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Herbal KnowledgeFeb 2, 2022
14 Herbs for Immune Support*
Herbs are at the center of what we do, and we work with hundreds of plant species, from Albizia (Albizia julibrissin) to Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californium). Learning about herbs is a journey for each one of us, and there is always more to understand and discover. Once you develop the habit of pausing, listening and observing nature, you’ll never stop learning.
Today we’re sharing some facts and insights about 14 herbs for immune support. Some of them, like Echinacea and Black Elderberry, might be herbs you know and love. Others, like Reishi and Umckaloabo, might be new to you. Read on to test your knowledge of these plants, just in time for immune season.*
Andrographis
This plant, native to south Asia, is known as the “King of Bitters” — and for good reason. Andrographis has an intensely bitter taste. Also known as Kalmegh, it is an immune support active responder.*
You’ll find Andrographis as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Andrographis paniculata
- Native Habitat: South Asia
- Parts Used: Aerial parts
-
Use(s):
- Supports healthy function of the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Slightly aromatic and intensely bitter.
Astragalus
Astragalus root is harvested in autumn and carefully shade-dried to maintain its full aroma and color. It supports vital energy and reinforces the body’s natural defenses, including healthy lung function. Native to Asia, this plant is known as Huang Qi in traditional Chinese herbalism.*
You'll find Astragalus in Daily Immune Builder™, Herbs on the Go: Immune Season™, Kids Immune Fortifier, and as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Astragalus mongholicus
- Native Habitat: Asia, including Mongolia, China and the Korean peninsula
- Parts Used: Roots
-
Use(s):
- Take over time for deep immune support.*
- Flavor Profile: Earthy, bitter and slightly sweet.
Black Elderberry
We extract only fully ripened Black Elderberries, which assures optimal extraction of the plant’s bioactive compounds. Black Elderberry provides deep support for an active immune response. These plump little blueish-black colored berries start out as lacy white flowers known as — you guessed it — Elder flower. Elder trees commonly grow along the edge of wooded areas, and they are named as such due to the respect they have earned. In Europe, they are commonly grown in hedgerows.*
You'll find Black Elderberry in Herbs on the Go: Immune Season™, Kids Immune Fortifier, Kids Throat TLC™, Kids Black Elderberry and as a single herb extract and an alcohol-free extract.
- Botanical Name: Sambucus nigra
- Native Habitat: Europe and North America
- Parts Used: Fruit
-
Use(s):
- Supports the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Tart and fruity.
Calendula
Calendula is known in the garden for its sticky flower buds and familiar sunny yellow-orange flower heads. Its petals can also spruce up salads. We prepare Calendula extract from whole flowers harvested at their peak at the end of summer.
You'll find Calendula in Fung Freedom™ and as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
- Native Habitat: Central, eastern and southern Europe
- Parts Used: Flower
-
Use(s):
- Traditional support for the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Moderately bitter flavor with a slightly resinous aftertaste.
Cat’s Claw
Take one look at this plant, and you’ll know exactly why it got its name. The thorns on Cat’s Claw look exactly like, well, a cat’s claw! We extract the inner bark of vines that are responsibly wildcrafted in the Peruvian Amazon. Cat’s Claw, which supports the immune system, is a perennial vine that climbs using its “claws.”*
You'll find Cat's Claw as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Uncaria tomentosa
- Native Habitat: Central and South America
- Parts Used: Inner bark
-
Use(s):
- Supports the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Sour, bitter and very astringent.
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea is among the herbs we grow on our farm as part of our United Plant Savers certified Botanical Sanctuary. Almost every part of this plant is used — we harvest and extract the root, seed, flower, and leaf. You likely have seen Echinacea’s bright pinkish-purple flowers — commonly known as Coneflower — growing in fields or alongside roads in the eastern or central US. A member of the Daisy family, Echinacea provides complex, deep support of the immune system over both the short and long term. It is great for all-season immune system support.*
You'll find Echinacea in several immune products, including Immunattack™, Kids Immune Avenger™, Kids Immune Fortifier™, Rapid Immune Boost™, Soothing Throat Spray, Super Echinacea®, Vi-Be-Gone™, as a single herb extract and an alcohol-free extract.
- Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea
- Native Habitat: Eastern and central US
- Parts Used: Roots, leaves, flowers and seeds
-
Use(s):
- Supports healthy function of the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Deep, earthy taste followed by a tingling mouthfeel due to naturally occurring alkylamides.
Goldenseal
This woodland plant with a yellow root is native to the eastern and central US, with a long history of use by Native Americans. Goldenseal is on the United Plant Savers At-Risk list, so we take sourcing of this plant seriously and grow it in our Botanical Sanctuary. To preserve wild-growing populations of this threatened plant, we only use cultivated, Certified Organic Goldenseal. Our Goldenseal is dug by hand in the late summer or autumn, then carefully cleaned and dried in the shade before it is thoroughly extracted. Goldenseal provides traditional support for the respiratory and digestive systems.*
You'll find Goldenseal in Rapid Immune Boost™, Golden Echinacea™, Golden Echinacea™, Alcohol-Free as a single herb extract and an alcohol-free extract.
- Botanical Name: Hydrastis canadensis
- Native Habitat: Eastern US
- Parts Used: Rhizome and rootlets
-
Use(s):
- Traditional support for the respiratory system.*
- Flavor Profile: Profoundly and quintessentially bitter taste.
Lomatium
Native to the Western US, Lomatium is in the same family as Carrots and Celery. It was commonly used by Native Americans. This hardy root has eluded attempts to grow it commercially, so Lomatium is a reminder of nature’s power. Our extract is prepared from fresh roots that are responsibly wildcrafted exclusively for us in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Lomatium is traditionally used to support the immune system.*
You'll find Lomatium in Vi-Be-Gone™ and as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Lomatium dissectum
- Native Habitat: Western US
- Parts Used: Roots
-
Use(s):
- Traditional support for the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Very resinous and slightly bitter.
Myrrh
Perhaps best known as one of the Three Wisemen’s gifts, Myrrh is a hard, glossy tree resin. Ours is made from the Certified Organic resin of trees in the deserts of Somalia. Myrrh offers traditional support for the immune system.*
You'll find Myrrh in Immunattack™ and as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Commiphora myrrha
- Native Habitat: Middle East and eastern Africa
- Parts Used: Oleo-gum-resin
-
Use(s):
- Traditional support for the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Resinous, aromatic and bitter.
Olive
The Olive branch may be the iconic symbol of peace or victory, but the leaves also have a storied history, with uses that date back centuries. The mature leaves of the Olive tree promote a vigorous immune system response and provide general cardiovascular support.*
You'll find Olive in Vi-Be-Gone™ and as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Olea europaea
- Native Habitat: Mediterranean region
- Parts Used: Leaves
-
Use(s):
- Supports the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Deeply bitter and slightly aromatic.
Oregano
A member of the Mint family, Oregano is found in cultures from Spain and Portugal to Iran and India. Our Oregano Spirits blends the plant extract with the essential oil of Origanum vulgare plants. The extract is prepared from the Certified Organic flowering herb and essential oil.
You'll find Oregano in Oregano Spirits™ and Fung Freedom™.
- Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare
- Native Habitat: Eurasia and the Mediterranean region
- Parts Used: Leaves and flowers, essential oil
-
Use(s):
- Supports the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Intensely fiery and pungent, spicy and highly aromatic (be sure to dilute as directed on the label).
Propolis
Propolis is not a plant, but a by-product of trees created by bees. Honeybees harvest the crude resin from wild-growing trees, process it and store it in their hives. Propolis, which helps sharpen immune system's response to challenges, is then carefully collected from the honeybee hives and thoroughly extracted. At higher temperatures, it is sticky and becomes brittle when cool, and bees use it to provide structural stability and to fill in small gaps within their hives.*
You'll find Propolis in Soothing Throat Spray and as a single extract.
- Botanical Name: Resina propoli
- Native Habitat: Same as the habitat of the honeybee, origin uncertain
- Parts Used: Resin
-
Use(s):
- Supports the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Sharp, intensely resinous and aromatic.
Reishi
Reishi mushrooms grow on deciduous trees and have a long history of use to support the immune system. Our Reishi liquid herbal extract is prepared from dried whole fruiting body (not mycelium) of Certified Organic Ganoderma lingzhi mushrooms. Our Reishi is grown on wood logs and/or chips (never on grains like rice).*
You'll find Reishi in Kids Immune Fortifier, Daily Immune Builder™ and as a single extract.
- Botanical Name: Ganoderma lingzhi
- Native Habitat: Asia
- Parts Used: Fruiting body
-
Use(s):
- Supports the immune system.*
- Flavor Profile: Bitter and earthy.
Umckaloabo
Native to South Africa, Umckaloabo is also known as African Geranium. The plant has eye-catching dark red to purple flowers and rosette-like leaves, but it is the roots that are used in herbalism. We prepare our Umckaloabo extract from the root of Certified Organic Pelargonium sidoides plants, responsibly harvested from its native South Africa.
You'll find Umckaloabo in Herbal Respiratory Relief™ and as a single herb extract.
- Botanical Name: Pelargonium sidoides
- Native Habitat: South Africa
- Parts Used: Roots
-
Use(s):
- Supports healthy respiratory & bronchial function.*
- Flavor Profile: Slightly bitter, sweetish, mildly astringent, earthy.