Immune System Boosters

The following herbs and spices are some of the best for building a strong immune system that functions correctly:

• Licorice: Buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by your adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.

• Turmeric: ORAC (a measure of antioxidant activity) score of 159,277; general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity, and an anticancer agent as well; turmeric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants.

• Black Pepper: Increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods -- herbs and other compounds.

• Oregano: ORAC 13,970; active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant.

• Cinnamon: ORAC 267,536; powerful antimicrobial agent -- found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria, and also has anti-inflammatory compounds.

• Cloves: The ORAC grand prize winner at 314,446, highest of all foods tested! Contains eugenol and its mild anesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches and sore throats, also a good anti-inflammatory.

The Huffington Post also recently featured a handy list of herbs based on their health benefits:

• Rosemary and basil for their anti-inflammatory power
• Cumin and sage for their dementia-fighting power
• Cayenne and cinnamon for their obesity-fighting power
• Coriander and cinnamon for their sugar regulating powers
• Lemon grass, nutmeg, bay leaves and saffron for their calming effects on your mood
• Turmeric for its cancer fighting power
• Oregano for its fungus-beating power
• Garlic, mustard seed and chicory for their heart-pumping power
• Basil and thyme for their skin-saving power
• Turmeric, basil, cinnamon, thyme, saffron, and ginger for their immune-boosting power
• Coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper for their depression-busting power