1. Elderberry Sambucus | 2. Echinacea |
3. Cayenne Pepper | 4. Ginseng |
5. Zinc | 6. Astragalus |
7. Reishi | 8. Vitamins A,B,C,E,K2 |
9. Ginger | 10 Minerals Mg,Se,Mn,Cu |
You can get them here in ‘shop’ above right. Some are found in your local grocery stores such as Cayenne Pepper and Ginger. The French are known for their cold busting tea made with Cayenne and Honey. It will fry germs in your throat if you can stand a few moments of intense heat while it does its work. Cayenne also cleanses the blood.
1. ELDERBERRY (Sambucus) (एल्डर शराब)

Elderberry is an amazing immune system aid for fighting infections including viruses. Research has shown that it works. The ‘Father of Medicine’, Hippocrates, called it his “medicine chest”, before the time of Christ, and it may have been cultivated much earlier in human history. It is known as one of the world’s most healing plants today. And guess what? It tastes pretty good too. It makes a great first line of defense when feeling ‘Under the Weather’.
Easy to carry around in a mini-bottle or as gel caps, I keep them handy everywhere I go. When I get that run down feeling, I take it and get some rest. Drinking lots of good filtered water also helps. Loaded with vitamins B, C and E, Elderberry is also known for its beneficial help with pain, sciatica, headaches and fever as well as colds and flu.
Research on Elderberry for fighting influenza flu virus:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15080016/
Side Effects: Some have reactions like allergy symptoms when taking it. Start with a mini-dose the first time you try it, to make sure you don’t have a reaction. Raw fresh Elderberries can have trace amounts of cyanide. Best to use a high quality filtered syrup version.
More information: https://draxe.com/nutrition/elderberry/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elderberry#risks-and-side-effects
https://www.webmd.com/diet/elderberry-health-benefits
2. Echinacea

A great everyday immune system defense herb, Echinacea works best before exposure to a germ or in the first 24 hours of contact. Take it regularly to guard against colds, flu, influenza, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, yeast infections, or to reduce anxiety. It can be brewed as a tea, taken as a capsule, a tablet (often combined with Goldenseal) and in other forms.
I take it weekly as a routine maintenance defense to keep the immune system on full alert while going about daily activities. It also speeds up the healing process. Echinacea is also an anti-inflammatory that works well to relieve the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s and other inflammatory related conditions.
Side Effects are minimal. Some people notice an allergic reaction and auto-immune disorders can be aggravated because Echinacea boosts the immune response function.
More info:
https://www.organicfacts.net/echinacea.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684#side-effects
https://www.healthline.com/health/echinacea-tea-benefits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4068831/
3. CAYENNE (Capsicum) (लाल मिर्च)

Immune boost – Blood tonic – Fry germs fast
You mean Red Pepper! ? Yes! Loaded with anti-oxidants, Cayenne has numerous health benefits as a blood cleaner, immune booster and detoxifier, treating colds, stomach issues, ulcers, anti-fungal, and much more. If you get that scratchy throat feeling coming on, indicating an infection in the throat, nail it immediately with Cayenne in tea. The French routinely use it to fight colds by shaking it into tea with honey. Its hot on the throat when you drink it, but be assured you are annihilating germs when you do.
I put it in capsules and take the capsules with food, because it is a hot pepper. You can also shake some in tea, soup, and sprinkle it on food as you normally would. It is full of vitamins C, B6 and E as well as flavonoids, manganese, potassium and capsaicin.
Also, you might think it could be bad for ulcers, but studies have shown how it benefits, and a friend of ours praises it for that. It also works as a good ‘Pick me Up’ in the morning that gets the metabolism moving. Drink water with it to flush out your system, as it cleanses your blood and body.
This study researched its effects against Strepth Throat:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4643145/
More info:
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/top-10-health-benefits-of-cayenne-pepper/
4. Ginseng (Panax)

Ginseng has so many health benefits, it would take an entire book to try and list most of them. Its an amazing Anti-aging Immune boost and overall health booster; A daily health regimen that people around the world have been using for 1000’s of years. Here’s a short summary: Overall health, strength, stamina, energy and vigor, fights flu and respiratory virus, improves memory and mens libido.
There are many different strains. The most popular are American Ginseng, originally used by the Native American Indians and still grown in the USA, which is considered high quality, Korean Ginseng aka ‘Red Ginseng’ which is considered ‘Hot’ when compared to the others, Chinese and Siberian Ginseng aka Eluthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Eleuthero is not allowed to be sold as ‘Ginseng’ in the USA, and is considered a technically different strain. Each type of Ginseng is a bit different. If you aren’t sure which to try first, go with American Ginseng.
More info:
https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-american-ginseng/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262982
Research: https://examine.com/supplements/panax-ginseng/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4593794/
5. Zinc
Zinc is widely known to resist infections by boosting the immune response. It is found naturally in foods, and its effects are multiplied when you add extra with supplementation. A deficiency can lead to disease.
In one study Zinc lozenges were found to shorten the duration of common cold episodes by up to 40 percent !! in a study published in the Open Respiratory Medicine Journal. Other studies have found that Zinc supplements reduced the length and severity of the common cold.
Other health benefits found include improved memory, slowing macular degeneration, improved fertility and digestion.
When you add Quercitin with the Zinc, the Zinc is more readily absorbed into the interior of cells which helps the cells block invaders including viruses. Quercitin is an ionophore that regulates ionic charge which allows the Zinc to pass through the cell wall more easily.
Several doctors are reporting that taking Zinc with Quercitin can block virus infections from getting a stronghold in your body, allowing your immune system more time to recognize, react and attack the invaders. A great way to keep your immune system on ‘full alert’ to invading viruses is with the two combined in daily supplementation. You can get some here:
More on this (23 minutes into the video talks specifically about Zinc – Quercitin): Drbeen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9YFXo84lCk
Dr Been on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbeenmedical/
Also see ‘Minerals’ description at the bottom.
6. ASTRAGALUS (Ogi, Bei Qi, Huang Chi) (अस्ट्रैगैलस)

Used for ages in Chinese medicine to fight viruses, the common cold, hepatitis, and fatigue, Astagalus is a great daily strength and immune booster. it is also an anti-aging longevity herb, boosting stem cells, helping telomeres, good for the kidneys, and assists the mind with handling stress. It has been part of the basic foundation in Chinese medicine for 1000’s of years.
I take it regularly in powdered capsule form for extra strength and energy throughout the day, and to ward off infections. Astragalus contains Polysaccharides which are Anti-viral and Anti-microbial. It is safe and can be taken with other herbs like Echinacea.
More info: https://www.jonbarron.org/herbal-library/herbs/astragalus
http://www.doctoroz.com/article/astragalus-root-right-you
Research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21651844/
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus
Other names for Astragalus:
- Astragale
- Astragalo
- Astragalus
- Beg Kei
- Bei Qi
- Buck Qi
- Chinese Astragalus
- Huang Chi
- Huang Qi
- Huang Se
- Hwanggi
- Jin Fu Kang
- Membranous Milk Vetch
- Membranous Milk-Vetch
- Meng Gu Huang Qi
- Milk Vetch
- Mongolian Milk
- Ogi
- Ougi
- Radix Astragali
- Radix Astragalus
https://www.drugs.com/npc/astragalus.html
7. MUSHROOMS for Better Health (मशरूम) (蘑菇)
Reishi (aka Ganoderm Lucidum, Lingzhi (灵芝), Ganapoly extract)

Anti-inflammatory – Immune Boost – Cough Help – Liver Support & Anti-Aging
Improves overall strength in fighting infections, colds, and flu. Cell-regenerating.
Boosts autophagy self cleaning of the body function .
Known as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality’, It was originally reserved for royalty when they were first used in Asian cultures thousands of years ago, and has been documented in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. It stimulates the immune system, liver function, and helps to lower blood pressure. High in antioxidants, it improves oxygen supply and helps allergies. It can also help to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar. Active molecules include polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and petidoglycans.
Reishi Research: http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,7b35b5ed6bb0a817,2c53560e0cbb691f.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
Shiitake (Champignon Noir, Shitake) (शहर की लंबाई)
Immune & Energy Boost – Lower Cholesterol – Aid Weight Loss & Reduce Allergies. Loaded with vitamins, Shiitake also aids digestion and helps muscles. Its anti-microbial properties are good for the gums. Used in Asia for over 500 years, they are also very popular in cooking for their flavor.
Active molecules include eritadene, sterols, and lipids. Shiitake might help with the heart, blood and circulation as well: https://draxe.com/nutrition/shiitake-mushrooms/
Lions Mane (Hericium Erinaceus, Yamabushitake, Shizi zong mao) (狮子鬃毛) – Brain boost, Immune boost, Good for Ulcers
Another mushroom used in Chinese medicine known for its ability to improve cognitive function and neuroprotective capacity. Due to the NGF proteins, it can stimulate nerve growth.
Reference: https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/health-benefits-of-lions-mane-mushroom/
Cordycepts (Sinensis, Semitake, Dong Chong Xia Cao) – Anti-aging – Pre-workout – Athletic boost & Vitality.
It boosts the immune system and libido. Athletes take it to win! because it increases stamina, endurance, improves oxygen intake and blood function. . Also good for the stomach, liver and skin. Also good for post work-out muscle recovery and libido after a hard days workout. Might also help regulate sleep.
Emperors of China used to forbid common folk from taking it because it was hard to find in the highlands and there was a limited supply. They wanted plenty available for themselves. At $500 + per can, it got very expensive until recently when a domestic strain was developed that grows indoors, farmed just like other mushrooms.
Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121254/
Turkey Tail (Trametes Versicolor)– Immune system, Anti-virus, Aids Respiratory, Bronchitis & Arthritis conditions. Antibiotic, Anti-yeast including Candida. Can help with Leukemia.
Used in medicine in Japan as a pharmaceutical grade prescription, Turkey Tail has been in common use there for over 30 years. Known for its PSK content, it is widely used for Colon and Lung issues. It is also combined with Reishi to fight Viruses. In China it is prescribed for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Bronchitis.
Research: https://www.drugs.com/npp/turkey-tail.html See ‘Chemistry’.
Kombucha – Anti-aging, Youthful hair, Probiotic, Arthritis.
Some love it while others, not so much. It improves the color of hair with its Anti-aging properties.
8. Vitamins (पोषक) A,B,C,E,K2

Help your cells do their work – Help your immune system.
Vitamin A is good for your eyes. B Vitamins are anti-aging, good for the blood, metabolism and energy, C is great as you know, D is good for the eyes and muscles and E is good for your eyes and wrinkles. K and K-2 helps strenghthen bones, helps your blood, and heart. You can take them separately or together. There’s a great Vitamin based Immune Boost product that comes as an effervescent fizz tablet, called ‘Airborne’.
I keep Airborne handy for that ’Under the Weather’ feeling. Use it to give your body a fast boost and hopefully get well before you get sick.
A list of Vitamins and what they do:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins
9. GINGER (Zingiberaceae) (अदरक)

Ginger warms up the digestive tract, boosts the immune function and gets the circulation going in the morning. It has so many other benefits. Good for fighting bacterial infections and flu, it also eases muscle pain, nausea and female monthly issues. It is loaded with anti-oxidants and wards off the development of many chronic diseases. It is also anti-inflammatory. Ginger tea is great with meals for warming up and aiding digestion.
I like Ginger Tea AM and Ginger Chews before meals. Its a great daily regimen to improve health. Help keep your immune system in tune by taking it regularly.
More info: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
10. Minerals Mg,Se,Mn,Cu

There are beneficial minerals and toxic heavy metals. You need the former and must avoid the latter. Beneficial Minerals include Magnesium (Mg) Manganese (Mn) Selenium (Se) Zinc (Zn) Iodine ( I) Iron (Fe) Potassium (K) and Copper (Cu) among others. (TOXIC metals include Lead, Mercury & Cadmium)
Mg = Strong bones, good blood and heart, antacid. It also aids the thyroid gland. Se = Immune help, heart, mind, thyroid and can help with Asthma. Zn = Immune help, mind, digestion, skin and fights infections in wounds. I = Thyroid support and mind. K = Helps muscles and nerves, retards muscle cramps and helps lower blood pressure, and reduces risk of stroke. Cu = Better blood, heart, bones, nerves and much more.
These beneficial minerals can be taken individually as tablets or in Multi-mineral formulations. Good sources are multi-mineral water, mineral rich salt and products like ‘Bone-up’. Elderly people need a product like ‘Bone-up regularly to avoid weakening bones. Get your minerals and protect your bones!
More info:
https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-benefits-minerals/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-potassium
Manganese:
https://www.algaecal.com/algaecal-ingredients/trace-minerals/manganese/
Flush out toxic metals with NAC, Garlic & Lecithin
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/heavy-metal-detox/