The Best Herbs & Vitamins for the Immune System

Herbal medicine practitioners and naturopaths may recommend many different herbs depending on the particular condition of the body needing treatment. Quite a few of these also support the immune system. However, a general class of herbs called adaptogens, which increase the body's ability to withstand stress, appears to have a primary role in supporting and strengthening the immune system.

Herbs

• Ashwaganda (withania somniferum) is an adaptogen. Some refer to it as Indian ginseng because its actions are similar to ginseng. However, it is closer to potatoes or tomatoes than ginseng. It strengthens immunity, particularly against colds and flu. A typical dose is one teaspoon of the powder twice a day, boiled in milk or water. Children or already weakened individuals should reduce this dosage level.
  Astralagus (astragalus membranaceus) is a mainstay adaptogen in Chinese herbal medicine. According to one reference, astralagus "strengthens the spleen, blood and Qi, raises the Yang Qi of the spleen and stomach and stabilizes the exterior." The Chinese reference to stabilizing the exterior means that astralagus creates a defensive shield against infection. A typical use is to boil 9 to 30 grams of the dried root to make a tea.
  Reishi (ganoderma lucidum) is another adaptogen, also used in China and Japan as an immune-enhancing supplement, effective on many diseases including cancer, asthma, bronchitis, viral hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, mental losses, ulcers and altitude sickness. The usual dose is 2 to 6 grams a day of the raw fungus or the equivalent extract taken with meals.
  Rhodiola, or artic root, is an adaptogen highly recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil in his book "Healthy Aging" as a substance that increases resistance to harmful influences--that is, builds up the body's immune system. A normal dose is 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the afternoon.

Vitamins

• Vitamin A is an immune system stimulator. The best food sources are fish liver oils and green and yellow fruits and vegetables, including apricots, asparagus, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, kale, mustard greens and spinach. Very large doses of vitamin A can be toxic, so users are cautioned to consult a medical specialist if a dose higher than 10,000 IU a day is to be consumed.
  Vitamin C not only acts as a strong antioxidant, but, as stated in the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" it "aids in the production of anti-stress hormones and interferon, an important immune system protein, and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine and phenylalanine."