Herbal Teas for Immune Support
Introduction
When you're feeling under the weather, it can be hard to get out of bed. And while your body may desperately need rest, you also want to do what you can to fight off any illness that comes knocking on your door. Of course, there are many different remedies available to help you feel better fast—from over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements to natural foods like fruits and vegetables. Herbal teas are another option for boosting your immune system and getting back on your feet quickly. They're easy to make at home with just a few ingredients and provide an array of benefits for overall health. So why not try incorporating them into your daily routine?
Herbal teas made from a variety of immune-boosting herbs.
Herbal teas are a great way to enjoy the health benefits of drinking tea without all the caffeine. Herbal teas can be made from many different herbs and offer a wide range of health benefits, including:
Reducing inflammation
Boosting immunity
Preventing disease
Herbs used in herbal teas can go by many different names, but they're basically all plants or parts of plants (like leaves). You may have heard about some of these herbs on the news because people use them for medicinal purposes. These include:
Echinacea—Helps fight off colds by boosting your immune system. Try growing it in your garden! Or add it to your tea!
Ginger—Aids digestion and helps relieve nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which means it reduces swelling too!
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that can help boost your immune system. A perennial plant, it has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat colds and other illnesses. Echinacea is available in many forms, including tea and tincture. Today, people use echinacea to shorten the common cold and flu, and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost immunity and help the body fight infections.
Astragalus
Astragalus is a root that has been used medicinally in China and other Asian countries for at least 2,000 years. Traditionally, astragalus was used to help boost the immune system, ease pain and reduce inflammation. Modern research suggests these traditional uses hold merit:
The most common way to use astragalus is as an infusion or tincture (made by soaking or steeping the herb in alcohol). You can also take it as capsules or eat it in food. In addition to being brewed into tea, the dried root can be prepared like you would ginger: grated into soups and stews, sliced thin and added to stir-fries or roasted with meats.
Astragalus may benefit those who have compromised immune function due to aging; chronic stress; poor diet; lack of sleep; strenuous exercise; chronic illness such as cancer or rheumatoid arthritis; infections such as colds or flu—and even chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients!
Elder Flower
Elder Flower is a good anti-inflammatory and can be used to treat a variety of different infections. It's also antibacterial, antiviral and expectorant. Elder Flower is used as a diuretic to help break up congestion in the body.
Elder Flower is most commonly found in tea form, but it's also available as a tincture or syrup (often called "syrup of elder").
Ginger Tea
Ginger is a warming herb with a long history of medicinal use in Ayurvedic medicine. In fact, ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat nausea and indigestion.
In addition to its digestive benefits, ginger can also be used to ease cold symptoms and fight the flu. When you're feeling under the weather, try this simple recipe for a hot cup of soothing tea:
Add one teaspoon freshly grated ginger root (or 2 teaspoons dried) to boiling water.
Cover and let steep for 10 minutes; strain out any large pieces before drinking.
Turmeric Tea
If you've never tried turmeric tea, it's one of the best herbal teas for immune system support. Turmeric is a root that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat various health conditions, including joint pain and skin problems. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
To make turmeric tea, simply add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to your cup of hot water and stir until completely dissolved. You can sweeten this drink with honey or stevia if desired (this will also increase its sweetness).
Other Natural Remedies for Boosting Your Immune System
Eat more fruits and vegetables. The immune system needs a variety of nutrients to function optimally, including antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene, antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals (molecules that cause damage to cells).
Exercise regularly. A healthy immune system is one that is fit—and exercise helps you achieve your fitness goals by improving circulation and lowering stress levels, which can weaken your immune system over time if left unchecked.
Get enough sleep every night. Getting enough sleep not only helps keep your energy levels up but also helps keep your moods calm so you can think clearly throughout the day—a great thing when it comes to avoiding sickness!
Drink plenty of water each day; dehydration weakens the body’s ability to fight off illness by making mucous membranes dryer so that they cannot trap germs or cleanse toxins as efficiently as well as inhibit proper nutrient absorption which may diminish the effectiveness of any medications taken for cold or flu symptoms such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Herbal teas can be good for improving your immune system
Herbal teas are a great way to boost your immune system and improve overall health. While herbal teas aren't a replacement for the flu shot, they are an excellent addition to your supplement regimen. Tea contains antioxidants and vitamins that help the body fight off illness more efficiently. It also has stimulants like caffeine that can help you feel less tired and run-down, allowing you to function when you're sick. Plus, tea is delicious!
So what's so great about tea?
Conclusion
Herbal teas are a great way to boost your immune system and keep you healthy. Remember that these teas aren't meant to replace traditional medical care, but rather work in conjunction with it. Consult a doctor before taking any herbal supplements or drinking any herbal tea if you have existing medical issues or are taking prescription medications for any reason