Chinese Herbs that Boost Your Immunity

What’s the secret to a long and healthy life? Giving your immune system the TLC it deserves.

Your immune system works for you day and night. Immune cells are constantly scouring tissue and blood to find and eliminate potential threats. Like silent warriors, these cells and organ systems work to defend your health – often without a single sniffle!

But just like us, our immune systems need support from time to time. Rest, a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep are all excellent ways to give the immune system the energy to keep watching out for you. Sometimes, however, we need extra support. That’s where Chinese herbs come in!

Chinese herbs are a natural and effective way to support your immune system from the root. They act as both preventative tonics and disease-fighting medicinals.

Chinese Herbs that Boost the Immune System

Herbal medicine has been used to support and enhance the immune system for centuries. Ancient Chinese medicine scholars developed entire schools of thought to understand how to cure issues like colds and infections. It’s no wonder why so much attention was placed on building a strong immunity; in a time before modern antibiotics, a minor issue could quickly escalate and become life-threatening.

Thankfully, we do have modern medicine to tackle the severe problems we face. However, we can still use Chinese herbs to stay naturally resilient to stress and disease.

Here are some of the most popular and useful Chinese herbs to support the immune system and conquer mild illnesses:

Astragalus, Huang Qi

Astragalus is both an immune-boosting herb and an energy tonic. When the body has plenty of energy, it is much more likely to be able to defend itself against invading pathogens, toxins, or allergens.

Aside from being an antiviral and antioxidant herb, astragalus is also considered an adaptogen. This means that it helps the body adapt to stress better.

Plum Flower – Jade Screen Teapills (Yu Ping Feng Wan)
Rated 5.00 out of 5
Starting at $21.23 Select options

Take Jade Screen Teapills (which contain astragalus) during cold and flu season to help preserve your energy and improve your odds of staying healthy.

Shen Qi Da Bu Wan – Codonopsis Astragalus Combination – Kingsway (KGS) Brand – (OUT OF STOCK) Starting at $6.99 Select options

You can also take formulas that include astragalus, like Shen Qi Da Bu Yin Wan, to prevent getting sick during a particularly stressful or taxing time. As an added benefit, you’ll stay energized and more resilient to stress, too!

Dandelion, Pu Gong Ying

If you thought dandelion was just a pesky weed, think again! This humble flower can help fight viruses, cool inflammation, and support the immune system. Its cold nature is best suited for issues that involve excess heat, like infection, sore throat, fever, or rash. Dandelion also has a cleaning effect on the liver and encourages healthy detoxification.

Wu Wei Xiao Du Wan – Honeysuckle and Chrysanthemum Extract – Kingsway (KGS) Brand
Rated 5.00 out of 5
Starting at $6.99 Select options

You can find dandelion in formulas like Wu Wei Xiao Du Wan for inflammatory skin conditions like shingles or Herpes Simplex,

Liu Ling Liu Xiao Yan Wan (Dandelion Combo) – 606 Anti-Infection/Inflammation – (OUT OF STOCK)
Rated 4.60 out of 5
Starting at $7.99 Select options

Or, you can take Liu Ling Liu Xiao Yan Wan for urinary tract infections.

Honeysuckle & Forsythia, Jin Yin Cao & Lian Qiao

Yin Qiao Tang (Honeysuckle and Forsythia) – Liquid Extract (Tincture)
Rated 5.00 out of 5
Starting at $14.00 Select options

Honeysuckle and forsythia make up a powerful immune-boosting duo. Together (along with a few other helping herbs) they create Yin Qiao San, a go-to formula for the early onset of a cold and sore throat.

Honeysuckle has been shown to reduce fevers and moderate harmful inflammation. Similarly, forsythia has anti-inflammatory effects as well as antiviral effects. Both Herbs help to moderate the immune response and keep colds, flus, and sore throats under control.

Elderberry, Jie Gu Mu

Elderberry is one of the best known natural immunity remedies. This tiny berry is packed with a high amount of antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory compounds – not to mention 60% of your daily recommended vitamin C.

Modern studies have proven that elderberries can help boost the immune system. It’s claim to fame is the ability to shorten the duration and reduce the intensity of a cold or flu.

Andrographis, Chuan Xin Lian

Andrographis is a potent immune tonic and antimicrobial herb. It is used in formulas to treat viral infections, bacterial infections, colds, flus, and even chronic issues like cancer. Studies show that andrographis likely boosts the immune system by stimulating the immune cells that mount an attack on invaders (like T cells and natural killer cells).

In Chinese medicine, andrographis is a cold and bitter herb that quickly and effectively reduces inflammation. As such, it is often used to treat hot-type symptoms like sore throat, swellings, and acute inflammatory conditions.

Chuan Xin Lian Pian (Tablets)
Rated 5.00 out of 5
Starting at $6.45 Select options

This is a must-have formula to manage issues like UTIs, colds, flus, ear infections, and sinusitis. A well-stocked home medicine cabinet will have a packet of Chuan Xin Lian Pian to keep infections at bay.

Ginger, Sheng Jiang (fresh) or Gan Jiang (dried)

Ginger is one of nature’s most useful culinary medicinals. In Chinese medicine, ginger is used both in dietary therapy as well as in herbal formulas to help improve digestion and boost the immune system.

Ginger builds the body’s immunity by acting as a natural antihistamine and a decongestant. It has also been shown to have antimicrobial effects and can reduce infection. Ginger is also a digestive herb that supports a healthy gut microbiome, laying the foundation for a more robust immune system.

Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan – Digestinex Extract – Kingsway (KGS) Brand
Rated 5.00 out of 5
Starting at $6.99 Select options

You can find ginger in tonics like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan, which helps improve immunity from the root (i.e. the gut!)

Reishi Mushroom, Ling Zhi

Reishi mushroom has been used for centuries by Chinese medicine practitioners. In recent times, it has been popularized for its unique benefits and potential to calm the mind, improve immunity, and promote longevity.

Reishi Mushroom Capsules by Real Mushrooms
Rated 5.00 out of 5
$34.95 Add to cart

Taking Real Mushrooms Reishi is an excellent way to get a daily dose of stress relief and immune power at the same time.

5 Defenders Mushroom Capsules by Real Mushrooms
Rated 4.67 out of 5
$34.95 Add to cart

For a more immune health-focused option, choose Real Mushrooms 5-Defenders Formula. This blend contains five essential medicinal mushrooms for immune health including reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, maitake, and chaga.

Preserve Your Immune Health with Chinese Herbs

You’re only as strong as your immune system. The good news is that building up your immunity is easy with Chinese herbal medicine.

Along with these amazing herbal remedies and tonics, Best Chinese Medicines carries a wide range of immune-boosting formulas to match your body’s unique needs. Shop our entire collection of Chinese herbs for immune support, Chinese herbs for colds, and Chinese herbs for allergies today!