Immune herbs - what do I take?

Immune herbs are top of many people's list at this time of year. So many of them are common weeds and people find them supportive of their immune systems. Others are very well known and put in many herbal products and found over the counter, but they're not ones I would recommend for taking when you're in the midst of the dreaded lurgy. So, what to take or avoid when you've got the sniffles?

🚫Avoid echinacea, Echinacea ssp, unless you take it when you have the first sniff, cough, tickle in your throat or it may prolong your sickness. It is an immune modulating herb.

🚫Astraglaus membranaceus is another herb that is common in over the counter products. It has a long history of use in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and is wonderful to take as a preventative if you are prone to catching anything going around. Again, it may extend your sickness.

🌱Ribwort, Plantago lanceolata and ground ivy, Glehoma hederacea/Nepeta hederacea, are soothing herbs for the respiratory system, ear canals and sinuses and may relieve congestion and catarrh.

🌱Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, is indicated for its antimicrobial, antibacterial and expectorant actions. It has an affinity with the respriratory tract and it may be indicated where there are coughs and congestion.

🌱Elder, Sambucus nigra, is a wonderful herb for children. Both the berry and the flower are used medicinally. The berry is known for its antiviral, antioxidant and immune enhancing actions and many believe it is best taken as a syrup. Elderflower may be indicated where there is fever, congestion, blocked ears and sinuses, coughs and colds.

🌱Marshmallow, Althaea officinalis, is such a soothing herb and also one that children tend to resonate with. It may soothe irritated throats and lungs.

🌱Kawakawa, Macropiper excelsum, It's a superstar in the medicine cabinet including when it comes to the immune system. It is antiinflammatory, expectorant, bronchodilator, analgesic, antimicrobial.

🌱Manuka, Leptospermum scoparium, another superstar is known for having many therapetic actions that relate to ills and chills - anticatarrhal, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, anitoxidant, antispasmodic and decongestant.

Echinacea purpurea is a great herb to take when you have the first signs of a tickle of sniffle but may prolong sickness if taken while you are sick