Among all their virtues, some plants strengthen the immune system. For top natural defenses this winter, find out which ones and how to take advantage of their benefits.
The proper functioning of our immune defenses helps the body to resist many infections, especially those related to the cold. This is why it is very important to strengthen the immune system. To prevent possible diseases, the treasures that nature offers us will be of great support to you.
Strengthen the immune system with plants
Powerful plants to help your body
Here is a small list of plants that have the particularity of significantly boosting your immune system.
- Noni juice
- Ginseng
- Echinacea
- Eleutherococcus
- Astragalus
- Thyme
- The tea tree
- Cat’s claw
- Pachyme
- Turmeric
- The acerola
- Guarana
- Propolis
Plant # 1 to strengthen the immune system: noni juice
The immune system stimulating properties come from a complex mixture of several bioactive substances from the Morinda citrifolia fruit (noni) such as alkaloids, unique polysaccharides, and coumarins.
The active ingredients found in noni fruit stimulate phagocytosis, the process by which certain specific white blood cells (macrophages) spot, attack, and then destroy infectious germs. This is the reason why the noni fruit is credited with stimulating the innate immune system.
Noni juice offers other health benefits.
The fruit of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) has antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic. Studies have also highlighted the therapeutic potential of this fruit on anxiety, excess cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
It is thought to improve the quality of sleep and relieve the pain caused by inflammation: arthritis, headaches, and fibromyalgia. Its taste is however quite unpleasant, even completely repulsive!
Plant # 2 to strengthen the immune system: Ginseng
The most famous plant in traditional Chinese medicine, Panax ginseng contributes to the improvement of certain physiological functions, including immune functions. Ginseng is traditionally used to fight against asthenia, a state of general fatigue for no apparent reason. It thus promotes well-being while improving physical capacities.
The European Commission and the World Health Organization recognize today the beneficial effects of ginseng on the body.
Plant # 3 to strengthen the immune system: echinacea
Immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic, echinacea is a plant whose medicinal properties are recognized and used traditionally by the Indians of North America.
Indeed, the Echinacea effectively stimulates the natural defenses of the body and helps in preventing infections. But according to the researchers, the preventive effect of echinacea could vary from person to person, depending on the type of virus and the preparation used to prevent it.
Plant # 4 to strengthen the immune system: Eleutherococcus
Also called ” Siberian ginseng “, Eleutherococcus is an adaptogenic plant with tonic action on the whole organism. Used in herbal medicine to promote the resistance of the body to effort and facilitate recovery, Eleutherococcus has been widely used in Eastern countries to increase the performance of athletes.
The European Commission and WHO recognize Eleutherococcus as a tonic that can support and stimulate the body in the event of fatigue and weakness.
Plant # 5 to strengthen the immune system: the talus
The astragalus is a plant that, through antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibiotics, stimulates the immune system of weakened people. According to traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus also stimulates heart function and helps prevent respiratory infections.
In addition, according to some researchers, astragalus acts as a catalyst for interferon and it would restore the activity of T lymphocytes in cancer patients.
Plant # 6 to strengthen the immune system: thyme
Antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal, thyme has a number of active ingredients. it stimulates the immune system.
In addition, a true respiratory tract disinfectant, thyme is a perfect béchique, that is to say, a remedy against cough.
It contains linalool, which helps to fight against lung problems and physical and mental fatigue.
Also, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal thymol. From tujanol with antibacterial properties, antiviral, antifungal, and neurotoxic immunostimulant. And also geraniol with antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, thinning, and expectorant properties …
Plant # 7 to strengthen the immune system: the tea tree
The tea tree is a traditional remedy for the Aborigines of Australia.
The essential oil of the tea tree, present in the leaves and stems, fights against a number of bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. Anti-infectious, it also promotes the immune system.
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Plant # 8 to strengthen the immune system: cat’s claw
This plant from the Amazon also called Liana from Peru has excellent anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, antirheumatic, and antileukemic properties. Cat’s claw promotes the proper functioning of the immune system and the digestive system.
The benefits of a cat’s claw have been recognized on the clinical level where it is granted effects against leukemia, tumors, or ulcers.
Plant # 9 to strengthen the immune system: pachyme
Mushrooms consumed in China for 2000 years, pachyme is an antitumor, antimutagenic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, recommended for people suffering, but also for children.
Pachyme also acts against chronic fatigue while stimulating the immune system.
Plant # 10 to strengthen the immune system: Turmeric
Star of Indian cuisine, which it enhances with its warm orange color, turmeric or ” Indian Saffron ” is also widely used in traditional Asian medicines.
Indeed, among other virtues, turmeric promotes digestion, participates in joint comfort, and helps strengthen the immune system. Rich in antioxidants – it is one of the plants that contain the most -, including curcumin, it helps to fight against the ” oxidative stress ” responsible for premature aging of cells, however, due to its low bioavailability, eating this spice by mixing it with your dishes is not enough to bring about beneficial results. For it to be better absorbed by the body, it must be combined with piperine (pepper) or with … turmeric oil!
Plant # 11 to strengthen the immune system: acerola
The acerola or cherry of the Antilles resembles a small cherry and it is renowned for its exceptional concentration of vitamin C. This fruit contains 10 times more than orange for example, which makes it one of the fruits most concentrated in vitamin C. Ideal for filling up with vitality every day.
Rich in anti-free radicals, acerola has antioxidant, antiseptic, and anti-infectious properties, and proves to be an excellent psycho-nervous, endocrine, adrenal stimulant, and vascular protector. Here is a fruit that acts like a general and muscular conditioner, to be recommended during winter blows, it fights asthenia, fatigue, and restores tone.
Plant # 12 to strengthen the immune system: guarana
Rich in trace elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus but also in vitamins, guarana is a natural appetite suppressant. It contains guaranine, from the caffeine family, which has the characteristic of diffusing slowly in the body and has lipolytic properties, which means that it helps to burn fat and diuretics.
This excellent neuromuscular tonic stimulates physical and cerebral activities, energizes the brain, and can be used as an anti-stress, anti-fatigue but also anti-diarrheal, and analgesic.
Plant #13 Bonus to strengthen the immune system: propolis
Propolis is not strictly speaking a plant but can also help strengthen the immune system.
Developed by bees thanks to resinous substances which they collect from buds, propolis has therapeutic properties that apply not only to the immune system, and the nervous system but also to the respiratory, blood, and digestive systems. Propolis is also excellent against skin conditions.
