Nature has been generous with herbs to support immunity. Herbs can bolster overall immune health to help you avoid getting sick, kick-start your immune response at the onset of a cold, and ease coughs, fevers, and runny noses as they arise.*
But to use herbs effectively during cold and flu season, you need to understand how immunity works. That way, you’ll know which herbs to reach for when. That’s why we’ve created this guide to herbal support for your immune system. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to create an herbal regimen to support your immune health all season long.*
How Immunity Works: Layer 1 - Your Core Vitality
The first layer of immunity is your core vitality, or your general level of well-being. In traditional Alchemy, it correlates with the Sun, the source of all life and energy.
When you’re rested, nourished, and properly managing stress, your core vitality is typically high, and your immune system is strong. But when you’re stressed, missing sleep, or eating poorly, your vitality is lowered, and your body may have trouble fighting off pathogens.
Immune Tonic Herbs Strengthen Core Vitality
Immune tonics can help raise your overall vitality. They often contain minerals that deeply nourish the immune system and help build resilience over time.
If you’ve been feeling run down, immune tonics can help raise your core vitality. To get the most out of these herbs, start taking them 3 times per day for at least 6 weeks before the start of cold and flu season for the best results.*
Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)
Astragalus root is an immune tonic that also strengthens the lungs and moistens respiratory tissues that may be parched after breathing dry, heated indoor air.*
Oregon Reishi fruiting body (Ganoderma oregonensis)
This powerful adaptogen helps the body have a healthy response to stress. Its polysaccharides and triterpene content also help to fortify the immune system.*
Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis)
As an adaptogenic immune tonic, Schisandra supports and calms the nervous system while strengthening overall immune resilience.*
Immune Restore Spagyric Formula
Over the years, we have thoughtfully adjusted this blend to include Astragalus, Oregon Reishi, and Schisandra, as well as Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus) and Ginger root (Zingiber officinale). It helps promote a deep level of revitalization for both the immune and nervous systems when taken regularly.*
How Immunity Works: Layer 2 - Direct Immune Response
When pathogens make it past your first layer of defense, you can get sick. Your immune system fights back by launching a direct immune response.
In traditional alchemy, this stage corresponds to warlike Mars and the Fire element. It correlates to the body’s use of fever, heat, irritation, and redness to combat invading enemies.
Immune Stimulant Herbs Help Us Fight Infection
When you first feel like you might be coming down with something, start taking immune stimulants like Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea).
They help strengthen the body’s ability to take out pathogenic threats by increasing the activity and levels of immune cells like B cells, T cells, and macrophages.* Immune stimulants are best used at the onset of infection, alongside increased rest & hydration.*
Diaphoretic Herbs Help Us Sweat It Out
When you come down with a fever, diaphoretic herbs encourage sweating, which releases toxins and regulates internal heat. This can help you recover faster.* There are two main kinds:
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Stimulant diaphoretic: For low-grade, prolonged fevers. Stimulates blood flow to raise body temperature.*
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Example: Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
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Relaxing diaphoretic: For high, uncomfortable fevers. Cools and calms to release excess heat.*
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Example: Elder flower (Sambucus cerulea)
All diaphoretics are most effective when taken hot. For tinctures, add them to hot water or tea. It’s also a good idea to take a hot bath, then rest in bed under the covers.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
This stimulating diaphoretic offers antimicrobial properties and gentle support for the respiratory and digestive systems.*
Immune Defense Spagyric Formula
This formula supports immunity on multiple levels. It contains immune stimulants and diaphoretics like Echinacea, Yarrow, and Ginger, along with Elderberry, Balsam root, Boneset, and Wild Indigo to encourage a healthy direct immune response to possible pathogens.
How Immunity Works: Layer 3 - Organ-Specific Response
The organ systems under attack by pathogens also defend themselves. Things like fever, coughing, and mucus production are the body’s intelligent response to infection.
Traditional alchemy sees this layer as governed by Air and Mercury. Mercury rules the respiratory and nervous systems, along with communication between all body systems.
Expectorant Herbs Help Make Coughs Productive
When you have a cough, don’t suppress it! Instead, try expectorants. These herbs help the body clear mucus from the respiratory tract. There are 3 kinds of expectorants:
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Stimulant expectorant: For cold, wet, heavy coughs. Stimulates coughing and clears mucus with volatile oils.
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Example: Elecampane (Inula helenium)
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Demulcent expectorant: For hot, dry, painful coughs. Soothes, moistens, and coats mucous membranes.
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Example: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
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Relaxing expectorant: For spastic, hacking coughs. Relaxes and opens airways.
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Example: Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
A few of our favorite expectorants:
Osha (Ligusticum grayi) & Lomatium (Lomatium dissectum)
These are strong expectorants and immune stimulants, while also being antimicrobial. They’re great for wet, phlegmatic coughs.*
Elecampane (Inula helenium)
This classic expectorant is versatile in its support: it’s also diaphoretic and antimicrobial. It shines in situations with damp congestion.*
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
As a demulcent expectorant, Licorice helps soothe and protect the respiratory mucous membranes.* It also tastes delicious!
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
This valuable relaxing expectorant opens, calms, and tones airways.*
Rainforest Lungs Spagyric Formula
If you experience wet, congested, and heavy respiratory imbalances, Rainforest Lungs’ stimulating expectorants encourage a productive cough and help clear mucus.*
Desert Lungs Spagyric Formula
If you tend to have harsh, dry coughs that linger, Desert Lungs soothes and clears mucous membranes. It features demulcent and relaxing expectorants that moisten dry tissues and relax spasms.*
The Alchemist's Guide to Spagyrics for Immunity Video + Recipes
To learn more about how immunity works, watch this video. In it, we’ll guide you through the science and alchemy of immunity to uncover:
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How fever and inflammation actually support your health
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Why spagyrics are especially helpful for immune health
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Which herbs to use and why during cold & flu season
Plus, we’re sharing printable recipe cards for two of our family’s favorites: Immune-Strengthening Elderberry Syrup and Acute Elderberry Syrup. So you can put these teachings into practice with recipes we know and love!
Download the Video + Recipe Cards
More Resources:
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To learn more about how to manage a respiratory infection with herbs, read The School of Evolutionary Herbalism’s blog post “Herbal Therapeutics for Viral Respiratory Infections.”
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For more information about building core vitality with spagyrics, check out our blog post “Vitalism Provides the Key to a Robust Immune System”
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Or shop our full collection of spagyrics for the immune system.
We also regularly share herbal and alchemical wisdom, along with seasonal sales, in our newsletters and on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. We look forward to seeing you there!
