Don’t Underestimate immune-boosting herbs.
More and more immune-boosting herbs are being discovered to help fight infection. There’s no need to make a stop by your doctors office anymore…just head to your health food store.
Here are some helpful herbs to combat & prevent infections.
As Louis Pasteur said, Prevention is better than cure.
Easy Steps to Help You Fight an Infection
- Eat lightly, making sure you get enough protein, which is needed to build immune cells, and keep war,m. If you have a mucus related infection, avoid dairy products
- Increase your Vitamin C intake to 3 grams every four hours
- Drink cat’s claw tea and consider adding ginger, echinacea drops and/or taking garlic capsules
- If you have a cold, take one tablespoon of Sambucol four times a day
- If you have a bacterial, fungal, or parasitical infection, take 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract 2 – 3 times a day
- If symptoms worsen, find out what your infection is and, if necessary see your doctor, especially if you are bot better within 5 days.
A to Z of Natural Infection Fighters
Vitamin A
This is one key immune-boosting nutrient. It helps strengthen the skin, inside & out, and therefore acts as a first line of defense, keeping the lungs, digestive tract, and skin intact. By strengthening cell walls, it keep viruses out.
Dose to fight infections: 10,000 to 25,000 IU a day (for one week only)
Maintenance: 7,500 IU daily
Vitamin A can be toxic in large doses, so levels above 10,000 IU are recommended only for a short period of time.
Aloe Vera
Have immune-boosting, anti-viral, and antiseptic properties. It is a good all-around tonic, as well as a booster during any infection.
Antioxidants
Substances that detoxify free radicals. These include vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene and zinc, selenium, and many other nonessential substances, including milk thistle, pycnogenol, lipoic acids, and bioflavonoids.
Beta-carotene
The vegetable source of vitamin A and an antioxidant in its own right. Red, orange, and yellow foods and fresh vegetables are the best sources. Drinking carrot or watermelon juice is a great way to boost your levels of this all-around infections fighter.
Dose to fight infections: 10,000 to 25,000 IU daily
Maintenance: 7,500 IU daily
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredible antiviral agent. Viruses cannot survive in a vitamin C-righ environment. To achieve this, you need to take 3 grams of vitamins C immediately and then 2 grams every four hours.
Vitamin C is non-toxic, but too much can cause loose bowels. Decrease your dose if this becomes unacceptable.
Dose for fighting infections: 6 to 10 grams daily
Maintenance: 1 to 3 grams daily.
Bee Pollen
A natural antibiotic. It is probably better as a general tonic than a specific treatment. We love taking a spoonful every morning! Be careful if you are pollen-sensitive.
Dose for fighting infection: 1 to 2 TBS daily
Maintenance: 1 Tsp daily
Caprylic Acid
An antifungal agent derived from coconuts, primarily used for eliminating the Candida Albicans organism responsible for thrush.
Dose for fighting infections: 1 to 3 grams daily
Cat’s Claw
A powerful antiviral, antioxidant, and immune-boosting agent from the Peruvian rainforest. It contains chemicals called alkaloids, one of which is isoteridin, which has been proven to boost immune function. It is available as a tea or in supplement form.
Dose to fight infections: 2 to 6 grams daily
Maintenance: 2 grams daily
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is the most important fat-soluble antioxidant. You will find it in nuts, seeds, wheat germ, and their cold-pressed oils, but make sure they are fresh. Vitamin E is best supplemented everyday during an infection.
Dose for fighting infection: 450 to 900 IU daily.
Echinacea
A great multi-tasker with antiviral and antibacterial properties. The active ingredients are thought to be specific mucopolysaccharides. It comes in capsules and in liquid extract.
Dose for fighting infections: 2 to 3 grams a day (or 15 drops of concentrated extract three times daily)
Maintenance: 1 gram daily
Garlic
Garlic contains allicin, a substance that is antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. It also acts as an antioxidant, being rich in sulfur-containing amino acids. There is no doubt that it is an important ally in fighting infections, and a wise inclusion into your diet and garlic eater have the lowest incidence of cancer.
Dose for fighting infection: 2 to 6 cloves a day
Maintenance: 1 clove a day
Ginger
Particularly good for pain, inflammation, sore throats and stomach upsets. So, if you experience, arthritic pain, menstrual cramps, or migraine headaches, this is a great inclusion in your daily diet. It also has a warming effect on the body which is great for circulation. Put 6 slices of fresh ginger root in a thermos with a stick of cinnamon and fill it up with boiling water. Five minutes later you have a delicious ginger and cinnamon tea. You can add a little lemon and honey for taste.
Glutathione and cysteine
These are both powerful antioxidant amino acids. You will find them in many all-round antioxidant supplements. During a prolonged vital infection, they get depleted and it may be worth taking a supplement. The most usable forms are reduced glutathione or N-acetyl-cysteine.
Dose for fighting infections: 2 to 3 grams daily
Maintenance: 1 gram daily
Grapefruit Seed Extract
A powerful natural antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral agent. It comes in drops and can be swallowed, gargled with, or used as nose or ear drops, depending on the site of infection.
Dose for fighting infection: 20 to 30 drops daily
Maintenance: 5 drops daily
Probiotics
Unlike antibiotics, these are beneficial bacteria that promote health. It is best to supplement them during a bacterial infection and after a course of antibiotics. The two most important types are Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria. These have been shown to halve the recovery time from a bout of diarrhea.
Selenium
An immune-enhancing mineral that also acts as an antioxidant. It is adundant in seafood and seeds, especially sesame, and is included in most antioxidant supplements.
Dose for fighting infections: 200 to 300 mcg daily
Maintenance: 100 mcg daily
St. John’s Wort
Particularly good for anything that penetrates the skin, such as a wound or skin infection. It is a good general tonic for the immune system.
Dose for fighting infection: 50 to 500 mg daily
Tea Tree Oil
An Australian remedy with antiseptic properties. Great for rubbing on the chest or using in the bath, steam inhaling or to help keep mosquitos away.
It does not let parasites and other insects like fleas, lice, or flies come near someone who has applied Tea Tree Oil on their body. It kills internal insects and worms too, such as intestinal worms because it can be absorbed by your body and skin.
Zinc
The most important immune-boosting mineral. There is no doubt that it helps fight infections. Zinc lozenges are available for sore throats. You will also find it included in more antioxidant supplements.
Dose for fighting infections: 25 to 50 mg daily
Maintenance: 15 mg daily