However, her immune system certainly takes note! A branch full of turkey tail mushrooms. It can be found exclusively on dead hardwood trees, stumps, and branches and sometimes on dead conifers.

Turkey tail does have some look-alikes, and proper identification is essential. That being said, many people successfully learn to know and recognize turkey tail. Its undersides are white or tan in color and spotted with tiny pores NOT gills. False turkey tail mushrooms Stereum spp.

have a matte, tawny underside with no visible pores. Here are some online resources to help you with identification:. Leave plenty behind, so the mushroom can make spores and reproduce. Our family likes to chew on a piece or two while hiking for a fun fungal gum alternative.

You can also find turkey tail in medicinal mushroom preparations online and in your local health food store. Looking for more blog articles on herbs for the immune system? HERBS FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT. She's a professional plant-human matchmaker and bonafide plant geek, with a degree in botany and over 30 years of experience teaching and writing about herbalism, medicine making, and organic herb cultivation.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession through her writing and photography in her online programs, on her personal blog Castanea , and in her new book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies.

Juliet and her family reside in a home overrun with houseplants and books in Asheville, North Carolina. Meghan lives in the Ivy Creek watershed, just north of Asheville, North Carolina.

com , Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and chestnutherbs. com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. The course begins with the basic ground rules of foraging safety and ethics, and then moves on to botany and plant identification.

The printable manual is hundreds of pages long and filled with close-up photos for identification, medicinal uses, and loads of easy-to-follow recipes. intrigued with what your views were on using a pressure cooker to prepare long-decocting herbs given the increasing use of the Instant Pot.

we will be glad to be added. Good question, Suzie. Let us know how it goes 🙂. I could really use some help. My husband has AML leukemia cancer and he is always immune Compromised. They stopped all treatments and put him on supportive care. I am trying to go the healthy route. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like you are doing the very best you can to care for your husband, Sharon! In the meantime, the sections on Herbal Immunomodulators and Immune Tonics in our article on Herbs for the Immune System may be of interest. Wishing your husband and your family just the support you are looking for!

With the popularity of the Instant Pot, I was wondering what your thoughts are on preparing long decocting herbs in a pressure cooker. I think that would work! The ultimate experiment would be to try it the standard way, and then try it with the Instant Pot, and see which is stronger. One important note regarding garlic is that you must let it sit for 10 minutes after chopping to allow the allicin to form.

Eat it right away and you lose those wonderful anti-cancer and immune boosting benefits. Your email address will not be published. You may use these HTML tags and attributes:. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me when new comments are added. Herbs to Boost Immunity This Winter: 5 Tonic Remedies Written by Meghan Gemma and Juliet Blankespoor Photography by Juliet Blankespoor. Parts Used: Mushroom fruiting body Preparations: Long decoction, syrup, preserved concoction Herbal Actions: Immune tonic Immunomodulator Antiviral Antibacterial Adaptogen Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Anti-anxiety Cardiotonic Hepatic.

Here are a couple online resources to get you started: How to Identify Reishi Mushrooms Ganoderma tsugae Foraging Reishi Mushrooms. Contraindications: Use cautiously with blood-thinning medication.

Avoid if you have mushroom allergies. Parts Used: Berries and flowers Preparations: Syrup, tincture, infusion flowers , decoction berries , infused honey Herbal Actions: Berries: Immune stimulant Immune tonic Antibacterial Antiviral Antioxidant Diaphoretic Anticatarrhal decongestant Anti-inflammatory Flowers: Immune tonic Antiviral Anti-inflammatory Diaphoretic Anticatarrhal decongestant Astringent.

You can also reference this online resource for identification tips: Elderberry or Water Hemlock? Once the plant has been purged from the system, there is no lasting illness. In general, we suggest starting with small doses and working your way up to assess tolerance.

The flowers, tea, tincture, syrup, and cooked berries are unlikely to cause any side effects. An herbalist holding a handful of garlic. Parts Used: Bulb Preparations: Raw, tincture, fire cider and other infused vinegars, honey Herbal Actions: Immune tonic Immune stimulant Antimicrobial Diaphoretic Hypotensive lowers blood pressure Anticatarrhal decongestant.

Contraindications: Garlic can aggravate heartburn and gas, especially if ingested raw or in large quantities. It can also aggravate peptic ulcers. Coating garlic with olive oil or preparing it in an oil-based sauce helps minimize these effects. Avoid high doses of raw garlic one week before surgery due to its blood-thinning qualities.

If taking blood thinners, consult a cardiologist before taking high doses of raw garlic. Parts Used: Root Preparations: Decoction, powder, soup and stew stock, goo balls Herbal Actions: Immune tonic Immunomodulator Antiviral Antibacterial Adaptogen Antioxidant Cardiotonic Hepatic.

Contraindications: Because astragalus stimulates immune activity, it could potentially weaken the effects of immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals, such as cyclosporine and corticosteroids. This adverse reaction is theoretical in humans but has been verified in animal studies.

Symptoms of overdose may include headaches, insomnia, dizziness, hot flashes, and hypertension. Parts Used: Mushroom fruiting body Preparations: Long decoction, soup stock Herbal Actions: Immune tonic Immune stimulant Antiviral Antitumor Antioxidant.

Contraindications: Avoid if you have mushroom allergies. Moyers S. Garlic in Health, History, and World Cuisine. Suncoast Press; Bergner P. Prima Lifestyles; Denzler K, Moore J, Harrington H, et al. Characterization of the Physiological Response following In Vivo Administration of Astragalus membranaceus.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Chu DT, Wong WL, Mavligit GM. Immunotherapy with Chinese medicinal herbs. Immune restoration of local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction in cancer patients by fractionated Astragalus membranaceus in vitro.

J Clin Lab Immunol. Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, and Culture. Book Publishing Company; Rogers R. The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America.

North Atlantic Books; Patel, S, Goyal, A. Recent Developments in Mushrooms as Anti-Cancer Therapeutics: A Review. Meet Our Contributors:.

Interested in becoming a contributor? Gain confidence with our Online Foraging Course! Registration is now open! Pursue Your Dreams! Get pages of herbal resources with our Budding Herbalist Guide! Suzie Martins says: August 6, at am. Melissa Quercia says: August 7, at am. Sharon says: July 29, at am.

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It contains antioxidants and essential minerals that support immune health and can help protect against infections. Basil: This aromatic herb is packed with vitamins and minerals that enhance immune function. Basil also has antimicrobial properties and can help reduce inflammation in the body.

You can add them to soups, stews, marinades, or even sprinkle them on roasted vegetables or salads," says Menon. It's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalised advice on maintaining a strong immune system.

So, start experimenting with these flavourful additions to your dishes and reap the benefits of their immune-boosting properties in every season," concludes the nutritionist. Jun 09, PM IST. Read this news in brief form. Share Via. Also read: Summer bloating: Herbs and spices that can help; how to add them to your diet Maintaining a strong immune system is crucial for overall well-being and to ward off illnesses Freepik.

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How to Use: Rosemary is typically used as a rub for meats and for roasts. It's also used in baking, including breads , crackers , and even cookies. Rosemary shortbread cookies , anyone?

Recipe Idea: Rosemary complements the grilled flavor on these Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kebobs. Salvia Officinalis. Why It's So Good: With astringent and antiseptic properties, sage is great for warding off infections, colds, and flus.

Sage serves as a good digestive aid and relaxes the nervous system. Tips for Growing: There are over varieties of sage, but the most prolific garden variety is common garden sage. Sage loves the sun and warm weather.

If given the space and right conditions, the herb will grow into a decent size bush, so you'll want to plant accordingly. Buying a starter plant or taking a cutting from another sage plant is ideal since sowing from seeds can be difficult. How to Use: Add to meat rubs , sauces, soups , and stuffings.

Recipe Idea: Sage leaves get a starring role in lemony Chicken Saltimbocca. Thymus Vulgaris. Why It's So Good: There are many varieties of thyme , but the easiest ones to find are common garden thyme or lemon thyme Thymus Citriodorus , which has a nice fragrant lemon aroma.

Thyme is an all-around immune system booster. Because of its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, thyme fights off infections and colds. Thyme is also known for calming the nervous system and for easing an upset stomach.

Tips for Growing: You can start from seed or buy a potted plant to get a jump start. You can plant in containers or directly in the soil. Thyme is a hardy plant that likes a decent amount of sun and grows in most climates. Overall, it's a low-maintenance herb that will grow year after.

How to Use: Add chopped leaves to salads , soups , sauces , and seasoning mixes. Recipe Idea: The tang of cheddar cheese and gentle herby notes of thyme blend beautifully in these savory Cheddar-Thyme Flaky Biscuits.

Ocimum Sanctum. Why It's So Good: Tulsi, known as holy basil or sacred basil, is well-regarded for warding off viral and bacterial infections as well as colds, flus, and sore throats because of its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Tulsi reduces stressors on the body, aids the circulatory system, and also helps with focusing and concentration.

Highly regarded in India, this herb is used in a lot of Indian and Asian cuisine, including Thai and Vietnamese. Tips for Growing: Similar to sweet basil, Tulsi needs a lot of sunlight and thrives in warm and hot weather. You can grow from seed after the chance of frost has passed.

Basil grows well in containers. How to Use: Clip leaves and incorporate them into your favorite dish or make a recipe, specifically calling for this wonderful herb. Make sure you add Tulsi at the very end so you don't lose all the flavor.

You can also make tea from the leaves. Seeds and supplies can be purchased online from your local garden center. Additionally, these online seed and garden companies offer a bounty of choices to start your culinary herb garden:.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Kitchen Tips All About Ingredients Fruits and Vegetables. How to Enjoy It Echinacea is typically available as a supplement as an extract, tincture, tablet, or capsule.

According to the NCCIH, most adults can safely take echinacea by mouth in the short term. However, echinacea can interact with certain medications, so consult your doctor before taking echinacea supplements, Largeman-Roth says. Like many herbs and spices, ginger Zingiber officinale is a staple in traditional medicine.

For centuries, people have turned to this warm spice for the treatment of headaches, colds, nausea, and vomiting, according to a paper in Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

Modern research shows that there may be something to this. In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology , fresh ginger prevented plaque formation from human respiratory syncytial virus , a common respiratory virus that causes mild, coldlike symptoms.

According to a review in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine , the compounds in ginger — primarily gingerol and shogaol — have also exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic pain-relieving properties.

How to Enjoy It Brew a mug of fragrant ginger tea. You can use commercial ginger tea bags or prepare fresh ginger root tea.

To make your own tea, buy a piece of fresh ginger, trim off the tough knots and peel it. Then cut the root into thin, crosswise slices.

Place a few slices in a cup, pour in boiling water, and cover and steep for 10 minutes, suggests Johns Hopkins Medicine. Another warming spice, cinnamon is renowned for its antioxidant properties, Largeman-Roth says.

In fact, cinnamon has higher antioxidant properties than mint, ginger, and licorice, according to a study. Cinnamon Cinnamomum also offers anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, Largeman-Roth says.

E-cinnamaldehyde is also an antimicrobial compound. A study published in Foods suggests that E-cinnamaldehyde may inhibit the growth of listeria bacteria. A separate study published in Foods found that cinnamon essential oil had similar effects on salmonella bacteria.

How to Enjoy It Give your toast a dusting of cinnamon or sprinkle it into your coffee or tea for added flavor. Cinnamon also pairs well with fruits like apples and pears.

Peppermint is an herb a natural cross between water mint and spearmint that contains a range of flavonoids. These are plant compounds that have beneficial effects on immune health.

They help the body react to, process, protect, and repair on a daily basis, she adds. Peppermint also contains menthol, a compound with anesthetic numbing and analgesic effects, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

As such, menthol is commonly added to over-the-counter cold and flu treatments. Research on menthol has been mixed, however. Some research found that inhaling menthol had no effect on nasal airflow in kids.

That said, it did make nasal breathing seem easier, per research. More studies are needed for conclusive evidence. How to Enjoy It The next time your nose gets stuffed up, breathe in steam from hot water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil, suggests UCHealth.

Or brew a mug of hot peppermint tea. This native Chinese herb has traditionally been used as an adaptogen a substance that protects the body from stress and disease , Largeman-Roth says.

Astragalus Astragalus membranaceus is also used as part of an herbal combination to prevent or treat colds, according to Mount Sinai.

While research is limited, some studies suggest that astragalus may help fight viral infections. For example, a meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicines including astragalus found that it may be effective against the hepatitis B virus.

Not all the studies included astragalus, however, and the authors note that the studies were of poor quality and more research is warranted.

Another study suggests that astragalus may help white blood cells respond to infections. How to Enjoy It Astragalus is often taken as a supplement available in tinctures, tablets, and capsules , per Mount Sinai.

No adverse effects have been found when taken in doses up to 60 grams daily for up to four months, according to the NCCIH. In addition, astragalus may interact with medications that suppress the immune system, the NCCIH warns.