As cold and flu season rolls around, you may want to consider a number of oriental ingredients common in Traditional Chinese Medicine to help your body mount a healthy cold and flu response.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world. It origins can be traced back at least 3,500 years. TCM’s whole-body approach focuses on restoring and balancing energy, or qi.
One thing that sets TCM apart from Western practices is that while Western medicine often focuses on directly treating the disease or sickness, TCM focuses on overall wellbeing. This process combines several practices to support the body’s natural defense processes.
4 Oriental Herbs for a Healthy Cold and Flu Response
Along with mind-body practices such as acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, meditation, and tai-chi, there are several herbs, fruits, and fungi that feature prominently in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some of these, in particular, may help to support your body in mounting a healthy cold and flu response.
Ganoderma (Reishi Mushroom)
Ganoderma (Reishi mushroom) is known as the “great protector.” TCM practitioners frequently utilize Ganoderma to help inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses through the support of white blood cell counts. Some believe that Ganoderma also supports energy, healthy blood pressure levels already within the normal range, and the body’s allergy-fighting abilities.
Ganoderma can be found fresh or dried. Add it to soups or take it as a supplement.
Cordyceps (Dong Cong Xia Cao)
Another beneficial organism common in TCM is cordyceps (Dong Cong Xia Cao.) In TCM, cordyceps is utilized for its yang properties and has been used to treat symptoms from chronic coughing to asthma. It is believed to support overall lung health and general wellness.
Like Ganoderma, you can eat fresh or dried cordyceps added to a soup, or you can also take it as a supplement.
Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Astragalus is an adaptogen. In TCM, adaptogens are believed to help the body combat stress. This herb can be added to soups to help your body fight against fatigue and support your immune system during cold and flu season.
Elderberry
Popular in many natural and alternative medicinal practices, the elderberry plant and its fruit are frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The reason for elderberry’s popularity in natural health circles and western medicine is its high concentrations of antioxidants and antiviral properties that help the body fight off the cold and flu.
You can find elderberry in capsules, chewable tablets, syrups, dissolvable powders, and gummies.
You can find the above oriental herbs, fruits, and mushrooms in supplements from Natura Health Products, Gaia Herbs, and NutriDyn. Read more about these all-natural supplements below.
Immucare – Natura Health Products
Immucare from Natura Health Products is a concentrated tonic that promotes immune system health by using key natural ingredients such as astragalus root, Millettia stem, organic cordyceps, Bai Zhu rhizome, echinacea, ligustrum, Asian ginseng, Dong Quai, and much more.
This herbal supplement formulation supports the immune system, which may, in turn, support the body’s natural ability to protect itself against invading microorganisms.
Astragalus Supreme – Gaia Herbs
Astragalus Supreme Liquid Phyto-Caps from Gaia Herbs is made with astragalus root, ligustrum berry, and Schisandra berry to provide support for:
- Healthy immune function
- Liver function
- Healthy function of the adrenal glands
This formula is made using phytosomes to promote bioavailability and absorption for optimal medicinal benefits.
Ganoderma Plus – NutriDyn
Ganoderma Plus from NutriDyn is a natural reishi supplement with 250 milligrams of organic reishi mushroom extract and 250 milligrams of reishi spore powder. An herbal mushroom that contains polysaccharides, triterpenoids, proteins, and amino acids, red reishi has immune regulating and blood pressure supporting effects; it also supports normal histamine release, oxygen utilization, normal cholesterol, allergies, and liver function.
What herbs do you use to support your immune system during cold and flu season?
