“Every home should have an herbalist.”
Dr. John Christopher
There is a bit of a new theme to my blog: herbs. Hopefully, if you’ve been with me this long, it’s because we love some of the same things (herbs being one of those). Hopefully yuou've also realized how effective they are at supporting and protecting the immune system!
Last month, I talked about Nourishing Your Body Through Our Earth's Plants and how you can bring more mineral support to your body through herbs. If you didn’t get a chance to read October’s article, I encourage you to do so. I also introduced the idea of “multifunctional herbs.” This month, we’ll be building on that theme as we discuss herbal antibiotics & antivirals. In addition, I want to introduce the way herbs are meant to work together in a synergistic fashion.
I know plenty of people who have their go to herb when an infection strikes, such as Ginger, Elderberry, or Echinacea. Herbs find their greatest strengths when supported by their loved ones (just like we do as people), and their loved ones happen to be other herbs. Herbs synergize to bring about multiple properties and carry out additional functions in the body. When you have a truly professional formula, it will on its own complete some necessary bodily processes and even contain herbs that enhance the effects of the other herbs in the formula. Stick that in your pipe, Ibuprofen.
Immune Boosting & Infection Fighting Herbal Favorites
We want to equip you with an array of herbs that can be used in a number of ways. After we go through each, we’ll talk about how they can be combined together or used in some creative ways.
Echinacea
I start with Echinacea because if you were to only utilize one herb this winter, I would look no further. It has been said to be “a wonder herb for all acute inflammatory conditions.” It can be used safely long term to boost the immune system, and dosed higher when you think your body is fighting something off. It’s best known as an immune stimulant, antiviral, antibacterial, and is especially useful for infections of the upper respiratory tract.
Benefits include:
Strengthens the immune system, aiding the body in defending against bacterial and viral challenges
Boosts energy and helps reduce fatigue, enhancing vitality
Supports the immune system’s balanced response to environmental pathogens
Provides antioxidant properties, helping protect cells & enhance immune function
Known for promoting the body’s natural defense mechanisms, especially during seasonal changes
Cinnamon
We’ll absolutely be coming back to this one to discuss ways to incorporate it. While cinnamon is delicious and helpful for the GI and circulation, it’s also a wonderful antiviral, antibacterial, and antibiotic. It works best in a blend, as opposed to by itself.
Benefits Include
Supports healthy blood sugar balance & promotes stable energy levels
Known for its warming properties that aid in maintaining overall wellness
Helps protect cells from oxidative stress, supporting long-term health
Aids in balancing the body’s natural response to environmental factors
Known to enhance vitality and provide gentle digestive support
Astragalus
This is a wonderful Chinese herb that you may or may not be familiar with. It’s known to build weakness against illness, fight fevers, as an antiviral, and to inhibit viral replication. Astragalus strengthens the immune system, helping the body defend against harmful bacteria and viruses.
Benefits include:
Known to boost energy and vitality, reducing fatigue and enhance stamina
Promotes a balanced immune response, which helps prevent overreaction to external pathogens
Supports cellular health by helping the immune system respond effectively to bacterial & viral invaders
Provides antioxidant protection, reducing oxidative stress and aiding in the body’s natural defenses
Reishi
Where my Reishi mushroom fans at??! Reishi has been used in Chinese Medicine for over 4,000 years. Not everyone can tolerate mushrooms, but if you can, this is a pretty incredible one. It is known as a “deep immune system tonic,” and helps build the immune system while having particular use against viruses.
Benefits Include:
Strengthens immune defenses, promoting resistance to bacterial and viral pathogens
Supports calmness and reduces fatigue, enhancing energy reserves
Helps the immune system maintain balanced responses to threats
Contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage and boost immune function
Known to support respiratory health, aiding in the body’s natural defenses
Goldenseal Root
This is a potent herb, and one that should really only be used for short term situations (i.e., when your body is fighting something acute). It helps to clear heat from the body, and is specific for treating infections in the mouth and mucous membranes. It helps to dry out the mucous membranes while fighting off the infections.
Benefits Include:
Promotes healthy skin and mucous membrane function, aiding in respiratory wellness
Supports immune health, aiding in defense against bacterial and viral invaders
Helps the immune system respond to seasonal pathogens effectively
Provides antioxidants, protecting cells from damage due to infections
Known to help the body maintain clear and healthy sinuses
Cat’s Claw
Cat’s Claw has long been used for fevers, colds, & the flu. It’s a powerful antioxidant, and helpful as an antibiotic and antiviral. In general, it can help clear both inflammation and free radicals from the body.
Benefits Include:
Supports immune system function, aiding in defense against bacterial and viral challenges
Promotes joint health by helping the body respond to inflammation
Strengthens the immune response, providing resistance to pathogens
Contains antioxidants that support immune health and cellular resilience
Known to promote respiratory and digestive wellness, aiding the immune system
Licorice
Last, but certainly not least is Licorice. By itself, it’s known to be an effective antiviral, especially for Herpes viruses (if you’re not familiar, these include those such as Epstein Barr Virus). It can be soothing for the throat while helping to treat coughs and throat congestion. However, Licorice gets its greatest power in working with others: it helps to synergize formulas, bring out the best in other herbs, and hold a blend together. What’s more, it is effective in masking the taste of those less-than-pleasant herbs some of us don’t have the palate for.
Benefits Include:
Supports immune health by helping the body resist bacterial and viral invaders
Promotes digestive health, soothing the stomach and enhancing gut resilience
Aids the immune system in maintaining balance and reducing inflammation
Provides antioxidants, supporting cellular health and immune defenses
Known to support respiratory wellness, aiding the body’s response to pathogens
Herbs: We’re Better Together
So how can you utilize all of these? My favorite way is always teas. However, here’s a few other ways (to hopefully inspire some creativity):
Echinacea can be stocked in capsule form for the winter season or emergencies
Cinnamon can be added to your coffee or tea that you’re already drinking (if you do this, make sure it’s good quality cinnamon so you get the benefits you’re desiring!)
Reishi comes in a lot of creative forms, such as capsules and King instant coffee packets
I’ve been known to throw every herb I have together into a tea (kidding, sort of). If you’ve been drinking Ginger tea for your winter immunity, maybe you’ll consider adding in some of the herbs we’ve talked about today to create additional benefits for your body. With some of the herbs we’ve talked about, here’s how you can approach combining them together:
Use Echinacea for your base
Utilize Cats Claw & Astragalus as additional herbs in the blend
Use Ginger or Licorice for taste as well as to synergize the formula (Ginger is a wonderful herb for the immune system, while also having synergistic properties)
Keep Goldenseal out of the blend itself, but add it in specifically when you're sick and your body needs extra support to fight something.
(Again, this is a powerful herb and you want to use it in acute situations as opposed to daily).
Throw a Cinnamon stick in your tea at the end for both taste & added benefit
Use this tea strainer to hold all your herbs in
Want to know where I get these amazing herbs? Here’s a few of my favorite places to purchase herbal products from:
If you try out some of these herbs for the first time, or try making your own blend, I would love to hear from you! I truly enjoy discussing all things herbs, and would love to know how this goes for you. Questions? Reach out anytime!
Stefanie is a Bioenergetic Root Cause Practitioner & Health Coach. She guides individuals through the challenges of chronic illness to help them find clarity in the WHY behind their symptoms, so they can find a clear path forward back to a life of health and purpose.
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