Contains Herbal Medicines That Can Increase Your Body's Endurance

Some studies say herbal products have certain ingredients that are beneficial for the health of the body. Find out what other ingredients are commonly found in herbal medicines that can increase your immune system.

Herbal medicines generally consist of ingredients that are not much different from the fruits, vegetables, or spices that you usually use as cooking ingredients, food seasonings, or drinks. Herbal products are included in dietary supplements that are available in liquid, pill, capsule or tablet form, and serve as an addition to your diet, not as a meal replacement.

Here are some herbal ingredients that have been proven to have health benefits based on the large number of studies conducted on them, namely:

  • citrus fruit

Pomelo (Citrus Maxima Fructus) is an example of a citrus fruit. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C which makes the production of white blood cells increase so that they can fight infections in the body. You need daily intake of vitamin C to maintain your immune system.

  • Garlic

In addition to its ability to fight infection, consumption of garlic or Alium Sativum Bulbus It can also help lower blood pressure and inhibit hardening of the arteries. One study showed that garlic extract could strengthen the immune system and relieve cold symptoms.

  • Spinach

Besides being rich in vitamin C, spinach (Amaranthus Tricolor Folium) also contains antioxidants and beta-carotene which makes the immune system stronger in fighting infection. To get the maximum benefits of spinach, you are recommended not to repeat or cook it too long, so that the nutritional content of spinach is maintained. But the data were obtained from animal studies. To assess its health benefits in humans, further studies need to be done.

  • Pawpaw

Papaya fruit (Carica Papaya Fructus) has a recommended percentage of daily vitamin C intake of 224 percent, making it one of the plants with the highest vitamin C content. In addition to vitamin C, papaya also has an anti-inflammatory effect and other substances that are useful for body health, such as folate, B vitamins, and potassium. But this anti-inflammatory effect is still limited in animal studies. To assess its immune-boosting effect in humans, further research is needed.

  • Kiwi

Kiwi or Actinidia deliciosa fructus is a plant rich in vitamin C besides papaya which also contains folate, potassium and vitamin K. Other nutrients in kiwi fruit help the body fight infection, while keeping the body functioning properly. From a study it was found that the consumption of one kiwi fruit per week plus regular exercise and a healthy diet can increase levels of good fat (HDL).

Not only immunity, these plants are also believed to be able to reduce the risk of health problems. Plants such as basil (basil) and cinnamon are some examples of other plants that have similar benefits. Basil is believed to reduce the production of cortisol which can trigger stress, while cinnamon has also been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and decreased nervous system function. But this effect of basil is still limited in animal studies.

Do you need to take herbal medicine?l?

Similar to the drugs you get from the doctor, herbal medicines or supplements also have the potential to cause side effects, although they are quite rare, such as allergic reactions, reactions due to interactions with other drugs, whether prescribed or not.

Herbal medicines contain active chemicals that have the potential to interact with other drugs. This can affect the performance of the drug, the risk of side effects, and the metabolism of the drug in the body. In addition, most research trials examining the health benefits of these herbal products are also limited to animal studies. The health benefits for humans along with the risks and side effects still need to be studied further.

This is why experts give recommendations to stay wise in making decisions, regarding the use of herbal medicines. Find as much information as possible about herbal medicines before you buy or consume them. Also discuss with your doctor about the level of need and dosage according to your condition. Your doctor may recommend herbal remedies or supplements if you feel that you are not getting enough nutrition from the food or medication you are taking.