Top 4 Traditional Chinese Herbs to boost immunity this winter

Winter is coming and along for the ride are sore throats, coughs, recurrent colds, and that general stuffy feeling that lingers long past its welcome date. And while a healthy diet and all the hand sanitizer in the world may have you thinking you’re sorted, there are several herbs of Chinese medicine that can help strengthen immune function and help get you fighting fit when a germ does finally cross your path.

To prepare for the winter onslaught, Fusion Health Holistic Nutritionist and Naturopath, Erika Morvay, shares her top four Traditional Chinese Medicine ingredients to help support a healthy and happy immune system.

1. Astragalus Root, Huang Qi

Astragalus Root receives an A+ when it comes to immunity herbs. As a traditional adaptogen it helps to protect the body against various stressors through its immune enhancing properties - because when you’re fighting infection, you’re under a whole lot of stress. Naturally rich in immune-modulating polysaccharides, astragalus also has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties which act to help protect the immune system. 

Tip: Use Astragalus to bolster your immune system and help prevent colds.

2. Andrographis Leaf, Chuan Xin Lian

Andrographis Leaf is a triple-threat herb with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and importantly, in traditional Chinese medicine, covers four different meridians, including heart, lung, large intestine, and urinary bladder. The herb’s main functions are heat-clearing and detoxifying, cooling blood, and reducing swelling which make it ideal in cleansing the blood and strengthening the immune system to fight off infection. 

Tip: Use Andrographis Leaf to help reduce the severity and duration of colds, fever and sore throats.

3. Honeysuckle Flower, Jin Yin Hua

While there are around 200 species of this beautiful flower that grow around the world, the Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), with its fragrant yellow-white flowers, is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It holds both sweet and cold properties, and is associated with the lung, stomach and large intestine meridians. It is used to clear heat and remove toxins which helps in aiding compromised immune function.

Tip: Use Honeysuckle Flower to help fevers, inflammation and sore throats.

4. Asian Ginseng, Ren Shen

Widely used as an immune system enhancer, and also as a general tonic, Ginseng is the most popular of all Chinese herbs. And while there are over 30 types of ginseng available, including Korean ginseng, American ginseng, and Siberian ginseng, Asian Ginseng is well known for its ability to stimulate and regulate the immune system. In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects Ginseng can also be used as a flu-season pick-me-up to help fight fatigue, boosting endurance and mental alertness.

Tip: Use Ginseng to boost your immune system and mood when the winter blues set it.

As Chinese herbal formulas are designed to achieve a stronger effect than single herbs, be sure to speak to your healthcare practitioner to find out which supplement is right for you.

Erika is a qualified Naturopath and Holistic Nutritionist. She has over a decade of experience working within the natural therapies industry and continues to educate herself to grow her expertise. She is part of the technical services team at Global Therapeutics (Fusion Health), providing expert advice to consumers, practitioners and retailers alike. She is also a founder of an online natural fertility coaching business, educating and supporting couples on their fertility journey. She is especially passionate about empowering and supporting women to live a nourished, fulfilled life. She can be contacted at www.erikamorvay.com

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