6 Herbals That Can Help Improve Immunity During Rainy Season

Illustration of herbal drinks (Freepik/jcomp)

JAKARTA - Immunity is becoming increasingly important in the midst of the current rainy season so as not to get sick easily due to bacterial and viral attacks. No need to worry, there are easy ways and do not spend a lot of money to strengthen the immune system.

"The best way to improve the immune system is on your plate, in the selected food," said Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RDN, a dietist from San Diego, United States, quoted by VOI from the Everyday Health page on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

According to research published in 2020 in Integrative Medicine, herbs and spices have been used for centuries for treatment and have become one of the most effective dietary methods to boost immunity.

"Although further research is still needed to determine the specific benefits of some herbs to the immune system, we know that its therapeutic properties, along with a healthy and diverse diet, can strengthen the overall immune function," said Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, dietist at Rye, New York.

Here are 6 herbs that support immunity and should be added to your diet menu.

Kunyit is a yellow spice that has long been used by ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine system) to treat inflammation.

"Although research is still unclear, eating anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce network inflammation associated with colds and flu," said Dr. Bazilian.

The main active content in turmeric, which is a very strong kurmin. Based on the review and meta-analytics published in the Journal of Functional Foods, the kurcumin has extraordinary anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has proven to be able to correct oxidative stress markers.

Ginger has long been the basic spice in traditional medicine to treat headaches, runny noses, nausea, and vomiting. Research shows that ginger does have these benefits. In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, ginger prevents the formation of plaques from human cynical respiratory viruses, namely general respiratory viruses that cause mild symptoms similar to colds.

Cinnamon is known for its high antioxidant content. In fact, cinnamon has anti-fample, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The study shows that E-cinnamaldehyde, the main active compound in cinnamon, has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and inhibits the growth of bacteria such as literature and salmonella.

Peppermint contains flavonoids, plant compounds that have a beneficial effect on the health of the immune system. In addition, peppermint contains menthol, a compound that has an anesthetic (dious) and analgesic ( pain loss) effects. Menthol is often added to colds and colds, as it can help open airways.

Paprika may not be directly associated with immunity, but this spice is rich in vitamins C and A, two nutrients that support the immune system. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and help keep immune cells healthy. While vitamin A plays a role in the development of the immune system.

Garlic has long been used in traditional medicine, due to its ability to support the immune system. Anti-bacterial and anti-colour properties of garlic can help fight infection. In addition, garlic contains allicin, a compound that can increase the immune response.