By Amber, Supplements Buyer + Herbalism Enthusiast
While leaving my apartment this morning to go to work, I saw my breath fog the air for the first time this year. The little cloud reminded me that cooler days are coming, and with them, cold and flu season. Here's some of Cambridge Naturals' favorite immune-boosting herbs and how to use them!
Andrographis (andrographis paniculata): Native to Southern Asia, andrographis has been used in both Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries as a remedy for the common cold. Early scientific research suggests it may stimulate the immune system to produce more of a specific type of cell called lymphocytes, which fight off diseases. The compounds in andrographis also possess anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can find it in tincture and capsule form, and it's also an ingredient in several of our Cambridge Naturals supplement blends like the perennial favorite Sinus Blaster.
Echinacea (echinacea purpurea and echinacea angustifolia): Echinacea is one of the more familiar immune-supporting herbs to many people and has cemented itself in the canon of Western medicine. Consequently, the scientific research supporting it is better established than many other herbal remedies. Its immune-boosting properties are well studied, and recent research has suggested a number of potential other benefits such as anti-inflammatory action and even possibly providing relief from anxiety. Aside from being available by itself in tincture and capsule form, it's also one of the primary ingredients in our Ginger Zinger Immune Syrup and Immuno-Well Rx formulations, and is a constant Bulk section favorite.
Elderberry (sambucus nigra): Elderberry stands out in the materia medica of immune-boosting herbs for being delicious as well as medicinal. The berries (which must be dried or cooked before use) and flowers are used in tinctures, teas, and syrups. They're particularly high in Vitamin C and may be useful in particular against sinus infections, bacterial infections, and potentially even the flu. However, elderberry can have a diuretic effect and bring on sweating, so it's important to drink plenty of water while using it! Both the berries and flowers are popular bulk herbs at CN, as well as the syrups, tinctures, and capsules made from them.
Mullein (verbascum thapsus): One of our favorite wonderful weeds at Cambridge Naturals (and one whose virtues I've extolled on the CN Blog before) mullein's antibacterial and expectorant properties have been the subject of much attention lately. This fluffy leaf makes an antitussive addition to a healing tea or an easy-to-consume tincture. Indigenous Americans used the leaves variously as a tea, a topical poultice, and as an ingredient in smoking blends. Mullein also has a long and respected history in African American herbal traditions; the Black agricultural scientist George Washington Carver notably endorsed its healing properties. It's one of the best-selling herbs in CN's Bulk Herbs section, and we've recently brought in tinctures and capsules as well.
Osha (ligusticum porteri): Osha grows mainly in the Rocky Mountains of the United States, and is related to the wild carrot (apiaceae) family. It is considered an important plant by many Indigenous American communities such as the Diné, who tell a story about learning to use the herb from watching wild bears consume it. Its gnarled, dark-brown roots are made into a tea or tincture valued for its antibacterial and anti-microbial properties. Early research suggests it may also protect against cellular damage due to its antioxidant compounds. You can find it in products like our Bronchial Syrup and Congest-Eeze capsules, as well as in a tincture by itself.
These are only a handful of the products we stock to keep you feeling hale and hearty all year round. Check out our full stock on our website, or come in to our Porter Square location for a chat about what we've got to help you feel your best!
Sources:
https://nativeplants.ku.edu/ethnobotany-research/ligusticum-osha
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-973/andrographis
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/echinacea
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/elderberry
https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/african-american-herbalism-history/
The information in this blog post is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.