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Immune-boosting herbs
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Herbs that boost immunity are valued for their medicinal properties and ability to restore the body's defenses. Let's look at what herbs there are to boost immunity, how to brew them, and when to take them.
Herbs for boosting immunity are effective herbal remedies that strengthen the immune system and take care of the performance of all body functions. But most importantly, medicinal herbs are absolutely safe for the body, both children and adults. The most effective herbs for strengthening the immune system are: ginseng, echinacea, dandelion, garlic, celandine, St. John's wort, red clover and others.
The immune system is a protective barrier that protects us from harmful substances that form in the body or come from outside. The immune system produces immunocompetent cells, that is, plasma cells, lymphocytes and antibodies, which are biologically active substances that recognize and destroy antigens, fungi, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and so on. It is the reduced immunity, that is, the weak immune system, that is the cause of frequent illnesses in both adults and children.
What herbs boost immunity?
What herbs boost immunity? How to take them correctly and most importantly, when to support and stimulate the immune system with herbs. Let's look at the most popular herbs that boost immunity.
- Ginseng – this plant has been used for a long time to support the immune system. Ginseng is a plant that is rich in dopamine (the hormone of happiness and pleasure). The plant enhances the body's defenses, increases efficiency and good mood. Very often, ginseng is used as the main component of various medications, immunostimulants and tonics.
Ginseng is recommended to be used in the form of an alcohol tincture. The medicine should be taken once a day, three to four times a week. As a rule, a dosage of twenty drops of ginseng diluted with water is used to support the immune system in the cold season.
- Eleutherococcus senticosus is a plant from which a medicinal extract is made. The roots and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. The main properties of Eleutherococcus are toning and stimulating the immune system. The plant improves vision, increases physical endurance and overall performance. The effect of using the herb, which increases immunity, will make itself felt after two weeks of regular use. An alcohol tincture is prepared from the plant, which must be taken before meals.
- The roots of Manchurian aralia are a popular herbal remedy used to make medicines that strengthen the immune system. The plant tones and has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. And taking the roots of Manchurian aralia after serious illnesses helps restore health and a damaged immune system. An alcohol tincture is made from the herb, which is taken 40 drops three times a day.
- Rhodiola rosea is used as an adaptogenic agent. The plant increases mental and physical abilities, strengthens the immune system. The leaves and rhizome are most valued. A tincture is made from the plant, which is taken 10-20 drops three times a day before meals. In addition to a weakened immune system, the plant has other indications for use - increased fatigue, decreased mental and physical activity, vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Echinacea for immunity
Echinacea for immunity – used as an immunostimulant, which increases the number of phagocytes in the blood (cells that absorb harmful substances, i.e. bacteria, dying cells and foreign particles). Echinacea affects the immune system as a complex treatment for children and adults. The main effect of the plant is to suppress the reproduction of herpes and flu viruses, E. coli, staphylococci and streptococci.
Echinacea tincture can be purchased at the pharmacy, but it can also be prepared at home. Let's look at recipes for echinacea tincture and decoction.
- Tincture: 100 g of crushed grass, pour 200-300 ml of boiling water and place in a water bath for 15-30 minutes. After this, the infusion must be cooled, filtered and taken a quarter of a glass three times a day.
- Decoction: 300 g of echinacea roots (pre-crushed), pour boiling water and place in a water bath for 40-50 minutes. After that, strain and squeeze the decoction. Take a tablespoon three times a day.
Altai herbs for immunity
Altai herbs for immunity are valued all over the world. Because these herbs growing in Altai have absorbed the special energy of the mountainous area with its healing air and amazingly beautiful nature. Various balms, syrups and tinctures are made from Altai herbs, which help strengthen the immune system, cure colds or cope with cardiovascular diseases. Herbs such as licorice, rose hips, St. John's wort, meadow geranium, chaga, kopeck and others are used to prepare medicinal extracts.
When preparing extracts to strengthen the immune system from Altai herbs, water is used, which allows for the complete extraction of valuable biologically active substances from the plants. Altai herbs have healing powers, so they are dried and made into teas, herbal infusions, balms and extracts.
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Herbal collection for immunity
Herbal collection for immunity - these are the most popular medicinal herbs that are used to restore the immune system. Let's look at an effective herbal collection that increases immunity. The collection includes:
- Wormwood (three parts);
- Licorice root (three parts);
- Motherwort (two parts);
- Dandelion root (two lobes);
- St. John's wort and lungwort (two parts);
- Mint and rose hips (two parts);
- Raspberry leaves and birch leaves (six lobes).
The herbal collection is valued for its immunostimulating properties. The herbal collection protects liver cells and produces a choleretic effect. The collection has a general strengthening effect. Since the herbal collection is presented in shares, that is, the percentage content of certain herbs, it must be brewed in a special way. One tablespoon of the herb is poured with 500 ml of boiling water and infused. The collection must be drunk before meals.
Herbal infusions for immunity
Herbal infusions for immunity are a popular folk remedy that allows you to strengthen the immune system in the safest and most effective way. Most often, ginseng and echinacea are used for infusions, as these plants activate the immune system. But it is necessary to take herbal infusions very carefully, as the use of some herbs leads to an intensive consumption of enzymes and substances that are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. This is why long-term use of herbal infusions that increase immunity can lead to depletion of the body.
Let's look at the most effective and popular herbal infusions for immunity and recipes for their preparation.
- An excellent tonic drink can be prepared from hawthorn, rose hips and raspberries. All plant components must be thoroughly crushed and poured with boiling water. Infuse for 30-40 minutes until completely cooled, drink as tea.
- Infusions that boost the immune system can be not only healthy, but also delicious. You will need 1-2 kg of fresh beets, the same amount of carrots, 1 kg of pomegranates, 1 kg of lemons and 1 kg of flower or herbal honey. Grind the ingredients and pour honey over them. Leave for 24 hours, take one teaspoon in the morning before meals and one teaspoon at night.
- Mix dried mint, St. John's wort, lemon balm and linden blossom (a tablespoon of each). Pour boiling water over the herb and let it steep for 15-20 minutes. Take throughout the day.
- Mix echinacea leaves, blackcurrant leaves, lemon balm, rose hips and strawberry leaves. It is best to infuse the herbs in a thermos for 3-5 hours. Drink in small portions throughout the day. The course of treatment with herbs that boost immunity is 18-20 days.
- This recipe will not only strengthen the immune system, but also improve digestion. A glass of oats and 100 g of rose hips should be poured with boiling water and infused for 12 hours (it is better to make the infusion at night). Take the tincture half a glass 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 30 days. Please note that you can add dried fruits to the rose hips for a more pleasant taste.
Herbs that boost immunity in children
Herbs that boost immunity in children help to safely restore the child's immune system, protect the child's body from viruses and infections. Today, most children have a weakened immune system that cannot cope with infections and viruses. Because of this, children of different ages often get sick. We offer you recipes for infusions and decoctions of herbs that will help boost weakened children's immunity.
- Aloe is one of the effective and affordable herbal ingredients to boost a child’s immune system. Mix a few aloe leaves with 100 ml of homemade milk, 3 tablespoons of honey, lemon juice and walnuts. The ingredients should be infused for 48 hours and taken a teaspoon 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals.
- Black elderberry flowers help increase the activity of cells responsible for the protective functions of the immune system. A tablespoon of elderberry is poured with boiling water and infused. The infusion must be filtered and drunk before bedtime.
- Walnut leaves are another affordable herbal remedy that is great for boosting the immune system in children. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over a couple of spoons of leaves and leave for 12 hours (best done overnight). Strain the infusion and take half a glass twice a day.
Best Herb for Immunity
The best herbs for immunity, or rather for its restoration and maintenance, are echinacea, St. John's wort, dandelion and many other herbs. The most effective herbs that increase immunity, both in adults and children, are selected individually and depend on the presence of contraindications to their use.
Herbs that boost immunity are a natural storehouse of health that helps to safely and effectively restore the immune system and cope with various diseases. Herbal treatment refers to traditional medicine methods. Despite the medicinal properties of herbs, some of them have contraindications and certain rules of use. Therefore, before engaging in the restoration of the immune system with herbs, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.