Strengthening, Supporting, and Regulating Host Immunity

[Sean Donahue]

For those prone to respiratory infections, supporting healthy immune function, especially during cold and flu season is essential.

Sleep, avoidance of sugar, aspirin, ibuprofen, and NSAID's (all of which hamper immune response in the respiratory tract), and maintaining a diet of whole foods with sufficient animal protein and animal fat go a long way in this direction.

Due to soil depletion and diminishing genetic diversity of food crops, however, even the best diets can be lacking in nutrients essential to optimal immune function.   Paul Bergner has noted that the diets of many North Americans are lacking in adequate Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium, and has seen great results with supplementing these nutrients during cold and flu season.  For the average adult, he recommends:

Zinc 40 mg
Vitamin C 1000-2000 mg
Vitamin E 100-200 IU
Selenium 200 mcg
Cod Liver Oil 1 Tablespoon
Vitamin A 25,000 IU as betacarotene

A few things to note:  grains and legumes contain compounds called phytates that block mineral absorption, with soy being the worst culprit.  Sprouting and fermentation reduce but do not completely eliminate phytate content.  As a result, Zinc levels tend to be especially low in vegetarians, especially in male vegetarians because men release Zinc in their ejaculation.   Getting enough Vitamin A can also be an issue for vegetarians, especially for vegetarian women, because Retinol from animal sources is the only bioavailable form of Vitamin A and some people (more women than men) lack the ability to convert Betacarotene to Retinol.

Vitamin D3 is also essential.  Bergner writes:

Vitamin D, or cholecalciferol, [ . . .]  is not actually a vitamin, but a steroid hormone with profound effects on the immune sys tem. In human history, the primary source of this hormone has been sunlight — ultraviolet radiation acting on cholesterol in the skin produces a precursor to the hormone. Mid-day or summer exposure of the whole body (a normal exposure through out the year in human evolution near the equator) generates the equivalent of about 10,000 IU of cholecalciferol, a level difficult to achieve with diet. Human migration out of tropical regions, and modern work and life style conditions have created a situation where winter norms of serum cholecalciferol are about 20% of the levels that would be attained from tropical sunlight exposure.

He also notes that recent research has shown that cholecalciferol assists in the production of immune peptides in the white blood cells in the respiratory tract and also moderates the production of inflammatory cytokines there.   He suggests 4,000 - 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 a day.

In terms of herbal support for the immune system, I prefer adaptogens that modulate immune response to immune stimulants like Echinacea -- especially with asthmatics, since asthma is a condition of excess immune response to inappropriate stimuli.   The following herbs seem to be particularly helpful in supporting health immune function in asthmatics and in those prone to respiratory infections:

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) --  The healthiest winter of my life was the winter when I made daily Schisandra berry decoctions -- simmering a handful of berries in a quart of water for 20 minutes.  Schisandra has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine effects in addition to its immune modulating effects.  One traditional use in China is for "kidneys failing to grasp the lung qi" -- a weakness in the kidneys that prevents full inhalation.  Schisandra's astringent qualities make it a great choice for those who tend toward excessive fluid in the lungs.  For those with dry constitutions I would add Licorice.   Decoctions and tinctures are both effective -- I personally use the tincture now because of alcohol soluble compounds in Schisandra that stimulate liver function.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) --  Right on the border between immune modulator and immune stimulant -- stimulating enough to the immune system that I would discontinue use in acute infection.   This would be my first choice for those who get frequent infections.   David Winston notes that it specifically strengthens the lung qi and "helps prevent illness caused by external pernicious influences."  Also specific to wasting syndrome associated with tuberculosis.  For a weak, depleted person I would likely combine Astragalus with American Ginseng.   Astragalus extracts best in water.

Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) --  Reishi is a wonderful general immune modulator with general anti-inflammatory action and a deep, calming influence.  Reishi requires a double extraction -- decoct and then add alcohol to the decoction and the mark and allow to tincture for six weeks.

Cordyceps fungus is an adaptogen I am just beginning to explore which is also purported to strengthen pulmonary function overall.  The CS-4 strain is said to be most effective -- available from Mushroom Science and from Mushroom Harvest. 

In acute bacterial or fungal respiratory infections I use Usnea (Usnea spp.) tincture -- 60-90 drops, 6 times a day --  to support the immune system without overstimulating it.  Usnea is also directly active against fungi and against gram-positive bacteria (including MRSA.)

In acute viral respiratory infections I use hourly doses of Elderberry syrup or tincture to modulate the immune response and to stop viral replication.

There are two situations in which I do use immune stimulants for respiratory conditions:

If I catch a respiratory infection before it is fully developed, when I just feel the beginning of a tickle in my throat, I will use high doses of Echinacea tincture (flower or root of either species) -- 60-90 drops an hour for 48 hours.

If an infection seems to go away and then come back I will administer Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) infusion liberally.


--
Sean Donahue,  Traditional Herbalist
http://www.brighidswellherbs.com
http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/

"Sometimes there's nothing left to do but make love to the fear." -- Astrid Mannrique, ASFAADES (Association of the Families of the Disappeared), Popayan, Colombia

"If we eat the wild, it begins to work inside us, altering us, changing us. Soon, if we eat too much, we will no longer fit the suit that has been made for us. Our hair will begin to grow long and ragged. Our gait and how we hold our body will change. A wild light begins to gleam in our eyes. Our words start to sound strange, nonlinear, emotional. Unpractical. Poetic. Once we have tasted this wildness, we begin to hunger for a food long denied us, and the more we eat the more we will awaken." -- Stephen Harrod Buhner The Secret Teachings of Plants