Nature’s Immune Allies: What the Evidence Says About Five Popular Herbs.
By Dr. Francis Kutin, ND, MPH Naturopathic Physician and Medical Science Communicator Educational information only. This article is not medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herb or supplement, especially if you have a chronic illness, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take prescription medicine. Summary Many people are interested in herbs that support the immune system. The evidence behind them varies a lot, from small human trials to mostly laboratory and animal studies. This article looks at five commonly used botanicals (medicinal mushrooms, elderberry, astragalus, Andrographis and echinacea), what research suggests about each, their local Twi names where they exist, and the safety points to know about. None of them replaces the basics of immune health: sleep, nutrition, stress management, gut health and exercise. Introduction The immune system works best when it is balanced, not overstimulated. Interest in herbal immune support has grown quic...
