Immunity & Recovery
Immunity (ojas) is built through rasayana herbs, sound sleep and easily digested food, and protected by avoiding over-exertion during recovery.
Daily practice
- Warm, cooked, lightly spiced meals during and after illness
- Steam inhalation with tulsi or eucalyptus for congestion
- Rest before you feel you need it, not after
Herbs used for Immunity & Recovery
Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng / Winter Cherry)
Withania somnifera
The grounding adaptogen for stress, sleep and stamina.
- Plant
- Ashwagandha shrub · Shrub
- Also
- Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Asgandh
- Parts
- RootLeaf
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
The everyday anti-inflammatory root of the kitchen pharmacy.
- Plant
- Turmeric plant · Herb
- Also
- Haldi, Haridra, Manjal
- Parts
- Rhizome (root)Fresh root
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Holy basil: the household remedy for coughs, colds and clarity.
- Plant
- Tulsi plant · Shrub
- Also
- Holy basil, Sacred basil, Krishna tulsi
- Parts
- LeafSeedWhole plant
Ginger (Ginger / Dry Ginger)
Zingiber officinale
Called vishwabhesaj, the universal medicine, for good reason.
- Plant
- Ginger plant · Herb
- Also
- Adrak, Ardraka, Shunthi (dried)
- Parts
- Rhizome (root)
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Phyllanthus emblica
Indian gooseberry: cooling vitamin C for skin, hair and blood.
- Plant
- Amla tree · Tree
- Also
- Indian gooseberry, Amalaki, Nelli
- Parts
- FruitSeedLeaf
Neem (Indian Lilac)
Azadirachta indica
Intensely bitter, deeply cleansing: the classic skin herb.
- Plant
- Neem tree · Tree
- Also
- Nimba, Indian lilac, Margosa, Vepa
- Parts
- LeafBarkTwigSeed oilRoot bark
Shatavari (Wild Asparagus Root)
Asparagus racemosus
Cooling, nourishing tonic traditionally used for women's health.
- Plant
- Shatavari climber · Climber
- Also
- Wild asparagus, Satavar, Shatamuli
- Parts
- Root (tuber)
Licorice (Licorice Root)
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Sweet root that soothes throat, stomach lining and dry cough.
- Plant
- Licorice plant · Shrub
- Also
- Mulethi, Yashtimadhu, Sweet wood
- Parts
- Root
Peepal (Sacred Fig)
Ficus religiosa
Sacred fig tree, also called pipal or bodhi: bark and leaf used for skin and breathing.
- Plant
- Peepal tree · Tree
- Also
- Pipal, Sacred fig, Bodhi tree, Ashvattha
- Parts
- BarkTender leafRoot barkFruit
Guava Leaf
Psidium guajava
Guava tree leaves: astringent, well-studied for loose stools and gum health.
- Plant
- Guava tree · Tree
- Also
- Amrud, Peru, Amrutphala
- Parts
- LeafBarkFruit
Harsingar (Night-Flowering Jasmine)
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Night-flowering jasmine, also called harshringar: leaf juice used for joints and fever.
- Plant
- Harsingar tree · Tree
- Also
- Harshringar, Night-flowering jasmine, Parijat, Shefali
- Parts
- LeafFlowerBarkSeed
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus / Blue Gum)
Eucalyptus globulus
Sharp, camphor-like leaf used in steam and chest rubs to open blocked breathing.
- Plant
- Eucalyptus tree · Tree
- Also
- Nilgiri, Blue gum, Tailaparna, Gum tree
- Parts
- LeafLeaf oil
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
Warming aromatic bud that numbs toothache and kindles sluggish digestion.
- Plant
- Clove tree · Tree
- Also
- Laung, Lavanga, Krambu
- Parts
- Flower budBud oil
Manjistha (Indian Madder Root)
Rubia cordifolia
Indian madder root — the blood and lymph cleanser used for stubborn skin.
- Plant
- Manjistha climber · Climber
- Also
- Indian madder, Majith, Rubia root
- Parts
- RootStem
Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon)
Cinnamomum verum
Sweet warming bark used for circulation, blood-sugar balance and cold digestion.
- Plant
- Cinnamon tree · Tree
- Also
- Ceylon cinnamon, True cinnamon, Dalchini, Twak
- Parts
- Inner barkLeafBark oil
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Mineral-rich spring green used as a gentle cleanser for joints, skin and urine flow.
- Plant
- Stinging nettle plant · Herb
- Also
- Common nettle, Bichhu buti, Sisnu, Kandali
- Parts
- LeafRootSeed
Reishi Mushroom (Reishi / Lingzhi Mushroom)
Ganoderma lucidum
The 'mushroom of immortality' — an adaptogenic tonic for immunity and calm sleep.
- Plant
- Reishi bracket mushroom · Herb
- Also
- Lingzhi, Mushroom of immortality, Varnished conk
- Parts
- Fruiting bodySpore
Coleus (Indian Coleus / Forskolin)
Coleus forskohlii
Aromatic Indian root (forskolin) used for metabolism, heart tone and easy breathing.
- Plant
- Coleus plant · Herb
- Also
- Forskolin, Indian coleus, Makandi, Patharchur
- Parts
- RootLeaf
Moringa (Drumstick Tree / Moringa)
Moringa oleifera
The drumstick tree — leaf powder dense in iron, calcium and protein, used for depletion and anaemia.
- Plant
- Drumstick tree · Tree
- Also
- Drumstick tree, Shigru, Sahjan, Horseradish tree
- Parts
- LeafPodSeedBark
Giloy (Heart-Leaved Moonseed)
Tinospora cordifolia
The 'nectar creeper' — the classical immunity and fever herb of Ayurveda.
- Plant
- Giloy creeper · Climber
- Also
- Guduchi, Amrita, Heart-leaved moonseed, Gurjo
- Parts
- StemLeafRoot
Cardamom (Green Cardamom)
Elettaria cardamomum
Green cardamom — the sweet-pungent pod used to lighten digestion and freshen breath.
- Plant
- Green cardamom plant · Herb
- Also
- Elaichi, Ela, Green cardamom, True cardamom
- Parts
- PodSeed
Black Pepper
Piper nigrum
The king of spices — kindles digestive fire and carries other herbs deeper into the body.
- Plant
- Pepper vine · Climber
- Also
- Kali mirch, Maricha, Peppercorn
- Parts
- Fruit (peppercorn)
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Chai patti — a citrus grass that settles the stomach and lifts a heavy head.
- Plant
- Lemongrass clump · Herb
- Also
- Chai patti, Bhutrina, Citronella grass, Nimbu ghas
- Parts
- LeafStalkEssential oil
Mint (Mint / Spearmint)
Mentha spicata / Mentha piperita
Pudina — the cooling leaf for acidity, nausea and summer heat.
- Plant
- Mint plant · Herb
- Also
- Pudina, Spearmint, Peppermint
- Parts
- LeafEssential oil
Wheatgrass
Triticum aestivum
Mineral-rich green juice for vitality, detox and daily energy.
- Plant
- Wheat grass · Herb
- Also
- Wheatgrass, Green wheat, Triticum
- Parts
- Young grassLeaf
Goldenseal (Goldenseal Root)
Hydrastis canadensis
Bitter, cooling root for short-term immune and mucous membrane support.
- Plant
- Goldenseal plant · Herb
- Also
- Yellow root, Orange root, Hydrastis
- Parts
- RootRhizome
Alfalfa (Alfalfa Leaf)
Medicago sativa
Nutrient-dense leaf and sprouts for energy, immunity and daily vitality.
- Plant
- Alfalfa plant · Herb
- Also
- Lucerne, Medick, Medicago
- Parts
- LeafSproutSeed
Anise (Anise Seed)
Pimpinella anisum
Sweet, warming seed for digestion, coughs and colic.
- Plant
- Anise plant · Herb
- Also
- Aniseed, Sweet cumin, Pimpinella
- Parts
- SeedLeaf
Astragalus (Astragalus Root)
Astragalus membranaceus
Sweet, warming qi tonic for immunity, stamina and resilience.
- Plant
- Astragalus plant · Herb
- Also
- Huang qi, Milk vetch, Astragalus root
- Parts
- Root
Bee Balm (Bee Balm / Wild Bergamot)
Monarda didyma
Aromatic leaf and flower for digestion, colds and a happy mouth.
- Plant
- Bee balm plant · Herb
- Also
- Wild bergamot, Oswego tea, Monarda
- Parts
- LeafFlower
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
European blueberry for eye strain, blood sugar and gentle digestion.
- Plant
- Bilberry shrub · Shrub
- Also
- Whortleberry, European blueberry, Huckleberry
- Parts
- FruitLeaf
Black Cherry (Black Cherry Bark)
Prunus serotina
Astringent bark for dry coughs, joints and settled digestion.
- Plant
- Black cherry tree · Tree
- Also
- Wild black cherry, Chokecherry, Prunus serotina
- Parts
- BarkFruit
Boswellia (Boswellia / Frankincense)
Boswellia serrata
Indian frankincense resin for joints, lungs and gut comfort.
- Plant
- Boswellia tree · Tree
- Also
- Indian frankincense, Salai guggal, Olibanum
- Parts
- Gum resinBark
Thyme (Thyme / Garden thyme)
Thymus vulgaris
A warming, aromatic kitchen herb for the chest, throat and cold digestion.
- Plant
- Thyme plant · Herb
- Also
- Garden thyme, Common thyme
- Parts
- LeafFlowering top
Calendula (Calendula / Pot marigold)
Calendula officinalis
The sunny, soothing skin herb for wounds, rashes and minor burns.
- Plant
- Calendula plant · Herb
- Also
- Pot marigold, English marigold
- Parts
- FlowerLeaf
Catnip (Catnip / Catmint)
Nepeta cataria
A gentle, cooling nervine for restless sleep and digestive wind.
- Plant
- Catnip plant · Herb
- Also
- Catmint, Catwort
- Parts
- LeafFlowering top
Arjuna (Arjuna Bark / White Marudah)
Terminalia arjuna
The classical heart-and-stamina bark of Ayurveda.
- Plant
- Arjuna tree · Tree
- Also
- Arjun, Kahua, White marudah
- Parts
- BarkLeaf
Safed Musli (Safed Musli / White Musli)
Chlorophytum borivilianum
A sweet, building root used for stamina and recovery from depletion.
- Plant
- Safed musli plant · Herb
- Also
- White musli, Musali, Dhavali musli
- Parts
- Tuberous root
Echinacea (Echinacea / Purple Coneflower)
Echinacea purpurea
The purple coneflower taken at the first sign of a cold.
- Plant
- Purple coneflower · Herb
- Also
- Purple coneflower, Coneflower, Kansas snakeroot
- Parts
- RootAerial partsFlower
Sage (Sage / Common Sage)
Salvia officinalis
A drying, aromatic leaf for sore throats, sweating and mental clarity.
- Plant
- Common sage shrub · Shrub
- Also
- Common sage, Garden sage, Salvia
- Parts
- LeafFlowering top
Common questions
Which herbs are traditionally used for immunity & recovery?
Classical and modern sources point to Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Tulsi, Ginger, Amla. Each herb page lists dosage, preparation, timing and precautions.
Are there recipes for immunity & recovery?
Yes — 12 kitchen preparations are grouped under this concern, each with ingredients, steps, timing and safety notes.
Can immune herbs be taken during an active infection?
Warming kadhas with tulsi, ginger and black pepper are traditional during colds. Long-course tonics are usually reserved for recovery and prevention rather than acute fever, which needs medical assessment.
How often should an immunity kadha be taken?
Once or twice a day through a change of season is the usual pattern. Continuous high-dose use of heating spices can irritate the stomach, so pause once symptoms settle.
Do immune herbs interact with autoimmune treatment?
They can. Immune-modulating herbs are not advised alongside immunosuppressant therapy without your specialist's approval.