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ADAPTOGENIC HERBS AND
THEIR
EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
(Article by herbalist Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC)
Adaptogenic is a term used in herbalism to reflect the
ability of a plant to work as a biological
response modifier.
For a plant to
be adaptogenic it must meet three criteria, as defined by
the Russian doctor I.I. Brekman:
· It
should cause no harm and place no additional
stress on the body.
· It
should help the body adapt
to many and varied environmental and psychological
stresses.
· It
must have a nonspecific action on the body,
supporting all the major systems, such as the nervous
system, hormonal system, and immune system, as well as
regulating functions (such as the blood sugar); if they are
too high, an adaptogen will lower it and vice verse.
This article
will deal with a few of the most common researched herbs
like astragalus, Siberian ginseng, panax ginseng,
shizandra, shitake, reishi and maitake mushrooms.
We will also
look at the ability of these substances to be used in
conjunctions with other types of therapy for the treatment
of heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue and numerous
other disorders.
Let’s
begin by looking at how adaptogens work.
Through
numerous scientific studies it is known that the
pharmacological actions of adaptogens are very complex. It
has been noted that they have the ability to
increase endurance and to reduce
fatigue. They stimulate the immune system
indirectly; build the body’s resistance to non-specific
stresses such as, chemicals in the environment, overwork,
poor diet and emotional factors. They work as
immune stimulants also by boosting resistance
to pathogens, viruses and bacteria.
According to
Christopher Hobbs in his book Medicinal Mushrooms he states
that he classifies immune active herbs into three
categories adaptogens, surface immune stimulants and immune
tonics. Each of these areas works differently and is
applied to specific conditions.
Let take a
closer look at these three areas.
·
Adaptogens boost immunity by supporting and
balancing the endocrine (glandular) system. More
specifically laboratory tests have shown that they support
adrenal functions, help cells to use oxygen more
efficiently and increase cellular respiration. Of course we
know that the stress glands are the adrenals and when the
adrenals are weaken we can experience fatigue and
suppressed immunity.
·
The immune
stimulating properties of adaptogenic herbs are due to
the ability to stimulate a specific white blood cell
called a macrophage. Macrophages (macro=big, phage=eater)
are white cell that eat up or destroy pathogens in the
blood such as bacteria, yeast, and viruses. They
live in the mucus membranes of the body but
also travel through the internal organs. They are
our first line defense and stimulating this
aspect off our immune system protects us from colds, flu
and other types of infection.
Some herbs
that have this action are echinacea, thuja,
osha, and wild indigo.
·
Immune
tonics are the next classification and they
work by supporting the bone marrow reserve, from which the
macrophage and all other immune effector cells (t-cells)
and reds blood cells are made. Reishi mushroom has been one
of the researched adaptogens that works in this manner. It
is interesting that in traditional cultures they cooked
with these herbs and eat them as part of their diet.
Looking closer at the specific adaptogenic herbs begins
with astragalus.
Astragalus has
been used in china for thousands of years.
It has been the subject of numerous studies in the
United States by the
National Cancer Institute. Research has shown that
astragalus increases the total number of white blood cells,
strengthens the activity of macrophages and promotes what
is called cellular immunity.
Studies at the university of Texas MD Anderson Hospital and Tumor
Institute found that the t cell
function in cancer patients was lowered by the use of
chemotherapy and radiation. When astragalus extracts were
administered they found that immune functions improved
dramatically. Currently astragalus is being researched in
HIV and aids related syndromes.
Schizandra is another adaptogen with a lot of clinical
research. It has been shown to have a
stimulatory effect on the central nervous system
without being over stimulating. It is considered a general
tonic, a detoxifier of chemical toxicity including
chemotherapy. It is an antioxidant and a powerful liver
protector.
Panax
and Siberian ginseng are both considered adaptogenic.
It is most
noted for it’s anti fatigue and anti-aging effects. It
appears to have some anti-tumor effects. It has been shown
to enhance the overall immunity including antibody
response, natural killer cell activity, and interferon
production and to promote phagocytosis. It has also shown
some ability to protect the body during radiation therapy.
Let
look at some of the medicinal mushroom and how they work in
the body.
The first one
we will discuss is the reishi mushroom. Extensive research
of this mushroom shows why it has been used for over 4000
years in China
and
Japan. It has been used
traditionally for the treatment of hepatitis, cancer,
hypertension, arthritis, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, and
ulcers.
The
pharmacological effects of reishi are numerous
and include analgesic, anti inflammatory, antibacterial,
antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, cardiotonic,
expectorant, liver protective, and they have been shown to
increase production of interleukin 1 and 2, increase white
cell count, and enhance natural killer cell activity. It
has been the subject of numerous clinical trials with
animals and humans and is specific for numerous types of
cancer.
Shitake mushroom is probably better known
because it is used in food preparation. It has a wonderful
taste as well as being researched for its adaptogenic
properties. The data on this mushroom is overwhelming. It
has antitumor effects are non-toxic to the body and is
considered a support nutrient during chemo and radiation
therapy often leading to longer survival times. It has
immune regulating effects by activating natural killer
cells as well as increasing production of interferon, a
potent chemical secreted by natural killer cells. It also
possesses antiviral, antibacterial, liver protective and
cardiotonic properties.
The
last adaptogenic is the maitake mushroom
otherwise know in Appalachia as "hen of the woods". Research shows that
this mushroom reduces blood pressure and helps to lower LDL
cholesterol. It is considered a liver protective,
antitumor and a macrophage activator. Human clinical trials
have shown it being effective in enhancing immune functions
when used with lung, stomach and liver cancer. It has also
shown to help patients during chemotherapy.
As you can see
that the researched benefits of adaptogenic herbs have a
wide array of benefits to our bodies. They are protective
as well as therapeutic. It is important to do research on
your own when it comes to using these substances.
Be sure to
consult with your health care practitioner for their use in
a treatment program.
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