Despite my endless handwashing, I got saddled with a cold this past week. Not just your sniffling-type cold, but a full-fledged, sinus-combusting, can’t sleep or function type-of-cold. I had to weigh which risk was greater: waking my husband from all my coughing — or choking on the cough drop lodged in my mouth to keep me from coughing all night.
Is there anything we can do to boost our immunity?
After talking with a number of experts in complementary medicine, including Dr. Andrew Weil, I’ve compiled a list of their recommended immune boosters.
Before you take any herbal formula, professional hypochondriacs, read warning labels and keep your doctor in the loop, since some herbs can interact with drugs or other herbs.
Some over-the-counter products that combine natural immune boosters to help prevent or diminish colds and other ailments include the following:
COLD-fX
Active ingredient: North American ginseng root
Use: Take regularly to prevent illness or at the first sign of a cold
Not for: people with serious medical conditions: people on blood thinners, except on doctor’s orders
New Chapter Organics Host Defense
Active ingredients: A blend of 17 mushrooms
Use: Take regularly to strengthen immunity
Not for: People on blood thinners, except on doctor’s orders
Nature’s Way Sambucol Black Elderberry Original Syrup
Active ingredient: Elderberry extract
Use: To treat colds, flu or sinusitis
Not for: Long-term use
Nature Made TriMune
Active ingredients: Andrographis, Echinacea, vitamin C, zinc
Use: To treat colds
Not for: Long-term use
Individual herbs that have been shown to improve immune function include:
North American ginseng
Use: Take regularly to prevent illness or at the first sign of a cold
Not for people with fibroids or certain cancers; can interact badly with drugs for heart disease, diabetes or depression
Astragalus
Use: Take regularly to prevent colds and flu
Not for: People on immune-suppressing drugs to treat cancer, or organ-transplant recipients
Echinacea purpurea
Use: take at the first sign of a cold
Not for: People with autoimmune conditions—such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves’ disease, or liver disease
Elderberry
Use: To treat colds, flu or sinusitis
Not for: Long-term use
Do you have a favorite immune booster? Please share below!
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