Echinacea for immunity

These purple garden flowers have been used as medicine for centuries. While many use it to shorten cold symptoms, there’s not a lot of research that echinacea can boost immunity once a virus is present in our body. “We know its antimicrobial and antiviral properties make it a preventative to bolster immunity,” says Anthia, noting that its natural antibiotic properties can treat acne. “It can keep infections at bay,” she says, adding that a herbalist can advise on the most effective variety.