When the cold and flu season arrives, it’s important to keep your immune system strong and ready for anything. Thankfully, nature provides an abundance of herbal remedies that can give your body the immune support it needs. Let’s discuss some of the best herbs to incorporate into your routine for a healthy immune system, how to use them, and what warnings and contraindications you should be aware of.
Best Herbs for Immune Boosting Support
1. Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Elderberries and Elder Flower are well known for their antiviral properties and are especially popular during cold and flu season. Elderberry syrup is a favorite natural remedy for colds, helping to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. The antiviral property means Elder can block viral replication, making it a key herb in the fight against common viral infections. Elder Flower does have a lot of the same properties as Elderberry, but it really shines for allergy support in the spring and fall as well.
- Best way to take it: Elderberry is most commonly consumed as a syrup, but I prefer it as a tincture because it’s easier to prepare, stores way longer than syrup, and is easier to take on the go. Dehydrated Elderberry can also be used in herbal tea blends.
2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea is another powerful herb often used to stimulate the immune system. Refer to my blog post on when to use Echinacea vs Elderberry for more info on when to use each of them. Echinacea helps increase the production of white blood cells, which are essential in fighting off infections. It’s particularly useful for upper respiratory infections and common colds.
- Best way to take it: Echinacea works well in tinctures, teas, or capsules, and is best taken to help prevent illness.
3. Astragalus (Astragalus propinquus)
Astragalus is a well-known tonic herb used in Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system over the long term. It helps the body resist viral infections and can be used throughout the winter months to keep your immune defenses strong.
- Best way to take it: Astragalus is great as a tincture, especially combined with other immune-boosting herbs. It has a very strong flavor and should probably not be used in teas for that reason. If you like to make Elderberry syrup, consider adding Astragalus to give it an extra boost.
4. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to fight off infections and support overall immune health. It also aids digestion and can soothe runny noses, making it a versatile herb for both the prevention and support of cold symptoms. Ginger is a supportive herb, meaning, when it’s paired with other herbs, it helps boost the primary herb’s function. Though it’s excellent on its own, for immune support it’s excellent when paired with others.
- Best way to take it: Fresh or powdered ginger can be used in teas, tinctures, or even added to food for daily immune support.
Why You Should Avoid Immune-Boosting Herbs with Autoimmunity
Immune-boosting herbs like Echinacea, Astragalus, and Elderberry are designed to stimulate the immune system, which can create more problems for people with autoimmune diseases by causing the immune system to become more overactive, and creating more damage. Instead of these immune stimulating herbs, people with autoimmunity should look into immune-modulating herbs, which help balance the immune response rather than stimulate it.
Best Herbs for Immune Modulating Support
If you have an autoimmune disease or disorder, focus on herbs that help regulate and support overall wellness rather than directly boosting the immune system. Some of the best herbs for this include:
- Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can help calm and support an overactive immune system without stimulating it.
- Ashwagandha: A gentle adaptogen that helps regulate stress and supports overall immune function without overstimulating the immune system.
- Licorice root: As an immune modulator, licorice can help soothe inflammation and regulate immune activity.
As the winter months approach, supporting your immune system naturally is a great way to stay healthy. Herbs like elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, and ginger offer powerful immune-boosting properties and have been used for generations as part of a natural medicine approach to healing illnesses. However, it’s important to remember that for those with autoimmune diseases and disorders, that can be a dangerous approach, and alternatives that modulate the immune system should be considered instead.
