Boosting the Immune System

The immune system works by recognizes and destroying anything foreign to the body. These can include bacteria, microbes, foreign particles, toxic compounds, and yes Protozoans. This is usually done by cells in the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Most herbs for the immune system are general known as stimulators or immunostimulants. These will help increase the activity of the immune system, but they are not specific to any disease.

In herbal medicine, we refer to immunostimulants as Adaptogens.   An Adaptogen is a substance that increases the body's resistance to stress and which exerts a balancing effect on the various systems of the body.  An Adaptogen will have a nonspecific effect on the body. It will normalize or balance actions independent of the type of pathological condition. It is harmless and shouldn't influence normal body functions more than necessary.

Adaptogens should perform the following actions: Reduce stress, enhance the brain and CNS, Immunomodulation, antioxidant activity, liver protection , improved blood sugar metabolism and increase stamina and endurance.

The whole object of adaptogens is its ability to help the body deal more effectively with stress.  The key here is support for the adrenal glands.  They are responsible for helping us  respond to stress. When the adrenals become overtaxes, we lose this edge and different systems in the body begin to break down.

Adaptogens serve to recharge exhausted adrenal glands.

The active constituents in Siberian ginseng  are mainly eleutherosides. These are predominately glycosides, and are thought to contribute to the adaptogenic actions of Siberian ginseng.

There are seven primary eleutherosides. that have been identified. These substances are not the same as "panax" red or white ginseng's which contain ginsenosides. Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) also contains complex polysaccharides. These play a critical role in its ability to support the immune system.

Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) has the remarkable ability to increase the body's resistance to stress and help the body move towards a state of balance.  It does this by providing fuel to the adrenal glands (as mentioned above), allowing them to function fully when challenged by stress. Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) helps  the body combat harmful toxins. Research has proven that the herb has a protective effect against harmful chemicals. These actions may make it helpful in supportive treatment for the EPM horse or any horse or human who is receiving huge amounts of drugs, radiation or chemo therapy.

The evidence is mounting that Eleuthero enhances and supports the immune system response and it is used in the long term management of various diseases of the immune system, such as HIV, CFS and Lupus. And now hopefully EPM.

Research in Germany shows that Eleuthero increases important components of the immune system known as lymphocytes. Lymphocytes act as the body's primary defense against viral infections and have become the focus of study with regard to HIV infections. Eleuthero increases the activity and number of T-lymphocystes. The most significant increase is the subset of T-lymphocystes known as CD4 cells. Without proper CD4 cell activity, the immune system cannot function properly. CD4 cells are a major target of HIV and decrease in number following HIV infection.

Astragalus is considered to be a chi tonic. It contains flavones which help with circulation and blood production and because it helps with circulation it helps to prevent stagnation. Astragalus has the capacity to build the energy reserves in the body while at the same time have anti-stress properties. Astragalus root enhances liver metabolism. Astragalus has been shown to have anti tumor properties as well. Astragalus also contains polysaccharides , similar to Siberian ginseng.

Astragalus  has been shown to increase strength, stamina and digestion. In general, it is used to boost the immune system and build resistance to weakness and disease. It works well when combined with other Adaptogen herbs such as Siberian Ginseng and Garlic.