How to Boost Immune System Function With Herbs

Do you get sick a lot? If this is the case, your immune system could use a boost. With cold and flu season approaching, I am going to take extra special care that I feed my body a balanced diet, exercise, and take herbs to help strengthen my body against attack.

But which herbs are the best? Here is some advice that will help you make some choices.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• In order to help boost your immune system, you will need to choose the right herb from the descriptions below.
• You can choose to take these herbs in capsule form (follow the instructions on the label) or as a tea (add 1 cup of hot water to 1 tsp of the dried herb, or one tea bag)
• If you decide to take the herb as a tea, drink two to three cups per day.

Here is some advice to get you started:

1. There are some herbs called adaptogens that work to bring your body back in balance. They help your body adapt to the stresses of every day life which helps strengthen the immune system. Adaptogenic herbs include ginseng, shiitake mushrooms, reishi, ashwaganda and astragalus.

2. Garlic is one of those herbs that can be used in cooking. It helps your body deal with infection and also has some Vitamin C and quercetin--antioxidants that can help your immune system.

3. Simple tonic herbs also help strengthen your body and make it healthier. These herbs are best taken in tea form. Try stinging nettle, oatstraw, lemon balm and mullein. When your body is healthy, the immune system can do its job.

4. I've only recently started to take sage seriously as an herb that can be very helpful at dealing with infections. It's an herbal antibiotic and is also very useful during flu season because it can help with coughs, sore throats, and even fevers. Keep this herb around and drink two to three cups of tea a day when those around you seem to be getting sick. Sage may just prevent you from getting it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the herbs you use are a high quality and that you got them from a reputable source.
• Talk to your doctor about any herbs you may be taking.
• Research the side effects just in case your doctor missed anything.

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[kohuether]

on 10/8/2007 Hi linda - yes I've heard of these herbs working for some people. My favorites of that list are garlic, green tea, and ginger. Thank you for sharing! It's nice to get other people's perspectives because what works for some people may not work for others.

[lindamvaitkus]

on 10/2/2007 Have you heard of the 5 Gs daily to boost the immune systems (ancient Chinese secret):

(1) garlic
(2) ginseng
(3) ginko biloba
(4) green tea
(5) ginger

It works! If you are suffering from cancer or fibroids, add iodine to your H20 daily as well.