Visit her at her blog or on Instagram. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This guide will review exactly how bitter…. A healthy diet is key to flu prevention and a working immune system. Check out these easy-to-make drinks that contain the essential nutrients.

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Since ancient times, herbs have been used as natural remedies for a variety of viral infections. Here are 15 herbs with powerful antiviral properties. A few simple changes to your habits can go a long way in boosting your immune health.

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New research suggests that mood interventions can help reduce inflammation for people who are living with inflammatory bowel disease. According to a new study, an average liter of bottled water contains , detectable plastic fragments, also known as nanoplastics.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R. You can add them to soups, stews, marinades, or even sprinkle them on roasted vegetables or salads," says Menon.

It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice on maintaining a strong immune system. So, start experimenting with these flavourful additions to your dishes and reap the benefits of their immune-boosting properties in every season," concludes the nutritionist.

Jun 09, PM IST. Read this news in brief form. Share Via. Also read: Summer bloating: Herbs and spices that can help; how to add them to your diet Maintaining a strong immune system is crucial for overall well-being and to ward off illnesses Freepik.

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OPEN APP. Edit Profile. Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now. Your Subscription Plan. Lindenmuth GF, Lindenmuth EB. The efficacy of echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.

J Altern Complement Med. Mahady GB. Echinacea: recommendations for its use in prophylaxis and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Nutr Clin Care.

Melchart D, Linde K, Fischer P, Kaesmayr J. Miller's Anesthesia. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; Mullins RJ, Heddle R. Adverse reactions associated with echinacea: the Australian experience. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Nahas R, Balla A. Complementary and alternative medicine for prevention and treatment of the common cold.

Can Fam Physician. Naser B, Lund B, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Kohler G, Lehmacher W, Scaglione F. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical dose-response trial of an extract of Baptisia, Echinacea and Thuja for the treatment of patients with common cold.

Percival SS. Use of echinacea in medicine. Biochem Pharmacol. Schapowal A. Efficacy and safety of Echinaforce in respiratory tract infections. Wien Med Wochenschr. Schwarz E, Parlesak A, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Bode JC, Bode C.

Effect of oral administration of freshly pressed juice of Echinacea purpurea on the number of various subpopulations of B- and T-lymphocytes in healthy volunteers: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study.

Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. Sharma M, Schoop R, Suter A, Hudson JB.

The potential use of Echinacea in acne: control of Propionibacterium acnes growth and inflammation. Soon SL, Crawford RI. Recurrent erythema nodosum associated with Echinacea herbal therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. Summaries for patients. Echinacea for the common cold. Taheri JB, Azimi S, Rafieian N, Akhaven Zanjani H.

Herbs in dentistry. Int Dent J. Tsai YL, Chiu CC, Yi-Fu Chen J, Chan KC, Lin SD. Cytotoxic effects of Echinacea purpurea flower extracts and cichoric acid on human colon cancer cells through induction of apoptosis.

J Ethnopharmacol. Turner RB, Riker DK, Gangemi JD. Ineffectiveness of Echinacea for prevention of experimental rhinovirus colds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Turner RB, Bauer R, Woelkart K, Hulsey TC, Gangemi JD.

An evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia in experimental rhinovirus infections. N Engl J Med. von Maxen A, Schoenhoefer P. Benefit of echinacea in the prevention and treatment of the common cold?

The Lancet Infectious Disease. Weber W, Taylor JA, Stoep AV, Weiss NS, Standish LJ, Calabrese C. Echinacea purpurea for prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children.

Woelkart K, Marth E, Suter A, et al. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of Echinacea purpurea preparations and their interaction with the immune system. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. Yamada K, Hung P, Park TK, Park PJ, Lim BO.

A comparison of the immunostimulatory effects of the medicinal herbs Echinacea, Ashwagandha and Brahmi. Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Home Health Library.

Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia; Echinacea pallida; Echinacea purpurea; Purple coneflower. Plant Description Echinacea is a perennial herb native to the midwestern region of North America.

Cinnamon: Rich in antioxidants, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that support the immune system. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve overall health. Oregano: This flavourful herb is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which enhances immune function.

Oregano also has antimicrobial properties that help fight off pathogens. Rosemary: Besides adding a delicious flavour to your dishes, rosemary contains rosmarinic acid, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

It can support immune function and promote overall wellness. Thyme: Thyme is rich in vitamins C and A, as well as antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system. It also has antimicrobial properties that can aid in fighting infections. Cayenne Pepper: This fiery spice contains capsaicin, known for its immuneboosting effects.

Cayenne pepper can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support overall immune function. Cumin: Cumin is a versatile spice that offers numerous health benefits.

It contains antioxidants and essential minerals that support immune health and can help protect against infections. Basil: This aromatic herb is packed with vitamins and minerals that enhance immune function. Basil also has antimicrobial properties and can help reduce inflammation in the body.

You can add them to soups, stews, marinades, or even sprinkle them on roasted vegetables or salads," says Menon. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice on maintaining a strong immune system.

So, start experimenting with these flavourful additions to your dishes and reap the benefits of their immune-boosting properties in every season," concludes the nutritionist. Jun 09, PM IST. Read this news in brief form. Share Via. Get Personalized Support With Our Wellness Ally Quiz.

Anxiety mild, occasional. Sexual Health. Digestive System. Female Reproductive System. Male Reproductive System. SHOP ALL CAPSULES. SHOP ALL ALCOHOL-FREE. Herbs are at the center of what we do, and we work with hundreds of plant species, from Albizia Albizia julibrissin to Yerba Santa Eriodictyon californium.

Learning about herbs is a journey for each one of us, and there is always more to understand and discover. Others, like Reishi and Umckaloabo, might be new to you. Read on to test your knowledge of these plants, just in time for immune season.

Andrographis has an intensely bitter taste. Also known as Kalmegh, it is an immune support active responder. Astragalus root is harvested in autumn and carefully shade-dried to maintain its full aroma and color.

Black Elderberry provides deep support for an active immune response. Elder trees commonly grow along the edge of wooded areas, and they are named as such due to the respect they have earned. In Europe, they are commonly grown in hedgerows.

Calendula is known in the garden for its sticky flower buds and familiar sunny yellow-orange flower heads. Its petals can also spruce up salads. We prepare Calendula extract from whole flowers harvested at their peak at the end of summer.

We extract the inner bark of vines that are responsibly wildcrafted in the Peruvian Amazon. Echinacea purpurea is among the herbs we grow on our farm as part of our United Plant Savers certified Botanical Sanctuary. Almost every part of this plant is used — we harvest and extract the root, seed and flower with leaf separately.

We also grow it on our Certified Organic farms in southern Oregon. A member of the daisy family, Echinacea provides complex, deep support of the immune system over both the short and long term.

Flavor Profile: Deep, earthy taste followed by a tingling mouthfeel due to naturally occurring alkylamides. his woodland plant with a yellow root is native to the eastern and central US, with a long history of use by Native Americans.

Goldenseal is on the United Plant Savers At-Risk list, so we take sourcing of this plant seriously and grow it in our Botanical Sanctuary. To preserve wild-growing populations of this threatened plant, we only use cultivated, Certified Organic Goldenseal. Our Goldenseal is dug by hand in the late summer or autumn, then carefully cleaned and dried in the shade before it is thoroughly extracted.

Goldenseal provides traditional support for the respiratory and digestive systems. Native to the Western US, Lomatium is in the same family as Carrots and Celery. It was commonly used by Native Americans.

Lomatium is traditionally used to support the immune system. Ours is made from the responsibly wildcrafted resin of trees in the deserts of Somalia. Myrrh offers traditional support for the immune system.

The Olive branch may be the iconic symbol of peace or victory, but the leaves also have a storied history, with uses that date back centuries. The mature leaves of the Olive tree promote a vigorous immune system response and provide general cardiovascular support.

A member of the Mint family, Oregano is found in cultures from Spain and Portugal to Iran and India. You can put some in tea or use it as a tincture. Garlic is a powerful antimicrobial herb, especially for the gut, says Frost.

In fact, it is believed to be antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal meaning it can fight parasites. Ballard says these properties can help fight off chest infections and respiratory infections.

Garlic contains allicin, and this is believed to be the compound that makes garlic antibacterial. According to a review published in Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine , this makes it possible for garlic to fight bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, which are bacteria that cause food poisoning.

On top of this, Frost says garlic is ideal for strengthening the digestive system. This makes it a good choice for treating parasites or worms in the gut.

The Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine review also references a study in which garlic was used to treat giardiasis, which is an infection caused by a parasite. Additionally, garlic has been found to help fight the common cold with its antiviral properties. A review published in Cochrane Library discussed one study that gave participants either garlic supplements with mg of allicin daily over the course of 12 weeks or a placebo.

The researchers found that those who received garlic were less likely to get a cold, and if they did get sick, they were sick for less days than those in the placebo group. However, more research is needed. According to one study, this herb strengthens the HPA axis — the hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal axis — which is responsible for regulating the immune system's response to stress.

Chronic or severe stress can weaken the immune system , so it's important that you have a strong HPA axis to help manage the effect stress has on your immune system. By strengthening the HPA axis, you are strengthening the immune system, Frost says.

Ginseng can also keep the immune system balanced by regulating various types of immune cells — including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages — which identify threats to the body and fight them off. There's even evidence that ginseng can fight off Influenza A in mice, although human research is needed.

Frost says ginseng is very strong, and if you're considering incorporating it into your regimen, you should consult a herbalist. You can consume ginseng by making a tea with fresh ginseng root, or you can take ginseng capsules.

Reishi, also known as Lingzhi, is a type of mushroom. Reishi mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which are believed to stimulate different types of cells in the immune system, including monocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells.

By stimulating these cells, they are better able to detect and fight off infections. There's even some evidence that the beta-glucans in reishi can have anti-tumor effects, stopping the growth of cancer cells, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

However, more research needs to be done to further understand the benefits of resihi mushrooms. Before you start taking any of these herbs, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that they will not negatively interact with any medications you're taking.

You should also make sure that you get an accurate diagnosis if you are sick — it's worth visiting a doctor to see which treatments they recommend before you try herbal remedies. If you want to try these herbs, speaking with a qualified herbalist or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner can help you figure out which herbs might work for you, as well as the best way to take them.