The best known and most researched western immune boosting herb is echinacea. Modern research shows that echinacea works most effectively when combined with other immune-boosting herbs that also help control fever, drain lymphatics, and resolve mucous congestion. For example, the Chinese herbs Andrographis leaf, Forsythia green fruit, Lonicera flowers, Platycodon root, Magnolia buds, Isatis root, and Glycyrrhiza root (Licorice) combine well with Echinacea to enhance its therapeutic effects. This combination can activate immunity to overcome a number of conditions including cold, flu, fever, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, middle ear infection, and mucous congestion, especially in the ears, nose, and throat.
Taking this formula of echinacea and Chinese herbs to boost the immune system at the first signs of a cold, flu or cough will not only increase the body’s resistance to infection, but will also reduce the risk of needing antibiotics and minimize the chance of recurrence the infection. Of course, antibiotics have their place during certain acute infections, but they only attack bacteria. Herbal immune stimulants activate the body’s natural defenses against all ‘bugs’ and speed recovery during the acute phase of infection. This means that if antibiotics are required, they can work together with immunostimulating herbal medicine to overcome an infection more quickly and completely.
A woman recently recounted her experience using the aforementioned integrated combination of echinacea and Chinese herbs. “Usually I suffer for at least a week whenever I have a cold. This time a friend told me about a Chinese herbal medicine that contains echinacea, so I tried a few with immediate results. The fever subsided and did not come back, the clear watery color. Mucus stopped coming out of my nose and sore throat was also gone overnight. I continued taking the combination for 2 days after all symptoms were gone just to make sure the virus didn’t come back.”
However, sometimes the immune system does not fully recover after an acute infection passes. Common symptoms of this stage in convalescence include recurring low-grade fevers, night sweats, sore throat, mucous cough, exhaustion, weakness, and aches and pains. These symptoms require treatment for 2 to 4 weeks with immune system restorative herbs or immune system tonics. The best immune system tonic for restoring stamina and vitality during convalescence or chronic infection and illness are Astragalus Root, Schisandra Berries, Codonopsis Root, Atractylodes Root, Ganoderma (Reishi Mushroom), Ligustrum berries and licorice root.
Immune-restoring herbs are not recommended during acute infection, but may be taken alone or in conjunction with immune-stimulating herbs during the pre-infection and post-infection phases (overlapping areas). Immunostimulants are only recommended during the acute infection phase.
In summary, therefore, always take an Echinacea-based formula (immune booster) at the first signs or symptoms of a bacterial or viral infection. Follow this treatment with an Astragalus-based formula (immune restorative) during the recovery or convalescence phase of the infection and for long-term protection.
