Health and fitness are all the rage nowadays, with more and more people trying to find the best types of exercise they can do to get into shape, and the best diets they can follow to stay healthy.
We are always hearing about different types of foods, spices and drinks that claim to bring a multitude of different health benefits. It’s impossible, however, to try and incorporate all of these different foods into our diet at the same time, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Well, there is something that you can start having which can bring you amazing benefits and will eliminate the need of having to try and fit in lots of different hard-to-find, exotic foods into your meals. Chinese herbs are a way you can see some great positive impacts to your health, and they are so easy to add to your diet.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about Chinese herbs and what ones you can start having now to achieve your health goals.
What Are Chinese Herbs?
Just like the name suggests, Chinese herbs are herbal products that originate from China.
They have been used throughout history in Chinese medicine to help treat serious conditions such as strokes, heart disease and mental health disorders [1].
The main way they help is by boosting our immune system. This is something that is so important to protecting our body and making us less vulnerable to catching diseases.
Having a strong immune system has never been more important than today, with the strange situation the world is currently going through. Anything to help increase your resistance to viruses and other types of infections is always going to be a good thing!
The reason why the herbs work so well is because they have different properties which are scientifically proven to benefit our health and immune system in a variety of ways.
You may have not really heard of the idea of having Chinese herbs before, but did you know that one in five Americans actually use them [1]? Their popularity and the amazing effectiveness they have had in historic forms of medicine shows what amazing benefits they can bring.
Chinese Herbs for Immune System
So, now that you know a bit about Chinese herbs, it’s time to look at what products you can get that contain these herbs to boost your immune system.
1. Ginger
Ginger is an herb commonly used throughout cooking as a way to add some flavour to dishes.
Ginger does not only help to make food taste lovely, but it also majorly boosts our immune system.
How does it do this? Well, ginger is both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which are two properties that are great for improving the functioning of our immune system.
The fact it is antioxidant means it is able to flush out any harmful toxins which, if left unchecked, can damage and strain our immune system. Furthermore, inflammation is a common immune response that can often lead to more severe issues when it gets out of control.
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help our immune system to be better able to deal with and manage any inflammation that our body experiences.
Be Herbal have a great supplement that includes this Chinese herb for the immune system. Not only does it contain ginger, but it is also made of other completely natural ingredients and is vegan friendly! This supplement will help to regulate your digestive system, ensure good joint health as well as promoting proper immune function.
2. Astragalus
Another Chinese herb which originated from a native Chinese plant is astragalus. This has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years due to its amazing healing properties.
It helps to boost the immune system by promoting the production of immune cells, which are needed to attack and kill any invading bacteria or other pathogens which manage to make their way into our body.
Studies also show that the herb is anti-viral and so can also help to fight the more stubborn viruses that try to infect you.
Astragalus is also thought to help reduce and prevent tiredness, which is important to ensure your body doesn’t get run down, which in turn helps to protect and support your immune system even more.
The best way to consume astragalus is to have it in the form of a tea. So, crush up some astragalus root and pour hot water over it.
3. Moringa Oleifera
Moringa oleifera is a Chinese herbal plant that many of you might not have heard of before. It has extremely beneficial properties, including being anti-inflammatory [2], that make it a great herb for boosting our immune system.
It has also been shown to be able to prevent cancer, treat diabetes, decrease our likelihood of getting depression and treat arthritis [2]. This all shows how great the herb is at helping to support our immune system and make our bodies less vulnerable to illnesses.
This Be Herbal supplement is made entirely from organic moringa oleifera, so you can reap the benefits of the amazing herb in an easy, healthy way! Not only will your immune system be improved, but you will also see a significant boost in the quality of your skin, with it feeling clearer, smoother and having an overall glow to it!
4. Ginseng
Ginseng is another herb that has been used in Chinese medicine throughout history. Panax ginseng is a particular type of the herb which has been shown to have amazing health benefits.
It has been shown through many studies that the herb is able to regulate our immune system so that it can carry out its functioning of protecting our body in the way it is supposed to. It increases our resistance to picking up illnesses and maintains the levels of each type of immune cell [3].
If you take some ginseng regularly, you won’t only see an improvement in your immune function, but you will also have a lower risk of getting cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and can help to regulate your blood pressure levels [3].
It is easy to take ginseng regularly. The best way to have it is in the form of dried ginseng root, which you can have either as a natural herbal tea or you can get pharmaceutical products that contain it.
5. Black Pepper
Black pepper isn’t just a condiment to be used as a seasoning to our fries! It’s been used for years in Chinese medicine as a form of treatment for different conditions, including epilepsy.
The herb helps to improve the absorption of essential nutrients from the food that we eat. This is important not only to make sure we are getting all of the vitamins and minerals we need for our brain to function properly, but it also helps to promote a better, more balanced gut microbiome. This means that our gut contains more healthy bacteria.
This improved gut balance helps to boost our immune system and make it better able to fight off pathogens and microbial attacks.
Want to know a bonus perk you will get too? Black pepper will reduce your chances of getting certain chronic conditions and will also allow you to experience an elevated mood, so you can go about your everyday life with a little extra spring in your step.
This Be Herbal vegan supplement contains black pepper, so you can nourish and look after your immune system. All the ingredients that it is made with are completely natural and organic. It even contains ginger, so you can be getting two of the miracle-working Chinese herbs for immune system function in one product! Taking this supplement won’t only help your immune system, but it will also improve your overall cognitive function, with it being proven to promote memory.
6. Cinnamon
This delicious spice has been used for years in the culinary industry, with it bringing a lovely festive feeling whenever you come across it.
You may not have realised, but cinnamon isn’t only for your Starbucks drinks, and can actually also be taken to benefit your health. It’s used in Chinese herbal medicine to bring about a range of positive effects, the main one of which is that it majorly boosts our immune system.
One study tested what effect cinnamon had on human monocytic cells [4]. These are the cells that are involved in our immune system bringing about a response to protect our body.
The study found that cinnamon was able to block a specific receptor in immune cells which prevents the immune system from bringing about an inflammatory response [4]. This is important to stop our body from over-reacting and controls our immune response to ensure that it’s action doesn’t lead to more severe issues. For example, too much of an inflammatory response by your immune system can lead to damage of vital cells and even organs!
The results from this study show what a great impact cinnamon can have and why it is a great Chinese herb for the immune system.
There are lots of ways you can easily take cinnamon so you can start to see these benefits today! You can incorporate it into a morning smoothie, make a cinnamon tea before bed, or maybe even sprinkle it into some porridge. Alternatively, whilst this may not be the healthiest way to have it, you can also include cinnamon in some nice baked treats such as cookies or cakes!
It is, however, very important to check with your doctor what the correct dosage of cinnamon should be for you, as it is never good to take too much of something!
7. Chlorella
Finally, we have chlorella. This is a type of algae that has been used to make herbs as a part of Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.
Chlorella has been shown to be a great Chinese herb for the immune system, with studies finding that those who had some regularly showed signs of better immune responses [5].
One study even found that a sample of men who all took chlorella actually produced a much higher number of antibodies than those who didn’t [5]. Amazing, right?!
Antibodies are an essential part of the immune system, as they help to build up our resistance to diseases so that if our body ever comes into contact with one, it knows exactly how to fight it. For example, I’m sure we all know about how we can only get chicken pox once. Well, this is because when we are first infected, our immune system creates antibodies that are designed to attack the virus. Then, if we ever come into contact with the chicken pox pathogen again, our body has those antibodies ready to fight and destroy it.
Be Herbal does an amazing vegan supplement that contains this superfood chlorella. It will therefore help to bring about these immune boosting effects, as well as helping to boost our overall cellular, neurological and cardiovascular health.
So, there you have some of the best Chinese herbs for your immune system. They will help you to be better able to fight off different types of illnesses and diseases, making you more resilient to pathogen invasion.
You will find yourself having much more energy to tackle everyday life and can sleep a little easier at night knowing you are lowering your risk of getting some serious conditions.
So, what are you waiting for? Get some of these Chinese herbs for your immune system today and start incorporating it into your everyday diet. You will start to see the results almost straight away!
References:
[1] National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (2019) Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. [Online] Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know [Accessed: 26/10/2020]
[2] Meireles D, Gomes J, Lopes L, Hinzmann M and Machado J (2020) A review of properties, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of Moringa oleifera: integrative approach on conventional and traditional Asian medicine. Nature Public Health Emergency Collection,pages: 1-21 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7430547/ [Accessed: 26/10/2020]
[3] Kang S and Min H (2012) Ginseng, the ‘Immunity Boost’: The Effects of Panaxginseng on the Immune System. Journal of Ginseng Research,36(4), pages: 354-368. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659612/ [Accessed: 28/10/2020]
[4] Roth-Walter F, Moskovskich, Gomez-Casado C, Diaz-Perales A, Oida K, Singer J, Kinaciyan T, Fuchs H and Jensen-Jarolim E (2014) Immune Suppressive Effect of Cinnamaldehyde Due to Inhibition of Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis in Immune Cells: Implications in Cancer. Plos One, 9(10). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182734/ [Accessed: 28/10/2020]
[5] Jennings K (2017) 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Chlorella. Healthline. [Online] Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-chlorella [Accessed: 28/10/2020]
