Cold and flu season is miserable. But I have the best herbs and supplements to boost your immune system quickly. Runny noses, achy throats, fevers, tired joints BE GONE!

All we want is to feel well and enjoy this beautiful season of change. And I'm here to help you do that with the help of deep immune system activating herbs. But before we get there, I want to tell you about my experience at my herbal class this month.

Holistic approach to boost your immune system quickly

But first, a story.

Nestled deep in the woods of the Shenandoah Valley, I was sitting in a large circular yurt with nine women of varying ages, belief systems, and circumstances. Gathered together on mismatched sofas and chairs, and surrounded by bottles and jars of nature's medicine, we took turns sharing the state of our lives.

One theme resonated throughout the space: change.

Specifically unease around the concept of change. Many women were dealing with extreme anxieties and shifts in their lives. (Myself included.)

When it was my turn to share, I intended on echoing these same sentiments. But something entirely came out of my mouth.

"Think of how the leaves are falling from the trees. The earth is dying before our eyes. And we celebrate this death through admiring the changing colors of leaves and preparing to look inward. The trees do not hold onto their leaves, nor do they try to reattach them as they fall to the ground. They allow nature to work in her own way, trusting in her cycle and wisdom to know when to release... Are we doing the same?"

(Okay, so maybe I wasn't that eloquent, but that was the message I relayed!)

Nature is one of our greatest teachers. And right now, I ask you to assess your current situation (regardless of the season!)

What do you need to release?

Chances are you need to make room to relax and nourish yourself. After all, immunity is deeply impacted by stress, a result of burning the candle at both ends.

Consider this your permission slip to slow down, make yourself a warm cup of immunity boosting herbal tea, and enjoy a candlelit bath!

(And if your stress is related to a teething baby or toddler, click here to read my most recent blog post about the best natural remedies.)

There are 3 main groups of immune activating herbs, which we will break down. You can take them in a tincture, tea, or capsule (or essential oil where noted). Determine which method you prefer based on the taste of the herb. I recommend buying loose herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs if you plan on making your own herbal medicine. For pre-made tinctures or capsules I like the brands Gaia, Himalaya, and Herb Pharm.

I also purchase my essential oils from DoTERRA because of their purity, focus on sustainable farming, and co-impact sourcing. This is an initiative that seeks to develop ethical long-term, mutually beneficial supplier partnerships while creating sustainable jobs and providing reliable income in underdeveloped areas. However, I believe that we should use the whole plant herb first, and turn to essential oils when it's their best use of the herb, as I have listed below.

Definitive List of Herbs + Supplements to Boost Your Immune System Quickly

1. Antibacterial Herbs

These are what you would use if you have a bacterial infection. I recommend trying these before enlisting unnecessary antibiotic use. These are great to use preventatively, for example, if you feel a sinus infection coming on. I have linked to my favorite brands on Amazon, which you will see by clicking on each of the highlighted herbs below.

2. Antiviral Herbs

These are preventative in nature, and can ease discomfort associated with viral illnesses, such as cold and flu. I have linked to my favorite brands on Amazon, which you will see by clicking on each of the highlighted herbs below.

Astralagus (don't take this with a fever)
Echinacea
Elderberry syrup
Garlic -fresh
Lemon balm (has been shown to inhibit thyroid hormone production, so use cautiously if you have hypothyroidism)
Licorice root
Lomatium
Olive leaf
Osha - specifically beneficial for respiratory support
Pau d'Arco
Usnea
St John's wort

3. Antifungal herbs

These are great at getting rid of pesky fungi that live in our bodies and skin. Most notably, nail fungus. Because of my celiac disease and hypothyroidism, I had weak nails for years and became easily susceptible to toenail fungus. After changing my diet and regularly applying tea tree essential oil topically, my toenail fungus is gone. And trust me, I tried ALL of the OTC and prescription topical applications for it. Use the potency of herbs to do this for you! I have linked to my favorite brands on Amazon, which you will see by clicking on each of the highlighted herbs below.

Determining herbal dosage

Is your mind blown yet? Don't be overwhelmed. You can use anywhere from one to seven of these herbs at a time to boost your immune system quickly. That's the beauty of plant medicine. It works with your body to support overall wellness.

And I am sure your next question is, "How do I determine which ones to take, and how much?"

It honestly depends on your goals. As I mentioned, you can create your own blend with anywhere from one to seven herbs at a time. Since most of these listed are in their tincture form, you simply follow the recommendation on the bottle, which is one dropper full every 2-5 hours.

I like to mix my tincture in juice, to mask any taste.

If you'd like more detailed and focused guidance, click here to join my clientele list, where you can set up an herbal consultation with me and I will guide you through the process, giving you specific education and resources based on your health needs and goals.

Hope these help you stay happy and healthy. Please leave any questions in the comments below!

Looking for more herbal wellness tips? Click here to join my newsletter to join hundreds of others in The Butter Half wellness community and receive your FREE daily wellness toolkit! Along with other goodies exclusive to my email subscribers.

Disclaimer: Please check with your healthcare provider or physician for any contraindications or specific questions about these protocols. While these are generally regarded as safe, each individual has specific needs or limitations based on their health history. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.