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| Three Ways to Build Immunity |
| According to most clinically trained herbalists, there are three ways to build immunity. These three protocols help to fine-tune herbal therapy to the needs of the individual. |
| 1. Simple immune imbalances such as colds, flu, mild infections and those conditions that are not deep-seated, but come and go fairly quickly, are treated with surface immune herbs or secretory herbs, such as echinacea, garlic, pau d'arco and milk thistle. These herbs increase the protective ability of the mucous membranes and stimulate the production of white blood cells. By working with the macrophages, these plants strengthen the secretory immune system. When there is lowered resistance rather than long-term immune depression, this class of herbs works quickly and effectively. |
| 2. When there is long-term stress on the immune system and its deeper reserves become depleted, many people develop immune deficiency. This is usually caused by a combination of many factors operating over a long period of time rather than one specific thing; it does not happen suddenly or overnight. For example, an individual who must perform at maximum potential during the day but gets less than an adequate amount of sleep, eats a nutrient-depleted fast-food diet, suffers from indigestion and is not happy at work is a prime candidate for deep immune deficiency. |
| Although there may be no specific physical complaint, |
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