Herbs to Boost and Build a Healthy Immune System

This article will introduce you to 15 herbs that possess strong antibiotic properties. These herbs can safely be relied upon to strengthen the immune system, protect you from a wide array of disease-causing organisms and assist you in maintaining vibrant and robust health.

1. Peppermint

Peppermint is high in potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and is a good source of energy. The potassium found in peppermint is important to the balance of interstitial fluid in the human body and plays an important role in regulating the heart rate. Magnesium is essential for the basic nucleic acid chemistry for life and for all cells in living organisms. Other vital nutrients found in peppermint include; zinc, copper, manganese, Vitamin C, niacin and folate.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Peppermint

Peppermint can be prepared in many different ways and is used for a variety of things. The leaves can be steeped and used for tea, added to salads, meats or vegetables, or made into oil which has many uses.

2. Chamomile

Chamomile contains many nutrients that are beneficial to the human body which include; calcium, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, sodium and fluoride. When the leaves of chamomile are steeped and made into tea it has been used to treat a wide variety of different health conditions. Other trace elements found in chamomile are thiamin, pantothenic acid, folate, choline and beta carotene.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Chamomile

The most common way to prepare chamomile is to dry out the leaves, steep and brew into tea. Other uses for chamomile include in lotions, cosmetics, soaps, herbal supplements and in aromatherapy.

3. Echinacea

Echinacea offers many different important vitamins, minerals and nutrients which are supportive to overall body health. The plant is an excellent source of vitamin A, E, and C, iodine, copper and potassium, and also contains phenols, polysaccharides, alkylamides and flavonoids. Echinacea also contains important phytonutrients such as; kaempferol, betaine, vanillin, rutin and stigmasterol.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Echinacea

Nearly all parts of the Echinacea plant are used which includes; roots, flowers, leaves and seeds. Echinacea is typically not edible, but is available in powder, capsules, creams, tablets and gels.

4. Thyme

Thyme is an herb used for culinary and medicinal purposes, containing many different vitamins, minerals and nutrients which are useful for the human body. Some of the nutrients found in thyme include; vitamin K, manganese, calcium, dietary fiber, phosphorus and iron. Other trace nutrients found in thyme are protein, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and niacin.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Thyme

To preserve the vital nutrient, vitamin and mineral content in the herb is to serve fresh and raw. The leaves can be added to salads, meat, fish and poultry dishes and dried and crumbled into sauces and soups, or steeped and made into tea.

5. Elderflowers

The flowers and berries of the elder contain vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, omega-6 fatty acids, choline, bioflavonoids, pectin, tannins and omega-3 fatty acids. Other trace nutrients found in elderberries include; protein, iron, magnesium, copper, niacin and selenium. Whether taken in a dietary or herbal supplement for the benefits of elderflower and elderflower berries are undeniable.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Elderflowers

Healthy ways of preparing elderflowers are brewing into a wine, making into syrup or steeping and brewing a tea from the leaves. Consuming raw elderflower berries can cause a decrease in blood sugar, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping and should be avoided.

6. Rosemary

Fresh rosemary is an excellent source of dietary protein, complex carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Some of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals found in rosemary include; iron, phosphorus, vitamin C, folate and vitamin A. Other trace elements found in the herb are fiber, manganese, thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Rosemary

The best way to prepare rosemary to preserve the vitamin, mineral and nutrient content is to serve the herb fresh and added to salads and dressings, meat, fish, pork or poultry dishes and crumbled into soups and sauces.

7. Sage

Sage is a low in cholesterol and sodium and contains many beneficial vitamins, nutrients and minerals which are important to the human body. Some of the nutrients found in sage include; vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin E, magnesium, vitamin B-6, calcium, iron, dietary fiber, vitamin K, folate and manganese. Other trace nutrients found in sage are selenium, copper, zinc, riboflavin and vitamin B-12.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Sage

To best preserve the vitamin, mineral and nutrient content found in sage, it is best to serve the herb fresh and raw. Healthy ways to prepare sage include; added to salads and dressings, included as a flavoring in meat, poultry, fish and pork dishes or steeped and made into tea.

8. Green Tea

There are many different vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in green tea which can be beneficial to the human body. Such nutrients found in green tea include the following; antioxidants, phytonutrients, manganese, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin E and fluoride. Other trace nutrients include calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, folate and choline.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Green Tea

The best way to preserve the vital minerals, nutrients and vitamins contained in green tea is to serve the leaves brewed into a tea. Green tea is also available in capsule or powder form as a dietary and herbal supplement and can be a beneficial to the body in many different ways.

9. Ginger

Ginger contains many different vitamins, minerals and nutrients which are beneficial to the human body. Some of the important nutrients found in ginger include; calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, thiamin, selenium, zinc, copper, choline and folate. Ginger also contains trace amounts of the following; riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, niacin, and sodium.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Ginger

To best preserve the rich vitamin and mineral content of ginger, it is best to serve the root raw, steeped and made into a tea, or added to stir-fry, vegetables or fruit dishes. Medical experts recommend sucking on the root of ginger to alleviate the symptoms of nausea.

10. Black Cumin

Black cumin seeds are rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals which greatly benefit the human body. The seeds are an excellent source of dietary protein, complex carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, niacin, and vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. Black cumin also contains zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and selenium. There are 15 amino acids which comprise the protein content of black cumin, including eight of the nine essential amino acids.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Black Cumin

Black cumin is used as a spice for culinary purposes and can be added to meat dishes, salad dressings and sauces, and for flavoring vegetables or steeped and made into tea. Black cumin oil is also used for replacing harmful vegetable oils as part of a healthy, low-fat diet plan.

11. Turmeric

There are many different vital minerals, nutrients and vitamins found in turmeric which can be beneficial to the human body. Some of the nutrients found in turmeric include the following; dietary fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, folate and vitamin K. Other trace nutrients found in ginger are lycopene, lutein, vitamin E, selenium, and manganese.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Turmeric

Turmeric is most commonly used as an additive to give mustard a bright yellow color and can be used to make curry. The spice can also be used as a flavoring for meat, chicken, fish and pork dishes, and added to salads and dressings.

12. Horseradish

There are several vitamins, minerals and nutrients in horseradish that can be beneficial to the human body. Some of the nutrients found in horseradish include the following; calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, folate and vitamin A. Other trace nutrients found in horseradish are thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, copper, zinc and selenium.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Horseradish

Horseradish root is used for making prepared horseradish which can be added to sandwiches, soups, salad dressings and meat and poultry dishes for extra flavoring. The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute recommends adding horseradish as regular part of a healthy, low-fat diet to receive the maximum benefits.

13. Garlic

Garlic contains many vitamins, nutrients and minerals which are good for human health.Some of the nutrients found in garlic include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, selenium, vitamin C, choline and vitamin B6. Garlic also contains trace amounts of the following; niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, folate, beta carotene, copper and zinc.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Garlic

Garlic is used all over the world for flavoring, seasoning and as a condiment. As a culinary flavoring, garlic is used in various regional dishes from south and eastern Asia, the Middle East, Southern Europe, North African, South and Central America. Garlic can be added as a flavoring for meat dishes, added to salad dressing and vegetables, roasted or steamed.

14. Mustard Seed

Mustard seed contains many different vitamins, minerals and nutrients which can be important for the human body. Such nutrients found in mustard seed include the following; protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, choline, beta carotene, lutein, vitamin A and folate. Other trace nutrients contained are vitamin E, betaine, iron, zinc, manganese, copper and selenium.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Mustard Seed

Mustard seed is a spice used in the flavoring of the condiment mustard and for regional cuisines. Healthy ways to prepare mustard seed includes in curries, soups, meat, chicken and pork dishes, or sprinkled onto a salad or used in dressing. The leaves of the mustard plant can also be used raw in a salad or cooked boiled and served as a side dish for meals.

15. Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne pepper is full of important vitamins, minerals and nutrients which offer many benefits to the human body. Nutrients found include the following; dietary fiber, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, potassium, vitamin C, folate, beta carotene, vitamin A, lutein and cryptoxanthin. Other trace minerals found in cayenne peppers include choline, niacin, thiamin, selenium and copper.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne pepper can be used as a spice for culinary purposes and added to sauces, soups, meat and vegetable dishes. If cayenne peppers are whole, the best way to maintain the rich vitamin and nutrient content is to serve the vegetable raw, roasted or steamed.

Source: Tania T/Healthy Living