People around the world continue to turn to herbs as an effective treatment option for various aliments, from headaches and colds to digestive issues and digestive disorders. Tea, tisanes and soups with spices such as herbs can also boost immunity against infections and help avoid sickness altogether.
An effective immune system is key for proper body and brain functioning. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly and cutting back on smoking or excessive drinking are all ways of supporting optimal immunity function. You can even add herbs to your diet in order to boost it further against potential illnesses.
Indian Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) both recognize the power of plants and herbal tea to boost immune system functioning, while Western medicine doctors acknowledge its use. Scientists have conducted studies that highlight five of the best immune boosting herbs: Green Tea, Elderberry, Ganoderma Astragalus Ginseng. Each contains active components which have proven their efficacy at strengthening immunity systems.
Your immune system plays an essential role in maintaining overall wellness and reducing the risk of infections, diseases and illnesses. Comprised of organs, cells and proteins known as antibodies to protect you against bacteria, viruses, fungi toxins and other threats. T-cells (T-Bells), B-Cells and NK Cells (lymphocytes), neutrophils monocytes and macrophages all play their part.
When your body is under attack, immune cells produce inflammation and antibodies to fight infections and remove toxins. But this only works if you possess sufficient immunity in the first place; those with reduced or compromised immunity due to poor diet, health conditions or diseases like HIV and cancer have an increased risk of contracting certain infections or illnesses – known as opportunistic infections or illnesses. Common examples are as follows:
Colds and Flu, Pneumonia, Candidiasis Lymphoma and Tuberculosis
Herpes/Herpetic Corrinitis
Sometimes our immune systems become hypersensitive and attack themselves, leading to overproduction of inflammation, allergies and autoimmune disease. Certain herbs mentioned here may help strengthen immune functions while decreasing or preventing future infections from taking hold.
Some individuals naturally possess stronger immune systems than others. But your immunity can become compromised over time due to age, obesity, or medications like chemotherapy drugs – some common signs include:
Increased frequency of colds, flu, or respiratory infections and fatigue; wounds taking longer to heal than expected and recurring skin rashes or infections
Chronic or frequent digestive symptoms (bloating, constipation or diarrhea) should always be checked as this could indicate blood disorder as well as an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis which are both autoimmune conditions with organ inflammation potential.
Herbs to Strengthen Immune Systems
Human and in vitro studies were conducted on various herbs used for immune support. You may have come across them at your local health food store or used them without knowing they could actually aid your immunity!
1. Green tea can boost immunity
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is an iconic plant with powerful immune-enhancing effects, thought to originate in China but now widely grown and produced worldwide such as India, Japan, Sri Lanka and the US. Produced from its leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis trees, its consumption remains amongst one of the most consumed beverages worldwide.
Although green tea may take time to adjust to, its strong flavors of grass and earth may take some getting used to; that shouldn’t stop you from reaping its health benefits. Green tea has traditionally been used to regulate metabolism, weight loss, maintain youthful skin health, promote brain and heart health and provide immune system support.
Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants such as catechins, flavonoids, proteins, and fatty acids which provide its active benefits. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is one of these catechins; multiple studies on green tea’s immune-enhancing benefits found that it may strengthen immune system functioning by protecting against free radical damage caused by oxidation stress.
Studies on EGCG indicate that this antioxidant has an enormously profound effect on T cell functions – which play an integral part in autoimmune inflammation diseases like multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, research on this specific compound revealed its potential as a therapeutic agent to prevent and improve T-cell related issues.
