Top Chinese Herbs for Boosting Immunity During Cold and Flu Season

As the temperatures drop in autumn, we enter the dreaded cold and flu season. From missing work or social events to simply feeling miserable, these illnesses can disrupt our daily lives. 

But what if there was a way to not only prevent these seasonal illnesses but also recover faster if you do catch something? That’s where Chinese herbs for boosting immunity come in. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long been used to keep the body strong and resilient during cold and flu season. Through a combination of preventative care and effective herbal remedies, you can use the wisdom of TCM to stay healthy all season long.

What You Need to Know About Cold and Flu Season

Are you hearing more sniffles at work or school? It’s not your imagination – many people are currently feeling the effects of cold and flu season.  

Why are we more susceptible this time of year? Cold and flu season begins in autumn and rises through the winter months. It’s typically marked by a rise in respiratory infections due to a combination of colder weather, spending more time indoors, and weakened immune systems. The viruses that cause colds and flu also spread more easily in these conditions, which means protecting yourself and preventing these illnesses is key.

While modern medicine offers vaccines and antiviral medications, there is still no cure for the common cold or flu. The best approach is to boost your body’s defenses before you get sick and take swift action at the first sign of illness. This is where Chinese herbal medicine shines, as it provides natural support to help your body fend off infections and recover quickly.

How TCM Manages Colds and Flus

Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches colds and flu differently from Western medicine. In TCM, cold and flu are seen not just as isolated viruses but as conditions caused by an imbalance in the body’s internal systems. 

To address these imbalances more accurately, TCM categorizes colds/flus as “wind invasions”, which can be further broken down into either wind-cold or wind-heat, depending on your symptoms and constitution: 

• Wind-Cold Invasion
  This type usually manifests with cold-type symptoms, such as chills, a runny nose, body aches, and no sweating.
  
• Wind-Heat Invasion
  This type of illness usually presents with “hot” symptoms like fever, sore throat, red eyes, and a rapid onset of illness. 

Your best herbal remedy is then based on the unique type of cold you’re facing. For wind-cold types, we’ll warm the body and boost your defenses. For wind-heat, we’ll cool the body and fight off inflammation. It’s important to make these distinctions because we wouldn’t want to cool a “cold” cold or warm up a “hot” one. 

But TCM doesn’t just address the symptoms—it treats the underlying cause of the imbalance that allowed the pathogen to enter the body in the first place. This could mean supporting a weakened immune system, calming inflammation, or balancing the body. 

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

In Chinese medicine, prevention is always the best medicine. By taking care of your body’s energy (or Qi) before cold and flu season begins, you can strengthen your immune defenses and be less susceptible to illness. This often involves using tonic herbs and formulas to boost your “Wei Qi” (the body’s defensive energy) and keep pathogens from entering the body in the first place.

However, if you do start to feel under the weather, TCM offers powerful herbal formulas to fight the infection early, reduce symptoms, and speed up recovery. Let’s explore both types of powerful cold-fighting herbs.

Top Chinese Herbs for Boosting Immunity During Cold and Flu Season

As we’ve learned, in TCM, fighting colds and flus comes down to restoring balance and building up your natural defenses. So, which herbs are best for thriving through cold and flu season? 

1. Astragalus (Huang Qi)

Astragalus is one of the most revered immune-boosting herbs in Chinese medicine. This adaptogenic herb strengthens your Wei Qi, which helps the body stay resilient against pathogens like the cold and flu viruses. Astragalus also boosts your energy, allowing your body to better defend itself. It is especially effective when used as a preventative tonic from fall through the colder months.

Try it: Jade Screen Teapills
Jade Screen Teapills are one of the most famous TCM formulas for immunity and illness prevention. Astragalus is the key herb in this formula, which helps to bolster your defenses so you are well-protected before cold and flu season hits full swing.

2. Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua) & Forsythia (Lian Qiao)

Honeysuckle and forsythia are a powerhouse duo when it comes to fighting early symptoms of a cold or flu. Together, they work to clear heat, reduce inflammation, and target viral infections. They are especially effective for sore throats, fever, and congestion, making them essential herbs during the onset of illness.

Try it: Yin Qiao San
The go-to formula for wind-heat colds (characterized by a sore throat and fever) is Yin Qiao San. This formula can help reduce inflammation and prevent your cold from settling in.

3. Andrographis (Chuan Xin Lian)

Andrographis is a cold and bitter herb that effectively reduces inflammation and targets viral infections. It is a powerful antimicrobial herb used to treat respiratory infections, fever, sore throat, and swollen glands. Andrographis not only clears heat but also supports the immune system by stimulating key immune cells.

Try it: Chuan Xin Lian Pian
If you fall victim to the flu bug, Chuan Xin Lian Pian is one of your best bets to fight the fever, sore throat, and general malaise of the virus. 

4. Ginger (Sheng Jiang – fresh, or Gan Jiang – dried)

Ginger isn’t just a delicious spice to add to your autumn cooking – it’s a warming herb that is especially useful for cold-type illnesses. Fresh ginger can relieve chills, break up phlegm, and promote sweating, while dried ginger has a warming effect on the body and supports digestion. Ginger is also a natural decongestant, helping to relieve sinus congestion and support respiratory health.

Try it: Instant Ginger Honey Crystals and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan
Make ginger tea part of your daily routine to boost your respiratory and gut health. If you need a stronger immune boost, take a ginger-based formula like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan.

5. Elderberry (Jie Gu Mu)

Elderberry is well-known for its ability to fight off cold and flu symptoms. Packed with antioxidants, elderberries help reduce the severity and duration of illness, particularly when taken early. Elderberry is also high in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune response.

Try it: Sambucus Nigra Liquid Extract
Elderberry is more commonly used in Western herbalism than TCM, but it is still a fantastic, research-backed herbal medicinal. Elderberry is best known for improving immune system function and shortening the length of your cold if you do catch one. 

6. Reishi Mushroom (Ling Zhi)

Reishi mushroom is an adaptogenic herb that balances the immune system, among many other benefits like reduced anxiety and better sleep. Studies show that it regulates the immune system and supports a healthy defense response. Because it also helps reduce stress, it’s a powerful ally during cold and flu season when stress levels tend to rise, weakening your immune response.

Try it: Reishi 415 or 5 Defenders Mushroom Capsules
As an adaptogen, reishi is safe to take daily as a preventative supplement. We recommend Real Mushrooms Reishi 415 (available in capsule or powder) to help boost your immunity, reduce stress, and feel more balanced. For a more immune-focused tonic, try Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders Mushroom Capsules which include 4 other potent medicinal mushrooms for immunity. 

7. Gynostemma (Jiao Gu Lan)

Gynostemma is a powerful adaptogen that enhances immune function by supporting the production of natural killer cells—your body’s frontline defense against infections. It’s also a potent herb for increasing energy and improving overall resilience to illness.

Try it: Jiao Gu Lan Liquid Herbal Extract
This concentrated form of jiaogulan is a gentle yet powerful way to strengthen your immunity throughout cold and flu season. Take under the tongue or add to a cup of warming tea. 

8. Isatis Root (Ban Lan Gen)

Isatis root is one of the most effective herbs for treating respiratory infections and sore throats, due to its strong antiviral and detoxifying properties. It is best for colds and flus with a strong heat component, like sore throat, fever, rash, and sweating.

Try it: Ban Lan Gen Chong Ji
Sip your way to relief with this instant herbal beverage. Ban Lan Gen Chong Ji is great to have on hand and make at the first sign of illness. When taken early, it can help stop cold and flu symptoms from getting worse.

Stay Strong This Cold and Flu Season

This cold and flu season, don’t wait until you’re sick to give your body the support it needs. By incorporating these immune-boosting Chinese herbs into your daily routine, you can help prevent illness and recover faster if you do catch a cold or flu.

At Best Chinese Medicines, we’ve curated a wide selection of premium Chinese herbal formulas designed to support your health during cold and flu season. Whether you’re looking to prevent illness or recover quickly, we have the right formula to keep you feeling your best.Shop our full collection of Chinese herbs for colds, coughs, and flu to find the formulas you need to stay healthy this season!