Herbal supplements have been used in many traditional healing systems to help improve immunity and ward off illness. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases notes that your body provides an ideal habitat for numerous types of microbes and that it is your immune system's responsibility to deny microbes access to your body or destroy invaders. You should discuss procedures, risks and alternatives with your physician before taking herbal supplements to boost your immunity.
Decreased Immunity
Your body's first line of defense is your immune system. If your immune system is compromised, or unable to perform its usual tasks, you may experience serious health consequences. According to MedlinePlus, immune system disorders include allergies, asthma, immune deficiency diseases and certain autoimmune conditions. If you are receiving cancer treatment or if you have HIV/AIDS, you may also have a low-functioning immune system that leaves you vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
Herbal Treatments
Herbal treatments, including the use of herbal supplements taken internally, may help improve your immune function and ward off infections. Herbalist Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that astragalus, boneset, burdock, cat's claw, echinacea, Chinese ginseng, eleuthero, marshmallow, prickly ash and reishi are herbal supplements that may be beneficial for your immune system. Other herbs that may help improve your immune function include osha, licorice, ligustrum, schisandra, codonopsis and atractylodes.
Most Popular Herbal Supplement
One of the most popular herbal supplements for improving your immune function is echinacea. Echinacea is a flowering plant that grows in the eastern and central regions of North America. Echinacea is purported to have antibacterial and antiviral action, as well as being an immune system booster. Echinacea has the ability to increase the number of white blood cells in your body, improve your wound healing ability and strengthen your immune system to combat infections.
Warning
Herbal supplements can exert powerful effects on your body, just like pharmaceutical drugs. Before you consume herbal supplements to help boost your immunity, visit your doctor to talk about the risks associated with herbal medicine. A health care professional with knowledge of botanical medicine can provide you with helpful information about dosage and likely drug interactions. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding your infant, you should always talk with your physician before taking herbal supplements.
References
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Immune System
- MedlinePlus: Immune System and Disorders
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
