Let’s Talk Herbs For Immune support
Here at Byron Botanicals, we believe that herbal medicine is the peoples medicine and our online herbal dispensary offers herbal extracts to the home herbalist, the natural home maker, nature lover, wellness enthusiast and anyone who is interested in plants and our connection to them, and their power to heal. We offer herbal extracts such as Andrographis, Elderberry, Elderflowers, Astragalus, Olive Leaf, and echinacea, click here for all individual herbal extracts, as well as herbalist developed herbal blends to support both adults and kids. Our Kids Winter Defence drops, click here to purchase, are the perfect option for little taste buds, and contains supportive herbs in a delicious tasting drop dose formula.
Garlic ~ aromatic hot pungent and spicy
Garlic especially shines at relieving congestion, whether in the lungs or the sinuses. Raw garlic is spicy and stimulates mucus flow, while also helping to thin and expel it from the body. This is effective both when using it internally or externally as an infused oil, such as being rubbed on the chest or feet.
Perhaps because of this, it is sometimes mistakenly called an herbal antibiotic. The term “antibiotic” means anti-life and is used to describe pharmaceuticals that indiscriminately kill all bacteria they come into contact with.
Garlic also does something that pharmaceutical antibiotics never do! Garlic can increase your immune system activity. Studies have shown that it increases the natural killer cells of the immune system and reduces inflammatory cytokines (chemical messengers of the immune system), reducing the incidence and duration of colds.
To increase the potency of garlic each time you use it, crush a garlic clove and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then continue to prepare your food or desired remedy. (The 10-minute waiting period allows the enzyme alliinase to convert alliin into allicin, which is responsible for the aroma and activity of fresh garlic.)
Elderberry & Elderflowers ~ warming
Elderberry has traditionally been used in folk medicine for the treatment of influenza, and is known to reduce flu symptoms, especially if taken during the early stages. It has been trialed for us in both influenza A & B, and can inhibit the replication of viruses, reducing symptoms and duration.
Andrographis ~ cooling – best used alongside warming herbs
Andrographis is an Ayurvedic herb that supports the immune system. It contains andrographolide, which is thought to reduce symptoms such as sore throats, and nasal congestion associated with respiratory conditions such as colds and flu. Andrographis should only be used for short periods of time, up to two weeks, and are best taken during the earlier stages of illness.
Astragalus ~
Astragalus is traditionally used as a tonic for colds and flu, and is often used alongside other supportive herbs. It is known to activate immune function, and is often combined with herbs such as licorice and echinacea for a powerful immune supportive tonic.
