Best Immune Boosters

By Gayot Editors

The Best All-Natural Remedies to Boost Your Immune System

The spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may have you refocusing on how to take care of your immune system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people wash their hands often and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

If you’re looking for alternative health solutions, check out GAYOT’s list of Natural Remedies that will improve your general well-being and give your immune system a much-needed boost.

> Another great strategy for staying healthy is to load up on good-for-you eats, like these Top 10 Superfoods. And since stress can impact your immune system too, be sure to employ stress reducing strategies to help you stay top form.

1. Enzymatic Therapy Esberitox

Enzymatic Therapy Esberitox

Feel Better with Esberitox

Hailing from Germany, where homeopathic health remedies are huge, Esberitox is an herbal supplement that has been used in Europe for decades as an immune system booster. Combining two powerful immune-enhancing herbs, thuja and baptisia, with two different types of echinacea, this potent little pill strengthens the body’s own natural defenses and can help prevent against the flu and common cold. While Esberitox is best taken for several weeks at a time as a preemptive measure, it can also be used right at the onset of symptoms to stimulate the production of infection-fighting cells.

2. Mary Ruth Organics Liquid Probiotics

Mary Ruth Organics Liquid Probiotics
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Gut health is good health and these probiotics promise to help get you there.

These probiotics are USDA Certified Organic, raw, gluten-free, paleo and made from water and a blend of three organic grasses, making it completely plant-based. One drop of these tasteless and odorless probiotics are all you need and they are easily mixed into any smoothie, green juice or water.

3. Nature’s Way Organic Elderberry Zinc Lozenges

Nature's Way Organic Elderberry Zinc Lozenges
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Ward off colds, sore throats and coughs with Nature’s Way Organic Elderberry Zinc Lozenges.

We like these tasty drops because they have a subtle, easy-on-the-tongue berry flavor and offer just the right amount of sweetness. Each lozenge has 12.5 mg of black elderberry extract, 5 mg of zinc (a known immune booster) and 100% of the daily required dose of Vitamin C. Pop one in your mouth the moment you start feeling under the weather and you’re sure to feel better — we always do.

4. Nature’s Way Umcka

Nature's Way Umcka
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Umcka: Shortens Duration of Colds and Coughs

Native to South Africa, umcka (short for “umckaloabo”) is an herbal extract known for its antibacterial and immune-boosting properties. It is derived from the plant Pelargonium sidoides, whose medicinal qualities have been utilized by African cultures for centuries. Studies have shown that umckaloabo works similarly to other immune boosters found in nature such as elderberry (Sambucus or Sambucol) but, what makes this over-the-counter extract uniquely effective is its ability to combat infections brought on by either viruses or bacteria. Aside from Umcka’s dual antibacterial/antiviral qualities, it also serves as a natural expectorant, helping to remove excess mucus from the sinuses and respiratory tract. For fighting a cold, it’s best to use Umcka within 48 hours of showing symptoms. We’ve had great success with it for combating colds as well as bronchitis, even with kids!

5. OHCO Cold Snap

OHCO Cold Snap

Restore Your Chi with Cold Snap

Cold Snap, a mega mixture of 20 powerful herbs employed in traditional Chinese medicine, works to restore your “righteous chi,” or inner strength and balance. The ingredients in Cold Snap, such as forsythia, Japanese honeysuckle, burdock and soybean, function as catalysts to help your body do its own exquisite healing work. Instead of stimulating the system or eliminating toxins, these natural components nourish and build your chi, which in turn helps fight stress and viruses.

6. Olive Leaf

Olive Leaf
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Olive Leaf: Flu Fighter

Olive leaf extract has received a lot of attention from alternative health care advocates in recent decades; however, this immune system booster has been used medicinally for centuries in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, where olive trees grow in abundance. Aside from fighting the common cold and flu, this powerful little leaf can also help increase energy levels, lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar levels and aid in fighting autoimmune disorders. Rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals, olive leaf is especially potent when used in combination with other antioxidants.

7. Reishi

Reishi Mushroom
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Reishi Mushroom: The Super Tonic

While its evocative name — supernatural mushroom — may conjure up images of wild, psychedelic-fueled parties, the reishi mushroom has long been revered for an altogether different kind of magic. A staple in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, this luminous, red tree fungus has traditionally been used to calm the mind, ease tension and promote overall health and well-being. Today, practitioners utilize reishi as an adaptogen for its stress-reducing properties, while scientific research has also found the mushroom to be a potent immune potentiator. High in histamine-inhibiting ganoderic acids as well as polysaccharides, which improve the body’s immune functions, reishi can help protect against illness and infection when taken regularly. Naturally bitter in taste, reishi is often ingested in capsule form, but can also be taken with tea, coffee or other beverages.

8. Resveratrol

Resveratrol
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Grape Power

When ’80s band UB40 sang, “red, red wine, you make me feel so fine,” they weren’t talking about resveratrol, though they may as well have been. The powerful antioxidant is contained within the skins of red wine grapes, and has been shown to provide a host of health-boosting benefits, from reducing inflammation (which can lead to all kinds of ailments) to fighting cancer and viruses. Of course, we are not promoting rampant imbibing; resveratrol is readily found in supplement form. We, however, prefer a nice Malbec.

9. Source Naturals Wellness Formula

Source Naturals Wellness Formula
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Get Well with Wellness Formula

Wellness Formula has been a leading cold weather herbal supplement for over 20 years thanks to its powerful combination of herbs, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals designed to get to the root cause of bodily imbalances. Containing potent doses of vitamins A and C alongside herbs long used in Eastern medicine, such as astragalus, garlic and isatis, this carefully crafted concoction provides support for the multiple body systems that impact immune and upper respiratory health. Together, these proven immune system boosters work to strengthen the body’s natural protective barriers and cleanse the mucous membranes.

10. Vitamin C

Vitamin C
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Vital Health Booster

Long known for its myriad health benefits, vitamin C is one of the most popular nutrients taken in supplement form — and for good reason. This potent antioxidant has been shown to protect against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease and even wrinkly skin. While many multivitamins and energy drinks, such as Emergen-C, include “superdosages” of vitamin C, the ubiquitous immune system booster can be found in many of our favorite fruits and vegetables, including red peppers, strawberries, broccoli, dark leafy greens and, of course, oranges.