Build Immunity Now

Noel Peterson N.D.

Your immune system is your body's first line of defense against disease and illness. Diet plays an all important role in immunity. Major factors that combine to weaken natural resistance to disease include environmental pollutants, nutrient-poor (empty-calorie) foods, stress, antibiotic misuse in animal feeds, and food allergies.

In adults, cell mediated immunity is significantly depressed after sugar ingestion (75 grams). A 100g portion of sugar can significantly reduce the capacity of white blood cells to engulf bacteria. Maximum immune suppression occurs one to two hours after ingestion and remains suppressed for up to five hours after feeding.

Recurring viral symptoms of colds, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis and sore throats are all signs of sub-clinical immune deficiency. These symptoms of the common cold cause illness in more men, women and children than all other diseases combined.

The oral cavity is rich in blood vessels and lymphatics, and allows for rapid absorption of herbs and nutrients into the systemic circulation. Tyler Encapsulations of Gresham, Oregon, produces a superior immune building lozenge. Oral absorption with a lozenge ensures high concentration of immune-enhancing ingredients directly on affected tissues. This lozenge provides complete delivery of active immune stimulating ingredients directly to the affected mucous membranes and lymphatic vessels of the mouth, oral pharynx and throat.
 

Other types of herbs available to enhance immunity.

• Echinacea: Echinacea has gained a solid reputation in both Europe and America as a valuable immune stimulant. Mucopolysaccharides in Echinacea have been found to strongly stimulate T-lymphocyte activity, macrophage and T-killer cell activity and host cell production of interferon. Echinacea stabilizes tissue hyaluronic acid and has corticoid-like anti-inflammatory effects, and stimulates fibroblast response at tissue injury sites. In this way Echinacea increases bacterial and viral resistance. The Echinacea in Immucomplex Lozenges is organically grown and extracted as a whole fresh plant concentrate and is more concentrated than conventional extracts.

• Slippery Elm: Slippery Elm ( vulva) is a soothing for irritable land inflamed mucous membranes and relieves dryness and irritation of the mouth and throat and alleviates dry coughs. It is , preventing mucous stasis and encourages secretory IGA secreted by inflamed mucous membranes to bind to and inactivate pathogenic viruses and bacteria. It protects inflamed mucous membranes and it is nutritive.

• Calendula: Calendula officinalis has a well deserved reputation for soothing inflamed tissue and stimulating healing. More recently, Calendula has proved itself as an antiseptic, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic streptococcus. It has a vaso-motor effect, reducing tissue swelling.

In addition to its pleasant licorice flavor, Glycerrhiza is a powerful immune stimulant. Topical glycyrrhetinic acid has been shown to reduce the healing time and pain associated with herpetic gingivostomatitis (oral Herpes), to inactive Herpes simplex I virus, and to stimulate the synthesis of interferon. Glycerrhiza antagonizes 5-beta reductase, thereby promoting the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect of cortisol and progesterone. It has antibacterial activity against Staph aureus.

Beta-carotene and Vitamin A stimulate immunity and reverse immune-suppression. Vitamin C increases immune competence, and is considered by Dr. Linus Pauling to be the cure for the common cold. Supplementation with zinc has been shown to be effective in persistent infections and to stimulate thymus activity.

For safe and effective immune enhancement, you can't beat the natural ingredients in Immucomplex Lozenge.

References
Bernstein, J., et al, Depression of lymphocyte transformation following oral glucose ingestion, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 30:613, 1977.

Lancet, March 21, 1987 (Editorial)

Merck Index, 10th Ed., Merck & Company, 1983.

Moench, Zeit, Feur, Angn, Phytotherapy, 2(5):166-8, 171, 1981.

Pizzorno, J. E., & Murray, M.T., A Textbook of Natural Medicine, John Bastere College Publications, Seattle, Washington, 1985.

Sanchez, A., et al, Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis, Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 26:180, 1973.

Vonadeo, L., et al., Echinacen b., an active polysaccharide from Echinacea.

Wacker, A., Hilbig, W., Virus inhibition by Echinacea purpurea, Planta Medica, 33:89-102, 1978.

Wagner, H., Proksh, A., An immuno-stimulating active principle from Echinacea purpura.

Cathy Laws

Successfully chart your way through cold and flu season

Winter's coming, and with it yet another nasty cold and flu season. But the germs that seem to increase exponentially with crisper weather and shorter days don't necessarily have to pack a wallop if you effectively arm your immune system with herbs.

A wide range of botanicals, from the Chinese herb astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) to usnea (Usnea barbata) -- a lichen also known as "old man's beard" -- has been found to boost immunity against viruses and bacterial infections. But boosting immunity is perhaps too general a term to apply to a system so complex. According to Lise Alschuler, N.D., medical director of Seattle's Bastyr University, "Instead of throwing herbs at someone to increase his or her immunity, the best thing to do is a whole-body analysis to determine what that body needs." Factors that can compromise the immune system include stress, improper diet and a lack of sleep.

Several herbs boast properties that can increase a generally healthy person's resistance against viruses and bacterial infections. Alschuler's top-three favorites for fighting colds and flu are echinacea (E. angustifolia, E. purpurea), osha root (Ligusticum porteri) and black elder flower (Sambucus nigra).

Echinacea, an increasingly popular perennial indigenous to the United States, improves the vitality of the immune system. For centuries, Native Americans have used the herb for snake bites, cancers and infections. Today, many people find that if they take echinacea immediately at the onset of cold or flu symptoms, the severity and duration of the illness is lessened. Most herbalists recommend not ingesting echinacea continuously over a long period of time; rather, alternate it with other system-enhancing herbs, and give your body a rest.

Another herb Alschuler recommends for its immune-boosting powers is astragalus, which can be ingested in dried-powder, capsule form. Or, astragalus bark can be included when preparing soups and teas -- especially during the cold winter months.

Other immune-boosting botanicals easily incorporated into diets include garlic (Allium sativum), onion (Allium cepa), gingerroot (Zingiber officinale) and shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes). Garlic, onion and gingerroot -- which have been dubbed the "trinity roots" by ayurvedic healing master Yogi Bhajan -- are synergistic, so including all three in a soup works well. In large, medicinal quantities (up to 20 capsules daily), garlic can help kick an infection in its early stages. Add shiitake and the lesser-known maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondase) to winter stir-fries, salads and soups for added immune-system stimulation.

Herbal teas are well known for their ability to comfort and soothe; depending on the herbs used, they can also be used to boost immunity and fight colds and flu. Try a cup of tea made with a teaspoon of a dried blend of astragalus, echinacea, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and ligustrum (Ligustrum lucidum).

If, despite your precautions, you find yourself with a bout of flu this winter, Alschuler recommends an herbal tea bath that stimulates the immune system and kills bacteria: Place two heaping tablespoons of a blend of yarrow flowers (Achillea millefolium), echinacea, elder flower and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) in 10 ounces of hot water. Steep 20 to 30 minutes, and add to a hot bath. This will help the body create a sweat and rid itself of toxins. Subsequently, sip a tea of elder, echinacea, usnea, astragalus and garlic to speed your body's healing and build your immunity.

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