"Among the most exciting applications of herbal medicine lie in treating abnormalities of the immune system. Clinical studies have shown that various herbal products are effective in treating allergies, asthma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Herbal medicine also has a unique potential usefulness in balancing the immune system in cases of chronic infection, preventing the immune system from turning on the body and causing destruction."
~Phyllis A. Balch, CNC Prescription for Herbal Healing
A healthy, properly functioning immune system is absolutely vital to good health. It is the key to the healing process from the tiniest scratch - to the most complex virus. Even the aging process is intimately linked with the immune system.
Compromised immunity leaves us vulnerable to disease and impairs our ability to heal properly and age well.
SIGNS OF IMPAIRED IMMUNE FUNCTION
CANDIDIASIS/ YEAST INFECTIONS
RECURRING INFECTIONS
CHRONIC FATIGUE
LISTLESSNESS
CHRONIC DIARRHEA
SLOW WOUND HEALING
ALLERGIES
INFLAMMATION
People who have more than 2 or 3 colds or infectious illnesses per year are likely suffering from weakened immunity
WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?
The immune system is a complex system of interactions involving many organs and glands as well as substances such as bone marrow, white blood cells, lymphatic vessels and serum factors in our blood. Our immunity dependson all these components functioning together.
HOW DOES OUR IMMUNITY BECOME IMPAIRED?
Unfortunately, modern life is full of things that tend to depress our immune systems.
PESTICIDES
CHEMICHALS IN HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS
FOOD ADDITIVES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS
OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS
POOR LIVING HABITS
STRESS
IMPROPER NUTRITION
CHEMOTHERAPY
Also many disorders have been linked to improper immune function including thyroid deficiency, diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, reheumatoid arthritis, lupus and pernicious anemia.
For optimal immune function we need to address any disorders that may be inhibiting immune function. We also need to take steps to avoid exposure to toxins such as pesticides and chemicals we use around the house. Try wearing gloves when cleaning to avoid skin exposure and avoid inhaling fumes from things like bleach, oven cleaners, and the like. Make sure dishes and glassware are thouroughly rinsed of any residue from dishwashing liquids etc. Even though they're more expensive, consider buying nontoxic cleansers. Take steps to ensure that the soaps and shampoos you use are made from the most natural ingredients possible. (Aubrey Organics is a good option.) It's also important to get plenty of fresh air and to drink the purest water available.
HERBS THAT BENEFIT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
ASTRAGALUS - A powerful antioxidant which protects the liver from toxins, boosts the immune system and generates anticancer cells in the body.
ECHINACEA - Enhances lymphatic function and boosts immune system.
GINKGO BILOBA - A powerful antioxidant which increases circulation to brain cells.
GOLDENSEAL - An antibacterial which strengthens the immune system and cleanses the blood. (Don't take internally for more than a week at a time or if pregnant.)
ST. JOHN'S WORT- A blood purifier useful in cases of Epstein - Barr virus and HIV.
OLIVE LEAF - Effective against numerous viruses, bacteria and fungi. It has been used in the treatment of people with viral illnesses such as Epstein-Barr disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Herpes and AIDS.
SPIRULINA - Aids in protecting the immune system and cleansing toxins from the body. Though technically a nutrient, not an herb, spirulina is a naturally digestible food that helps protect the immune system and aids in mineral absorption. It helps balance blood sugar levels and supplies nutrients that help the body cleanse and heal.
Other herbs that enhance the immune response are
BAYBERRY,FENUGREEK , HAWTHORN, HOREHOUND and RED CLOVER .
~Herbal Formulas~
Herbs often work best when used in combination with other herbs. There are contraindications for certain herbs if you have an auto-immune disorder. Consult a good herbal book or work with an herbalist to create a blend appropriate for your needs.
~ CLEANSE THE LIVER ~
The liver is our primary detoxifying organ and must be functioning optimally for proper immunity.
Herbs which are useful in cleansing the liver include BLACK RADISH, DANDELION, and MILK THISTLE.
~Other Steps to Improved Immunity~
Proper Nutrition
In addition to using herbs to strengthen and balance the immune system it is important to supply the body with adequate nutrients.
Vitamin A Vital to the body's defense system - known as the infection-fighting vitamin.
Vitamin C Probably the most important vitamin to the immune system. It has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses and is needed for forming adrenal hormones and lymphocytes.
Vitamin E Works synergystically with vitamins A & C as well the mineral selenium as a scavenger of toxic free-radicals.
Zinc Promotes healing of wounds and boosts immune response.
Germanium A trace element which benefits the immune system.
Get sufficient sleep.
Don't Smoke
Excercise Regularly
Reduce Stress and Anxiety.
Stress triggers changes in biochemistry that suppress white blood cell activity and taxes the endocrine system in ways that ultimately result in lowered defense against infection and an impaired capacity for healing. Stress also depletes the body of nutrients. Addressing chronic stress is a very important element of bringing the immune system into balance.
About The Author
Cori Young is an herbalist living in the Pacific Northwest. For more information on healing with herbs, visit her website, Herbal Remedies Info (http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com)
![]() Google News Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:51:55 GMT Romo Out For a Month - Washington Post
Washington Post - The Dallas Cowboys will be without quarterback Tony Romo for as long as a month because of a broken finger on his throwing hand. Romo suffered a broken right pinkie on the first play of overtime of the Cowboys' loss Sunday at Arizona, according to a ... Romo sidelined with broken finger Cowboys' Romo has broken finger, may miss 4 weeks Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:10:26 GMT Caffeine Consumption Doesn't Raise Overall Breast Cancer Risk - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Alan Mozes MONDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Drinking coffee or consuming other caffeine-laden foods does not appear to boost breast cancer risk, new research indicates. Caffeine, Breast Cancer Link Minimal Caffeine 'can increase breast cancer risk' Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:00:13 GMT North Korea Reopens Yongbyon Nuclear Reactor to UN Inspectors - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Bill Varner Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency was given access today to North Korea's plutonium- producing plant at Yongbyon, a reaction to the US decision to remove the nation from its list of states sponsoring ... NKorea grants UN nuclear watchdog access to Yongbyon: IAEA North Korea allows back nuclear inspectors Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:38:19 GMT Palin: We can't let 'leftist groups…steal this election' - CNN Political Ticker
CNN Political Ticker - “The truth is that far-left groups in this country will do anything to help the Obama-Biden Democrats win the White House and maintain their majorities in Congress,” Alaska Gov. Voter registration boom favors Obama NC elections broad probes ACORN forms Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:39:24 GMT Stocks Soar on Wall Street as Markets Bounce Back from Worst Rout ... - Voice of America
Voice of America - By Barry Wood The Dow Jones Industrial Average Monday registered its biggest daily point gain ever, gaining 936 points or 11 percent. Wall Street explodes, marks biggest 1-day gain Dow Surges On Global Bailout Plans Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:09:50 GMT Rangers Prospect Cherepanov Dies After Collapsing During Game - New York Times
New York Times - By Stu Hackel Nineteen-year-old Russian forward Alexei Cherepanov, who was a Rangers first-round draft choice in 2007 and considered one of the organization’s top prospects, died on Monday after collapsing near the end of a game between his KHL team ... Cherepanov collapses on bench during game, dies at 19 Rangers prospect dies during game in Russia Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:37:16 GMT Britain withdraws terror detention law after defeat - AFP
AFP - LONDON (AFP) - The British government on Monday withdrew a plan to extend the time suspected violent extremists can be held without charge after the House of Lords voted against it. House of Lords deals fatal blow to 42-day terror detention plans Ministers drop 42-day detention Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:01:32 GMT Work From Home |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... A hot cup of tea might be just the thing... Read More Stripped from the scenes from science fiction novels and films,... Read More The story so far...At a metaphysical lecture facilitated by Guy... Read More AS BIRD flu, or Avian Influenza, raged through Asia, countries... Read More Garlic is another wonder herb. It has action in all... Read More What is biofeedback?In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful... Read More Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists... Read More Your mental health is often drastically improved when you use... Read More Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine used for over... Read More Why is smell so strongly linked to memory and emotion?It... Read More It seems that nearly everyone I know has been either... Read More Constipation is a problem that affects many Americans every day.... Read More Having had the rare, first-hand opportunity to observe cold laser... Read More Aromatherapy originated in Ancient Egypt. About a hundred years ago,... Read More You've probably tried everything you can think of to ease... Read More In "Evidence for the Sixth Sense", Hazel Courteney interviews an... Read More Herbal medicine is the use of plant and herb extracts... Read More I want to share a health alert with you. So... Read More These are practices that I do whenever I am trying... Read More Did you know that some smells cause headache?Its true, the... Read More To do a Gall Bladder Flush you will need the... Read More Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products... Read More Getting quality sleep has, for many, become an elusive goal... Read More Anal warts treatmentAnal warts, otherwise known as genital warts or... Read More Shamanic healing is one of the vast numbers of healing... Read More
Adsense
websites
Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part II)
Revolutionary Medicine: Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Pain Sufferers
Why Most People Dont Really Want to Heal (Part 2)
Bird Flu : A Disease You Can?t Ignore
Kyolic Clears Constipation and Strengthens Your Colon
Biofeedback: Applying the Mind to Health
Can We Sleep For Three Hours and Still Function Normally?
Mental Health Maintenance Is Made Simple
Homeopathy
Aromatherapys Mind-Smell Connection
Aromatherapy at Home: Beating the Cold Bug
Constipation Relieved Naturally
Cold Laser Therapy: Hope for Arthritis
Exploring the Mystery of Aromatherapy Through Biotechnology
How Visualization Is Different from What You May Have Tried for Pain Relief
A Grounded Look at the Nature of Healing
What Is Herbal Medicine? Is It Safe?
An Aspirin A Day Can Give You Cancer
How to Get Rid of Smoking, Drinking, Drugs and Other Bad Habits
Some Smells Cause Headache
Learn How to Do A Successful Gall Bladder Flush
Tea Tree Oil
You Don?t Have to Live With Stiff Neck Pain
Anal Warts Treatment (Finally, a Medicine for Anal Warts Which Removes Them Completely!)
Shamanic Healing & Soul Retrieval
When thinking about alternative medicine, most people picture plants, crystals,... Read More
Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is... Read More
If you're in chronic pain, you probably want 7 things.... Read More
What's best?Whenever we are about to invest money, whether it... Read More
Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you... Read More
Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists... Read More
Why Your Subconscious May Be Able To Give You a... Read More
"The smell of basil is good for the heart, it... Read More
The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green... Read More
Breathing, yes of course we do it, if not we'd... Read More
I'll admit it ... I'm a spiritual tramp. I've spent... Read More
HYPNOSIS is a state of induced but conscious sleep through... Read More
Here's a simple exercise that anyone can do, even if... Read More
There is an epidemic, at least in the States when... Read More
With an increasing number of our youths suffering ADHD, stress... Read More
What is aromatherapy? Used for centuries, aromatherapy is known to... Read More
Do you rely on Vioxx, Celebrex or Aleve (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory... Read More
Every symptom has a certain way of being with which... Read More
I recommend drinking a morning smoothie if you have constipation... Read More
Chelating is the process of removing toxic materials, metals and... Read More
Can you prevent the flu? or is it just luck... Read More
Holistic living is simply living your life with all aspects... Read More
Your body's secret wisdom is as ancient as humankind and... Read More
Eating the right kind of food and following good eating... Read More
In Part 1 we discussed the fact that alternative medicine... Read More
Alternative Medicine |