Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) has been well studied. Researchers found that Siberian ginseng worked as an immune system booster by causing a large “increase in the absolute number of immunocompetent cells, with an especially pronounced effect on T lymphocytes, predominantly of the helper/inducer type, and also on cytotoxic and natural killer cells of healthy volunteers” [1].
Studies into spearmint (Mentha spicata) found it had potent antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties [2]. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) has traditionally been used to alleviate coughs and fever [3].
A systematic review of 109 randomised controlled trials in 2020, concluded that there was solid scientific evidence that ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduced inflammation in the body [4] which is in part responsible for some of the symptoms that we feel when we become ill.
1. Bohn B, Nebe CT, Birr C. Flow-cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticosus extract as an immunomodulatory agent. Arzneimittelforschung. 1987;37(10):1193–1196. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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3. Nambiar V., Matela H., Potential Functions of Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) in Health and Disease. Int. J. of Pharmaceutical and Biological Archives. 2012; 3(5):1035-1043. [ResearchGate]
4. Anh N.H., Kim S.J., Long N.P., Min J.E., Yoon Y.C., Lee E.G. Ginger on human health: A comprehensive systematic review of 109 randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2020;12 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
