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The Importance of Herbal Supplements that Boost the Immune System

Tess Thompson

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Your body’s immune system, which includes the thymus, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues, produces immune responses to protect the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms. It is imperative that the immune system be strong enough to function as the body’s own natural physician. A weak immune system does not work to its optimum capability - it fails to recognize foreign invasions and can even start to destroy the normal cells of the body.
 
While an illness does not indicate a weak immune system, persistent fatigue, swelling of the glands, recurrent colds and sore throat do indicate a deterioration in immune system health. The immune system is well organized and focused in its functions. It is also a complex system that can be impaired by simple factors like excessive physical or emotional stress, reckless recourse to the antibiotic alternative and a non-nutritional diet.

The immune system uses up lot of reserves in the body in the process of producing antibodies and white blood cells. These reserves need to be replenished regularly so that the immune system continues to work at optimal levels. Herbal antibiotics and herbal supplements can play an important role in this.

You may have noticed that every time you have a cold the doctor prescribes a Vitamin C supplement along with other medications, when and if a prescription is needed. Vitamin C restricts the growth of viruses and bacteria. However, this vitamin needs flavonoids for easy absorption by the body. These are plant-based substances that should be consumed with Vitamin C daily for strengthening your immunity against disease. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of Vitamin C and help keep the immune system in a healthy condition.

Herbs for immune system health contain complex compounds that bacteria are unable to break. This means that they cannot use simple compounds for their own metabolism. This is the main reason why there is no possibility of bacteria developing a resistance to herbs. Many herbal supplements have antibiotic properties along with the capacity to support your immune system’s health.

Exercising the antibiotic alternative every time you fall ill can destroy friendly bacteria as well. These friendly bacteria are of utmost value for the healthy functioning of various systems in the body. For example, antibiotics disturb the intestinal flora making elimination of solid wastes difficult. Herbs like stinging nettle, dandelion, watercress, Echinacea, Korean white ginseng and shoots of conifers like fir and pine help in the detoxification process. They also purify the blood and boost immune system health, especially if consumed in juice form. Echinacea stimulates white blood cells that aid in the break down and elimination of solid waste and toxins. A supplement prepared from roots of licorice, couch grass and lovage herbs helps in supercharging the immune system along with eliminating toxins that may have accumulated in the body.

It should be kept in mind that herbs for immune system are not a panacea that will cure all diseases by improving immune system health. Some herbs can be toxic in nature if they are not properly diluted or if they are administered in a manner different from the instructions provided by an expert.

Reference:
http://www.blessedmaineherbs.com/herforhealim.html  
http://www.immunesupport.com/news/98spr004.htm  
http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/immune_system.htm  
http://www.holistic.com/holistic/learning.nsf/