Immune System Health

Ranking for this page is 1 - 10 of about 11,300,000 for immune system health

A strong immune system is your first defense against pathogens - What keeps your immune system strong? Good nutrition, a non-toxic environment, pure water.....

Strongest herbal antibiotics: The most ferocious killers of 30 bacterial species in Cornell University tests are (in order) onion, garlic, allspice, oregano, thyme, tarragon, cumin, cloves, bay leaf and cayenne pepper.  The natural antibiotic compounds are more concentrated in dried herbs and spices.

Natural Immunity Cocktail - An old time recipe known to be very good for promoting and maintaining your immunity by strengthening the cell wall membranes to stop invading bacteria and viruses.  Organic Concord grape juice (NO added sugar or artificial sweeteners, may dilute with pure water to reduce sugar sensitivity), raw wheat germ, and nutritional yeast blended together.  I use about 4 ounces of grape juice, 2 ounces of water, 1 TBSP each raw wheat germ and nutritional yeast.  Nutritional yeast DOES NOT cause yeast infection. 

Helpful Cocktail for HIV/AIDS -   Eat 1 fresh raw Brazil nut daily for selenium, take 1 TBSP psyllium husk in pure water daily, use Liver cleanse once a week, 1-2 teaspoonfuls of 'Hot Stuff' daily.

Hot Stuff or African Tonic:  Use 1 litre (quart or so) raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, 3 whole cloves of organic garlic, one piece of ginger root, 25 Gms. of turmeric powder, 50 Gms. of chili powder, 100 Gms. blackstrap molasses, 25 Gms. cinnamon powder, 10 Gms. Fenugreek powder, 10 Gms. thyme powder.  Crush ginger and garlic then add all ingredients into a glass jar.  Cover and steep for 10 days then strain.  Use a plastic or glass lid on the jar because vinegar reacts with metal.  Sprinkle over food or mix in water.

Probiotics - According to Institut Rosell (Montreal) probiotic bacteria modulate the immune system, increase antibody production, and mobilize macrophages, lymphocytes, and other components of the immune response system. Also, probiotics inhibit pathogenic organisms in the intestine by competing for nutrients and creating a barrier that stops pathogens from adhering to epithelial cells.

There may be other benefits as well. Probiotic cultures may produce antibacterial substances such as bacteriocins. They may lower intestinal pH by the production of lactic acid, creating an environment unsuitable for pathogens. And, they may suppress the activity of toxic and carcinogenic amine-producing enzymes associated with other intestinal flora.

part of your immune system lies in the intestinal tract

Astragalus - Astragalus is a tonic herb from the legume family. It is indigenous to China and has been used as a preventive health tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine since ancient times. It was first referenced in the original material medica: "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” of the late Han period. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is considered sweet and slightly warm and that is why it is not recommended to be taken by anyone with signs of heat in their body. It is considered to be very safe and non-toxic and may be consumed daily. It is well known for its ability to strengthen and support the body's immune system. Astragalus has become an important botanical in the West since research demonstrating its immunoprotective effects have been documented. Astragalus is an ideal tonic for anyone who wants to help maintain a strong immune system.

What does Astragalus do? - Astragalus is one of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. The “tonics” are a unique category of herbals that benefit the body’s own healing system. Astragalus is considered immune enhancing and supportive.

How does Astragalus work? - The root is the part containing the active ingredients and it is used as an immunomodulator. The constituents of the root include: Polysaccharides, choline, betaine, rumatakenin, [beta]-sitosterol.

The botanical name of Astragalus is: Astragalus membranaceus.

Astragalus is one of the herbs known to stimulate the body’s natural production of interferon. It is known as a "Qi" (chi) tonic or replenisher. Chi is a concept in Chinese Medicine of the body’s “Vital Energy”. Astragalus is suitable for long-term use as an important aid in supporting the body's natural defense system. (HF)

Beta-glucan - Beta glucan, a polysaccharide derived from yeast, may stimulate phagocytosis and interleukin production. Phagocytosis is the destruction of a pathogen or foreign substance by a white blood cell.  Interleukin is a chemical mediator that triggers white blood cell production and activity.

Beta glucan and purified beta 1,3 / 1,6-glucan are potent forms of beta glucan manufactured using a process that removes the mannoprotein and yeast residues in the yeast cell. These compounds may interfere with beta glucan's activity. 

Beta glucans, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides support a wide range of immune defenses, including NK cells, cytokine production, and T-cell and macrophage activity.

The October 2002 Peer-reviewed article on Microparticulate Beta Glucan research in the prestigious "Letters in Applied Microbiology," demonstrate small particle glucan in minimal doses is "superior in immune potentiation."

An Arsenal of Immune Defense: Czop, Joyce K., “The Role of Beta.-Glucan Receptors on Blood and Tissue Leukocytes in Phagocytosis and Metabolic Activation”. Pathology and Immunopathology Research; 5:286-296. Harvard Medical School. 1986.  More beta glucan research  

Beta Glucan is a constituent found in BioSupplemente, and in a mix of organic brown rice and hulled sesame seed cooked as a hot cereal.     

What is IM-ENCAP? - a clinical formula for immune system support used successfully for almost twenty years. It is a blend of vitamins (A and C), minerals (zinc), glandulars (thymus, spleen, lymph), and herbs (echinacea, wild indigo, elder, boneset, tree peony, pau d'arco).  There have been no untoward effects reported when using this product.  All of the ingredients in IM-Encap have been evaluated in scientific studies that establish their benefit for immune support. 

What do some researchers think? -  Some researchers believe that autoimmune dis-orders are viral and related to polio and Epstein Barr viruses.  MS is one of these dis-orders.  In the late 1960s and early 1970s a study at a major southern US medical school found that a constituent of wheat germ oil, used safely in high amounts, was responsible for reversing MS in an average of 6 weeks.

Herbs help cleanse the mucous membrane: Astragalus, Isatis, Garlic, Oregon Grape, Goldenseal* and Pau D'Arco.  * = endangered.

Herbs help clear excess mucus: Mullein, Horehound, Polygonatum.

Support the body in its response to stress with Eleuthero, Astragalus, Calcium and Magnesium.

Consider using Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, Selenium, Copper, Zinc or Hawthorn  for antioxidant support. 

CoBiozin  is a remedy to consider.

Studies show that regular meals and consuming green vegetables are associated with a stronger immune response by white blood cells.

Garlic - see cold and flu tips, garlic information, and this article

Vaccine Concerns

Vitamin C

What is a Virus

Oxygen and air purification

NYU Medical Center reports today (4/19/04) on the health benefits of silver. A spokesman states that there is more than 100 years of evidence that silver works effectively to kill bacteria.

Colloidal Silver - Temple University did a major study some years ago on the use of colloidal silver in the treatment of Lyme Dis-ease.  The study showed that it cured the infection.  The form of CS was CollAg 40.  

Information is available on the uses of colloidal silver as a medical treatment before 1938.  It was commonly used in medical practice to treat many conditions with no untoward effects.

Colloidal silver has been helpful for those who have become ill from living in homes infested with black mold.

Millenium CF

SILVER KILLS VIRUSES, STUDY FINDS - 
Tuesday, October 18, 2005 - FreeMarketNews.com

In a groundbreaking study, the Journal of Nanotechnology has published a study that found silver nanoparticles kills HIV-1 and is likely to kill virtually any other virus. The study, which was conducted by the University of Texas and Mexico University, is the first medical study to ever explore the benefits of silver nanoparticles, according to Physorg.

During the study, researchers used three different methods of limiting the size of the silver nanoparticles by using capping agents. The capping agents were foamy carbon, poly (PVP), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The particles ranged in size from 1 to 10 nanometers depending on the method of capping. After incubating the HIV-1 virus at 37 C, the silver particles killed 100% of the virus within 3 hours for all three methods. The scientists believe that the silver particles bonded through glycoprotein knobs on the virus with spacing of about 22 nanometers in length.

While further research is needed, researchers are optimistic that nanological silver may be the silver bullet to kill viruses. The researchers in the study said that they had already begin experiments using silver nanoparticles to kill what is known as the super bug (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). Already used as a topical antibiotic in the medical industry, silver may now come under consideration as an alternative to drugs when it comes to fighting previously untreatable viruses such as the Tamiflu resistant avian flu.

More Research on Colloidal Silver - A one year long study completed at Harvard and Cambridge Universities shows that CS is effective as an anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and natural antibiotic.  This study showed CS to be effective in humans with sinus infections, respiratory infection, bronchitis, strep throat, retro-viral infections, thrush (yeast), ear infections, fungal infections, urinary tract infections, and conjunctivitis.  No failures were reported in this study.  CS performed better than the five major classes of antibiotics in killing bacteria.  Testing is on-going.

Vitamin C  -  from Medscape: Vitamin C and SARS - Apr 21, 2003 -  Prof C. Alan Clemetson's 1989 3 volume textbook "Vitamin C" contains a mass of scientific evidence proving how ascorbate could not only prevent but also cure all the then known viral infections, including pneumonia. Unfortunately, this reference source is long out of print and any rare copies exorbitantly expensive.  However, a new 2002 reference book by Thomas Levy MD with 1200 scientific references is available (ISBN 1-4010-6964-9 hardcover or -0 for softback). Levy references many of the earlier pioneers in this field. Notably, Klenner's (1948) first (already cyanotic) case of pneumonia responded within 30 minutes to 2G I/V. Klenner published several papers in the 1950s and others such as Dalton (1962) followed with similar rapid and effective results. Klenner routinely administered 1G ascorbate every hour I/V and with the current easily obtainable vials containing 25G, an I/V infusion in 250ml water or dextrose is within the reach of any competent doctor or nurse. There appears to be no scientific or ethical reason for withholding this highly cost-effective and safe treatment. It would be even more relevant in situations of high stress and/or (endo)toxaemia when ascorbate reserves would be greatly depleted.

Ribavirin -- a drug widely used against SARS but which has had very disappointing results -- did nothing to stop the virus sample from replicating, nor did  mycophenolic acid.  Pyrazofurin and 6-azauridine had low and modest effect respectively, but were outclassed by glycyrrhizin, which was more than five times more effective than those two compounds and at high concentrations completely blocked replication.

"Of all the compounds, glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus. Our findings suggest that glycyrrhizin  should be assessed for treatment of SARS," Cinatl's team says. Glycyrrhizin gets its name from Glycyrrhiza glabra, the Latin sobriquet for the licorice plant, which homeopathic medicine has long claimed to be useful in  tackling respiratory, urinary and digestive irritations and infections of the  mouth and throat. Licorice is especially used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Glycyrrhizin has previously been used experimentally against hepatitis B and  C virus and even against the AIDS (news - web sites) virus, where small-scale  studies have suggested it boosts numbers of T-cells, a key component of the immune system.

The extract is derived from licorice roots and takes the form of a yellow powder with a bittersweet taste. Why glycyrrhizin apparently works against SARS is unclear, the study says. It may induce the infected cell to produce nitrous oxide, thus blocking the molecular pathway that helps the virus to replicate. Nitrous oxide has previously been established as an inhibitor of the Japanese encephalitis virus. Glycyrrhizin is a well-known molecule with relatively few side-effects even at high doses, unlike ribavirin, whose toxic effects include reductions in haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying substance in the blood, the study says.

Since emerging in China's southern Guangdong province last November, SARS has killed 750 people and infected more than 8,400 worldwide, according to figures from the World Health Organisation.

Oregano Essential Oil (oreganum vulgare) - Known to be anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, and emmenagogue.  Do not use if pregnant, or long term.  Skin irritation may occur.  Medical doctors in France are thoroughly trained in the therapeutic use of essential oils.

Yarrow - One of my favorite lovely perennial weeds is grown in many herb gardens, and it has many uses  (A dose is 10-20 drops, or up to 1 ml).  Yarrow is also used as a tea, and it is helpful for inducing sweating while soaking in a hot bath.  It is known as a liver helping herb, and the leaves help stop bleeding. 

Echinacea - Echinacea was first reported in a medical journal in 1891 and was recognized in 1910 as an immune stimulant (leukocytes or white blood cells). Enchinacea angustifolia may be the most potent form in this species.  Properly prepared echinacea has been validated in cases of abscesses, boils, diphtheria, fever, lung ailments, gangrene, malaria, ulcers, staph, strep, typhoid, cystitis, snake bite, and malignancies. It is antibacterial, anesthetic, interferon like activity, stimulates gamma globulins and properidin, killer T cells, inhibits tumour growth, immune system modulator, anti-candida and antiviral, promotes cellular immunity, anti-inflammatory, inhibits hyaluronidase, blood purifier, antimicrobial, and more.  Herbal medicine is the historical basis for medicines in the Untied States,  the USP and National Formulary.  German scientists feel echinacea begins to stimulate the immune system tissue in the mouth as soon as taken. Properly prepared Echinacea is non-toxic and non-mutagenic.  Scientific references upon request.

Chicken Soup - Several studies prove chicken soup helps break up congestion and ease the flow of nasal secretions. It seems to inhibit the white blood cells that trigger the inflammatory response that causes sore throats and produces phlegm. Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which is released when you make the soup. This amino acid is similar to the drug, acetylcysteine, which is prescribed by doctors to patients with bronchitis. It functions by thinning down mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out. Hot chicken vapors have been proven more effective than hot water vapors in clearing out the cold in your nose. To increase the effectiveness of chicken soup, add lots of hot and spicy ingredients, like cayenne pepper, fresh garlic, and onions.

Mycelia - AHCC (active hexose correlated compound) is produced by the cultivation and enzymatic modification of several species of mushroom mycelia, including shiitake, reishi, maitake, turkey tail, and Agaricus blazei grown in rice bran extract. According to human and animal research, AHCC may significantly increase NK cell activity. AHCC may also increase macrophage activity, enhance cytokine production, and support the healthy functioning of the liver, as well as act as an antioxidant. Japanese hospitals and clinics recommend AHCC as part of an immune maintenance regimen.  Medicinal mushrooms have been used in oriental medicine for millennia.

Licorice help with viruses?  - Glyceron: an extract from the licorice plant named glycerrhizin, which by the way has been shown by recent studies inthe Orient as one of the best ways to treat SARS. 

PARIS (AFP) - A major ingredient in licorice has proven remarkably successful  at combatting the SARS (news - web sites) virus in lab-dish tests, according to a German study.

Licorice compound may put SARS on the run - Active SARS cases fall to 64, as Canadian officials signal WHO's concerns.

Reuters - SARS News - Glycyrrhizin, a compound extracted from licorice roots which has been previously explored in anti-viral research, was highly effective at stopping the SARS virus from reproducing, the authors of the study in the British weekly journal The Lancet say. It easily beat out four standard compounds used to block virus or tumorous cell replication -- ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin and mycophenolic acid. 

The research is only a preliminary study and much further work is needed, assessing safety as well as effectiveness, before anyone can call glycyrrhizin a  cure for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Even so, the findings are so positive that it should be taken seriously as a  potential weapon in the fight against this disease, say the team, led by Jindrich Cinatl from Frankfurt University Medical School.

The experiment involved taking samples of the SARS virus from two patients with SARS who had been admitted to the university's medical centre.

The viruses were then used to infect Vero cells, a tissue culture of monkey kidney cells that are a standard item of lab equipment.

The dishes were exposed to each of the five compounds and examined 72 to 96  hours later to see how many infected cells had reproduced.