6 Types Of Herbs To Strengthen The Body's Resistance

6 types of herbs to strengthen the body's resistance -Lack of nutritional intake and insufficient rest due to intense daily activities can affect the body's resistance. If immunity decreases, the body is more at risk of disease. To keep your immune system strong, you can regularly consume some herbal ingredients. What are the types?

Types of Herbs That Are Beneficial for Stamina

The following are some herbal plants that can strengthen the immune system.

1. Ginseng

Ginseng has long been known as a herbal plant that helps maintain immunity. This plant contains a variety of active compounds that can provide a healing effect on the body.

A study published in the Journal of Ginseng Research (2021) found that several important compounds in ginseng can boost immunity, such as:

• saponins,
• proteins,
• amino acids,
• alkaloids,
• phenolic,
• terpenoids,
• phytosterols,
• B vitamins and
• various minerals.

This study found that ginseng compounds may increase the number and activity of T and B cells in the immune system.

T cells help eradicate infections in the body, reduce the immune system's overreaction to substances that are not harmful (allergic reactions), and fortify the body against the threat of cancer.

Meanwhile, B cells work by making antibodies that fight bacteria and viruses. That is, ginseng can help the immune system work against infections.

Ginseng also helps reduce cytokine compounds that trigger inflammation in the body. Therefore, it is not surprising that ginseng is suitable as an herbal medicine to strengthen the immune system.

2. Garlic

Garlic is not only used in cooking but is also useful as an herbal remedy for immunity.

Garlic contains a compound that helps the immune system fight disease-causing germs, namely alliin. When garlic is crushed or chewed, the alliin is converted to allicin.

These compounds have the potential to alleviate inflammation in the body, from suppressing cytokine levels to increasing responses to fight viruses and bacteria.

In the fight against pathogens, garlic can also increase the production of macrophages, that is, white blood cells that also play an important role in eradicating disease-causing germs.

Additionally, garlic also has the potential to inhibit the release of histamine, which is involved in allergic reactions, thereby reducing the severity of allergic symptoms.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin compounds (curcumin). In addition to giving turmeric its distinctive yellow color, this compound has potential benefits in maintaining immunity.

Curcumin can increase antibody levels, specifically immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M. Both play important roles in fighting bacterial and viral infections.

Additionally, turmeric helps activate T-cells. That way, the body is not prone to overreactions due to harmless foreign substances.

Turmeric can also reduce cytokine compounds that trigger inflammation in the body. Curcumin can inhibit the growth of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that causes gastritis.

You should know that gastritis will trigger inflammation that will weaken the protective lining of the digestive tract. If this condition occurs, the digestive tract is susceptible to other bad bacterial infections that further weaken the immune system.

4. Moringa leaves

Moringa leaves are often processed into soup additions or ground into powdered herbal medicines. These leaves are also often used as herbal ingredients for stamina by Indonesians.

The leaves of the Moringa oleifera plant have the effect of boosting the immune system in several ways.

First, Moringa leaves can work directly to eradicate harmful viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. The content of amino acids and flavonoids can reduce the survival of harmful microorganisms in the body.

Second, Moringa leaves can reduce the inflammatory response in the body's immune cells. This effect will potentially reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases, immune disorders, and autoimmune diseases.

Not only that, but Moringa leaves also speed up the production of fibroblast cells so that wounds heal quickly and reduce the risk of wound infection.

5. Meniran

Meniran is a typical Indonesian plant that has been used for health purposes since ancient times.

This plant with the scientific name Phyllanthus niruri is rich in plant compounds, such as:

• lignans,
• flavonoids,
• terpenoids,
• alkaloids,
• polyphenols,
• coumarin,
• saponins, and
• tannins

These compounds can reduce the release of cytokine compounds that cause inflammation in the body. Additionally, meniran has the potential to increase the activity of white blood cells, T cells, and B cells in the fight against bacterial and viral pathogens.

The type of flavonoid in meniran, namely quercetin, also works to suppress the production of COX-2 enzymes in the body so that the amount remains in check.

Excessive production of the COX-2 enzyme can result in impaired immune cell function, such as in autoimmune diseases.

6. Echinacea

Echinacea has been known as an herbal immune system booster for a long time. This plant, which is known by another name echinacea, is immunostimulant or capable of improving the functioning of the immune system.

Citing research published in the Pharmacognosy Review (2015), echinacea works in some ways.

First, echinacea activates the process of phagocytosis, which is when white blood cells called phagocytes "gobble up" bacteria, viruses, or foreign substances in the body to prevent infection.

Second, echinacea stimulates the production of white blood cells that are useful in eradicating bacteria, viruses, and poisons.

Thirdly, this herbal plant helps to stimulate the growth of fibroblast cells. These cells can increase the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, thereby speeding up the wound-healing process.

How To Consume Herbal Plants For Stamina

To obtain its properties, you can use garlic or turmeric as a cooking spice or natural food flavoring.

You can also puree turmeric and garlic by adding them to tea or by boiling turmeric in water to extract its juice.

Additionally, you can take supplements that contain extracts of these herbal ingredients.

Taking supplements makes it easy for you to get the benefits of herbal ingredients that are hard to find in Indonesia, such as ginseng and echinacea.

Be sure to buy herbal supplements that are registered with BPOM. Also, follow the directions for use listed on the supplement package to avoid any unwanted side effects.

Of the many medicinal plants, there are several ingredients with ingredients that have the potential to improve immune system function.

However, most of the research showing the efficacy of herbal ingredients in maintaining immunity is still being tested on animals.

More evidence is still needed to prove the effectiveness of these herbal ingredients in strengthening the immune system.

Therefore, make sure that you do not use these ingredients as a substitute for the main treatment for autoimmune diseases. Always consult a doctor before consuming it.