Issue #9

December, 2000

Peter C. Laker, C.H., C.H.P., C.C.Ir.

Q:  Every year I become sick with one or more flu bugs that put me flat on my back. My life is very stressful and I don’t eat right and have many late nights and don’t exercise. I hear a lot about Echinacea as a remedy but this herb appears to be useful for dealing with an infection at the beginning. What other herbs can I use to build my immune system and protect myself from infections, as well as speed up recovery time if I become infected?

A:  With winter on top of us colds and flu become a fact of life. Viral infections take their toll each winter with new and more virulent strains incapacitating sufferers for weeks at a time. The latest flu bugs strike with a vengeance, with patients displaying a wide variety of symptoms that appear to eventually abate only to strike again after a few weeks of reprieve. We know that anti-biotics are useful for bacterial infections but have no effect on viruses, which are responsible for most of our cold and flu infections. Doctors normally give anti-biotics for precautionary reasons in the event of secondary bacterial infections. Unfortunately even anti-biotics are fast becoming ineffective, giving little relief if any at all. A report from England showed that things are worse than first imagined with hospitals reporting bacterial infections that do not respond to anti-biotic therapy, and in some cases treatment of this type was actually feeding the infection, which responded positively when anti-biotics were stopped.

In this overly stressful life we live with constant stimulation from environmental pollution, processed foods, sugar and caffeineated products, noise pollution and so on, we have little time to relax and allow the body and mind to repair and recuperate. We can make an effort to improve our diet and perhaps find some time to unwind but this is not always enough. This constant stress can deplete our nervous and glandular system weakening our immune systems and leaving us open to infection.

Thankfully there are plants that can help us, especially the anti-microbial, immune boosting and adaptogenic herbs.

The anti-microbials form two groups, the first are surface immune stimulants used to quickly curtail a cold or flu if used at the early warning signs such as a sore throat, and the second group, which are deep immune activating herbs work slowly but surely to bring about a positive change and are best suited for chronic conditions connected to immune deficiency. Herbs of this group are often also surface immune stimulants. Taken over several months deep immune activating herbs boost and improve the immune system, which becomes stronger and more able to resist disease. Many of the deep immune activating herbs are also adaptogenic, which means they help the body via the nervous and glandular systems to build resistance to physical, emotional and mental stresses, which is extremely important in maintaining a good immune system and overall good health.

Echinacea

The most often used surface immune stimulate is Echinacea, an anti-microbial herb that very quickly activates the body’s immune cells into action. There is a mountain of research for this herb supporting its traditional claims as a germ fighter. Echinacea is already a household word known by most for it’s ability to stop an infection in it’s tracks, viral or bacterial, especially if taken on the onset of a cold or flu. Clinical trials have supported Echinacea’s traditional claims for treating various types of infections found in almost every system including the upper respiratory and urogenital systems. Including colds, influenza and Candida albicans.

Echinacea is immune enhancing and has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often taken alone but works very well in combination with other anti-microbials and immune stimulating herbs such as those listed below.

Goldenseal, Barberry, and Oregon Grape are very similar in their actions but each with it’s own unique qualities. They all contain similar compounds along with berberine an important alkaloid found in all three herbs. Research has shown berberine to stimulate the immune system, increasing the body’s white blood cells, necessary in combating infections. Studies found that berberine inhibited strep growth, prevented Candida overgrowth and dealt with E. coli a microbe responsible for acute diarrhea. Also recent studies found that this chemical was instrumental in protecting against cancer. Berberine killed tumors on contact and also affected them indirectly through stimulation of the immune system increasing phagocytosis.

The berberine containing herbs can be used interchangeably and when taken together, will work synergistically to enhance each other creating a powerful anti-microbial effect useful for bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Goldenseal is used for infection and inflammation of the mucus membranes of the respiratory, genitourinary and digestive systems including gastritis, ulcers and colitis. This herb helps build resistance to infections and is used for colds and sore throats.

Barberry and Oregon Grape are used for the same conditions as Goldenseal but with additional indications for Barberry such as inflammation of the gallbladder and gallstones and for Oregon Grape, a powerful liver stimulant, indicated for chronic skin diseases such as acne, cyst and psoriasis.

Licorice root

This tasty root has been used in the past for viral and bacterial infections, influenza, common cold, ulcers, asthma and pharyngitis. Recent research has discovered isoflavonoids in licorice have an anti-microbial effect useful against, strep, staph and Candida albicans. Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid also found in licorice appear to have anti-viral activity especially for herpes simplex 1. The acids stimulate interferon in the body blocking viral DNA inhibiting further infection. Glycyrrhetinic acid also prevents free radical formation as well as free radical damage. Licorice also supports adrenal glands, which become exhausted from constant stress, eventually having an impact on the immune system.

Astragalus

An adaptogenic herb used to build resistance to all diseases including colds, flu and cancer inhibiting tumors from spreading. This herb also has a positive effect on the nervous and glandular systems building resistance to stress, which is instrumental in fighting disease. It has deep immune stimulating properties and when taken over an extended period of time will boost the immune system and protect against infections. Recent trials found Astragalus successful in treating infection myocarditis, inflammation of the heart, caused by coxsackie B virus. After ingestion of Astragalus stem cells in the bone marrow increase production of lymphocytes, or white blood cells, especially useful when the immune system is suppressed by the use of chemotherapy.

Astragalus is an immunomodulator with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, adaptogenic and tonic properties.

Shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms are approved in Japan as an anti-cancer drug because of its immune stimulating effects. Studies have found this mushroom to contain lentinan and peptidomannan both polysaccharides that have shown to stimulate white blood cell activity and stimulate the production of interferon, which is effective against viral infections such as herpes and influenza. Also used to help against allergies, Candida, cancer and AIDS. Research has proven this mushroom to be an immune booster especially effective for cancer patients on chemotherapy and radiation.

Peter Laker  is a practicing Clinical Herbalist and Iridologist at Herbs and Health in North York, Ont. He is also, the President of The Central Canadian Herbal Practitioner’s Association.

 Web pages design News2News.com • Toronto • 2000