Liquid herbal tonics for your immune system
Natural support for a healthy immune system
A healthy immune system works hard every day to protect you from bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells. When your immune system is strong, you’re less likely to catch colds or infections, and if you do get sick, you’ll usually recover faster.
Robust immune health also helps your body heal from injuries, keeps inflammation in check, and may even help reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
In the years since the Covid 19 pandemic our immune systems have taken a hit and many people feel they are bouncing from one illness to the next with multiple courses of antibiotics leaving them fatigued, with niggling digestive symptoms and flaring of skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Traditional immune tonics
Herbal medicines have a long history of supporting immune health for prevention, treatment and recovery from illnesses. Traditional herbal immune elixirs include elderberry syrup, fire cider, garlic oxymels, herbal steams and fever teas like YEP (yarrow, elderflower and peppermint). These are often made with herbs and spices found in the kitchen pantry. While often considered folk medicine they can be powerful allies when you are sick.
Discover the unique benefits of liquid herbal immune tonics
At Your Remedy Naturopathy we regularly use liquid herbs for immune support. These high potency extracts are used for their bioavailability with rapid absorption of the active phytochemicals (up to 40% more than tablets/capsules).
Because we blend them onsite in our Stones Corner herbal dispensary, we customise each mix for the person and their symptoms making them more targeted and effective than standardised tablet formulations. The mix for someone who gets bronchitis with their vial cold will be different from someone who gets sinusitis with the same virus.
Liquid extracts allow us to use herbs which are often not found in commercial formulations.
The dispensary currently has over 50 different herbs to support immune health.
How to use herbs to support immune health
Herbal support of immune health considers three aspects prevention, acute illness treatment and the often-overlooked recovery or convalescence phase.
1. Prevention
There’s a saying amongst naturopaths and herbalists: “the best herbs for cold and flu are the ones that help you prevent them”. Herbs used for prevention are immune modulators which have a tonifying action without overstimulating immunity. They are slower acting, and need to be taken at lower doses over a longer time to get benefits. Many are also adaptogenic herbs, helping the body cope better with stress.
Herbs for prevention
- Astragalus
- Cordyceps
- Reishi
- Eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng)
2. Acute treatment
At the first signs of illness (scratchy sore throat, sneezing, fever, muscle aches) the immune stimulating, antiviral, expectorant, mucolytic and febrifuge herbs come into their own. It’s good to have an acute tonic on hand as viruses replicate rapidly. The difference between a mild or moderate cold can be down to as little as one hour between starting treatment. Dosing in the acute phase is higher and more frequent.
Acute treatment herbs
3. Recovery
After the acute phase has passed, we move into the recovery phase which is often overlooked. This phase is important to restore appetite, depleted vitality and protect against relapse. Nutritive tonic herbs, bitters and adaptogens are used here as well as additional support to reduce persistent coughs and post viral fatigue.
Recovery herbs
- Withania
- Nettles
- Green oats
- Alfalfa
- Licorice
- Siberian ginseng
Conditions immune herbs can support
Herbs can be helpful either as a stand-alone treatment for mild/moderate illness or supportive to standard medical care in more severe cases.
- Common cold (Rhinovirus)
- Influenza
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Asthma flares
- Covid -19/Long covid
- Glandular fever
- Hay fever
- Sinusitis
- Tonsilitis/laryngitis
- Viral Gastroenteritis
- Cold sores
Want to know more about using immune herbs?
Get in touch and find out how we can help you.
Frequently asked questions about immune herbs
You can also find general FAQs here.
Can I purchase immune herbs from you?
Yes, after a short consultation (for safety and to meet legal requirements) we can create a custom blend for you. Contact us to find out more.
I'm not in Brisbane, can I still order immune herbs?
Yes, we offer this service Australia wide and can post your products to you.
What are the ingredients?
Aside from the herbal plant material the extracts contain water and ethanol (alcohol). The amount of alcohol per dose is on average 1/6th -1/8th of a standard drink. These herbs are not suitable if you avoid alcohol for health, cultural or religious reasons.
Do you post overseas (outside Australia)?
No, we don’t offer international shipping.
I'm Norelle Hentschel.
I'm an experienced Naturopath with a clinic in Stones Corner, Greenslopes Brisbane. I've helped many people improve their health. I'm ready to help you feel better and regain your energy and vitality.