< previous page | page_10 | next page >
Page 10
| the underlying immune system is affected and the person may lack energy and joie de vivre. In this case, deep immune-system tonic herbs or those herbs that build the bone marrow reserve would be used. Nourishing foods or superfoods such as garlic, blue-green algae and sea vegetables would be good choices. Some of the herbs that fall into the category of deep immune system tonics are astragalus, shiitake mushrooms, Siberian ginseng and milk thistle. |
| Because herbs have a multitude of constituents, it is not uncommon for an herb such as milk thistle or echinacea to be useful as both a surface immune-system herb as well as a deep immune-system tonic or even as an adaptogen, which brings us to the third category of immune system herbs. |
| 3. The third way to build immunity focuses on herbs classified as adaptogens. An adaptogen strengthens and normalizes the hormonal function of the body. This term was coined by the renowned Russian scientist, I. I. Brekhman, who researched Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) extensively for 30 years and developed the three criteria for adaptogens described below. |
| First, an adaptogenic herb must cause no harm and put no additional stress on the body. The second criterion is that the herb should help the body to cope with a wide variety of environmental, physical and psychological stresses. And thirdly, it must have a nonspecific action on the body. This means that it must address many issues rather than a specific symptom. An adaptogen works by helping the body to conserve energy and to cope with stress. Some common adaptogens are Siberian ginseng, Panax ginseng, reishi mushroom, milk thistle and licorice. An individual experiencing high levels of stress because of a new job, a divorce, or moving will have lowered resistance and be more susceptible to illness. In these situations, adaptogenic herbs are of great benefit. |
| Recent immune system study shows that the nervous |
< previous page | page_10 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!