Immune Flashcards
Immunomodulators
Immunodulator: deep immune stimulation
Facilitate greater immune system flexibility in body’s natural response to disease
Normalizes, modulates and balances the activity of the immune system, up- or down-regulating as needed
Adaptogenic too - Increases resistance, vitality. Adaptation to stress. Adrenal, Endocrine and CNS actions.
Tonifying too – Improves function of organ or system
Astragalus membranaceous (Astragalus) Codonopsis pilosula (dang shen) Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Schisandra Eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng)
Dr Godfrey argues Echinacea may fit in this category as well as in the immunostimulatory category*
Adaptogen
Adaptogen: increase tolerance to stressors: physical, mental and emotional. Many effect the hypothalamus and pituitary; they have far reaching effects - including immune system.
Enhances body’s use of glucose
*Increase glycolysis
*Enhance entry and utilization of glucose w/in cells
Eleutherococcus senticosus (siberian ginseng) Lentinus edodes (shitake) Ligustrum lucidum (chastity bush) Schisandra chinensis (schisandra) Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)
Immunostimulants
Immunostimulants: more superficial immune activation; better for short term use and acute conditions.
Nonspecific stimulation or boosting of the immunological defense system without affecting immune system memory cells
Usually antimicrobial as well
Allium sativum (garlic) Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo) Usnea spp (Old Man's Beard) Echinacea spp
Antihelminthic
Juglan nigra (Black Walnut)
Anticancer
Larrea tridentata (Charparral) Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Lentinus edodes (shitake) Eleutherococcus senticocus (siberian ginseng) = via its adaptogenic properties so maybe its a cheater in this category!
Antifungal
Tabebuia spp (Pau D'arco) Malaleuca spp (Tea tree)
Genito-urinary Herbs
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry) Thuja occidentalis (thuja) Barosma betulina (buchu) Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) Zea mays (corn silk)
Allium sativum
(Garlic)
ANTIMICROBIAL + ANTIFUNGAL
Conditions: chronic bronchitis, recurrent colds, asthma, ringworm.
Arctostaphylos uva ursi
(Bearberry)
ANTIMICROBIAL + DIURETIC + ASTRINGENT
Conditions: UB/KD stones, UTI, chronic KD dx, vaginal infx/ulceration; all GU infx.
Hoffman: PROSTATITIS
Acidic urine - will turn arbutin to hydroquinone and inactivate it.
Dr Gilbert says: GUT affinity
Astragalus membranaceus
(Astragalus)
IMMUNOMODULATOR + ADAPTOGENIC
Conditions: Infections, leukopenia (low WBC) assx with steroid use, chemotherapy etc.
Potentiates IL-2 - so do not use with immunosuppressive drugs.
Polysaccharides shown in induce/potentiate phagocytosis + the herb can also restore the bodies depleted red blood cell count.
SAPONINS - active immune molecules in this herb
Barosoma betulina
(Buchu)
RENAL ANTISEPTIC + weak DIURETIC
Conditions: cystitis, urethritis, gonorrhea, gout, urgency with no relief. All GU infx.
NOT in acute GI inflammation + Pregnancy
Dr Gilbert says: GUT affinity
Codonopsis pilosa
(Dang shen)
IMMUNOMODULATOR + ADAPTOGEN
Conditions: chronic cough, SOB, diarrhea, fatigue, prolaps utuerus/stomach/rectum.
SAPONINS - active immune molecule in this herb
Eleutherococcus senticocus
(Siberian ginseng)
ADAPTOGEN
Conditions: angina, HTN, hypotension, chronic bronchitis, CANCER, mild depression, insomnia, RECOVERY FROM SURGERY.
NOT to be used with heart meds, increase Abx, hypoglycemic.
SAPONINS - active immune molecules in this herb
Ganoderma lucidum
(Reishi)
ADAPTOGEN + ANTI CANCER + DEEP IMMUNE (immunomodulatory)
antiallergenic/ antibacterial/
hepatoprotective/ antithrombotic
Conditions: allergies, bronchia issues, sinusitis, HTN, atherosclerosis, MI, AIDS, CANCER, hepatitis, high cholesterol.
NOT to be used in organ transplant + autoimmunity.
May cause DARK STOOL
Beta Glucans (a polysaccharide) which give the herb its immune actions!
Juglans nigra
(Black Walnut)
ANTIHELMINTHIC + LAXATIVE + ANTIMICROBIAL
Conditions: worms, cold/flu, oral cankers, tonsilitis, ringworm (poultice)
OVERUSE = K+ secretion.
Larrea tridentata
(chaparral)
ANTICANCER
Conditions: cancer, bacterial infx, HIV, viruses, parasites, yeast.
NOT: to be used in pregnancy/lactation. Prolonged use = KD/LV toxic d/t LIGNANS.
Banned in some countries due to concerns re.liver,kidneyand lymph toxicity w/ chronic use
Lentinus edodes
(Shitake)
ANTICANCER + ADAPTOGEN + IMMUNOMODULATOR + ANTIBACTERIAL/VIRAL
Conditions: increased survival time in cancer, advanced cancer, influenza + colds, poor stamina/circulation.
Ligustrum lucidum
(Chastity bush)
ADAPTOGEN + LV/KI TONIC + IMMUNOSTIMULANT (ANTI bact/viral)
Conditions: prevent bone marrow loss in chemo, neutropenia, HTN, parkinsons, high cholesterol, hepatitis, common cold.
Malaleuca spp
(Tea tree)
ANTIMICROBIAL + ANTIFUNGAL
Conditions: athletes foot, ringworm, warts, infective rashes, acne, vaginal yeast infx.
TOXIC internally - volatile oil
Schisandra chinensis
Godfrey
(Schisandra)
ADAPTOGEN + TONIFY Hrt/KD/LU YIN + MIND TONIC + SEXUAL TONIC + ANTITUSSIVE
Conditions: depression, forgetfulness, cirrhosis, cough, SOB.
NOT to be used in pregnancy; may cause heartburn.
Dr. Gilbert Notes
Energetics: warm, stillness
Const:lignans
Actions: adaptogen
TCM: collects and retains fluids (LU,KI,HT)
Secondary: sexual tonic, hepatoprotective, astringent, antitussive, expectorant
Cautions: don’t use with full heat or new
cough
Seed should be crushed to increase dispersing actions (prevent retention of unwanted pathogenic Qi)
Combo with heat-clearing herbs in hepatitis
Serenoa repens
Godfrey
(saw palmetto)
MALE REPRO TONIC + DIURETIC + ENDOCRINE AGENT
Conditions: benign prostate enlargement, epididymitis, nasal bronchial catarrh, pertussis, laryngitis. All GU infx.
Dr Gilbert says: anti bacterial/fungal/viral + inhibits DHT
Tabebuia avellanedae
(Pau D’arco)
ANIFUNGAL(parasitic) + ANTIMICROBIAL + IMMUNOSTIMULATORY
Conditions: chronic fungal infx, chronic viral infx, inflammatory dx of GI. Gilbert says: cancer
Contains NAPTHOQUINONES therefore NO use with warfarin (blood thinners); NOT to be used in pregnancy.
Thuja occidentalis
(Thuja)
DIURETIC + GUT ANTISEPTIC + ANTIMICROBIAL
astringent + expectorant
Conditions: psoriasis, warts, thrush, ringworm, catarrh with heart weakness.
THUJA = toxic in large doses; NOT to be used in pregnancy.
Usnea spp
(Old man’s beard)
ANTIMICROBIAL(bacteria, fungi, virus, parasite) + BITTER
Conditions: viral infx, vaginal douche, fungal infx.
Zea mays
(corn silk)
URINARY SEDATIVE + DIURETIC + DEMULCENT
Conditions: UTI irritation. urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis, lithiasis, gonorrhea.
Approaching ACUTE infection
Use herbs with more potent immunostimulatory actions
Echinacea, Ligustrum, Glycyrrhiza
Paired with specific antimicrobials:
Hydrastis (& other berberine containing herbs), Ligusticum porterii, Alium, Usnea
Generally, tonifying herbs are contraindicated in acute infections -> Add too much energy to an excess condition, feed the infection
E.g. Astragalus, Codonopsis, Panax spp.
Approach to CHRONIC infection
Long-term infection may indicate an unresolved acute process, weak immunity, infection prone or weakness in organs/tissues, genetic susceptibility, nutritional issues
E.g. Chronic bronchitis, recurrent UTI’s, chronic prostatitis, herpes, diabetes
Treatment strategies:
Correct underlying cause (e.g. Vaginal dysbiosis predisposing chronic yeast infections)
Eliminate underlying infection-> antimicrobials, immunostimulants
Activate and build long-term immune function, resistance
E.g. Ganoderma, Withania, Astragalus
Rehabilitate affected organs and systems with specific herbal medicines
Post Infection Recovery/Chronic Debility
Long term physical, emotional, physiological stress
Lowered vitality, increased toxicity, metabolic dysfunction
Susceptible to severe depletion after infection or corticosteroid use
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia
Require long term immune system support, adrenal tonics, adaptogens
Treatment centres on use of the deep immune activators
Astragalus, Schisandra, Ganoderma, Glycyrrhiza, Borago, Eleutherococcus, Panax spp.
Major Indications for Immune Herbs
Prevention of infection / prophylaxis for cold/flu
Immune system adaptogens
Astragalus, Echinacea, Codonopsis, Eleutherococcus, Ganoderma
Auto-Immune Conditions
Increase innate immunity, decrease acquired immunity (Immunomodulation)
Uncover and treat activation factors (infection, GI permeability and dysbiosis)
Allergies
Decrease hypersensitivity, treat underlying aggravation
Cancer
Prevention: increase immune surveillance
Treatment: Increase NK cells, cytokines like TNF
Treat side effects from conventional treatments
Major Constituents to Keep in Miind
Caffeic acid
Common phenylpropanoid: phenolic compound characterized by an aromatic ring to which a 3-carbon side chain is attached
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties
E.g. echinacoside (Echinacea)
Polysaccharides
High molecular-weight polymers made up of monosaccharide units
Effects on immune system:
activate T-lymphocytes, increase certain serum proteins, activate complement system, stimulate interferon production, increase phagocytosis
E.g. β-glucans (Ganoderma)
Saponins
3 common properties: bitter taste, hemolytic activity, and form stable foams when shaken in water
General pharmacological actions include:
adaptogenic, alterative/tonic, anthelminthic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-ulcerogenic, capillary strengthening, cholesterol lowering, diuretic, expectorant, hemolytic, hepatoprotective, hormone modulating, immunomodulating, molluscicidal, piscicidal, spermicidal and contraceptive
Enhance humoral and cellular immune responses
Some induce ACTH and corticosterone release
E.g. astragaloside (Astragalus), Codonopsis, ginsenosides (Panax spp.), eleutherosides (Eleutherococcus), glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza)
Pyrrolyzidine alkaloids
E.g. Borago
Common Interactions to be Aware of!
May interfere with immunosuppressive drugs (Astragalus, Eleutherococcus, Ganoderma, Withania)
Additive hypoglycemic effects w/ insulin (Eleutherococcus, Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius)
Improves outcome w/ interferon (Astragalus)
Enhances outcome w/ chemotherapy (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius)
Decreases gastric ulceration due to aspirin (Glycyrrhiza)
Inhibits liver toxicity of acetaminophen (Glycyrrhiza, Schisandra)
May lead to hypertension and hypokalemia (Glycyrrhiza)
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), frequently used to treat ulcers, does not; however, it also loses its adrenocorticotrophic activity
May lead to hypertension, esp. when used w/ caffeine (Panax ginseng)
Avoid concommitant use of stimulants
Toxicity of Immune Herbs
Borago:
Leaves and flowers contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids – caution w/ long term use
Seed oil does not contain toxic constituents
Glycyrrhiza:
Glycyrrhizin may lead to pseudoaldosteronism – hypokalemia, hypernatremia, edema, hypertension, weight gain, vertigo, headaches
Assess BP prior to administration and monitor regularly
Panax ginseng:
High doses may lead to Ginseng Abuse Syndrome (GAS): hypertension, euphoria, nervousness, insomnia, skin eruptions, & morning diarrhea (traditional antidote is mung bean soup)
How Do Antimicrobials Work?
Directinteractionw/pathogen E.g. Melaleuca’s volatile oil content kills pathogens by interfering w/ their metabolism
Indirect action by stimulating immune response E.g. Echinacea spp. stimulates NK & T-cell mediated immunity
Secondary actions that affectmicrobial abilities
Arctostaphylos has anti-adherent properties, blocking E. coli from attaching to urinary tract mucosa
How Should we Choose Antimicrobial Herbs?
Choose antimicrobials which have:
Affinity for body system(s) involved
Affinity for type of pathogen
Strength commensurate with vitality of patient
Different constituents than other botanicals in the formula
Specificity for pathogen involved +relevant tonics + system support
Once acute infection is over:
Tonify body system(s) involved
Usebitters, immunomodulators, adaptogens, hepaticalteratives and diuretics as indicated to restore overall health an
