Herbs for the Cold and Flu Season
Most people are familiar with the nutrients that can help ward off or shorten the duration of the common cold or flu, namely vitamins A, C, and D, and the mineral zinc. Perhaps less familiar to some people are the many plants that also may be beneficial by stimulating the immune system or by other means such as enhancing the elimination of toxins by increasing sweating or loosening phlegm in the respiratory tract, for example. Though there are many that could be talked about, in this article I will focus on a handful of my favorites that have a direct effect on the immune system. Echinacea - A classic immune herb native to the United States. It stimulates the activity of white blood cells in their attack against viruses as well as speeding up the rate of replication of a type of white blood cell known as lymphocytes which translates into quicker resolution of the infection. There is a common misconception that echinacea should only be used for short periods of time, but the vast majori
