Week 4 - Immunostimulants and Immunomodulators Flashcards
Immunostimulants - Definition
- Agents that increase the activity of the immune system
- Used to fortify the body’s response to invasion by a pathogen
- Mechanisms include increased phagocytosis, increased production of white blood cells, and moderation of various cytokines
- Many are heating, stimulating, and drying
Immunostimulant Herbs
- Echinacea spp (Cone Flower)
- Eupatorium perfoliatum (Bone Set)
- Sambucus nigra (Elderberry)
- Baptisia tinctora (Wild Indigo)
- Allium sativa (Garlic)
- Spilanthes acmella
- Usnea barbata
Immunomodulators - Definition
- Agents that have a tonifying effect on the immune system
- Gradual in their action
- Can fortify the immune system without overstimulation
- Also known to “cool” or downregulate immune hyperfunction
Immunomodulator Herbs
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail)
- Grifola frondosa (Maitake)
- Glycyrrhiza spp
Echinacea spp. - Family
- Asteracae
Echinacea spp. - Parts Used
- Root
- Rhizome
- Whole plant
Echinacea spp. - Energetics
- Cooling
- Drying
- Stimulating
Echinacea spp. - Indications
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Pharyngitis
- Prevention of upper respiratory infections
- Snake bites
- Ulcers
- Immunostimulator
Echinacea spp. - Contraindications
- Avoid use in inflammatory autoimmune diseases
Echinacea purpurea - Specific Medicinal Uses
- Compared to Stillingia with lymphagogue properties
- Shown to be most active in its immune stimulating properties in a 30% alcohol tincture
Echinacea angustifolia - Specific Medicinal Uses
- Eclectics valued it most for septicemia
- 80% alcohol tincture
Echinacea pallida - Specific Medicinal Uses
- Use the root for supportive therapy in influenza infection
Eupatorium perfoliatum - Family
- Asteraceae
Eupatorium perfoliatum - Parts Used
- Aerial part in bud or flower
Eupatorium perfoliatum - Energetics
- Cooling
- Drying
- Earthy
Eupatorium perfoliatum - Indications
- Flu-like illnesses with pain that sets into the bone
Eupatorium perfoliatum - Contraindications
- Allergic hypersensitivity resulting in contact dermatitis
- Pregnancy
*Astragalus membranaceus - Family
- Fabaceae
*Astragalus membranaceus - Parts Used
- Root
*Astragalus membranaceus - Energetics
- Mildly warming
*Astragalus membranaceus - Indications
- Low vitality
- Prone to infections
- Weak tissues
- Poor digestion
- Good for children
*Astragalus membranaceus - Contraindications
- May be inappropriate in autoimmune conditions due to immuno-stimulating polysaccharides
- Antagonized cyclosphosphamide (drug used to prevent transplant rejection and in lymphomas and leukemias) - don’t use together
Sambucus nigra - Family
- Caprifoliaceae
Sambucus nigra - Parts Used
- Flower
- Berry
Sambucus nigra - Energetics
- Relaxing
Sambucus nigra - Indications
- Influenza
- Colds
- Cough
Sambucus nigra - Contraindications
- The unripe fruit, seeds, bark, leaves, and root can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tachycardia, and convulsions
Baptisia tinctora - Family
Fabaceae
Baptisia tinctora - Parts Used
- Root
Baptisia tinctora - Energetics
- Cooling
Baptisia tinctora - Indications
- Infections
- Protracted fever with severely depressed vital force
- Ulceration of tissue
Baptisia tinctora - Contraindications
- Pregnancy
Baptisia tinctora - Toxicity
- Large doses are toxic due to phenolic glycosides and alkaloids
- 30g induces signs of toxicity
> Andrographis paniculata - Family
- Acanthaceae
> Andrographis paniculata - Parts Used
- Aerial parts
> Andrographis paniculata - Indications
- Upper respiratory infections
- Dysentery
- Gripe of infancy
- Snake bites (topically)
> Andrographis paniculata - Contraindications
- Pregnancy
> Andrographis paniculata - Other
- CM: clears and relieves fire toxicity, dries dampness
*Trametes versicolor - Family
- Polyporaceae
*Trametes versicolor - Parts Used
- Fruiting body
*Trametes versicolor - Energetics
- Sweet
- Warming
- Clears dampness
*Trametes versicolor - Indications
- Taken with chemotherapy to decrease side effects and provide immune support
- Stabilizes WBC count
*Trametes versicolor - Contraindications
- Unknown effects in pregnancy and lactation
*Grifola frondosa - Family
- Meripilaceae
Grifola frondosa - Parts Used
- Fruiting body
Grifola frondosa - Energetics
- Bland
- Mild
Grifola frondosa - Indications
- Immune support during chemotherapy
- Cancer prevention
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
> Ganoderma lucidum - Family
- Ganodermataceae
> Ganoderma lucidum - Parts Used
- Fruiting body
> Ganoderma lucidum - Indications
- Used in cancer treatment to increase immune function
- Helps treat fatigue
- Hypertension
- Immune deficiency
- Insomnia
- Hepatitis
> Ganoderma lucidum - Contraindications
- Potential allergy to spores