In this fast paced world with ever increasing environmental pollution our immune systems are compromised and in need of fortification. It is at these times that herbal medicine is most helpful. Later, I will outline some herbs used to fortify and tonify the immune system, but before I do I would like to explain the functioning of that system.
It is made up of lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and tonsils, white blood cells, specialized cells and chemicals that reside in cellular tissues. To a great extent, the health of the thymus determines the health of the whole system.
The immune system has the ability to identify and then to remember specific antigens that have been encountered. It does this through two basic means, known as cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity. In cell-mediated immunity, white blood cells called T-lymphocytes identify and then destroy cancerous cells, viruses, bacteria and fungi. These T cells mature in the thymus gland where they are programmed to identify one particular type of an invading enemy.
Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies. A type of white blood cell called the B lymphocytes manufactured in the bone marrow produce these antibodies.
In the science of immunology, a substance which is capable of boosting an immunological reaction is called an adjuvant. An adjuvant helps the immune response to happen. In recent years scientific research has focused on botanical adjuvants with great success, these herbs are now available in various formulas and are ready to take daily or when your immune system requires them.
Listed here are some of nature's immune adjuvants for boosting immunological reactions:
PURPLE CONEFLOWER - Echinacea angustifolia - this native wild plant was once found all over North America and was used by aboriginal people for a variety of conditions. Modern research into its immune enhancing properties was started in the 1930s in Germany. The rest is history.
Today, this herb comes immediately to mind when thinking of immune fortification. Several constituents in echinacea team together to increase the production and activity of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages. The plant's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect is reportedly due to its action supporting the opsonic index which increases phagocytosis, the process of engulfing other cells or foreign particles by phagocyte cells and stimulation of leukocytes.
Echinacea also increases production of interferon, an important part of the body's response to viral infections such as colds and flu.
ASTRAGALUS - Astragalus spp. there are over 2,000 types of astragalus worldwide, however the native Chinese species known as huang qi is the most extensively used and researched. In traditional Chinese medicine, this herb is considered a tonic specifically related to the lungs and spleen. The portion of the plant used medicinally is the 4-7 year old dried root collected in the spring.
Astragalus is everything you could possibly ask for in a along-term immune booster. It is also considered important in building the body's immune system for those with chronic low immunity. Astragalus appears to restore T-cell counts to relatively normal ranges in some cancer patients. It has been proved capable of stimulating the proliferation of immunocompetent cells. It has also been shown to augment interferon, the body's natural anti-viral compound. It strengthens digestion, raises metabolism and promotes the healing of wounds and injuries.
REISHI - Ganoderma lucidum - Sages believed the mind and body were fortified by regular consumption of this mushroom, which came to be called 'Mushroom of Immortality'. It grows wild on decaying logs and tree stumps in the coastal provinces of China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years. The fruiting body of the mushroom is employed medicinally. In Tibet, Himilayan guides have used this mushroom for centuries to help combat high-altitude sickness.
Chemicals such as polysaccharides found in the reishi boost the immune system restoring T-cell function in the spleen.
SHITAKE - Lentinan edodes - this mushroom is a native of Japan, China and other Asian countries, growing on fallen broad-leaved trees. Like astragalus, it is high in immune-stimulating polysaccharides. It is immuno-modulating, increasing natural killer cell action and interferon. This is the most popular and best studied medicinal mushroom, it has remained at the center of research since the 1960's.
This mushroom, in fresh or dried form, can be found in most Chinese grocery stores and general supermarkets. It makes a delicious addition to any meal or soup.
GARLIC - Allium sativum - garlic has been a culinary and medicinal herb for so long that its origins have been lost in time. The pharaohs are said to have had it placed in their own tombs and also to have fed it to their slaves for strength. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it as medicine, and Culpeper, a famous herbalists, described it as "a remedy for all diseases and hurts."
Medical journals regularly publish scientific studies confirming the medicinal properties of garlic. Garlic increases energy and enhances the overall immune system. In small daily doses, garlic makes a great long-term general immunity enhancer. If your immunity isn't what it should be, work one clove of garlic into your daily routine. The cloves have a volatile oil containing sulfur compounds, particularly alliin, which converts to allicin and then aloen when the clove is crushed.
ALFALFA - Medicago sativa - the name Al-Fal-Fa comes from the Arabic word for "Father of All Foods". This clover-like plant is one of nature's richest sources of easily assimilated protein, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It is well studied and found to contain important substances, including several saponins, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins and alkaloids.
As a tonic for the whole body and particularly the immune system it has no equal.
KELP - Fucus vesiculosus - This common seaweed grows among the rocks on most coasts. It offers incredibly good protection from many kinds of modern day pollutants, carcinogens and toxins.
Canadian researchers have found that kelp binds radioactive strontium, barium, cadmium and zinc, some of our most dangerous pollutants, in the gastrointestinal tract, thus preventing their absorption into the body. Strontium-90 is particularly dangerous because it has a great affinity for calcium and will accumulate in food substances, such as milk and green leafy vegetables that are high in that mineral. By this direct cytotoxic effect, it may mediate enhancement of the immune response system.
From studies carried out to discover why seaweeds dramatically inhibit the formation of human breast cancer, it has been postulated that kelp may activate the body's immune system. If proven true, this may explain some of kelp's remarkable alterative properties.
These are a few of the botanical medicines that have been scientifically validated as immune-enhancers. It is important to remember that our overall health depends greatly on an immune system that is working to full capacity. If you come down with every cold and flu that is going around an herbal formula with some or all of these immune herbs may be the answer.
by Kahlee Keane, Eco-herbalist
Immune System
