Herbal Heroes in Immune System Defense
As you get older, your body produces fewer immune cells, including T helper cells, which coordinate other immune cells, according to the National Institutes of Health. Maintaining a strong immune system can help you avoid sickness, including age-related diseases. These include cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
Want to strengthen your immune system naturally? Consider an herbal immune booster. Try these immune system support herbs to help your body fight off illness and infection.
Ginger
Ginger contains anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-viral properties. It's among the top herbs for health defense.
Ginger features gingerol, which offers potent medical properties. It's used to fight the flu and the common cold.
Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when there are too many free radicals in the body. It can damage your organs and tissues, leading to:
- Inflammatory conditions
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's)
- Diabetes
- Atherosclerosis
This attack on antioxidants in the body can contribute to aging.
Adding ginger to your diet could help with osteoarthritis. It may ease symptoms like joint pain and stiffness.
This powerful herb may also lower blood sugar levels, improving heart disease risk factors. Ginger could reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Compounds in ginger like 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol may prevent degenerative diseases. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress could drive age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. These compounds could inhibit inflammatory responses in the brain, preventing cognitive decline.
Try adding ginger to your diet. Use it to spice soups and vegetables or drink it as tea with cloves and cinnamon.
Ginseng
Ginseng has long been used in traditional Chinese medicinal practices to fight viruses. This ancient root, one of the most popular potential natural immune boosters, could help your immune system maintain equilibrium. It could fight microbes that threaten immune system function.
Ginseng is rich in powerful antioxidants that can benefit immunity, blood sugar management, and brain health. These antioxidants may reduce inflammation.
It could benefit brain functions like behavior, mood, and memory. According to one review in the Journal of Ginseng Research, it helped ease stress and offered benefits for depression and anxiety. It could have a positive effect on people with Alzheimer's disease.
Ginseng's antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties can enhance your immune system. Add it to your diet through soups, stir-fries, and teas. You can cook with friends in your senior living community to discover new dishes.
Fennel
Fennel exhibits strong antiviral effects. It could fight respiratory infections and viruses.
According to animal research, its herbal medicine benefits include:
- Improved heart health
- Cancer protection
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved mental health
Its anti-inflammatory properties may help combat viral infections. You can add fennel and other immune system support herbs to your favorite dishes.
Garlic
As you explore these immune-boosting plants, don't forget garlic. It's used as a natural remedy for viral infections. Garlic contains allicin, diallyl disulfide, and s-allyl cysteine.
These compounds can provide strong biological effects. Their antiviral properties may boost your immune system. They work by preventing viruses from entering host cells or replicating within cells.
The active compounds in garlic may reduce blood pressure. The allicin in garlic may relax your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow easily.
Consuming more garlic may improve your cholesterol levels. This could lower your risk of heart disease.
It also contains antioxidants that may help prevent Alzheimer's and dementia. Garlic could reduce oxidative stress, while allicin may protect you against cognitive decline.
Peppermint
Consider adding peppermint to your list of believed immune system support herbs. Peppermint contains antiviral properties. It's often added to tinctures to naturally treat infections.
The menthol and rosmarinic acid in peppermint leaves have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. They could reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Determine if your senior living community offers gardening and other activities. You can plant your own peppermint!
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has medicinal properties. It's often used in teas and seasonings. Its potent plant compounds offer antiviral benefits.
Lemon balm could also:
- Improve memory
- Relieve stress and anxiety
- Improve cognitive function
- Ease insomnia
- Support restful sleep
- Benefit your cardiovascular system
Getting enough sleep at night gives your body the chance to fend off viruses. Enjoy the comforts of living in a senior living community to get the rest you need.
Sage
Sage is a member of the plant family. It's used in traditional medicine to treat viral infections. Its active compounds include sage one and safficinolide.
Sage is loaded with antioxidants, allowing it to fortify your body's natural defenses. It could help neutralize free radicals that are linked to chronic diseases.
Other potential herbal medicine benefits include:
- Memory and brain health support
- Lower LDL cholesterol levels
- Protection against certain cancers
- Reduced blood sugar levels
Oregano
Oregano can enhance a variety of recipes, including your favorite Italian dishes. The carvacrol in oregano offers antiviral properties.
It could reduce the activity of murine norovirus, which is the primary cause of stomach flu in humans. This herb could reduce viral infections and help fight bacteria in the body. Oregano is also rich in antioxidants.
Basil
Basil features compounds like apigenin and ursolic acid, which may fight certain viral infections. Holy basil (tulsi) could help boost your body's immune system. Consider adding basil to your favorite dishes or drinking tulsi tea.
Echinacea
Immune-boosting plants like echinacea are often found in teas and herbal medicines. It's useful for treating viral infections, including influenza and herpes.
This group of flowering plants is high in antioxidants. Echinacea may benefit your immune system by combating infections and viruses. Its anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce your risk of chronic diseases and health problems.
Echinacea could help you recover faster from illness. It's often used to treat or prevent the common cold.
Find Your Herbal Immune Booster
Consider mixing a few of these herbs into a juice or using them to make tea. With these immune system support herbs, you can create an herbal immune booster to improve your health and longevity.
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We provide ample recreational activities and social events in a comfortable, engaging community. Contact us now to schedule your tour!