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Maintaining the immune system can reduce the risk of disease. Weak immunity becomes a target for disease-causing germs to attack your body's defenses. As a result, the body will fall ill and disrupt daily activities.
To maintain endurance, you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle such as exercising regularly and eating healthy and well-nourished foods. In addition, there are several herbs that have been shown to be effective in strengthening the immune system, namely:
1. Echinacea
Echinacea is a flowering herbal plant that grows in America and Canada and has been used medicinally for centuries. Echinacea leaves, stems, flowers and roots can be used as a base for making supplements, teas, and also extracts in liquid form. Taking echinacea regularly can boost your immune system and reduce various symptoms of flu, colds, and infections.
This one plant has a height of about 30 to 60 cm with a cone-shaped seed head and is usually dark brown or red, depending on the species. Three species of echinacea that are commonly used as herbal remedies are:
- Echinacea angustifolia - narrow-leaved coneflower.
- Echinacea pallida - pale purple coneflower.
- Echinacea purpurea - purple coneflower.
Quoted from WebMD, research shows that echinacea can increase white blood cells in the body that can help fight infection. This plant contains echinacein compounds which can inhibit bacteria and viruses from entering healthy cells.
In addition, a lot of evidence shows the phytochemical compounds present in echinacea can reduce infections and tumors caused by viruses. Echinacea is also useful for reducing pain, reducing inflammation, and treating skin problems.
2. Ginseng
Ginseng has been popular as a powerful herbal remedy for various health problems. Ginseng is divided into two types, namely Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Several studies have found evidence that ginseng can boost the immune system.
To prove the efficacy of ginseng on the immune system, a study was conducted on 36 people who had stomach cancer and had undergone surgery. Researchers gave 5,400 mg of ginseng daily for two years. As a result, these patients experienced a boost in their immune system and experienced lower recurrence of symptoms than before.
Another study examined the effects of red ginseng extract on the immune systems of people with stomach cancer who had undergone postoperative chemotherapy. After three months, patients who were given red ginseng extract experienced improvements in conditions which indicated that their immune system had improved compared to patients who were not given red ginseng extract.
Other studies have also shown that people who take ginseng have a 35 percent higher chance of life to avoid various diseases for five years after surgery. Not only that, people who consumed ginseng also had 38 percent higher endurance than those who did not consume it.
Many experts have also found that ginseng acts as an antioxidant and cures inflammation, helps treat flu, menopause symptoms, high blood pressure, fatigue, hepatitis C, and various other ailments.
Ginseng is a herbal medicine that is safe for consumption and has no serious side effects. However, for children and pregnant and lactating women who want to consume this herbal ingredient, it is best to consult a doctor.
3. Garlic
Garlic is not only used in cooking but is also useful as a medicine. Even garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs that cause disease. Garlic contains a compound called alliin. When garlic is crushed or chewed, this compound turns into allicin.
Allicin contains sulfur, giving it a distinctive smell and taste. This compound has been shown to increase the body's response to several types of diseases such as colds and flu.
Quoted from Healthline, research has shown that allicin is very effective at killing microorganisms that cause infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, canker sores, and also herpes. In fact, the antiviral properties in garlic can be used to treat eye infections and natural ear infection remedies.
To maintain your daily immune system, besides eating nutritious foods, you can take various supplements that contain these three ingredients. In addition, taking supplements that contain a combination of vitamin C, ginseng, and echinacea also helps maximize the immune system to maintain endurance. The reason is, vitamin C is one of the vitamins that the body needs to strengthen the body's immune system.
