The 11 best herbs to turbocharge your immune systems all have one thing in common – they have been used for thousands of years. Find out what they are  ……

Here are the 11 Best Herbs that will Turbo Charge your immune system!

1. Echinacea
2. Cayenne pepper
3. Ginseng
4. Garlic
5. Bell peppers
6. Ginger
7. Turmeric
8. Gingko Biloba
9. Ganoderma
10. Astralagus
11. Cat’s claw

Personally I use at least nine of the ten best herbs in my daily life. Rest Easy™  is made with turmeric and in my opinion is one of the highest antioxidants that truly turbo charges the immune system and is the key ingredient of Rest Easy™.

Example: If I am getting a cold, this is what I would do.

1. 4 oz. of Rest Easy™  
2. To the Rest Easy™  I would add 2-4 droppersful of my Super Tonic which contains garlic, ginger, horseradish, & cayenne pepper.
3. 1-2 droppersful of Echinacea 

On a daily basis I drink Ganoderma- a bitter mushroom also known as reishi, mixed with my tea. This definitely gives me mind clarity and a small amount of extra energy along with helping my immune system. In fact, if you would like to order tea or coffee that contains Ganoderma, please see the ad below.

When I really need a quick boost of energy, I take Ginseng, especially when driving on long road trips. I do not to take it on a daily basis, so when I really need extra energy, it does the trick.

Garlic & Ginger are definitely a staple of my daily Chinese cooking.

Gingko Biloba is supposed to give you more mind clarity.  I take it occasionally, but this is an herb which I think needs to be potentized as I have done with turmeric in my Rest Easy™  formula.  I am considering doing this in the near future.  If any of you have health issues that you would like addressed with natural means, please let me know, as I am preparing to make more formulas similar to Rest Easy™.

Here is a wonderful article that explains how these wonderful herbs help the body’s immune system.        

Top 10 herbs and spices for strengthening your immune system Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by: Aurora Geib

(NaturalNews) Of the many systems working within the human body, the immune system is an excellent example of complex efficiency. A network of participating cells and organs, it synchronizes its responses when defending the body from infection and disease.

In its element, it has the capacity to remember diseases it has encountered and produce secretions and cells that can effectively defend the body from another recurrence. Moreover, it has an advanced communication system that can trigger an immediate response to an emergency and act according to the severity of the infection. Activated immune cells start producing substances that allow it to recruit other immune cells and guide it to the site of attack while at the same time allowing it to control behavior and growth.

However, when the system malfunctions by causing an inappropriate response to substances or cells that are native to the body, it causes autoimmune diseases that will require the intervention of medication that will suppress the system’s response. What causes the system to malfunction, however, is still unclear. It is believed that exposure to some drugs or bacteria by people with susceptible genes cause this phenomenon.

When totally compromised the body is left defenseless, thus leaving it vulnerable to disease.

Helping the body’s defense system:

The body’s defense system is only as dependable as the support it gets. Some people are just blessed with a good set of genes that ensure a strong immune system. For others who are not as lucky, they must work for immunity by observing proper nutrition, sufficient rest, a healthy active lifestyle, plenty of sun and reduced stress. Recent studies have shown that getting enough of these while cutting down on unhealthy habits and avoiding processed foods restores the immune system to peak performance.

Observing proper sanitation also plays a vital role in keeping the immune system working. It is recognized as the best preventive medicine and its actual practice can reduce outbreaks and diseases, translating to significant economic, environmental as well as social benefits.

Antibiotics and vaccination as remedies to assist the body’s defenses against disease have now been debunked by recent findings. Of late, antibiotics have been shown to attack beneficial bacteria in the stomach and suppress immune functions.

Foods that naturally boost the immune system:

Foods that boost the body’s immune system can offer a lot of healthy options for those who wish to be more conscious in what they take in. To be sustained, the immune system heavily depends on the stomach for support. Malnourished individuals are more susceptible to disease as opposed to those who observe a healthy nutritious diet. Below are some of these examples:

1. Echinacea – Echinacea is a popular herb that has been identified to boost immunity. Combined with goldenseal, another herb, or enjoyed alone as tea, this member of the daisy family has been found to prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infections as well as the common cold.

2. Ginseng – This herb has many varieties. The most commonly studied variety is Panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng. Its main active component, ginsenosides, has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Clinical research studies have demonstrated that it may improve immune and psychological functions as well as conditions related to diabetes.

3. Garlic – This spice has had a long history of medicinal value. In a recent study conducted by Dr. Ellen Tattelman, an assistant professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York, it was reconfirmed that garlic indeed has cardiovascular, anti-microbial and antineoplastic properties. It’s also a perfect spice to use when doing sautéed dishes.

4. Bell peppers- This pepper variety does not contain capsaicin, unlike its other feisty cousins. On the contrary, it is sweet and crunchy and contains the carotenoid lycopene which lowers the risk of cancer; beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A; and Zeaxanthin, known to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.

5. Ginger – This herb has been shown to reduce inflammation, cardiovascular conditions, blood clots and cholesterol. In a study, researchers found that animal subjects given ginger extracts had a significant reduction in cholesterol and blood clotting qualities. Moreover, it has been observed to inhibit the behavior of genes connected with inflammation.

6. Turmeric- This spice contains curcumin, which has notable antioxidant properties. It also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and stomach soothing benefits. It reduces inflammation by stimulating the adrenal glands to increase the hormone that lessens inflammation. Animal studies on this herb have revealed that turmeric protects the liver from the adverse effects of alcohol and certain toxins. Turmeric also helps in digestive problems by stimulating bile flow.

7. Gingko Biloba- Gingko biloba’s leaves contain antioxidant compounds called bilobalides and ginkgolides that protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Moreover, it has also been found to protect against radiation. In a study using animal subjects, ginkgo was demonstrated to have protected the test subjects against radiation poisoning. The latest research also suggests that extracts of this herb can neutralize oxidizing agents and free radicals caused in the cells due to radiation, thus preventing cell death. In fact, NaturalNews recently reported that ginkgo extracts reduce brain damage by up to 50 percent.

8. Ganoderma- This is a bitter mushroom also known as reishi. It has long been a popular herb in Chinese medicine attributed to assisting in longevity and health. Further studies on this oriental herb reveal that it strengthens immunity and combats cancer. Moreover, it has antioxidant properties and provides relief from urinary tract infections.

9. Astralagus – Also from China, this herb stimulates the immune system and aids in digestion and adrenal gland functions. It is also a diuretic. The effectiveness of this herb is due to polysaccharides, saponins and flavonoids. It has also been taken to combat the common cold and flu. Its digestive health benefits demonstrate the lowering of stomach acidity, resulting to an increase in the body’s metabolic rates and the promotion of waste elimination.

10. Cat’s claw – This herb from Peru is commonly used for stomach problems. Recently, however, it is becoming known as an exceptional immune response stimulator that helps the body to fight off infections and degenerative diseases. It contains oxindole alkaloids enhancing the immune system’s capacity to engulf and destroy pathogens.

From a practical perspective, taking in food that boosts the immune system while enjoying it at the same time can be a cost effective way to maintain health. Coupled with a healthy lifestyle, sufficient rest and a positive outlook in life, staying healthy does not have to cost an arm and a leg.

Sources for this article:

http://www.immunesystemremedies.com/food-for-the-immune-system.html

http://www.sanitation-is-dignity.org/why_sanitation

http://immunedisorders.homestead.com/antibiotics.html

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/1015/p1539.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/027469_ginkgo_biloba_radiation_damage.html

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/ganoderma.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/027223_ASTRAGALUS_immune_system.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/032917_cats_claw_herb.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035530_immune_system_herbs_spices.html#ixzz1rkASuZk3

Winston’s Comment:

Since we have a lot of environmental pollution around us, the variety of antioxidants we consume should be great as well as the quantity and frequency in which we take them. Remember, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!” 

If you have not already read through the information in the wonderful paper Turmeric: The Ayurvedic Spice of Life http://www.bioponic.com/pdfs/TurmericAyurveda.pdf you should take a moment to inform yourself and the people closest to you on the benefits of this wonderful healing herb.