“We do not catch diseases. We build them. We have to eat, drink, think and feel them into existence. We work hard at developing our diseases. We must work just as hard at restoring health. The presence of germs does not constitute the presence of a disease.” — Antoine Béchamp
The immune system is precisely that, a system, or complex network of cells, tissues, organs and substances that not only helps your body fight infections but is critical for maintaining your overall health, wellness and vitality. Your immune system is an expression of the relationship between the body and everything in its environment is an expression of homeostasis, meaning it is always just secondarily responding to internal and external stimuli.
The immune system is our body’s main defense system, and it serves so many essential functions including fighting off (internal and external) foreign invaders, getting rid of damaged/old dead cells, and protecting us from various pathogens, stressors and toxins.
You can think of this intricately connected system as a sports team that needs to be running at peak performance, which means it needs to have top athletes that are well managed. Much like you need many players with various skill sets for a team, you also need many different strategies (different immune protocols, lifestyle factors like sleep and stress reduction, proper hydration and nutrition) for a fully functioning and winning season, which in this metaphor is your health! Since you are indeed the owner of your health, let’s discuss a few ways that you can build the best team by integrating a few key botanicals into your immune arsenal.
First, you must understand that there are different treatment approaches for different stages of sickness (think pre-season immunity vs game-day immunity). There are many considerations with adjusting protocols when taking herbal formulas at different stages of sickness; these may involve changing different botanicals, the frequency being given, and the dosage.
Prevention (Pre-season Immunity)
During this phase, the focus is on building your herbal first aid kit, taking preventative protocols, such as washing your hands, sleeping, staying hydrated, etc., and taking immune herbs for a long time if you are prone to getting sick. This would include various medicinal mushrooms, such as chaga, reishi, turkey tail and agarikon, as well as several adaptogens, such as eleuthero, astragalus and ginseng.
Reishi is known as the “herb of spiritual potency.” It has more than 400 bioactive compounds that have been studied for their role in modulating the immune system, as well as supporting respiratory and liver health. It can increase antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase and modulates the immune system through triterpenes and polysaccharides. Turkey tail is rich in polysaccharides and beta-glucans, which have been used in traditional medicine to support and modulate the immune system.
Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and PSK are the polysaccharides present in turkey tail known for their role in maintaining immune health and stress adaptation; PSK activates macrophages, as well as increases the production of natural killer cell activity. Chaga mushroom is often referred to as “the mushroom of immortality” or “the king of medicinal mushrooms” and is most famous for its role in supporting immune health and modulating the immune system.
Eleutherosides, found in eleuthero, have been shown to support lymphatic function and can support immune health via stimulating the production of T-lymphocyte count. Astragalus is best used preventively, however, in Chinese medicine, it is often considered a tonic, which means you can take it for long periods; it can support the production of WBC, NK, and increases T-Cell activity and interferon.
Formulas such as Host Defense Stamets 7, Thorone Mico-Immune, and BIORAY Microbiome Slayer are great to have on hand for building up long-term immunity.
Early Symptoms
At this phase, taking things that increase acute immune response (anti-microbial/anti-bacterial heavy hitters), and taking small to moderate amounts of a formula regularly, (roughly every three to four hours) is required. It is also important at this time to take it easy and get adequate rest. Here you might consider taking something such as blackseed oil or oil of oregano.
Oregano has a unique essential oil content called phenolic compounds that have anti-microbial activity. One of these major phenols that are active in wild oregano is carvacrol, which possesses a high antioxidant activity and has been researched for its ability to work on acute germ inundation. The antioxidant content of oregano is high, which is useful in combating the free radical damage that can impact cellular activity and immune function. Oregano is not an immune “booster” like echinacea, but more a “killer” for acute indication and protection when traveling or if you are vulnerable to microbial breakdown.
Black seed oils owe many of their benefits to their three natural chemicals; thymoquinone (TQ), thymohydroquinone (THQ), and thymol. Thymoquinone acts as a free radical scavenger, as well as being able to preserve the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase. Thymol acts as a natural monoterpene, or terpene, which is found in essential oils of plants, that has been used to support immune health and inhibit viral replication.
Sick With Full Symptoms (Game Day Immunity)
During this phase, the focus is on using more potent anti-microbial/ anti-bacterial/ anti-inflammatory botanicals and focusing on specific symptoms (Do you need a decongestant herb, or do you need an astringent herb? Is your throat feeling extra dry or are you feeling full of hot, thick mucus, etc.?) Here you will also work on up-titration, or taking medium to large doses more frequently (every one to two hours); you can think of it as having a constant IV drip of herbs that is getting into the system. This would include larger doses of echinacea, elderberry, boneset, and yarrow (especially if there is a fever).
How you take echinacea is extremely important; it can be used daily, acutely (in more “heroic” doses), and or long-term. A large acute dose can be better suited for warding off oncoming acute bacterial and viral infections; it will stimulate the immune system to fight off microbes before they can dominate an organ system. As a long-term tonic, it can be used to support and “boost” the immune system, particularly for those who are immune deficient; it will help to rebuild a healthy immune response.
If you are on the edge of getting sick, you ideally should take large frequent doses for 12-24 hours to realize the full acute benefits. For those who get sick every cold and flu season, ideally one should begin using a moderate dose of echinacea one to two months before cold and flu season begins.
Echinacea supports the body in building and maintaining a strong, effective immune system. Echinacea supports the innate (non-specific) immune response. Specialized white blood cells are stimulated by echinacea to envelop foreign invaders through a process called phagocytosis. Echinacea also stimulates natural killer (NK) cells and the production of cytokines, a type of signaling molecules that support the mediation and regulation of the immune system.
What is important to remember about this phase is that you must act quickly—you want to start taking larger doses of certain acute herbs during this time, as soon as you feel something coming on, or as soon as you feel like you are about to get hit by a bus (a very big germ and virus bus), not after you have been hit by the bus.
Formulas such as WishGarden Kick-Ass Immune and Woodstock Herbal Products C&F Seasonal Support are wonderful options to have in your herbal first aid kit.
Rest is seminal during this phase as well! Ever notice how when you are very sick you are also very weak? Well, this is for a reason and our bodies are smarter than we are sometimes. Rest and sleep are actually when our immune systems get some of their best work done. During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, and certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection (or even lots of inflammation as a result of an infection). These cytokines, along with other immune cells, target infection and inflammation, creating an immune response.
Recovery
This final phase is essential for building up a robust and resilient immune system. Here you can take botanicals as needed for acute symptoms that may linger, and you might want to continue taking immune formulas for a bit even after symptoms go away. Here you can also focus on some of the basic, boring and foundational stuff for your immune systems, such as adequate vitamin D levels, zinc, lymphatic support, supporting microbial diversity (via various plant compounds in the diet, adequate fiber and actually being exposed to some germs), as well as some extra credit nutrients such as colostrum powder, colloidal silver and trace minerals.VR
References:
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Gasmi, Amin, et al. “Natural Ingredients to Improve Immunity.” Pharmaceuticals, vol. 16, no. 4, 1 Apr. 2023, p. 528, https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040528. Accessed 5 Apr. 2023.
Cemal Cingi, et al. “Efficacy of Traditional Herbal Formulas on Human Immunity.” PubMed, vol. 27, no. 4 Suppl, 1 June 2023, pp. 27–40, https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202306_32743. Accessed 24 Oct. 2023.
Megna, M., et al. “Effects of Herbal Supplements on the Immune System in Relation to Exercise.” International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, vol. 25, no. 1_suppl, Jan. 2012, pp. 43–49, https://doi.org/10.1177/03946320120250s107.
Block, Keith I., and Mark N. Mead. “Immune System Effects of Echinacea, Ginseng, and Astragalus: A Review.” Integrative Cancer Therapies, vol. 2, no. 3, Sept. 2003, pp. 247–267, journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1534735403256419, https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735403256419. Accessed 1 Nov. 2019.
Medina, Kay L. “Overview of the Immune System.” Handbook of Clinical Neurology, vol. 133, 2016, pp. 61–76, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-63432-0.00004-9.
Brianna Diorio holds a PhD in integrative medicine from the University of Natural Medicine and is a clinical nutritionist with a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. She is also a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner (FDN), an herbal practitioner through the Herbal Academy, a family herbalist through The School of Natural Healing, a NASM certified personal trainer, and a holistic lifestyle coach from the C.H.E.K Institute. Diorio is the host of the Brianna Approved Podcast, which is a podcast for people who like a holistic approach to real science and clinical research on all things nutrition, botanicals and balance. She currently works as a clinician with her private practice that specializes in alternative health, functional medicine and dietary supplements. Diorio works with a vast array of clients and businesses to educate and improve their health and dietary needs.
