Ace-Immunity

7 Plants To Boost Your Immunity This Winter

Resist the temptation to go to the pharmacy when you feel under the weather. Go back to nature, as all the medicine you need can be found in these botanical boosters

Long before synthetic medications existed, plants were the only source of medical treatment, and we’re great advocates of their natural healing properties. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s estimated that 80 percent of the global population still uses traditional remedies, such as plant-based medicine, as their primary healthcare tools. “Historically, our ancestors would have been gathering herbs and plants during autumn to make tinctures and syrups, teas and poultices, to keep them healthy over the season,” says Julia Seymour, wellness coach and plant essences practitioner, (juliaseymour.com). “Gathering herbs is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature but for many of us this may not be an option, so invest in good quality supplements, teas and tinctures, or dried organic ingredients.” Stock up your cabinet with these herbal healers.

Liquorice

“The sweetness of liquorice has made it a well-known confectionery for years,” explains Julia. “Liquorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar yet it’s also a fantastic herbal medicine and a powerful anti-inflammatory. It helps with a huge range of conditions, such as mouth ulcers, coughs and bronchitis, arthritis, inflamed joints and skin problems. By stimulating the adrenal glands to help with chronic fatigue, when ingested, the glycyrrhizin breaks down in the gut and has an anti-arthritic effect, similar to hydrocortisone and other corticosteroid hormones. It contains phytoestrogens and can be used to treat PMS and menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes.”

How do I take it?

“Liquorice should be taken cautiously as excessive doses can cause serious side effects, such as high blood pressure and heart palpitations, and it is not recommended for those who are pregnant,” Julia adds. “Drink liquorice root tea, rub liquorice root powder onto mouth ulcers or take supplements. Liquorice supplements can also be purchased with deglycyrrhizinated (DGL), which are safer for longer term use.”

Elder

Synonymous with delicious cordial and sparkling drinks, elderflower shouldn’t be written off as just an accompaniment to your favourite beverage. “Elderflowers and elderberries are also valuable remedies for colds, flu and chesty conditions,” says Julia. “Elder is anti-viral, anti-catarrhal, antiinflammatory, diuretic and also increases sweating. The berries contain vitamins A and C. A study in Israel found that 90 percent of people given elderberry extract recovered in two to three days, while 90 percent of those taking the placebo took up to six days. Other clinical research supports the use of elderberry extract as an effective treatment for flu.”

How do I take it?

“Elderflowers and berries grow in abundance in the UK, so this is one thing that you can gather safely during spring and summer to make your own cordial and tea from the flowers and wine, or jam and syrup from the berries,” adds Julia. “Elderberry syrup is a great tonic that can be made in autumn and consumed throughout winter to fight colds and flu.”

Garlic

“Garlic, whether whole, chopped or crushed, has been used as a medicine and a tonic for thousands of years,” explains Julia. “Known for its strong taste and smell, it’s a wonderful herbal medicine because it’s completely safe for home use and is an excellent treatment for many health problems. It’s also delicious! It can be used for chest, nose and throat infections to reduce cholesterol, decrease high blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels. Before the discovery of antibiotics, garlic was a treatment for many infections and was used to dress wounds in the first world war.

How do I take it?

“Research suggests that it is best to crush garlic and then wait for 10 minutes before adding it to food or using as a medicine (this allows alliin to turn into allicin, becoming antiseptic),” says Julia. “You can eat raw garlic on its own, add it to food or take garlic oil supplements. Make a tea by steeping some chopped or minced garlic in hot water for a few minutes, then remove and add honey or ginger for taste.”

Echinacea

It’s probably no surprise to see echinacea on this list as it’s a well-known remedy for colds, flu and immune support. “It has a tonic action on the body’s immune system and it was known in 19th century America as snakeroot because it was used to treat snake bites,” says Julia. “Echinacea can fight infection, both viral and bacterial, and helps to clear toxins from the body. It’s said to stimulate cells in the body, whose primary function is to fight invading particles and organisms, and to increase the number of white blood cells and spleen cells. There are nine species of echinacea, of which three have medicinal value.”

How do I take it?

“You can use echinacea as a preventative treatment during the cold and flu season, and it can be consumed in tea, tablet or tincture form. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, take echinacea several times a day when you first notice the symptoms to help reduce the duration of the illness or to stop it in its tracks.”

Astragalus

“Astragalus has been used successfully in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat and boost immune function,” says natural medicine expert and nutritional director Rick Hay (healthista.com). “It’s anti-inflammatory, so helps with recovery, and can help to fight off the herpes virus too. With adaptogenic properties, it helps to reduce stress levels, which is important as decreased stress leads to improved immunity. The saponins have potential anti-tumour properties, making this a popular herb globally as its polysaccharides help in this area, too.”

How do I take it?

This is usually taken as capsules or as part of a herbal tincture or TCM tea.

Ginger

“Ginger is a digestive tonic and circulatory stimulant, as well as being an immune booster. Containing both gingerols and zingerone, which are anti-inflammatories, ginger has similar properties to turmeric and is a potent anti-bacterial which may be of use against drug-resistant bacteria,” explains Rick.

How do I take it?

“Ginger is used traditionally to sooth a sore throat and can be taken in a hot drink with garlic or honey. You can also add to cooking to provide a natural immunity boost, plus it helps to fight nausea.”

Turmeric

“Turmeric boasts antiviral and anti-fungal properties thanks to the curcumin found inside the root,” says plant expert Andy Baxter (internetgardener.co.uk). “Ultimately, the anti-inflammatory properties will boost your immunity – it’s also a great excuse to eat a curry!”

How do I take it?

“You can take it in a more concentrated form, such as via tablets, with health experts recommending around 500mg taken three times a day to get the best effect of turmeric. Alternatively, this golden superfood pairs well with various dishes should you wish to get it into your system without tablets.”

Pelargonium

This flower isn’t just pretty. “Pelargonium sidoides is derived from the root of a South African geranium originally used by Zulu warriors to treat coughs and other chest infections, including tuberculosis,” explains author of The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements, Dr Sarah Brewer (healthspan.co.uk). “Pelargonium was first introduced in Britain over a hundred years ago, but medical opposition to its use, and the development of anti-tubercular drugs, caused it to fall from favour. Now, modern research confirms it is effective for treating colds, sinusitis and bronchitis. Pelargonium root extracts contain unique substances that have a direct antiviral and antibiotic activity. It boosts the activity of immune scavenger cells that absorb and neutralise infections and stops bacteria from sticking to cell walls, so they are dislodged more easily. It also speeds up the rate at which mucus is cleared from the respiratory tract.”

How do I take it?

Pelargonium is often used in cough or cold relief tablets. “The recommended dose for adults and children over 12 years is one tablet three times a day, starting at the first signs of a cold,” adds Dr Brewer.