Medicinal Herbs For Immunity

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Medicinal herbs for immunity

Echinacea for immunity

Content:

• Echinacea for immunity
• Eleutherococcus for immunity
• Aloe for immunity
• Ginseng for immunity
• Chamomile for immunity
• Celandine for immunity

Amateur flower growers know and love her echinacea for its unusual bright flowers, unpretentiousness and long flowering. But this plant has other completely amazing properties - it is a real home doctor who can help in the treatment of viral, fungal, infectious diseases.

The medicinal properties of echinacea are given by the substances contained in it:

• Polysaccharides (stimulate immune cells, enhance their ability to destroy viruses and bacteria);
• essential oils;
• flavonoids (have antioxidant properties, are able to neutralize free radicals, and therefore slow down aging);
• saponins (contribute to the liquefaction of phlegm, are able to bind excess cholesterol);
• inulin (stimulates the movement of immune cells to the focus of inflammation);
• echinacoside (a substance that has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microbes streptococci and staphylococci, which is comparable in strength to penicillin. In addition, it has an effect similar to adrenal cortex hormones: it enhances the body's resistance to stress, reduces the manifestation of allergies, relieves tissue edema at the site of inflammation);
• micro and macro elements - copper, selenium, molybdenum, zinc (necessary for the proper formation of cells of the immune system, hormones, neutralization of free radicals)

Echinacea medications are used to:

• strengthening immunity before the season of colds;
• treatment of viral and infectious diseases of the ear, throat, nose;
• complex treatment of kidney and bladder infections.

Contraindications to the appointment of Echinacea:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• children under 12 years old;
• immunodeficiencies caused by HIV;
• autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis);
• severe systemic diseases - progressive tuberculosis, widespread atherosclerosis of the vessels of the heart and brain;
• oncological diseases.

Basic applications

To prepare a tincture of echinacea, you need to take 200 grams of fresh stems, leaves of echinacea or buy dried plant herb at a pharmacy, in this case 50 grams of raw materials will be enough. Place in a dark glass jar or foil-wrapped jar. Pour the plant with 1 liter of a 40% solution of medical alcohol. Insist in a cool dark place for 30-40 days, shaking occasionally. Then strain the tincture, store at room temperature in a dark place.

If home preparation is impossible, ready-made echinacea tincture can be freely purchased at the pharmacy.

How to take echinacea tincture? It all depends on the type and severity of the disease. In acute infectious diseases, the following scheme is followed: the first dose is 40 drops, the second (after 2 hours) - 20 drops. In the following days, until recovery, take 20 drops 3 times a day on an empty stomach. The duration of the course of treatment should not exceed 10-14 days.

To strengthen immunity in the autumn-winter period, a 2-week course of 20 drops 3 times a day before meals is recommended.

Echinacea infusion. For those who are contraindicated in alcohol forms of drugs, you can prepare an infusion. For this, the dry herb of Echinacea is used. Put 1 tablespoon of raw materials in a thermos, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 12 hours. Then strain the infusion, add boiling water to a volume of 500 ml. Drink 100 ml 3 times a day half an hour before meals. The duration of the course of treatment is 10-14 days.

On the subject: Wheatgrass - a remedy for all diseases

Eleutherococcus for immunity

Eleutherococcus preparations stimulate the nervous system, improve appetite, increase efficiency, and tone muscles. The plant has a beneficial effect on the function of the gonads, normalizes low blood pressure. Its ability to help the body adapt to stress is well known.

Eleutherococcus for immunity is not a real immunostimulant, that is, it does not have a direct effect on immune cells. However, it has the amazing property of increasing the production of energy in all cells, including the blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections. As a result, they retain their activity longer, more effectively protecting the body from viruses and bacteria.

Eleutherococcus preparations are prescribed for:

• depression;
• during the period of recovery from infectious diseases;
• mental fatigue;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• loss of appetite;
• lowered arterial
• sexual weakness.

Contraindications:

• children under 12 years old;
• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• high blood pressure;
• heart diseases;
• increased nervous irritability;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• acute period of infectious diseases;
• insomnia.

Eleutherococcus tincture is the most available dosage form of this plant. It is almost impossible to get it fresh or dried.

To strengthen the immune system, 20-40 drops of tincture are prescribed 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach. The last dose should not be later than 5 hours before bedtime, as it can cause insomnia due to its stimulating effect. The recommended course of treatment is 1 month. You can repeat them throughout the year. It is better if it will be one course in autumn and spring.

Aloe for immunity

The prickly doctor on the windowsill - who does not know aloe. This plant is perhaps one of the most ancient medicinal plants. It is mentioned in the writings of Avicenna, Hippocrates and even in the Bible. Leaves are used as medicinal raw materials.

Aloe juice contains over 200 active ingredients. Among them: micro and macro elements, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids. Each has its own beneficial effect on the human body.

Special chemical compounds of legnina have a powerful antiulcer effect.

Aloe extract contains substances that can block the release of histamine, which is a major contributor to inflammation and allergies. Thus, aloe reduces allergic reactions and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Scientists have proven that under the influence of aloe, the recovery processes in the cells of the body are enhanced, they divide faster and grow better. This is due to its wound healing properties.

Aloe has an amazing effect on the body's resistance to viruses and bacteria. Its juice contains a special substance - carizin. It acts on the cells of the immune system, stimulating the formation of prostaglandins in them. These biologically active substances help kill bacteria and viruses.

The peculiarity of aloe extract is its ability to penetrate deeply into the tissues of the human body. This is due to the small size of the molecules of its active substances.

In folk medicine, aloe is used:

• as a general tonic for debilitating infectious diseases (tuberculosis, osteomyelitis);
• with nutritional disorders;
• for the treatment of depression;
• with insomnia;
• with constipation.

Official medicine prescribes injections of aloe extract for eye diseases, bronchial asthma, inflammation of the female genital organs.

There are contraindications to the use of aloe:

• pregnancy;
• hemorrhoids;
• inflammation of the bladder;
• uterine bleeding.

The most effective are aloe leaves that have undergone the process of biostimulation. To do this, cut off the large lower leaves of a 3-5 year old plant and keep them at a low temperature for 12 days. At home, you can do this by putting them in the refrigerator. After aging, the leaves are turned into gruel, then 100 grams of leaves are mixed with 100 grams of butter and 100 grams of honey. Take 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day on an empty stomach for 1 month.

List of the best immune-boosting foods

Ginseng for immunity

Ginseng is a legendary plant and the most ancient secret of Chinese medicine. With his help, the Chinese emperors maintained their physical and sexual health to a ripe old age. It is a very rare plant, found only in certain regions of the Far East and China. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find it in the wild.

Ginseng contains special substances from the group of glycosides called panaxosides. Scientific studies have shown that they selectively affect the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures, stimulating them. As a result, memory and attention improve, and the ability to learn increases.

Ginseng preparations improve blood circulation in all organs, normalize the work of the heart, and accelerate wound healing. Under their influence, it lowers blood glucose levels, stimulates the sex glands.

Ginseng is prescribed in complex treatment and prevention:

• low blood pressure;
• chronic fatigue;
• lack of appetite;
• decreased performance;
• impotence;
• diseases of the nervous system and psyche (depression).

Since ginseng preparations have a very strong stimulating effect, there are a number of contraindications to their use:

• heart disease
• high blood pressure;
• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• children under 12 years old.

Ginseng tincture is the most readily available of all dosage forms of this plant. It is taken 15-25 drops 3 times a day, regardless of the meal.

When using ginseng, remember to take it in the morning, as it stimulates the nervous system. In the first 10 days of admission, it is better to limit yourself to half the dose, this will allow you to find out the body's reaction to the drug. If you feel well, you can go to the whole dose. The duration of the course is on average 1-2 months. To achieve the best result, it is recommended to carry out 2-3 courses with a break between them in 3-4 weeks.

Chamomile for immunity

Blooming chamomile flowers are curative, which are collected, dried and used for medicinal purposes. Chamomile is rich in essential oil, which has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, it accelerates the recovery of the skin and mucous membranes after damage, weakens allergic reactions, and has an analgesic effect.

Chamomile is the only plant that is allowed in pregnant women to prevent colds in the autumn-winter period, because it does not belong to true immunostimulants. The complex mild effect it has on the body makes it a reliable but safe prophylactic agent in the cold and flu season.

Mode of application. Chamomile flowers are usually brewed as a tea. To do this, take 1 tablespoon of dry chamomile flowers and pour 250 ml of boiling water over them, insist for 20 minutes, filter. Take the whole infusion in 1 tablespoon during the day.

Celandine for immunity

Oddly enough, but botanical scientists attribute celandine to weeds. But Russian folk medicine has been using it since ancient times to treat many diseases.

The medicinal raw materials for celandine are stems, leaves, flowers, as well as fresh juice.

Celandine is rich in carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alkaloids. Alkaloids are special substances that are poisons in high concentrations, but in small doses have strong bactericidal and analgesic properties. Therefore, when treating with this plant, it is so important to observe the dosage.

To maintain the immune system, celandine is not used in its pure form, it shows its effectiveness only when mixed with other medicinal herbs.

Tincture of celandine is used not only to raise immunity, but also to treat benign tumors. Celandine is harvested at the budding stage, which occurs in early May, you need stems, leaves and flowers. To prepare the tincture, you need 200 grams of vodka and 1 tablespoon of dry celandine. Mix celandine thoroughly with vodka and let it infuse in a warm place for 14 days, then strain.

The infusion should be consumed in the morning before breakfast, drinking water according to the following scheme: 1 day - 1 drop; 2 day - 2 drops; 3 day - 3 drops and so on up to 15 drops. On the days of taking 4 to 7 drops, you may feel unwell - this will mean that your immunity is weak and its adaptation is taking place, you should stop the increase in drops for 2-3 days. As soon as you start to feel good, the increase in drops can be continued, in such cases, the use of the tincture can be increased up to 30 days.

Herbal collection. Dried raw materials are used for its preparation. You need to take 1 tablespoon of celandine herb, 1 tablespoon of peppermint, 1 teaspoon of wormwood herb and 1 teaspoon of black cumin seeds. Chop the herbs and mix in a glass jar. For brewing, take 2 teaspoons of the mixture and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Insist for 15 minutes. Cool, strain, add boiled water to 250 ml. Divide into several doses and take during the day. The recommended course of admission is 2 weeks.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).