1. Echinacea

Echinacea is a natural herb that boosts the heck out of your immune system. Research shows that one of the most significant echinacea benefits is its effects when used on recurring infections, especially upper respiratory infection. Plus, multiple studies found that echinacea showed preventive effects for preventing the common cold. Boom.

2. Elderberry

It’s no wonder Elderberry sounds like the god of all berries – they’ve been used as medicine for thousands of years. It can fight colds, the flu, allergies and inflammation. Several studies found that elderberry has the power to boost the immune system too. A study even found that when elderberry is used within the first 48 hours of onset of symptoms, the duration of the flu lasted four days less.

3. Probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria (yeah, that’s a thing) that help you digest nutrients that boost the detoxification of your colon and support your immune system.

4. Ginger

Ginger fights to break down the accumulation of toxins in our organs by warming them. Ginger root and ginger essential oil can also treat a wide range of diseases with super immunonutrition and anti-inflammatory responses. Studies show that ginger has antimicrobial potential, which helps in treating infectious diseases. Is there anything it can’t do?

5. Ginseng

Ginseng can help you to boost your immune system and fight infections. Every part of the ginseng plant has been used for maintaining immune homeostasis and improving resistance to illness or infection for a long time now. Ginseng improves the performance of your immune system by regulating each type of immune cell, including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells. It even has antimicrobial compounds that work as a shield against bacterial and viral infections. If there was ever a food you could compare to a suit of armor, it’s ginseng.

6. Vitamin D

A vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased susceptibility to infection. Nobody wants that. Research shows that vitamin D works to promote protective immunity against disease.

7. Myrrh

Myrrh is a resin, or sap-like substance, that you may have only heard about if you’ve read the bible. Historically, myrrh was used to treat hay fever, clean and heal wounds and stop bleeding, but Myrrh also strengthens the immune system with its antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.