Immune System Herbs

Question 1

Andrographis paniculata

Answer 1

: immunostimulant, bitter
tonic, choleretic;

Tincture 1:2 (45%)
20-40mL/week Take 3 -6 times per day dependent on dose size

Bacterial & viral infections (URTIs) –
Gastrointestinal conditions –
Rheumatoid arthritis
HIV infections; snake antivenom activity, Cancer - immunostimulant

Question 2

Echinacea spp.

Answer 2

: immunomodulating,
immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory,
lymphatic, antimicrobial

Tincture 1:2 (60%)
Echinacea
purpurea radix
Echinacea
angustifolia radix
20-40ml/week
Take 3 -6 times per day dependent
on dose size & acute / chronic
management

colds & flu, chronic infections of the respiratory tract & lower urinary tract
* GIT infections (food poison, peptic ulcers)
* Reproductive infections (pelvic inflammatory disease)
* Naso-pharyngeal catarrh, otitis media, gingivitis,
pyorrhoea, mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, swollen glands
* Poorly healing wounds and chronic ulcerations (abscess,
boils, furunculosis, carbuncles, venomous bites,
septicaemia, skin inflammations), herpes, cellulitis
* Allergic conditions: eczema, psoriasis
* Autoimmune conditions

Question 3

Handroanthus inpetiginosus

Answer 3

immunostimulant,
antitumor, antimicrobial

Tincture 1:2 (45%) 20- 50mL/wk Take up to three times per day

Immune deficiency (sub-acute, recurring or chronic
infections)
* Fungal infections – internally & topically (candidiasis)
* Topically for skin cancers, varicose ulcers, infected
skin conditions
* Adjuvant therapy for cancer
* GI parasites

Question 4

Scutellaria baicalensis

Answer 4

antiallergic, anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant;

Tincture 1:2
(60%)
30-60mL/ week Take up to three times per day

Chronic inflammatory conditions, asthma, arthritis
* Autoimmune conditions
* Allergies/sensitivities – eczema, hayfever,
uticaria, asthma
* Bronchitis, common cold, scarlet fever, coughs
with thick sputum, pneumonia
* Hypertension, nausea, vomiting, jaundice,
hepatitis, diarrhoea

Question 5

Astragalus membranaceus

Answer 5

immunostimulant
(enhanced natural killer cell
activity, adaptogenic

Tincture1:2 (25%) 30-60ml / week Reduced levels of
polysaccharides. Take up to
three times per day
Dried root
decoction:
10 – 30 gm / day Higher levels of
polysaccharides & saponins.
Take up to three times per day

Prevention of common cold, chronic infections,
recurring infections, impaired immunity.
* Tonic for elderly (+ Salvia miltiorrhiza, Polygonum
multiflorum), general debility, recuperation from illness
* Stroke recovery, congestive heart failure (+ Zizyphus,
Glycyrrhiza), angina, hypertension
* Cancer – enhances effectiveness of chemotherapy,
reduces associated side effects, supports immune
system
* Chronic kidney disease (promotes glomerular filtration
rate)

Question 6

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Answer 6

immunomodulator,
adaptogenic (modulates stress
response), tonic (anabolic activity),
endocrine tonic

Tincture1:2 (25%) 15-55ml / week Take up to three times per day

Powdered or cut
teas
2 – 3gm / day

resistance to infections; promote immune function, herpes simplex (prevention)
* Tonic for invigoration & fortification in times of fatigue
and debility or declining capacity for work &
concentration, adrenal depletion, also during
convalescence
* Enhance physical performance (sportsmen, athletes) &
mental performance
* Stress (physical, mental, emotional, environmental) –
enhances ability to cope (allostasis)
* Cancer – adjuvant therapy – reduces side effects of
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, improves immunity

Question 7

Hemidesmus indicus

Answer 7

immunosuppressant

Autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, MS,
vitiligo)
* Cancer – preventive, treatment and adjunct treatment
* Skin conditions – wounds, ulcers (especially chronic)
associated with diabetes, cancer; fungal skin
conditions
* Genitourinary infections – cystitis, urethritis, syphilis

Tincture 1:2 (45%) 25-60mL / week Take up to three times per
day

Question 8

Tylophora indica

Answer 8

immunosuppressant,
antiallergic

Asthma, symptoms
Allergies inhalation
Autoimmune & chronic immunemediated inflammatory conditions

Tincture 1:5 (45%) 7-14mL / week Take up to three times per
day. First 10 to 14 days of
each calendar month (20-
50 drops/day) – start with 5
drops per dose
Dry herb 200-400 mg / day

Question 9

Uncaria tomentosa

Answer 9

immunostimulant
(oxindole alkaloids), antiinflammatory, antioxidant

Tincture 1:2 (60%) 30-75mL / week Take up to three times per
day
Dry herb 3-6gm / day

Poor immunity, immunodeficiency – susceptibility to
infections
* Debility & convalescence from illness; chronic fatigue
syndrome; AIDS, HIV infection
* Cancer; adjunctive to cancer therapy
* Arthritis – rheumatoid & osteoarthritis
* Skin infections (topical applications) – warts, fungal
infections (tinea)