Immune herbs Flashcards
Which immune herbs are asters?
Artemesia annua, Echinacea
Artemesia annua (mugwort)
AA=AAA
Artemesia anna is an astringent, aster, anti-microbial
Anti-infection (microbes, parasites) Bitter, anti-tumor. Used for malaria, cancer.
ASTER. Bitter- don’t use in pregnancy. Can inhibit absorption of Fe+.
Baptisia tinctoria
Anti-microbial, immune stimulant; increases phagocytosis.
Used for URI, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
Can cause GI irritation. No use in pregnancy, long-term or high-dose use.
Which immune herbs should not be used in high doses or long-term?
Baptisia Cinnamon Larrea tridentata Echinacea Eleutherococcus Glycyrrhiza Panax G and Q Phytolacca
Cinnamon
Antibacterial against H pylori. However, can be toxic in large doses, so probably avoid using the extract. Food-grade cinnamon is probably ok to use in moderate doses on your food.
Commiphora myrrh
Antimicrobial, AI, AO, antitussive and expectorant
Used topically and internally for infections of the mouth and URI.
Don’t used in pregnancy, can potentiate hypoglycemic drugs.
Cordyceps sinensis
Caterpillar fungus! Grown from the cocoons of larvae. Antibiotic, anticancer, bronchodilator.
Acte infection, anemia, protects bone marrow, fatigue, asthma, chronic stuff
At toxic doses: amenorrhea, constipation
Potentiates epinephrine!
Hypericum
Antibacterial and antiviral. Use in blunt injuries of the skin and burns.
Acts like a SSRI, can cause serotonin syndrome when combined. Used to wean people off MAOIs. Also reduces cortisol and has GABA activity.
High dose can cause photosensitivity, diarrhea, depression. Avoid in pregnancy and active SI.
Potentiates ART and antagonizes theophylline, cyclosporine, digoxin, and warfarin
INDUCES CYP 450 3A4
Larrea tridentata
Chaparral. Antimicrobial, AI, AO, anti-tumor, anti-spasm
Topically: HSV, skin stuff, breathing problems
Internal: cancer, allergies, infections
High dose: NV, jaundice, hepatotoxicity. Avoid in liver disease, pregnancy, long-term use.
INHIBITIS CYP 450 3A4
Ligusticum porteri
Osha. Antimicrobial specific to the respiratory tract. Use for URIs, bronchitis, laryngitis.
Don’t use in pregnancy. Otherwise safe.
Lomatium dissectum
Indian balm. Antimicrobial, antitussive and expectorant. Use for URIs, coughs, bronchitis.
Major side effect is photosensitization. Also commonly causes a rash that looks like the measles. Avoid in pregnancy and anyone undergoing UV therapy.
Melaleuca alternifolia
Antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, immune stimulant.
Inhibits Staph and E coli. Can use in athlete’s foot, acne, etc
Topical use only ya idiot- don’t eat it
Oleo europa
Olive tree.
Oil: hypotensive, hypolipidemic, vasodilator, cholagogue.
Leaf: antimicrobial, antiviral, anti fungal, hypotensive and hypoglycemic. Can use for infections.
Take after eating or can irritate GI tract. Don’t use in someone with gallstones.
May potentiate hypoglycemic drugs and warfarin.
Usnea barbara
Antibacterial against Gm(+) bacteria: staph, strep, mycobacterium tuberculin, diphtheria
If you use the oil isolate, can be hepatotoxic
Verbena officinalis
Glycosides. expectorant and emmenagogue.
Gets stuff out- causes you to cough out mucus, bring on your period. Used to treat colds, fevers, the flu.
Don’t use in pregnancy.
Astragalus membranaceus
Adaptogen, immune modulator, antibacterial/viral. Protects the heart and liver. Hypoglycemic.
Used to support immune system, allergies, URIS, and cancer.
Avoid in autoimmune disease, people who clot (increases fibrin formation). Potentiates acyclovir, INF-1 and INF-2. Blocks steroids. It may block absorption of all drugs.
Echinacea spp
ASTER. Immune stimulant, AI, antimicrobial. Stimulates phagocytosis and macrophage activity. Vulnerary.
Use in infections of the mouth and skin.
Avoid in auto-immune disease, and these conditions: TB, MS, HIV/AIDS. Do not use long-term.
May block immune suppression therapy.
What are the main side effects and contraindications of immune herbs?
The adaptogens stimulate the immune system and can block immune-suppressive therapy like biologics and steroids, so they shouldn’t be used in auto-immune disease. (Astragalus, Echinacea, Eleutherococcus, Ganoderma, Ligustrum, Panax G and Q, Withania). The only adaptogens that don’t are licorice and Schisandra.
Have glycosides or can cause HTN: Verbena, licorice, eleuthorococcus
Causes clots: Astragalus
Eleutherococcus senticosis
Siberian ginseng. Adaptogen, immune modulator and adrenal support.
Use for infections of the mouth, URIs, and fatigue (hypoadrenalism).
Don’t use for the long-term, in acute infections, and with hypertension >180/90mmHg.
Antagonizes immune suppression therapy, don’t use in AI disease.
Ganoderma lucidum
Reishi mushroom. Sedative adaptogen. Immune activation, anticancer, anti allergies. Hypotensive and anticlot.
Used for allergies, asthma, cancer, hypertension, insomnia, and atherosclerosis.
Can cause black stool and diarrhea unless you give with Vitamin C as well.
Don’t use in auto-immune disease or organ transplant patients.
Antagonizes immune suppressive therapy, avoid use with sleeping pills, anticoagulants and statins.
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice. Adaptogen, phytoestrogen, AI, demulcent, antiviral and antibacterial against H. pylori (Gm(-))
For coughs and bronchitis, URIs, PUD, low adrenal function and insomnia. Inhibits 11-beta-HSD which breaks down cortisol into cortisone (less potent). So using licorice keeps cortisol levels HIGH and can increase blood pressure. Protects against damage from ASA use.
Side effects include hypothyroidism, psudeoaldosteronism (edema, HTN, rhabdomyolysis, ARF)
Don’t use in HTN, hyperaldosteronism, CHF, liver disease, pregnancy, long-term
Potentiates glycosides, steroids, hypokalemic drugs, diuretics, anti-arrhthymics, pseudoepinephrine.
Which immune herbs can be used in chemo, to protect the bone marrow?
Cordyceps
Ligustrum lucidum
Which immune herbs lower cholesterol? Which ones have an effect on blood pressure?
Hypolipidemic:
Olea (OIL and LEAF), Ligustrum licidum
Have glycosides or can cause HTN:
Verbena, licorice, eleuthorococcus
Hypotensive (reduce HTN):
Ganoderma, Withania
Cause clots: Astragalus
Prevent clots: Ganoderma
Ligustrum lucidum
Immune modulator, hypolipidemic.
Used in infection, hyperlipidemia, adjunct to chemo (protects bone marrow)
May antagonize immune suppressive therapy
Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium
Both are adaptogens, hypoglycemics, phytoestrogens.
They can be used in infections, cancer, fatigue, infertility, and opiate withdrawal
Side effects include post-menopausal bleeding and addiction (Ginseng Abuse Syndrome). Don’t use in HTN, pregnancy, anxiety or depression, high doses or long-term
Avoid use with caffeine, anti-depressants, opiates, DM drugs, immune drugs, anti-coagulants (basically anything)
Which immune herbs can be used in opiate withdrawal
Panax G and Q, Withania
Also avena sativa
Schisandra chinensis
SSSS; Schisandra is a Stimulant, Sedative and Sexual tonic
Adaptogen, hepatoprotective, stimulant AND sedative (don’t ask me how), expectorant/anti-tussive, sexual tonic
Used for hepatitis, liver failure, stress, depression, insomnia
don’t use in HTN or ICP because it is a stimulant.
Avoid use with barbiturates, but can be used for withdrawal from benzos.
INHIBITS CYP 450 3A4
Withania somnifera
Ashwaganda. Sedative adaptogen, immune modulator, hypotensive, sedative, enhances cognition.
Used for chronic stress and inflammation, low libido, opiate withdrawal
Don’t use in pregnancy, with sedatives or immune suppressants
Ceanothus americanus
Astringent (tannins), expectorant and anti spasms.
URIs, asthma, HSM, GI bleeds and wounds
Don’t use with anticoagulants
What is the major contraindication for astringents?
Don’t use with anticoagulants
Galium aparine
Diuretic and anti-nodular.
Used for ulcers, lumps, and UTIs
Iris versicolor
Skin disease like eczema and psoriasis, liver detox, and for enlarged thyroid or LAD (check thyroid labs first)
Phytolacca americana
Lymphatic, antiviral and emetic
URIs, topically for mastitis
In large doses, emetic and purgative
Don’t use in pregnancy or for long-term
Which immune herbs are 3A4 inducers or inhibitors?
Inducers: Hypericum
Inhibitors: Larrea, Schisandra
Which immune herbs cause photosensitivity?
Hypericum
Lomatium (measles-like rash)
Which immune herbs are phytoestrogens?
Panax g and q
Licorice
Which immune herb potentiates epinephrine?
Cordyceps
Which adaptogen cause black tarry diarrhea, and how do you prevent it?
Ganoderma
Co-administer vitamin C
Which herbs may be indicated to treat a patient with HIV?
Echinacea, Hypericum, Glycrrhiza and Panax ginseng
