Andrographus – my herbal pick for immunity boosting

Andrographus – my #1 herbal medicine for boosting immunity & prevention of cold & flu

As most of you know I also work with herbal medicines as part of my “tool kit”. These original historical medicines come in liquid form or tablet/capsule and help gently restore the body to do what it is supposed to be doing with extremely rare side effects if prescibed well.

Whether it is restoring the nervous system, glands & hormones, skin, gut and digestion, I’ve had a long love affair with my herbal medicines.

Giving you the confidence to support yourself through more awareness of options

The purpose of this blog post is to bring more awareness to the strong health benefits and safety of herbal medicines for restoring health and vitality. And to give you more confidence in self prescribing or asking me directly for possible support herbs for any situation you may be going through.

So I thought I’d give you a heads up for a specific herb which can be useful for this time of the year.

My herb for this month would have to be Andrographus

It’s formal latin name is Andrographus paniculate.

It’s very hard to choose just one herb – but because many are still getting over the horrid flu that has been circulating throughout Sydney in recent months, I would suggest that if you are tired, run down or feel your immune system is challenged, get onto this particular herb now, even though we are into Spring.  Plus do all the helpful food and lifestyle additions to support your immunity further (don’t forget good old immune boosting chicken soup or bone broth).  Plus of course getting enough restoring sleep.

Spoiler alert: I’ll add in at the end of this article some tips for managing and reducing Spring hayfever.

Andrographus

It is available as a single herb (either tablet or liquid), and as a liquid I mix it with other herbs which work synergistically together for greater effect and that are specific for the person I’m prescribing for.

I may also prescribe other immune stimulating nutrients specific for the individual (perhaps vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc) as a flu & cold preventative.

It is a fantastic herb for the following…

• As a general immune system booster
• Specific for chest or head colds and influenza (think chest, throat and head symptoms) – I mix this herb with others if sinus infection/congestion or throat pain is present, for added antibacterial targeting and mucous breaking up.
• It is specific for fighting virus’s and bacterial illnesses (especially respiratory or upper respiratory)
• For those who haven’t quite gotten over the flu and still feel vulnerable to re-catching it, or are around people with the flu and wish to prevent it
• As a flu/cold preventative ideally start taking it before winter and pulse dose throughout the season to reduce the frequency and duration of illness. Maybe try 2 weeks on 1 week off ongoing.
• Or take at the first sign of flu/cold symptoms (or any symptoms in lungs and above the lungs) to reduce the intensity of the illness if you were unlucky to catch it

More information on this beautiful herb…

• Historically it has been used for infectious diseases in general.
• Traditionally it has been used to prevent Malaria and is used in countries throughout such as Europe, Canada, U.S., and Australia where insect diseases are prevalent such as Lyme & co-infections or Lyme like disease.
• Acute and chronic infections, weakened immunity, worm infestations.
• Traditionally was considered to be superior to quinine in malaria.
• Liver protective (similar support to St Mary’s Thistle herb). For toxic liver damage, liver infections (studies show improved histopathological changes in the liver in acute hepatitis), and useful for poor liver function – although care and experience is needed with dosing.
• Widely used historically in India and China for viral & bacterial infections and infestations.
• It is also liver protective and helps gall bladder secretions (increases bile flow, bile salts and bile acids – and therefore digestion).

I absolutely adore this herb as it is incredibly useful and safe to use with most people. The main care that is needed is be wary of large doses as in rare cases it can cause nausea or gastric discomfort if there is considerable liver congestion present or a history of high alcohol use.

I encourage you to consider this herb as a “go to” for boosting your immunity for next winter or giving yourself an end of Winter and flu season boost right now. Or of course feel welcome to come ask me for tips for prevention and suppport anytime.

But because it is Spring now, as promised my favourite hay-fever tips here:

Natural anti-histamines, natural anti-inflammatories and gut healing is the way to go to prepare for hay-fever and reduce symptoms. Some herbs and nutrients which have these benefits are:

• 500mg Quercetin 2-6 x day (for inflammation and runny, itchy nose and eyes)
• Bromelains 100-200 mg 2-6 x day (anti-inflammatory found in pineapples – without all the sugar)
• Vitamin C – 3000mg -5000mg per day taken throughout the day
• Albizzia herbal medicine – specific for hayfever and allergies
• Ginger, lemon, turmeric in hot water to reduce inflammation