For some of us, even fresh, cool breezes and colorful falling leaves can’t make autumn enjoyable. That’s because this time of year, we seem to come down with every cold that’s going around.
With the kids back in school and cooler weather keeping us inside, the viruses that cause colds and flus can get a foothold in our communities and bodies.
But what if a shift in perspective and strategy could help you stay well through the changing seasons?
The Vitalist Approach to the Immune System
Conventional allopathic medicine pays little attention to immune system health. Instead, it views fevers, coughs, and sniffles as the enemy and directs its efforts at fighting them. The allopathic approach suppresses these “dangers” by:
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Reducing fevers
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Suppressing coughs
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Stopping the flow of mucus
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Blocking pain
But the key difference in Vitalist healing traditions (such as Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Thompsonianism, and many other traditional systems of herbalism) is the understanding that these issues are the intelligent response of the body to pathogens. As Vitalists, we seek to support the immune system in what it’s trying to do. Rather than solely focusing on killing the invader, our goal is also to support the core vitality of a person and their innate healing response to illness.
Vitalism sees the immune system as capable of handling threats.
Fever is a great example of your body’s innate intelligence. In a fever, the body raises its internal temperature to destroy pathogens.
When fever and coughs are suppressed, illness is prolonged and intensified. That’s why Vitalists take a different approach. They use herbs to:
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Support the immune system
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Promote sweating during fever
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Bring up phlegm during coughs
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Encourage rest and relaxation
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Ease discomfort
Your Immune System Depends on Your Overall Vitality
But problems arise when your immune system is weak. You likely intuitively know that when your vitality is low (like when you’re stressed, run-down, or burned out), you’re more likely to get sick.
And when your vitality is strong, you can handle pathogenic assaults without succumbing to sickness. This is your core immunity, or the functional capacity of your immune system, working as it should. In alchemy, it correlates to the Sun and your essential life force.
Immune Tonics: Herbs to Support Immune System Strength
Herbs are incredible allies for supporting our vitality. They work in harmony with what the body naturally does to defend itself.
Immune tonic herbs are nutritive and building for the immune system. Many of them also strengthen the respiratory system, which is often where cold and flu pathogens strike.*
Immune tonics should be taken while you’re healthy to help keep you that way. Working with them consistently over time builds core immunity.*
Here are a few of our favorite immune tonics:
Adaptogenic Mushrooms
Adaptogens support the body’s response to stress over time. Many adaptogenic mushrooms fortify the immune system with their polysaccharides and triterpene content.* We work with:
We wildcraft these adaptogenic mushrooms, then dual extract them (in alcohol and water) to yield a spagyric with a broad range of constituents that support immunity.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Astragalus helps strengthen the lungs, making them more resilient to pathogenic assault.* It also moistens the respiratory mucosa, which is helpful since heated, indoor air leaves tissues dry and vulnerable to infection.*
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
This adaptogenic berry helps strengthen the immune system while calming and tonifying the nervous system.* In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the flavor of an herb indicates which organ system it affects. Schisandra is considered to have all five flavors, and this points to its whole-body benefits.
Immune Restore Spagyric Formula
Over the years, we’ve carefully refined this full-strength, adaptogenic formula to bring a deep level of revitalization to the immune system.* It features our favorite spagyric tinctures to build resilience:
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Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)
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Oregon Reishi fruiting body (Ganoderma oregonensis)
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Schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis)
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Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
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Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
Why Try These Herbs as Spagyric?
Minerals build immune function. Minerals like Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, and Iron optimize the immune system, keeping infections at bay.*
Unlike standard herbal tinctures, spagyrics contain the alkaline mineral salts that naturally occur in plants. So they have a wider range of nutritive compounds that support immune health.*
Spagyrics are also more rapidly absorbed than standard tinctures. Since the mineral content boosts bioavailability of the herbs’ active compounds, they quickly enter the bloodstream through buccal and digestive mucus membranes.*
Remember: Strengthening Your Immune System Takes Time
For these herbs to build immune system strength, you need to take them daily for an extended period of time.*
We suggest taking immune tonics 3 times per day for at least 6 weeks.
Late summer is a great time to start taking immune tonics. This is a very busy time of year for most people, and it can leave you feeling drained. So, these herbs help you build your vitality back up for the coming cold and flu season.
The Alchemist's Guide to Spagyrics for Immunity Video + Recipes
To learn more about how to fortify your immune system, watch this video from our co-founder, Sajah. In it, we’ll guide you through the science and alchemy of immunity.
You’ll discover:
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How fever and inflammation support your health
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Why spagyrics are especially helpful for immunity
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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 ideas into practice with recipes we know and love!
{Download the Video + Recipe Cards}
More Resources:
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Curious about how to take spagryics? Our blog post, “Dosage Variations and How to Work with your Spagyrics,” will guide you through their use.
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For a deeper look at adaptogens, visit The School of Evolutionary Herbalism’s blog post and video “Adaptogens and the Holistic Approach to Fatigue.”
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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!
