Herbal Immune Boosters for Children

Let’s talk about which herbs can help build your child’s resistance to disease. One of the best herbs for your immune system is echinacea. This plant contains a substance that inhibits the spread of bacterial infections, while activating and stimulating the production of white blood cells. Historically, echinacea has been used to prevent and treat a wide variety of bacterial and viral infections, including smallpox, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, syphilis, influenza, tuberculosis, yellow fever, malaria, polio, measles, rubella, whooping cough, mumps, cholera, and the common cold. Best of all, it has no known toxicity. Is it always effective for the above conditions, no. Can it be of assistance for many bacterial and viral infections, as well as elevating ones own immune response, yes.

Clearly, you can see why this herb is one of my go-to supports for boosting children’s immune systems. For a real boost, I like to to use a formula that has several species of echinacea in it. I also like to use echinacea in combination with other immune-enhancing herbs, such as elderberry, royal jelly and olive leaf. This is a great blend to give when colds and flu are going around that help keep your children well and from geting sick.

Another great immune-enhancing blend of herbs is elderberry, reishi mushrooms and astragalus. Elderberries are an excellent anti-viral and have long been used as a support for fevers and congestion. Reishi mushrooms have similar immune-stimulating properties to echinacea. It encourages production of white blood cells and other immune factors. Astragalus also helps boost the immune response against viruses and other infections. Together they are a formidable support.

Other immune-building herbs you may want to consider for your children include goldenseal, garlic, pau d’arco and red clover.

Be sure to keep a few immune boosters on hand in your herbal first aid kit.

Stop into Herbs & More, Encinitas, Ca. 760 753-7272, for all your natural health needs.