So you’re ready to take a natural approach to your immune health. Great. How do you do that? Here are four easy herbal ways to get started.

Find herbs to support your immune system before an actual crisis. This works better than the old “wait-and-see.” Be on the lookout for herbs such as Echinacea, Wild Indigo and Prickly Ash. These have a long history of use for immune support. Then add herbs like Astragalus, Reishi mushroom and Schisandra to your list. These popular winter-time herbs come from ancient Eastern traditions.

Try taking your immune herbs or an herbal immune formula each morning with a small glass of water. Herbs generally work best on an empty stomach. And your stomach is often emptiest just when you wake up. Plus, it’s a simple way to do some self-care before taking on the million responsibilities of the day.

Get a natural boost for the first sign of immune distress.* Remember liquid herbs get absorbed faster.

Some herbs are good for long-term system support. Others are great for the moment an issue pops up. That’s what you’re looking for when your body needs them most. Check out herbs like Echinacea, Goldenseal, Osha and Yerba Santa in moments like these.

Keep a couple of these herbs or even an herbal formula that contains them all in your bathroom cabinet. Or better yet, keep them someplace you can grab them in the course of your day like a kitchen shelf or a drawer in your desk at work.

Take the herbs with a small glass of water. (The instructions are right there on the bottle.) They may taste a little bitter and astringent. That’s ok. Herbs for a quick response often have strong natural flavors. A lot of people really like them.

Immune challenges pop up throughout your day. Not just when you’re next to the cabinet in your bathroom. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for an herbal immune support you can take with you to work, on the road, wherever. Meet the immune challenges when and where they happen.

Herbal sprays are good for this. No spills, no worries and no water needed. Check out herbs that can help you handle what comes. Herbs like Black Elderberry, Astragalus, Echinacea, Eleuthero and Ginger. Then keep the spray handy when it’s your turn to drive carpool or head to a work event. Or just throw it in your bag next to your lip balm and other winter necessities. And keep it close for when the moment demands.

When you’re buying herbal products, there are always a few things you want to keep in mind. Are the ingredients Certified Organic? Some herbs aren’t cultivated in farms. Are those herbs wildcrafted responsibly? The answers to these questions should be right there on the bottle.

From there, you can dive deeper. Does the company have its own farms? Its own quality standards and processes? Does the company take herbalism seriously? A quick online search or chat with a store employee can get you answers to these questions too. It’s your health and your planet. You have a right to know.

Next steps:

Now that you’re ready to get serious about immune health, we have a few products that can help. Daily Immune Builder, Rapid Immune Boost, and Herbs on the Go: Immune Season are a great combination to get you through immune season.*