Immune Flashcards

Question

Zea mays

Answer 1

(corn silk) URINARY SEDATIVE + DIURETIC + DEMULCENT Conditions: UTI irritation. urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis, lithiasis, gonorrhea.

Answer 2

Use herbs with more potent immunostimulatory actions Echinacea, Ligustrum, Glycyrrhiza Paired with specific antimicrobials: Hydrastis (& other berberine containing herbs), Ligusticum porterii, Alium, Usnea Generally, tonifying herbs are contraindicated in acute infections -> Add too much energy to an excess condition, feed the infection E.g. Astragalus, Codonopsis, Panax spp.

Answer 3

Long-term infection may indicate an unresolved acute process, weak immunity, infection prone or weakness in organs/tissues, genetic susceptibility, nutritional issues E.g. Chronic bronchitis, recurrent UTI’s, chronic prostatitis, herpes, diabetes Treatment strategies: Correct underlying cause (e.g. Vaginal dysbiosis predisposing chronic yeast infections) Eliminate underlying infection-> antimicrobials, immunostimulants Activate and build long-term immune function, resistance E.g. Ganoderma, Withania, Astragalus Rehabilitate affected organs and systems with specific herbal medicines

Answer 4

Long term physical, emotional, physiological stress Lowered vitality, increased toxicity, metabolic dysfunction Susceptible to severe depletion after infection or corticosteroid use Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia Require long term immune system support, adrenal tonics, adaptogens Treatment centres on use of the deep immune activators Astragalus, Schisandra, Ganoderma, Glycyrrhiza, Borago, Eleutherococcus, Panax spp.

Answer 5

Prevention of infection / prophylaxis for cold/flu Immune system adaptogens Astragalus, Echinacea, Codonopsis, Eleutherococcus, Ganoderma Auto-Immune Conditions Increase innate immunity, decrease acquired immunity (Immunomodulation) Uncover and treat activation factors (infection, GI permeability and dysbiosis) Allergies Decrease hypersensitivity, treat underlying aggravation Cancer Prevention: increase immune surveillance Treatment: Increase NK cells, cytokines like TNF Treat side effects from conventional treatments

Answer 6

Caffeic acid Common phenylpropanoid: phenolic compound characterized by an aromatic ring to which a 3-carbon side chain is attached Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties E.g. echinacoside (Echinacea) Polysaccharides High molecular-weight polymers made up of monosaccharide units Effects on immune system: activate T-lymphocytes, increase certain serum proteins, activate complement system, stimulate interferon production, increase phagocytosis E.g. β-glucans (Ganoderma) Saponins 3 common properties: bitter taste, hemolytic activity, and form stable foams when shaken in water General pharmacological actions include: adaptogenic, alterative/tonic, anthelminthic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-ulcerogenic, capillary strengthening, cholesterol lowering, diuretic, expectorant, hemolytic, hepatoprotective, hormone modulating, immunomodulating, molluscicidal, piscicidal, spermicidal and contraceptive Enhance humoral and cellular immune responses Some induce ACTH and corticosterone release E.g. astragaloside (Astragalus), Codonopsis, ginsenosides (Panax spp.), eleutherosides (Eleutherococcus), glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza) Pyrrolyzidine alkaloids E.g. Borago

Answer 7

May interfere with immunosuppressive drugs (Astragalus, Eleutherococcus, Ganoderma, Withania) Additive hypoglycemic effects w/ insulin (Eleutherococcus, Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius) Improves outcome w/ interferon (Astragalus) Enhances outcome w/ chemotherapy (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius) Decreases gastric ulceration due to aspirin (Glycyrrhiza) Inhibits liver toxicity of acetaminophen (Glycyrrhiza, Schisandra) May lead to hypertension and hypokalemia (Glycyrrhiza) DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), frequently used to treat ulcers, does not; however, it also loses its adrenocorticotrophic activity May lead to hypertension, esp. when used w/ caffeine (Panax ginseng) Avoid concommitant use of stimulants

Answer 8

Borago: Leaves and flowers contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids – caution w/ long term use Seed oil does not contain toxic constituents Glycyrrhiza: Glycyrrhizin may lead to pseudoaldosteronism – hypokalemia, hypernatremia, edema, hypertension, weight gain, vertigo, headaches Assess BP prior to administration and monitor regularly Panax ginseng: High doses may lead to Ginseng Abuse Syndrome (GAS): hypertension, euphoria, nervousness, insomnia, skin eruptions, & morning diarrhea (traditional antidote is mung bean soup)

Answer 9

Directinteractionw/pathogen E.g. Melaleuca’s volatile oil content kills pathogens by interfering w/ their metabolism Indirect action by stimulating immune response E.g. Echinacea spp. stimulates NK & T-cell mediated immunity Secondary actions that affectmicrobial abilities Arctostaphylos has anti-adherent properties, blocking E. coli from attaching to urinary tract mucosa

Answer 10

Choose antimicrobials which have: Affinity for body system(s) involved Affinity for type of pathogen Strength commensurate with vitality of patient Different constituents than other botanicals in the formula Specificity for pathogen involved +relevant tonics + system support Once acute infection is over: Tonify body system(s) involved Usebitters, immunomodulators, adaptogens, hepaticalteratives and diuretics as indicated to restore overall health an

Immune Flashcards

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