Immunity

Some herbs can act as an immune stimulant, boosting immunity to help reduce cold, flu, and other afflictions.

Some Immunity Boosting Recipes to Try

10 Herbs to Good Health Soup Recipe

Boneset & Rosemary Immunity Syrup Recipe

Common Cold Kicker Syrup Recipe

Elderberry Cobbler Recipe

Elderberry Cold & Flu Syrup Recipe

Garlic Cough & Cold Syrup Recipe

Ginger Garlic Cold Busting Syrup

Healthful Miso Soup Recipe

Herbal Immunity Syrup

Honey

Sweet Brandy Soaked Garlic Cloves Recipe

What is a goji berry?

Blog Articles

Noni Berries: Not so Delicious, but Quite Nutricious!

What is a goji berry?

What is a Mangosteen?

Why Should I Eat Acai Berries?

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

ACAI

• Polysaccharides in acai fruit induced a significant immune response in vitro. From: Holderness, J., Schepetkin, I. A., Freedman, B., Kirpotina, L. N., Quinn, M. T., Hedges, J. F., & Jutila, M. A. (2011). Polysaccharides isolated from Acai fruit induce innate immune responses. PLoS One, 6(2), e17301.

ANGELICA

• In a study of 105 cancer patients, a six week treatment of citronellol combined with three Chinese herbs (Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Angelicae sinensis) had an immunomodulating function, improving lymphocytes and natural killer cell counts. From:  Zhuang, S. R., Chen, S. L., Tsai, J. H., Huang, C. C., Wu, T. C., Liu, W. S., … & Yang, C. H. (2009). Effect of citronellol and the Chinese medical herb complex on cellular immunity of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(6), 785-790.

AJOWAN

• Isolated polysaccharides found in ajowan demonstrated an immunomodulating effect in vitro.  From:  Shruthi, R. R., Venkatesh, Y. P., & Muralikrishna, G. (2017). In vitro immunomodulatory potential of macromolecular components derived from the aqueous extract of ajowan [Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague]. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 16(3), 506-513.

ARNICA

• A blend of Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Baptisia tinctorial, and Arnica montana showed phagocytosis activity in vitro.  From:  Wagner, H., & Jurcic, K. (1991). Immunologic studies of plant combination preparations. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the stimulation of phagocytosis. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 41(10), 1072-1076.

ARROWROOT

• Arrowroot powder demonstrated immuno-stimulatory activity in vitro and invivo.  From:  Kumalasari, I. D., Harmayani, E., Lestari, L. A., Raharjo, S., Asmara, W., Nishi, K., & Sugahara, T. (2012). Evaluation of immunostimulatory effect of the arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea. L) in vitro and in vivo. Cytotechnology, 64(2), 131-137.

ASHWAGANDHA

• In animal studies, treatment with ashwagandha resulted in a significant increase in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, and body weight.  From:  Ziauddin, M., Phansalkar, N., Patki, P., Diwanay, S., & Patwardhan, B. (1996). Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 50(2), 69-76.

ASTRAGALUS

• Research on the use of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus are reviewed.  From:  Block, K. I., & Mead, M. N. (2003). Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: a review. Integrative cancer therapies, 2(3), 247-267.

BASIL

• In this randomized double blind placebo controlled study with 22 healthy adults, 300 mg taken daily for 4 weeks of tulsi leaf extract increased cytokine levels.  From:  Mondal, S., Varma, S., Bamola, V. D., Naik, S. N., Mirdha, B. R., Padhi, M. M., … & Mahapatra, S. C. (2011). Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 136(3), 452-456.

BONESET

• A German drug called Contramutan, containing Atropa belladonna, Echinacea angustifolia, Aconitum napellus, and Eupatorium perfoliatum was tested in a non-controlled study of 4,443 patients with differing ages, and showed to be safe, with a reduction in common cold and upper respiratory symptoms after three days.  From:  Tradler, N., & Eckert, M. (2001). Therapie von fieberhaften grippalen Infekten und Entzündungen der oberen Luftwege mit Contramutan: Eine Anwendungsbeobachtung mit 4.443 Patienten (Poster). In Symposium “Phytopharmaka VII–Forschung und klinische Anwendung.
• In a clinical trial of 53 outpatients, Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) was as effective as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in treating the common cold.  From:  Gassinger, C. A., Wünstel, G., & Netter, P. (1980). A controlled clinical trial for testing the efficacy of the homeopathic drug eupatorium perfoliatum D2 in the treatment of common cold (author’s transl). Arzneimittel-Forschung, 31(4), 732-736.
• Polysaccharides from plants including Eupatorium perfoliatum showed immuno-stimulating activity in vivo.  From:  Wagner, H., Proksch, A., Riess-Maurer, I., Vollmar, A., Odenthal, S., Stuppner, H., … & Fang, J. N. (1984). Immunostimulating action of polysaccharides (heteroglycans) from higher plants. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 35(7), 1069-1075.
• A blend of Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Baptisia tinctoria and Arnica montana showed phagocytosis activity in vitro.  From:  Wagner, H., & Jurcic, K. (1991). Immunologic studies of plant combination preparations. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the stimulation of phagocytosis. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 41(10), 1072-1076.

CALENDULA

• The author suggests an immune boosting activity of the flavonoids in calendula.  From:  Attard, E., & Cuschieri, A. (2009). In vitro immunomodulatory activity of various extracts of Maltese plants from the Asteraceae family. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 3(6), 457-461.

CITRONELLOL

• In a study of 105 cancer patients, a six week treatment of citronellol combined with three Chinese herbs (Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Angelicae sinensis) had an immunomodulating function, improving lymphocytes and natural killer cell counts. From:  Zhuang, S. R., Chen, S. L., Tsai, J. H., Huang, C. C., Wu, T. C., Liu, W. S., … & Yang, C. H. (2009). Effect of citronellol and the Chinese medical herb complex on cellular immunity of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(6), 785-790.

CORIANDER

• This review discussed the many uses for coriander: to cure bed cold, seasonal fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach disorders, indigestion, against worms, rheumatism and pain in the joints and as a diuretic, expectorant, laxative, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic, and hypoglycemic herb. From:  Rajeshwari, U., & Andallu, B. (2011). Medicinal benefits of coriander (Coriandrum Sativum L). Spatula DD, 1(1), 51-58.

CYPRESS

• An aromatherapy massage with lavender, cypress, and sweet marjoram reduced anxiety and boosted immunity markers in the blood in this small study with 11 participants.  From:  Kuriyama, H., Watanabe, S., Nakaya, T., Shigemori, I., Kita, M., Yoshida, N., … & Imanishi, J. (2005). Immunological and psychological benefits of aromatherapy massage. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2(2), 179-184.
• Phytoncides (like alpha pinene, carene and myrcene) found in wood essential oils may significantly enhance human natural killer cell activity, important to the immune system.  From: Li, Q., Nakadai, A., Matsushima, H., Miyazaki, Y., Krensky, A. M., Kawada, T., & Morimoto, K. (2006). Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology, 28(2), 319-333.

DANG SHEN

• In a study of 105 cancer patients, a six week treatment of citronellol combined with three Chinese herbs (Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Angelicae sinensis) had an immunomodulating function, improving lymphocytes and natural killer cell counts. From:  Zhuang, S. R., Chen, S. L., Tsai, J. H., Huang, C. C., Wu, T. C., Liu, W. S., … & Yang, C. H. (2009). Effect of citronellol and the Chinese medical herb complex on cellular immunity of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(6), 785-790.

ECHINACEA

• A German drug called Contramutan, containing Atropa belladonna, Echinacea angustifolia, Aconitum napellus, and Eupatorium perfoliatum was tested in a non-controlled study of 4,443 patients with differing ages, and showed to be safe, with a reduction in common cold and upper respiratory symptoms after three days.  From:  Tradler, N., & Eckert, M. (2001). Therapie von fieberhaften grippalen Infekten und Entzündungen der oberen Luftwege mit Contramutan: Eine Anwendungsbeobachtung mit 4.443 Patienten (Poster). In Symposium “Phytopharmaka VII–Forschung und klinische Anwendung.
• A study with 430 young children, showed an herbal preparation containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis, and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C was effective against the respiratory tract infection.  From:  Cohen, H. A., Varsano, I., Kahan, E., Sarrell, E. M., & Uziel, Y. (2004). Effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in preventing respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 158(3), 217-221.
• In 755 healthy subjects, echinacea taken for 4 months reduced the number of cold episodes.  From: Jawad, M., Schoop, R., Suter, A., Klein, P., & Eccles, R. (2012). Safety and efficacy profile of Echinacea purpurea to prevent common cold episodes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.
• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.
• A blend of Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Baptisia tinctoria and Arnica montana showed phagocytosis activity in vitro.  From:  Wagner, H., & Jurcic, K. (1991). Immunologic studies of plant combination preparations. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the stimulation of phagocytosis. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 41(10), 1072-1076.
• Research on the use of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus are reviewed.  From:  Block, K. I., & Mead, M. N. (2003). Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: a review. Integrative cancer therapies, 2(3), 247-267.
• This meta analysis concluded echinacea reduced respiratory tract infections.  From:  Schapowal, A., Klein, P., & Johnston, S. L. (2015). Echinacea reduces the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and complications: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Advances in therapy, 32(3), 187-200.
• In a randomized double blind study of 472 patients with mild influenza, an echinacea drink was more effective in reducing symptoms and had less side effects than oseltamivir, the gold standard for treating the flu.  From:  Rauš, K., Pleschka, S., Klein, P., Schoop, R., & Fisher, P. (2015). Effect of an Echinacea-based hot drink versus oseltamivir in influenza treatment: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, noninferiority clinical trial. Current Therapeutic Research, 77, 66-72.

ELDERBERRY

• In a double blind study of 312 intercontinental airline travelers, the group who took an elderberry extract had a significantly shorter duration and severity of cold symptoms. From: Tiralongo, E., Wee, S., & Lea, R. (2016). Elderberry supplementation reduces cold duration and symptoms in air-travellers: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutrients, 8(4), 182.
• In a double blind study of 60 patients suffering from flu symptoms for 48 hours or less, 5 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup was taken four times a day for 5 days. Symptom duration averaged 4 days shorter with less of a need for rescue medication in the elderberry group. It maybe a safe and affordable treatment for influenza but more larger studies are needed. From: Zakay-Rones, Z., Thom, E., Wollan, T., & Wadstein, J. (2004). Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. Journal of International Medical Research, 32(2), 132-140.
• In a double- blind study with 64 patients with flu symptoms for less than 24 hours, participants were given doses of 175 mg of the proprietary elderberry extract or a placebo once a day for two days. The elderberry extract was safe and highly effective in relieving symptoms. From: Kong, F. K. (2009). Pilot clinical study on a proprietary elderberry extract: efficacy in addressing influenza symptoms. Online Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics, 5, 32-43.
• In a double-blind study of 40 individuals with flu symptoms, an elderberry extract given daily for 3 days significantly reduced symptoms. From: Zakay-Rones, Z., Varsano, N., Zlotnik, M., Manor, O., Regev, L., Schlesinger, M., & Mumcuoglu, M. (1995). Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1(4), 361-369.
• According to a 2014 review of research on elderberry extracts to treat influenza, a good amount of scientific research supported the herb. From: Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Cheung, L., Goldberg, H., Hammerness, P., Isaac, R., … & Weissner, W. (2014). An evidence-based systematic review of elderberry and elderflower (Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Journal of dietary supplements, 11(1), 80-120.
• In a meta-analysis of clinical trials including 180 participants, Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation substantially reduced upper respiratory symptoms. The herb may be an effective alternative to antibiotic misuse for viral infections and a potentially safer alternative to certain prescription drugs for cold and flu. From: Hawkins, J., Baker, C., Cherry, L., & Dunne, E. (2019). Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 42, 361-365.

GARLIC

• Results of the double blind study suggested aged garlic extract in a diet may enhance immune cell function and reduced the severity of colds and flu.  From:  Nantz, M. P., Rowe, C. A., Muller, C. E., Creasy, R. A., Stanilka, J. M., & Percival, S. S. (2012). Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clinical Nutrition, 31(3), 337-344.   
• One hundred forty-six volunteers were randomized and those taking the allicin-containing garlic supplement, one capsule daily, over a 12-week period between November and February were less likely to catch the common cold.  From:  Josling, P. (2001). Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Advances in therapy, 18(4), 189-193. 
• A garlic supplement reduced acute respiratory infections in children.  From:  Andrianova, I. V., Sobenin, I. A., Sereda, E. V., Borodina, L. I., & Studenikin, M. I. (2002). Effect of long-acting garlic tablets” allicor” on the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections in children. Terapevticheskii arkhiv, 75(3), 53-56. 
• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.
• Aged garlic was tested for its immunomodulatory effect; The study strongly suggests it could be valuable in improving immunity factors.  From:  Kyo, E., Uda, N., Kasuga, S., & Itakura, Y. (2001). Immunomodulatory effects of aged garlic extract. The Journal of nutrition, 131(3), 1075S-1079S.

GINGER

• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.
• The immunity boosting, antimicrobial actions of ginger were discussed.  From:  Shakya, S. R. (2015). Medicinal uses of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) improves growth and enhances immunity in aquaculture. International Journal of Chemical Studies, 3(2), 83-87.
• Clove and ginger showed immuno-stimulating activity in mice. From:  Carrasco, F. R., Schmidt, G., Romero, A. L., Sartoretto, J. L., Caparroz‐Assef, S. M., Bersani‐Amado, C. A., & Cuman, R. K. N. (2009). Immunomodulatory activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Salvia officinalis L. and Syzygium aromaticum L. essential oils: evidence for humor‐and cell‐mediated responses. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 61(7), 961-967.

GINKGO

• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.

GINSENG

• Research on the use of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus are reviewed.  From:  Block, K. I., & Mead, M. N. (2003). Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: a review. Integrative cancer therapies, 2(3), 247-267.
• In a review of research, Panax ginseng could be an effective adjuvent or complimentary treatment to boost immunity. From: Kang, S., & Min, H. (2012). Ginseng, the’immunity boost’: the effects of Panax ginseng on immune system. Journal of ginseng research, 36(4), 354.
• In a 4 week study with 174 patents, a Panax ginseng supplement reduced fatigue. More research is warranted. From: Zhang, L., Chen, X., Cheng, Y., Chen, Q., Tan, H., Son, D., … & Xu, H. (2019). Safety and antifatigue effect of Korean Red Ginseng: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Ginseng Research.
• In a study with 323 participants with a history of having caught a cold in the past, taking a ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) supplement for 4 months reduced severity and duration of symptoms. From: Predy, G. N., Goel, V., Lovlin, R., Donner, A., Stitt, L., & Basu, T. K. (2005). Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial. Cmaj, 173(9), 1043-1048.
• A review of the uses of Panax ginseng is provided. Systematic reviews have shown it reduces a cold and helps with erectile disfunction. Nonsystematic reviews suggest it may help reduce cancer, cancer fatigue, and viral myocarditis. From: Ernst, E. (2010). Panax ginseng: an overview of the clinical evidence. Journal of Ginseng Research, 34(4), 259-263.

HONEY / PROPOLIS

• A study with 430 young children, showed an herbal preparation containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis, and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C was effective against the respiratory tract infection.  From:  Cohen, H. A., Varsano, I., Kahan, E., Sarrell, E. M., & Uziel, Y. (2004). Effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in preventing respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 158(3), 217-221.
• In a study of 138 overwise healthy children who came down with acute hepatitis A, daily intake of honey helped speed the recovery time.  From:  Abdulrahman, M. A., Shatla, R. H., & Mohamed, S. A. (2016). The effects of honey supplementation on Egyptian children with hepatitis A: A randomized double blinded placebo controlled pilot study. Journal of Apitherapy, 1(1), 23-28.

LAVENDER

•  An aromatherapy massage with lavender, cypress, and sweet marjoram reduced anxiety and boosted immunity markers in the blood in this small study with 11 participants.  From:  Kuriyama, H., Watanabe, S., Nakaya, T., Shigemori, I., Kita, M., Yoshida, N., … & Imanishi, J. (2005). Immunological and psychological benefits of aromatherapy massage. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2(2), 179-184.

MANGOSTEEN

• In a small study of 59 healthy humans ages 40-60, ingesting a mangosteen product for 30 days improved immunity.  Blood analysis showed increased immunity cell concentration and participants indicated they fealt healthier.  From:  Tang, Y. P., Li, P. G., Kondo, M., Ji, H. P., Kou, Y., & Ou, B. (2009). Effect of a mangosteen dietary supplement on human immune function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of medicinal food, 12(4), 755-763.

MARJORAM

• An aromatherapy massage with lavender, cypress, and sweet marjoram reduced anxiety and boosted immunity markers in the blood in this small study with 11 participants.  From:  Kuriyama, H., Watanabe, S., Nakaya, T., Shigemori, I., Kita, M., Yoshida, N., … & Imanishi, J. (2005). Immunological and psychological benefits of aromatherapy massage. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2(2), 179-184.

NONI

• Immunity boosting effects of noni were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.  From:  Palu, A. K., Kim, A. H., West, B. J., Deng, S., Jensen, J., & White, L. (2008). The effects of Morinda citrifolia L.(noni) on the immune system: its molecular mechanisms of action. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 115(3), 502-506.

PINE

• Phytoncides (like alpha pinene, carene and myrcene) found in wood essential oils may significantly enhance human natural killer cell activity, important to the immune system.  From: Li, Q., Nakadai, A., Matsushima, H., Miyazaki, Y., Krensky, A. M., Kawada, T., & Morimoto, K. (2006). Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology, 28(2), 319-333.

PLANTAIN

• Tested components of plantain showed immunity stimulating activities, and may contribute to the traditional claims for using it to treat cancers and infectious diseases.  From:  Chiang, L. C., Ng, L. T., Chiang, W., Chang, M. Y., & Lin, C. C. (2003). Immunomodulatory activities of flavonoids, monoterpenoids, triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds of Plantago species. Planta medica, 69(07), 600-604.

REISHI MUSHROOMS

• In a study of 105 cancer patients, a six week treatment of citronellol combined with three Chinese herbs (Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Angelicae sinensis) had an immunomodulating function, improving lymphocytes and natural killer cell counts. From:  Zhuang, S. R., Chen, S. L., Tsai, J. H., Huang, C. C., Wu, T. C., Liu, W. S., … & Yang, C. H. (2009). Effect of citronellol and the Chinese medical herb complex on cellular immunity of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(6), 785-790.

ROSEMARY

• Rosemary extract fed to rats had a generalized immune enhancing effect.  From:  Babu, U. S., Wiesenfeld, P. L., & Jenkins, M. Y. (1998). Effect of dietary rosemary extract on cell-mediated immunity of young rats. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 53(2), 169-174.

ST. JOHN’S WART

• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.

VALERIAN

• A review of human clinical trials and other studies on echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, St John’s wort, and valerian are summarized.  From:  Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., & Rabago, D. (1999). Assessing the risks and benefits of herbal medicine: an overview of scientific evidence. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5(4), 40.

VITAMIN C

• A study with 430 young children, showed an herbal preparation containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis, and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C was effective against the respiratory tract infection.  From:  Cohen, H. A., Varsano, I., Kahan, E., Sarrell, E. M., & Uziel, Y. (2004). Effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in preventing respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 158(3), 217-221.

• Douglas, R. M., & Hemilä, H. (2005). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. PLoS medicine, 2(6), e168.
• Nutrition, including vitamins C, D, and zinc, play a role in optimal immunity.  From:  Maggini, S., Maldonado, P., Cardim, P., Fernandez Newball, C., & Sota Latino, E. R. (2017). Vitamins C, D and Zinc: Synergistic Roles in Immune Function and Infections. Vitam Miner, 6(167), 2376-1318.

WILD INDIGO

• A blend of Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Baptisia tinctoria and Arnica montana showed phagocytosis activity in vitro.  From:  Wagner, H., & Jurcic, K. (1991). Immunologic studies of plant combination preparations. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the stimulation of phagocytosis. Arzneimittel-Forschung, 41(10), 1072-1076.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 11/11/19