This document discusses various dietary supplements and herbal remedies that can boost immunity. It describes supplements like vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics as supporting immune function. Herbal supplements that are highlighted as potentially helping to reduce cold/flu duration and severity include elderberry and echinacea. The document emphasizes that supplements should be taken as directed and their use disclosed to healthcare providers, as interactions with medications are possible.

1. Supplements and Herbs to
Boost Your Immunity
Sarah J. Wise, RDH
Purdue Global University
HW499 Unit 4
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2. What Are Dietary
Supplements?
 According to the National
Center for Complementary and
Integrative Health (NCCIH),
dietary supplements are taken
by mouth in powder, liquid,
capsule form.
 These supplements can be used
to supplement the diet and
provide nutritional support
(NCCIH, 2019).
 They contain vitamins, minerals,
amino acids, enzymes, and herbs
to help support health (NCCIH,
2019).
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3. What are Herbal
Supplements?
• According to the NCCIH, herbal supplements can also
be taken in capsules, powders, extracts, liquids, and
even in tea.
• Herbal supplements contain materials from plants,
algae, and fungi and they can also be referred to as
botanicals (NCCIH, 2019).
• Herbal supplements are also taken to support health.
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4. Supplements to Help Boost the
Immune System: Vitamin C
 Vitamin C is a great supplement to assist in immune function and those
deficient in vitamin C have a weaker immune system (Raman, 2018).
 It helps to boost our immune system by encouraging the production of
white blood cells which help our bodies fight off infection (Raman, 2018).
 Vitamin C can help to reduce the longevity of the common cold as well
as reduce the severity (Gunnars, 2018).
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5. SUPPLEMENTS TO HELP BOOST
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM:
PROBIOTICS
• 70% of our immune system is located in our digestive
track and keeping it balanced with probiotic
supplementation is an excellent way to support
immunity (Ora, n.d.).
• Probiotics supplements help to balance the bacteria in
our digestive system, and when the bacteria in the gut
are balanced our immune system operates better
(Larson, 2019).
• One study found that children taking probiotics two
times a day for six months had less issues with fevers,
coughs, nasal congestion, absent days from daycare
than kids who did not use probiotics (Vann, 2011).
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6. Supplements to Boost the Immune System:
Zinc
■ Zinc is an essential nutrient that we need to
support a healthy immune system (Nordqvist,
2013).
■ Zinc helps to support the immune system by
activatingT-cells, also known as lymphocytes;
these specialized cells help to maintain our
immune system as well as destroy infected cells
(Nordqvist, 2013).
■ Zinc has been proven to lessen the duration and
intensity of colds when taken 24 hours after
symptoms begin (NCCIH).
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7. Herbal Supplements to
Support the Immune
System: Elderberry
 Elderberries are a fruit from the Sambucus
tree that have been shown to aid the
immune system against colds and the flu;
elderberries are made into a liquid syrup,
lozenges, and teas (Barrell, 2018).
 According to Barrell, studies have shown
that Elderberries have antiviral properties,
meaning they can help us fight off viruses
such as the flu and cold, as well as
antioxidant properties to help boost
immunity.
 Researchers have found that using
elderberry may not prevent colds and the
flu but can lessen duration and severity of
both (Barrell, 2018).
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8. Herbal Supplements to
Support the Immune
System: Echinacea
 Echinacea is a plant that has been used to
help promote the immune system; the
roots as well as parts of the plant can be
dried and made into teas, tinctures,
extracts, and capsule form (NCCIH, 2017).
 Many studies have shown that taking
echinacea after catching a cold can help to
reduce the duration of a cold (NCCIH,
2017)
 According the NCCIH, taking echinacea
before you get sick may help you from
becoming sick and can work
preventatively.
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9. Safety Precaution with Supplements and Herbs
 All supplements and herbs must be used with precautions and you
should always tell your healthcare providers about any herbs or
supplements that you are taking.
 Some supplements and herbs can interact with medications, such as
zinc, therefore it is important to share this information with your
healthcare providers (NCCIH, 2017).
 More is not always better! Pay attention to the proper dosage of
supplements and herbs. For example too much Vitamin C can cause
diarrhea and upset stomach (NCCIH, 2019). Too much echinacea can
cause digestive issues as well.
 Use caution with Elderberries. Raw, uncooked elderberries as well as
the seeds contain a toxic substance that can cause vomiting and
diarrhea. Prepared forms sold in stores are safe when taking the
proper dosage (Barrell, 2018).

10. Where Can I Learn More
about Herbs and
Supplements
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has
many great resources regarding supplements and herbs.
The NCCIH has a great ‘Herbs at a Glance’ resource that has a fact sheet for
many common herbs. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm
Another great resource is the Office of Dietary Supplements. They provide a
free newsletter that has useful information about dietary supplements. You
can subscribe to their newsletter and whenever they publish a newsletter it
can be emailed directly to you.
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001pAaNGq91Uai
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11. References
 Barrell, A. (2018). Health benefits of elderberry. Medical News Today. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323288
 Gunnars, K. (2018). Vitamin C for colds – does it actually work? Healthline. Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-vitamin-c-help-with-colds
 Larson, J. (2019). Boost your immune system and fight colds with probiotics. Essential Health. Retrieved from
https://www.essentiahealth.org/about/media-article-library/2019/boost-your-immune-system-and-fight-colds-
with-probiotics/
 NCCIH. (2017). Echinacea. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/echinacea
 NCCIH. (2017). Zinc. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/zinc
 NCCIH. (2019). Using dietary supplements wisely. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm#hed2
 Nordqvist, J. (2013). What are the health benefits of zinc? Medical News Today. Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263176#benefits
 Ora. (n.d.) Probiotics for immunity: How do probiotics help the immune system? Retrieved from
https://www.ora.organic/blogs/news/probiotics-for-immunity-how-do-probiotics-help-the-immune-system
 Raman, R. (2018). 7 impressive ways vitamin C benefits your body. Healthline. Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-benefits#section6
 Vann, M. (2011). Probiotics for flu prevention? Everyday Health. Retrieved from
https://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/probiotics-for-flu-prevention.aspx