A NATURAL IMMUNE STIMULANT

Many herbs have significant antibiotic action against bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, herbs are much more than "natural" antibiotics. Several herbal preparations have shown remarkable effects in stimulating our own immune mechanisms.

Modern research is upholding what herbal practitioners have known for thousands of years; herbs work with our body's systems to affect health. This particular herbal formula is designed to assist the immune system during an infectious process and is composed of the most potent herbal enhancers of our immune system - Echinacea angustifolia (purple coneflower), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Viscum album (mistletoe), and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice). The following is a brief discussion on each herb's immune stimulant properties.

ECHINACEA AUGUSTIFOLIA (PURPLE CONEFLOWER) : This perennial plant is native to the Midwestern states and was used by the American Indian tribes as a "blood purifier", analgesic, antiseptic and snake bite remedy. Recently, this herb has been shown to have significant immuno-enhancing activity. Its major component, inulin, is an activator of the alternative complement pathway. This pathway is responsible for increasing nonspecific host defense mechanisms like: neutralization of viruses; destruction of bacteria; and increasing the migration of white blood cells (neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and lymphocytes) to areas of infection. Echinacea also increases properdin levels. This compound is teh body's natural activator of the alternative complement pathway. This double activation of complement may be responsible for much of echinacea's antibiotic and anti-cancer effects.

Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal): This perennial herb is native to eastern North America and was also used by the American Indian for a wide variety of conditions including infections. The pharmacologic activity of goldenseal has been largely attributed to its high content of biologically active alkaloids. The antibiotic activity of goldenseal is well documented in the literature and appears to be related primarily to its berberine content. Berberine is an effective antibiotic against a wide rage of organisms, including Staph. sp., Strep. sp., Chlamydia sp., Corynebacterium diphteria. Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Diplococus pneumonia, and Candida albicans.

Goldenseal has also shown remarkable immunostimulatory activity. Foremost is its ability to increase the blood supply to the spleen. This promotes optimal activity of the spleen and the release of immunopotentiating compounds.

Berberine has also been shown to be a potent activator of macrophages. These cells are responsible for engulfing and destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi and tumor cells. Berberine containing plants have also been used in India and China for nearly 3000 years., primarily as an anti-diarrheal medicaiton.

Viscum album (mistletoe): Mistletoes are perennial evergreen parasitic plants which occur on branches and stems of either trees or shrubs. Viscum album, native to Europe, grows on a number of host plants including apple, ash, and hawthorn. Preparations containing Viscum album have been used since 1921 in Europe for the therapy of human cancer. These preparations have demonstrated some remarkable effects on enhancing immune functions. These effects may be largely mediated by protein components of Viscum album increasing the size and function of the thymus gland.

The proliferation of cortical thymocytes produced by the administration of Vicum album is far greater than that for any other known substance. The immunostimulatory effects of these preparations have been shown to be due to the Viscum album portion versus any other constituent.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice): This perenial temperate zone herb has been used for its medicinal properties in both Western and Eastern cultures for several thousand years. It is reported to be especially effective in treating respiratory tract infections (bronchitis, pharyngitis, and pneumonia).

Recent scientific evidence supports licorice's use in treating infections. Its major components have been shown to induce interferon production. This induction of interferon production leads to significant antiviral activities, as interferons bind to cell surfaces and stimulate the synthesis of proetins that prevent viral infection.

The major licorice components have also been shown to directly inhibit the growth of several human viruses in cell cultures including Herpes simplex type 1. Licorice also prevents the suppression of immunity by stress and cortisone. Licorice extracts have displayed antibiotic activity against Staph., Strep., and Candida albicans.