working as well and we are susceptible to getting even sicker. There are two basic herbs that can help strengthen the immune system.

Astragalus, which is commonly used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), is said to have warming abilities and is great for the lungs. Use astragalus to boost your energy and to give your immune system a kick if you find yourself coming down with colds or the flu often. Astragalus can have negative effects of cancer medications, so you should, as always, check with a doctor before starting any alternative treatments. Astragalus is available in capsule form and should be taken as the label suggests, usually about 2,500mg total, spread throughout the day.

The most highly regarded herb for aid in boosting the immune system is Echinacea. Echinacea is a coneflower that you can find all over North America, growing in the wild. It is related to the daisy. It's pink petals are pleasing to the eyes, while it's herbal effects are pleasing to the body. This herb was also used by the Native Americans, which is probably how it got passed down all this time as a healing herb. Echinacea gives the white cells a boost so that they can fight off infections and diseases. Start taking it as soon as symptoms begin to show, in capsule form the recommended dosage is 500mg a day. Take it daily until your symptoms have all gone. You can also find echinacea in a fluid form at your local health store, mix one to two ml in a glass of water daily. This will get the herb into your system a little faster than the capsule form too.

Herbs can have negative effects on other medications and some herbs aren't recommended for certain people (like those with terminal illnesses, that are pregnant, or children), so always check with a physician before starting any herbal supplements. Natural doesn't always mean safe for everyone!

Sources:

The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs (2009), Reader's Digest. New York.

Hobbs, C. (1996). Echinacea: The Immune Herb! Botanica Press. Santa Cruz, CA.

Skidmore-Roth, L. (2010). Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements. Mosby Elsevier. St. Louis, Missouri.