Herbal Medicine: Herbs That Help Boost Immune System Health

Herbal Medicine: Herbs That Help Boost Immune System Health

Maintaining a strong immune system is an essential habit in order to ward off the countless germs, bacteria, and viruses we are all exposed to on a continuous basis. The immune system is a tremendously complex body system that works around the clock to make sure that your internal environment can continue functioning without being compromised by an uninvited guest.

While medications and pharmaceutical substances are a necessary part of the healthcare system and, for the most part, are your best bet for both preventing and fighting various illnesses, there are a vast number of natural ingredients that can aid in the battle.

In this article, we are going to discuss three herbs that have been used by humans for centuries to fortify the immune system. The herbs that comprise this list have been supported by multiple research studies regarding their ability to boost immune function.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that is actually native to the United States, found in areas east of the Rocky Mountains. The leaves of this herb have been used as far back as the Great Plains Indian tribes. Almost all parts of this herb, including the leaves, flower and roots have all been utilized for medicinal purposes.

According to Web MD, “extracts of echinacea do seem to have an effect on the immune system, your body’s defense against germs. Research shows it increases the number of white blood cells, which fight infections. A review of more than a dozen studies, published in 2014, found the herbal remedy had a very slight benefit in preventing colds.”

According to research, Echinacea has the ability to shorten the severity and duration of flu and cold symptoms, as well as several other respiratory tract infections. However, most of the evidence suggests that this herb should be taken as soon as one starts to feel ill, with little medicinal benefit being available after you are already in the middle of an illness.

Elderberry

Several concoctions of the Elderberry plant, such as teas and syrups, have been a staple for humans looking to boost immune function and ward off illness for hundreds of years. There is a substantial amount of research supporting this herb as a viable option for doing just that.

According to WebMD, “The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They can help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. Some experts recommend elderberry to help prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms. “
Elderberry is known to enhance the body’s natural immune response by supplying the system with what are known as antioxidants. Simply put, antioxidants reduce cell damage, therefore allowing the cells to incur less damage from invading pathogens.

Looking into several research studies observing the effects of Elderberry as a treatment for flu and cold symptoms, one study concluded that individuals with flu-like symptoms experienced symptoms for four days less than a placebo group.

Astragalus

Astragalus as an immune system enhancer can actually be traced back thousands of years in Chinese medicine. This herb, more specifically the root from the Astragalus plant, is somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades as it pertains to preventing and fighting ailments from a wide variety of pathogens.

According to Healthline, “Some evidence shows that astragalus may increase your body’s production of white blood cells, which are the cells of your immune system responsible for preventing illness. In animal research, astragalus root has been shown to help kill bacteria and viruses in mice with infections.”

Not only does this herb provide the body with antioxidants, the benefits of these agents already discussed, but it also has been shown to possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of the multiple benefits available through Astragalus, this herb is effective at combating respiratory infections as well as assisting with wound care.

One research study that demonstrates just how effective this herb can be at boosting immune function used subjects with severely depleted immunity, including patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer treatment. This study suggested that supplementing with Astragalus promoted quicker recover and increased survival rate amongst the subjects described in this inquiry.
Works Cited

Astragalus. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/astragalus
Block, K., & Mead, M. (2003, September). Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: A review. Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15035888
Team, W. (2020, February 20). Elderberry: A Natural Way to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season? Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/elderberry-a-natural-way-to-boost-immunity-during-cold-and-flu-season/