As the hunt for effective coronavirus treatments and vaccines continues to drag on—with seemingly no end in sight—I’ve been spending some time discussing steps you can take RIGHT NOW to strengthen your immune system.
Yesterday, I discussed six specific, nutrient-rich foods that support a healthy immune system. And today, I’m discussing key botanical remedies, starting with elderberry…
Simple facts about elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a traditional remedy that’s been used safely for centuries to combat the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
Of course, last month, some clueless critics tried to raise red flags that elderberry can cause the immune system to “overreact”—potentially leading to lung damage. But there’s zero evidence to support those claims.
On the other hand, here’s what we do know about elderberry and viruses…
- Previous research has found that men and women with influenza A or B who took elderberry felt better four days sooner—and required less “rescue medication”—than those who took a placebo.
- Elderberry seems to work by blocking viruses from attacking healthy cells and getting inside them. (This mechanism is key because viruses need to enter and take over your own cells in order to multiply.)
- According to lab research conducted in Taiwan, elderberry was effective against a different version of coronavirus called HCov-NL63.
Clearly, there’s plenty of strong evidence to support the use of elderberry against many types of respiratory illnesses. And while you can take it as a supplement or a syrup, I prefer to enjoy it as an infusion with echinacea, ginger, honey, and lemon.
Of course, if you’re still concerned about elderberry, there are certainly other botanical remedies for immune support that you can choose from.
Three other effective botanical remedies
1.) Astralagus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It’s considered an adaptogen, meaning it has the unique ability to help your body adapt to both internal and external changes. It exhibits strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and provides direct support to your immune system. In fact, in a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), researchers found that astralagus supports immune response, particularly to viral infections.
2.) Echinacea is perhaps the best-known herbal remedy for short-term immune system support, as it goes to work almost immediately to help increase the activity of white blood cells. Studies show it also shortens the duration and reduces the severity of upper respiratory infections.
Echinacea should not be taken regularly—rather only at the first sign of an infection. I recommend 450 mg per day as a supplement. But, as I mentioned earlier, you can also enjoy echinacea as a soothing infusion along with elderberry, ginger, honey, and lemon to taste. Or, you can make it more like a broth by adding turmeric and garlic.
3.) Garlic is the only real “food” on this list. But it’s also been used for thousands of years and studied extensively as a potent medicinal remedy. For one, we know it lowers your risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease and Type II diabetes.
When it comes to fighting off viruses, garlic seems to work a lot like echinacea, by supporting white blood cell production. Studies show it can help protect you against developing a virus, such as a cold or the flu, as well as reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Interestingly, garlic also contains powerful sulfur compounds, which account for its potency and smell. As you may recall, sulfa drugs and sulfa powders were widely used to combat infections before the advent of penicillin. But garlic seems to harness the potential of sulfur to combat infections…without resorting to harmful drugs!
So, while the mainstream continues to pine over their potential drugs and vaccines to combat the coronavirus, I suggest stocking up on these botanical remedies to support your immune system. In addition, make sure to start supplementing with 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily, if you don’t already.
You can learn more about my top immune health recommendations in my Pandemic Protection Playbook: How to become “immune ready” in every season. To gain access this essential guide, click here now!
Sources:
“Herbs That Fight Viruses.” Newsmax, 3/3/20. (newsmax.com/Health/health-news/natural-health-herbs/2020/03/03/id/956674/)
“Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.” J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40. doi.org/10.1177/147323000403200205