Nourishing The Immune System: Do Herbs Really Work?

Outline of Talk Presentation of two case studies Two different actions of Echinacea Examples of immune system herbs used to stimulate Examples of immune system herbs used to nourish Questions and discussion as time allows

Case Study 53 year old female Heart attack at age 46, congestive heart failure Diagnosed with staph infection following heart catheterization Treated with broad spectrum antibiotics with no effect Treated with additional antibiotics with no effect Used 30 drops of echinacea every 3 hours, in water, with improvement of symptoms in two hours When echinacea was stopped, symptoms returned When echinacea was continued, symptoms decreased within hours Echinacea was used at ten drops a day until death 7 years later. Any time the 10 drops a day was skipped for more than 2 days, symptoms returned

Case Study 21 year old female Had been diagnosed and treated for mononucleosis Had been past active phase for more than two months when consultation occurred Client reported continuous symptoms of fatique, general depression, and was unable to return to a full time schedule as a UM student Client used 10 drops of Echinacea tincture a day, in water Within two weeks, this client reported greater alertness, ability to return to full schedule, no fatigue, and no depression Client directly attributed recovery to Echinacea No other therapies or changes were made during the time period in question

Echinacea Two Actions stimulate nourish useful for a limited time useful when a fast result is required can have possible side effects useful for an unlimited time useful when a long term result is required especially indicated for recovery from long term or chronic illness side effects are unlikely

Stimulating or nourishing action is determined by how the herb is given, the frequency, and the dose. Some herbs are more likely to have a stimulating action no matter how they are given. Many of the nourishing herbs will not have a stimulating action.

Important Factors each herb is different and the previous statement is speaking only in general terms there are synergistic effects when herbs are taken in combinations, or with drugs individual people may react very differently to the same herb, or even have different reactions at different times herbs have different effects depending on the part used, when it is harvested, how it is prepared, the dosage, and the frequency of use

Examples of stimulating herbs (quick action, possible long term negative effects on the immune system) Goldenseal Cayenne Pepper Senna Ephedra Chaparral Licorice

Examples of Negative Effects Antibiotic effect (possibly contributing to growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria, or eliminating friendly bacteria thus giving room for more dangerous bacteria to grow) Stimulation of adrenals (not helpful for long term strengthening of the body) Catharsis to individual systems of the body (causing exhaustion of organs, depletion, or overstimulation)

Examples of nourishing herbs (slow action, long term strengthening effects on the immune system) Echinacea Oatstraw (endocrine system) Stinging Nettle (adrenals and kidney) Yellow Dock (lymphatic, ant-viral) Red Clover (blood) Seaweeds (thyroid, digestive, lymphatic) Dandelion (liver, digestive) Hawthorn (heart, colon) Milk Thistle (liver) Slippery Elm Bark (aids assimilation, colon) Garlic (antibiotic action)

Examples of Positive Effects provides nourishment in whole form that is easily assimilated supportive action on specific organs that are part of or support the immune system (i.e. liver, colon) Supportive action affecting systems of the body that support immune functioning (i.e. endocrine system, lymphatic system, blood) less stress on the body than supplements and processed foods components work in cohort

Conclusions Because herbs do affect the immune system, the short and long term effect must be considered More information needs to be available to the medical practitioner and the client about how, when, and why to use herbs Many herbs are being misused Many herbs are being underutilized