Andrographis: Andrographis is an herb native to Southeast Asia. It might help your body fight viruses, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your immune system.
Does it work? Common cold and other respiratory infections: Some studies have found that taking andrographis after getting a cold or other respiratory infection might lessen the severity of symptoms and shorten the length of time symptoms last. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Is it safe? No safety concerns have been reported when andrographis is used as directed. Side effects of andrographis can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, skin rashes, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Andrographis might decrease blood pressure and thin the blood, so it could interact with blood pressure and blood thinning medications. Andrographis might also decrease the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system. Andrographis might affect fertility, so some scientists recommend avoiding it if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby.
Echinacea: Echinacea is an herb that grows in North America and Europe. It might help stop the growth or spread of some types of viruses and other germs. It might also help strengthen your immune system and reduce inflammation.
Does it work? Common cold and flu: Studies have found that echinacea might slightly reduce the risk of catching a cold, but it doesn’t reduce the severity of symptoms or shorten the length of time symptoms last. It’s unclear whether echinacea is helpful for the flu.
Is it safe? Echinacea appears to be safe. Side effects can include stomach upset, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, and skin rashes. In rare cases, echinacea might cause allergic reactions.
Echinacea might reduce the effectiveness of some medications, including medications that suppress the immune system. Scientists don’t know if echinacea is safe to take during pregnancy.
Elderberry (European Elder): Elderberry (or elder berry) is the fruit of a tree that grows in North America, Europe, and parts of Africa and Asia. Elderberry might help your body fight viruses and other germs, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your immune system.
Does it work? Common cold and flu: Elderberry doesn’t appear to reduce the risk of coming down with the common cold. However, some studies have found that elderberry might help relieve symptoms of colds and flu and help people recover quicker.
Is it safe? Elderberry flowers and ripe fruit appear to be safe to eat. However, the bark, leaves, seeds, and raw or unripe elderberry fruit can be poisonous and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Cooked elderberry fruit and properly manufactured supplements do not have this safety concern.
Elderberry might affect insulin and blood sugar levels. It might also reduce the effectiveness of medications that suppress the immune system. Scientists don’t know if elderberry is safe to take during pregnancy.
Garlic: Garlic is a vegetable that has been used in cooking throughout history. It is also available as a dietary supplement. Garlic might help your body fight viruses and other germs.
Does it work? Common cold and flu: Only a few studies have looked at whether garlic supplements help prevent the common cold or flu, and it’s not clear if garlic is helpful.
Is it safe? Garlic is considered safe. Side effects can include bad breath, body odor, and skin rash.
Garlic might interact with blood thinners and blood pressure medications.
Ginseng: Ginseng (Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius) is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It might help your body fight viruses, reduce inflammation, and strengthen your immune system.
Another botanical, eleuthero (Eleutherococus senticosus), has sometimes been called Siberian ginseng, but it is not related to true ginseng.
Does it work? Common cold, flu, and other respiratory infections: Ginseng might reduce the risk of coming down with the common cold, flu, or other respiratory infections. However, it’s unclear whether ginseng helps relieve symptoms or affects the length of time symptoms last.
Is it safe? Ginseng appears to be safe. Side effects can include headache, trouble sleeping, and digestive upset. However, high doses (more than 2.5 grams [g]/day) of ginseng might cause insomnia, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and nervousness.
Ginseng might interact with diabetes medications, stimulants, and medications that suppress the immune system.
Source: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ImmuneFunction-Consumer/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
