Help your body resist illness with these immune-boosting herbs.
This information is not intended as medical advice. |
| Herb | Symptom | Function | Side Effect | Delivery |
| Astragalus
(Astragalus membranaceus) | Colds, viral infections | Boosts immunity, antiviral | None known | Capsules, tinctures, broths/soups |
| Codonopsis
(Codonopsitis lanceolate) | Cough, congestion | Demulcent (sooths inflamed mucous membranes), expectorant | None known | Capsules, teas |
| Echinacea
(Echinacea purperea, E. angustifolia) | Colds, flu, cough, sore throat | Antiviral, antibacterial, boosts immunity, tonic | None known | Capsules, tinctures |
| Elder flower
(Sambucus nigra) | Colds and flu, sore throat, sinus congestion | Boosts immunity, diaphoretic (promotes perspiration), tonic | None known (root is a strong purgative; should only be prescribed by expert herbalists) | Teas, tinctures |
| Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globulus) | Bronchitis, cough, congestion | Antibacterial, antiviral, decongestant | Allergic reactions | Steam inhalation; topically applied as oil |
| Garlic
(Allium sativum) | Colds and flu | Boosts immunity, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, tonic | None known | Capsules, powder, eating as food is best, raw or cooked |
| Gingerroot
(Zingiber officinale) | Colds and flu, sore throat, sinus congestion, nausea | Boosts immunity, respiratory system tonic, diaphoretic, stomach soother | None known | Powder or root made into teas, baths |
| Goldenseal
(Hydrastis canadensis) | Colds and flu, bacterial infections | Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory | Strong GI astringent; use with caution in young children; endangered species | Tinctures, teas |
| Isatidis
(Isatis tinctora) | Colds and flu | Antiviral, reduces swelling | None known | Capsules; works well with astragalus |
| Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) | Sore throat | Reduces swelling expectorant, cough suppressant | Can cause sodium and water retention, loss of potassium | Tinctures, teas |
| Maitake mushroom
(Grifola frondosa) | Colds and flu | Boosts immunity | None known | Powder; eat as food |
| Onion
(Allium cepa) | Colds, flu | Boosts immunity, decongestant | None known | Powder; eating as food is best, raw or cooked |
| Osha root
(Ligusticum porteri) | Colds and flu | Boosts immunity | None known; endangered species | Capsules |
| Peppermint
(Mentha piperita) | Congestion, nausea associated with flu | Pain reliever, antispasmodic, stomach soother, antiviral, antibacterial, diaphoretic | None known | Teas |
| Sage
(Salvia officinalis) | Colds and flu, fever | Stomach soother, reduces fever, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory | None known | Teas |
| Shiitake mushroom
(Lentinula edodes) | Colds and flu | Boosts immunity, antiviral, antibacterial | None known | Powder, capsules, root extract, eat as food |
| Usnea
(Usnea barbarata) | Colds and flu | Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral | None known | Tinctures, often used with echinacea |
| White willow bark
(Salix alba) | Colds and flu | Pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, reduces fever | None known | Teas, works well with cinchona bark |
| Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) | Colds and flu | Diaphoretic, expectorant, reduces fever | May cause contractions in pregnant women | Teas |
