While many women chose to be working mothers nowadays - either because they enjoy their profession or because they need the money - they should not neglect their immune system, one expert has advised.

According to Sambucol, a herbal medicine organisation, working mothers must not let the demands of their profession put them at risk of illnesses, which they could pass onto their children.

Research carried out by Sambucol, a natural elderberry liquid extract made by Healthcare Brands International, which helps support and maintain a healthy immune system, found that Britain’s working mums comprise the most consistently hard-working profession in the country.

Furthermore, the majority of the UK’s mums feel they can’t afford to take time off from their 365 days-a-year job of juggling their career and family life.

Another eight out of ten working mums insist on soldiering on with their work, regardless of how they may be feeling personally, while the average employee works at least four days a year when they should be recovering from a sick bug at home.

Most importantly, the study found mothers are the group most likely to put their own health last on their list of priorities, such as looking after their house, their children, their career and sometimes their own parents.

In order to give their immune systems a boost working mothers could take Sambucol, which is a black elderberry extract, manufactured by Healthcare Brands International.

The firm claims that black elderberries have twice the natural antioxidant capacity of blueberries and more than 50 per cent the overall antioxidant capability of cranberries

Sambucol is designed to support the immune system by helping neutralise the harmful effect of free radicals

Dr Serene Foster, an immunologist and registered medical herbalist speaking on behalf of Sambucol, said: "If you look at the work a mother has to do - she has got to make sure her children get to school, that they are up and fed, and that there is food for them when they get home – and if they're working they often have to balance those things, so it's important that they maintain a healthy immune system."

She explained that in order to deal with this lifestyle mothers should ensure that they are eating well and are properly rested. Furthermore taking up a hobby which they enjoy and has health benefits, such as a relax activity like yoga, would be beneficial.

Dr Foster concluded: "There's no doubt that a bit of rest helps to replenish your immune system."