Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, for preventing colds and upper respiratory infections, to lower blood pressure, to treat diabetes, and to protect the liver.
Proponents of coconut oil point to Weston Price's observations of the health and longevity of tropical populations that for centuries have regularly consumed large quantities of coconut and its oil. It is becoming more accepted that coconut oil has been unfairly caught up in the fat-fearing food fads of the past few years.
If you're already practicing yoga, it's likely your immune system is the better for it, but during the cold and flu season, taking a few herbs can further buttress your body against the seasonal onslaught of germs.