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| and taken hold in the body. Because cancer seems able, to some degree, to hide itself from the immune system, it does not invoke as much immune response as it should. Helping this response along, therefore, is important. I sometimes recommend diaphoretic herbs, such as boneset, yarrow, and peppermint, along with hot Epsom salt baths, to activate a lymphatic-immune response. The immune system plays a critical role in preventing cancer by searching out and destroying newly transformed cells, a process referred to as immune surveillance. 2 |
| Summary, of Basic Immune Cells and Their Functions |
| B-cells and T-cells are white blood cells that bear the major responsibility for the immune response. They recognize and coordinate attacks against specific organisms. |
| B-cells work by producing antibodies. Each B-cell is designed to make a specific antibody. Each antibody is designed to battle a specific microorganism. B-cells also develop into plasma cells that secrete thousands of identical antibodies. |
| T-cells coordinate immune defenses and kill organisms in cells on contact. They also function by secreting potent chemicals called lymphokines, which direct the immune response. Lymphokines are particularly good at attacking cancerous cells or those infected by viruses. |
| Phagocytes (from the Greek word meaning "eaters") are activated white blood cells whose main function is to gobble up everything that is unwanted by the body, from a speck of dust or pollen to a potent virus. |
| Macrophages are a particular variety of phagocytes that play a versatile role. As scavengers, they rid the body of worn-out cells and other debris. They also play a vital role in initiating the immune response. |
| Other white blood cellsneutrophils, eosinophils, and basophilsare also called cell-eaters. They release powerful chemicals that destroy microorganisms. |
| How Herbs Help Us Heal |
| Herbs, unlike man-made drugs, can assist the immune system throughout its entire response to an invader. One common way herbs intercede is by |
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