Seniors: Protect Your Immune System with Herbs

According to Christopher Hobbs, a medical herbalist in California, there are three levels of herbal immune activities. These are "deep immune activation, surface immune activation, and 'Ëœadaptogenic' or hormonal modulation." Seniors need all three types.

Deep Immune Activation

Herbal immunomodulators include Astralagus, Ligustrum lucidum, Schizandra chinensis, Ganoderma lucidum (from Reishi mushrooms), and Codonopsis. Bitter tonics have a role in preventive medicine as well. Bitters seem to function by triggering a response in the mouth that signals the central nervous system to stimulate appetite, increase digestive fluid flow and regulate the production of glucose, glucagon and insulin. Bitters like mugworth and gentian can provide antidepressive actions.
A definite area that can affect senior's health as they get into the 70's, 80's and 90's is a loss of appetite accompanied by increasing digestive problems. Bitters, by stimulating appetite can help in this department as well.
Alternatives to bitters are herbals that are a bit gentler such as burdock, cleavers, nettles, sarsaparilla and yellow dock.

Surface Immune Activation

Herbs that help in this area act by increasing immune reaction to infections by microbes. They are classed as antimicrobials and include the following:
* Calendula
* Echinacea
* Garlic
* Myrrh
* Old man's beard
* Onion
* Western Hemlock
* Wild Indigo

Hormonal Modulation

Since hormones are involved in the immune response, herbs known as adaptogens, have an important role. Adaptogens modulate stressed body systems, re-setting the system to a normal state. Some typical adaptogens are Siberian Ginseng and Rhodiola.

Detoxification

Herbs can help detoxify the body, removing waste and poisons. For example, dandelion leaf works as a diuretic, helping remove wastes from the kidneys and urinary system. Mullein or coltsfoot acts as an expectorant or anticatarrhal, helping clear the respiratory system. Dandelion root and milk thistle will aid in eliminating toxins from the liver and blood.

Summary

The herbs suggested here can benefit people of any age. However, because of the aging process, maintaining a healthy state of immunity becomes even more important. The Chinese and Japanese herbal practitioners have focused on elder medicine for much longer than Western herbal traditional methods. You can benefit from their experience.

Recommended Resource

Hoffman, David. An Elders' Herbal: Natural Techniques for Promoting Health & Vitality. (Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1993).