Antibiotics and some other medicines work by targeting a specific disease in your system. Many herbs help your body fight disease in a different way, by strengthening your immune system to fight off any kind of disease. However, herbs might not work all the time, so you should see a doctor before using herbs to treat an illness, especially if you have an autoimmune disease since these herbs might worsen it.
Echinacea
Echinacea is widely used as an immune system booster. This herb is thought to fight common sicknesses such as a cold and the flu as well as infections, skin conditions and other ailments. Instead of fighting bacteria or only targeting certain diseases, Echinacea seems to strengthen the cells of your immune system to fight any kind of illness. The Herb Research Foundation notes that more than 500 studies have backed up the immune system effects of echinacea. However, MedlinePlus points out that many studies also dispute its benefits, so more research is needed to back up these claims. Also, echinacea does not work as well when used for long periods of time. Echinacea is generally considered safe, although you should discuss its use with your doctor. To generally boost your immune system or when you have a specific ailment, take echinacea in liquid or capsule form, or drink echinacea tea.
Astragalus
Astragalus, a root commonly used in Asia that also goes by the name Huang Qi, is another immune booster. Astralagus is thought to work by helping your body make stem cells and turn them into immune cells. Astralagus also seems to encourage "resting" immune cells to become active and fight illness. This herb is thought to improve your adrenal function and resistance to viruses. Tea made from the astragalus root is one way to use this herb to boost immune function. Check with your doctor before using astragalus.
Ginseng
Different types of ginseng exist: Panax, American and Siberian ginseng. Panax ginseng is associated with boosting the immune system. Specifically, ginseng is thought to help a cold, the flu, and possibly even cancer, although more research is needed to back up these claims. It seems to help your nervous system and pituitary and adrenal glands to help you fight fatigue and stress. Ginseng is considered "possibly safe," but "possibly unsafe" when taken for more than three months, according to MedlinePlus. It is considered "likely unsafe" for children and infants. Take ginseng in capsule form or drink it in a tea.
Ginkgo
The Ginkgo tree is considered the oldest tree in existence. Ginkgo seems to help your blood flow properly, contains antioxidants and has been used for all sorts of illnesses. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. A 1995 study in "Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Lasi" found that extract of ginkgo biloba greatly increased the effect of immune system cells on stress-induced immune system responses in mice. However, more research is needed to back up the claims that ginkgo will improve your immune system. Take ginkgo capsules or drink ginkgo tea to take in its benefits after checking with your doctor on its use.
References
- "Herb Information Greenpaper"; Boosting Immunity with Herbs; The Herb Research Foundation; Rob McCaleb
- "Herb Information Greenpaper"; Echinacea; The Herb Research Foundation; Evelyn Leigh
- "20,000 Secrets of Tea"; Victoria Zak; 1999
- MedlinePlus: Ginseng, Panax
- Effect of the EGb 761 (Ginkgo Biloba Extract) on Primary Immune Response in Experimental Chronic Stress; M. Turcan, et al.; 1995
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