Chinese Herbal Soup To Boost Immune System

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Ginseng Chicken Soup Benefits

Dr.Jing Liu explains how her natural approach to boosting your immune system can be done with herbs

The value of ginseng and Silkie chicken are evident in Chinese medicine, as ginseng and silkie chicken soup is often served to the very special people at special occasions, such as the elderly with weakened health, a pregnant woman, a postpartum mother serving her confinement, a hard-working student studying for a big exam, or a patient recovering from a surgery.

Ginseng and silkie chicken soup is one of the most popular healing soups in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine. The Chinese swear by a long list of benefits passed down for generations:

  • Boost energy
  • Improve brain function and memory
  • Strengthen immune system
  • Replenish Qi and blood deficiency
  • Strengthen physical weakness, due to prolonged illness, injury and exhaustion
  • Calm the mind, nerve system, and anxiety
  • Regulate blood sugar
  • Support heart health

Medicinal Herbs For Cold And Flu Season

You dont have to brew up a tisane to build better immunity with herbs. Herbs can be compounded in a wide range of forms, including tinctures, extracts, homeopathic and combination preparations.

Most botanical preparations containing these herbs work best when taken as preventives, or as soon as your first symptoms appear. Here are 5 for which the science is strong.

1) Astragalus *2) Black elderberry 3) Cordyceps *4) Echinacea 5) Eleuthero *

* Herbs included in Women’s Health Networks Adaptisol formulation.

Herbal medicines are thought to neutralize or limit the success of seasonal viruses in many ways, including increasing immune cell numbers and function, gene expression, and cell-signaling activity in the body. Others appear to act upon the virus particles themselves.

Having these remedies to turn to during cold and flu season will help give you the boost you need in addition to a quality probiotic and antioxidant blend!

1 Rowe, C., et al. 2007. Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances T-cell function: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J. Am. Coll. Nutr., 26 , 445452. URL: http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/full/26/5/445 .

Kamath, A., et al. 2003. Antigens in tea-beverage prime human Vgamma 2Vdelta 2 T cells in vitro and in vivo for memory and nonmemory antibacterial cytokine responses. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 100 , 60096014. URL: http://www.pnas.org/content/100/10/6009.long .

See also:

1) Astragalus

Herbs For Stress Fatigue And Adrenal Love

As seen on The Hearty Soul

https://theheartysoul.com/10-ancient-chinese-herbs-used-reverse-adrenal-fatigue-anxiety-stress/

You may have heard a lot about adaptogens out in the world today or you might be asking yourself, what exactly is an adaptogen anyway? Adaptogens are basically substances that help the body adapt to stressors and help to reduce the impact or damage that those stressors have on our body. How well we adapt has a direct impact on our life, vitality, and health.

Adaptogens help supports the body in its ability to successfully cope with stress. Stress is a normal part of life and of being human. We are built to handle bouts of stress quite well. Unfortunately, in our modern culture, we have prolonged or ongoing stress be it through work-load, environmental stressors, hectic and busy lifestyles, emotional stressor or world stressors which takes a toll on us and its ability to rebound.

Our bodies are natural adapters when its hot, our body will cool so it doesnt overheat. When its cold, we fire up our inner furnace so we warm up. So much of this happens naturally without us actually being aware of it. When we start to notice things falling out of balance , our bodies need extra care. The more out of balance we are, the less were able to adapt well.

Adaptability or resiliency requires energy . The more stress we have, the more energy we need to cope or adapt to it.

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Manage Your Stress Levels For Your Immune System

Two, MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVELS. I know that you know the textbook definitely of relaxation, but I also know that you dont know how to apply that into your life. Start trying harder. Yoga, meditation, reading, saying no to new work projects, taking every opportunity for a day off, all can make a difference in the strength of your immune system.

Categories Of Immune Action

Ayurvedic &  Herbal Blog &  Articles

There are several different categories we use to describe an herbs action with regard to the immune system. Take these into consideration, but dont rely entirely on the terms you see in a single resource. Every herb has many constituents and performs a variety of actions. These terms are a tool we use to talk about general actions of herbs on the body in comparison to each other. Some sources favor one term or another, which is why it is useful to look at a variety of sources. Its also helpful to ask questions to those who have more experience with a given herb.

  • Immunostimulant: Immunostimulants, also known as immune stimulants or immunopotentiators generally stimulate immune system activities.
  • Immunomodulant: Immunomodulants, also known as immune modulants, may increase vigilance against pathogens, especially in cases of immune hypofunction, and may also reduce immune activity associated with autoimmune reactions and hypersensitivity reactions .
  • Immunoadjuvant: Immunoadjuvants enhance the bodys production of antibodies in the presence of an antigen .
  • Immunomodulants, on the other hand, are a more neutral approach. However, theyre not entirely without the risk of aggravating an autoimmune or hypersensitivity concern. What complicates matters even more is that, as mentioned above, herbs dont fit neatly into just one category. Individuals may also respond differently to various herbs, particularly in the context of autoimmune concerns.

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    Does The Pot Used To Boil The Soup Matter

    Clay, glass, and ceramic are best for making herbal soup because these are inert materials. Besides that, stainless steel pot is also suitable, as it fits nicely on the flat stovetop.

    Pots made with cast iron, aluminum, and copper are unsuitable as there might be some chemical interaction between these metals with the herbs, which can reduce the medicinal benefits.

    You need to adjust the amount of water when boiling with the regular pot on the stovetop, as the water level drops much faster than using a slow cooker or pressure cooker. I use a slow cooker/crockpot that does not have any noticeable water loss after simmering for two hours.

    The 10 Best Teas To Support A Healthy Immune System

    When you dont feel well, curling up on the couch with a good book and some hot tea or soup can be immensely soothing.

    A cup of tea is certainly comforting and beneficial when youre sick, but some evidence suggests that along with other healthy habits, daily tea-drinking before youre ill could be a helpful way to stay ahead of the curve.

    Rather than wait until you experience symptoms to take action, perhaps being proactive and taking care of your immune system on a regular basis is the wiser strategy.

    In this article, well discuss how tea can support a healthy immune system, the top 5 teas to drink for immunity and 5 herbal teas that are also backed by promising evidence for immune support.

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    The Importance Of A Nutritious Diet

    Besides staying at home to keep ourselves and others safe, getting enough rest, and trying to reduce stress as much as possible, we should be thinking more about what were eating!

    Now, Im not a doctor or nutritionist, and I also know theres no magic food guaranteed to boost your immune system or protect you against illness. But I do know that a diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits can give your body the nutrients it needs to function optimally.

    Eating a nutritious diet is one of the best ways to stay healthy. While youre stocking up on rice, beans, and other pantry staples, dont forget about fresh vegetables, and the fact that you can freeze vegetables for use in cooked recipes.

    Here are some recipes to get you started!

    Staying Healthy Through Seasonal Transitions

    Herbal remedies to boost immune system

    Late summer and early fall are times of transition as we step from the carefree, hot, often highly social and outdoor focused summer energy to the gentle turning inwards and slowing down energy of fall and winter.

    Some people lament this changing season but there are many that look forward to the less social and extroverted time and welcome some more cozy inside time and that shift of energy that fall brings Back to routine, crisp days and cozy nights and a little more darkness. As a natural introvert, I feel a bit socialized out by the end of summer and gladly welcome this quieter time.

    For many though, the transition from one season to another can be very uncomfortable. For some they find themselves getting sick easily every seasonal shift, or for others they notice themselves feeling more emotional or unsettled as the seasons change.

    Believe it or not, this is actually a pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    Seasonal transitions are part of the system associated with the Earth phase and it quite literally has to do with our ability to stay grounded and nourished year round. This system is linked with our digestive tract and our ability to absorb both nutrients and all that life throws our way. This is the system that is responsible for taking the nutrients the earth provides via the plants and grains we eat shifting them into the building blocks of our bodies -Skin, bones, blood and energy .

    Change of Season Soup

    Ingredients

    You can use equal parts of each herb

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    What Are The Basic Herbs For Making Cantonese

    There are a few hundred types of Chinese herbs, but only some are used in culinary. Here is a list of the herbs I use in the following recipe, which are the most common herbs for making Chinese herbal soup:

    Red dates

    Red dates are slightly sweet and usually used together with goji berries for various soups and desserts. The soup prepared from red dates has a slight tinge of red. You may want to cut it into half to release the flavor if you do not intend to boil it for a long time. I did not cut it in this recipe as it will open up during prolonged boiling.

    Angelica root

    Also called Angelica Sinensis, it has a slightly bitter but aromatic flavor. It has long been used in a variety of herbal soups for womens health and blood circulation. However, it is safe to be consumed by both genders.

    Astragalus Root

    This herb improves resistance and boosts the immune system. It also tastes slightly sweet.

    Codonopsis Root

    It is a general tonic and with a sweet taste.

    Chinese wild yam

    It is sold as dried, thin slices but also available in its whole fresh form. It has a neutral flavor and a little starchy after cooking.

    Solomans Seal

    This herb is slightly yellowish and will curl up after cooking. I like this herb, and its very delicious with its slightly crunchy texture and sweet taste.

    Goji berries

    Also called wolfberries, it is sweet and also uses to make desserts. You can refer to the osmanthus jelly recipe, which uses plenty of goji berries.

    How Does The Immune System Get Impaired

    Anti-biotics, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, and other immunosuppressant medications can definitely trigger viral activity over time . General aging, stress, substance abuse, alcohol intake, poor diet, micronutrient deficiencies, and over-exercising plays a role. And unfortunately, autoimmunity and other chronic disease conditions can weaken the immune system.

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    Immune System Supportive Herbs And Spices

    • Cilantro : Recent research has demonstrated this herb to have anti-microbial properties as well as chelating properties. Chelation means that it can bind to minerals and pull them from your body which is particularly important for heavy metal toxicity. Heavy metal burden is not uncommon today, and heavy metals inhibit the immune system.
    • Turmeric : Helps to prevent viral replication, lower inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress.
    • Astragalus : Powerful antiviral herb with extracts that boost the immune system and fight viruses. Should not be used with an autoimmune disorder.
    • Nettles : A well-established anti-inflammatory that contains protective chlorophyll and has documented research demonstrating its antiviral properties for herpes zoster and retroviruses.

    Ginseng Chicken Soup Ingredients

    20 Herbs That Can Strengthen Your Immune System

    As food and medicine were evolved from the same origin in ancient China, food therapy is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In a food remedy, not only each ingredient should be of the highest quality, ingredients should also work synergetically together. All the ingredients in this recipe have similar properties that are nourishing, strengthening, and warming.

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    Chinese Red Date/jujube Date

    The red date has been used for centuries as a tonic to help build strength and increase energy. Its also known to help cleanse the blood and help aid in healthy circulation and energy flow. This food herb is an important component in so many Chinese Medicine formulas.

    Different than the sweet dates we often think of snacking on, this red date is great in tea form, added to broths our broth soups or you can blend into a smoothie or soak and cut up for baking. You can find this in some health food stores, online or dried in Asian food markets and herbal stores.

    Some Of The Most Popular Chinese Herbals

    Wolfberries are dried from ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum L. Wolfberries can nourish the liver, promotes vision and invigorates the kidneys. In daily cooking, we blew dried wolfberries with flower teas like chrysanthemum tea.

    Chinese wild yam , the root of Dioscorea opposita Thunb has multiple efforts on spleen, lung and kidney. It can boost energy and alleviate bodily weakness.

    Astragalus Root , nourish the kidney, improve resistance and boost the immune system and is believed to be a tonic, diuretic and pectoral medicine.

    Red dates can improve cell mutation, clam nervous system, protect the liver and moisten our lung.

    Codonopsis Root can release stress, anti-aging, adrenal fatigue and digestive problems and combats tiredness.

    Angelica Sinensis , a warming Chinese herb nourishes the blood and invigorates blood circulation. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medical for a quite long history for womens healthy, including relieving symptoms of gynecological conditions such as menopause, menstruation pain, recovery from childbirth.

    Solomans Seal the slivers of curly herb are yellowish in color and is believed to treat ailments related to the lungs and throat. It helps with dry cough, sore throat and thirst.

    Honey dates , nourishes the spleen, boosts the immune system.

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    A General Overview On Coronavirus

    Although, SARS-CoV-2 shows greater human-to-human transmission efficiency, its crude fatality rate is comparatively far less than that of SARS-CoV which is approx. 10%. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 has R0 of 4.7 to 6.6. This highly contagious nature of SARS-CoV-2 is supported by the fact that its spike protein possess 10 to 20 time’s greater affinity for ACE2 receptors than SARS-CoV . S-protein is the surface glycoprotein that assists the virus in the attachment to the host cells through its receptor-binding domain . S-protein has several domains, one of the sections termed as ectodomain has two subunits, S1 and S2, which form a crown-like structure around the virus . Besides, S-protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains a furin-like cleavage site at the S1S2 junction, missing in other members of its sister clade. This additional cleavage site might also be responsible for greater pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 as it also occurs in highly infectious form of influenza virus but lacking in less pathogenic ones .

    The Magic Of Medicinal Mushrooms

    Dr. Jing Liu explains how her natural herbs can help keep your immune system strong.

    Does the thought of medicinal mushrooms scare you off? Take a deep breath and stay with us. Yes, were going to tell you to put mushrooms in your coffee . But theres good reason for this, we swear.

    Medicinal mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years and have gained even more popularity as of late. Destined to be taken as powders , you can find these fungi in all different forms, including ultra-trendy Los Angeles lattes. One of the easiest ways to get your mushroom fix, though? Simply add a spoonful to whatevers on the menu be it your morning smoothie, veggie stir-fry, or cup of java.

    The list of health benefits medicinal mushrooms provide is lengthy . But each mushroom is unique and provides its own distinct health advantages.

    Note that these shrooms arent a cure-all. In fact, shroom studies are still new to Western medicine, and solid evidence for humans still needs far more research. So think of them more like sidekicks for your immune system or mini-vaccines against stress, inflammation, and cancer. If you want to get in tune with the power of mushrooms, lets get to know the top six and what makes them so great.

    memory in mice , increase concentration, and alleviate anxiety and irritability.

    Try it: Add a spoonful of lions mane to your cup of yerba mate for an antioxidant-packed cup of energy and mental clarity.

    Try it: Add chaga powder to your morning smoothie or make a frothy, warming chaga chai latte.

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    Foods To Boost Your Immune System

    A bowl of chicken noodle soup. Focus is on the front of the spoon.

    Your immune system plays a key role in overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, your immune health can be compromised by destructive free radicals and oxidative stress from environmental and lifestyle factors. Eating foods rich in immune-boosting nutrients is essential to supporting your overall health. To help keep your immune system strong, include these immune boosting foods in you diet.

    Chicken Soup Chicken soup may do more than just soothe a sore throat and keep you hydrated, it may keep your airways healthy, as well. Researchers at the University of Nebraska found that chicken soup deters movement of inflammatory white cells, which can help prevent colds by blocking the accumulation of cells in the bronchial tubes. The researchers believe the ingredients in chicken soup provide anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce congestion. For added immune-boosting powers, make your own chicken soup with healthy additions like oregano, garlic, cilantro, carrots or onions.

    Patricia Bannan is a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian specializing in nutrition and health communications. She is the author of “Eat Right When Time Is Tight: 150 Slim-Down Strategies and No-Cook Food Fixes.” Fllow her on , , , and .

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