Immune Harmony Herbal Extract

An overactive or underactive immune system creates problems within the body. An overactive immune system can present with allergies, acne, eczema and even arthritis. An underactive immune system can cause illnesses and infections; chronic and acute.

The goal of any herbal warrior is to find balance. Using adaptogens and immunomodulators and immunostimulants, we can hope to achieve harmony and balance.

According to the Naturopathic Herbalist:

“Adaptogen: Herbs in this group work through some hormonal modulation of the immune response. The field of Psychoneuroimmunology describes the numerous endocrine functions that can be effected by stress, our mental/emotional health, and it is largely at this levels the herbs demonstrate their actions. For example, adaptogens exert their effects through saponins (steroidal & triperpendoi) via the adrenal glands which is foundational component of healthy immune status. Herbal examples include:

Immunomodulator: Immune modulation denotes any effect a herb will have on immune system responsiveness. For example, these herbs may stimulate T-supressor cells (thereby reduce immune resistance), and stimulate macrophages and natural killer cells. Others will enhance the production of antibodies within acting as antigens themselves. Immunomodulators have potential contributions to the treatment of malignancies as they play a central role in supporting those cells involved in our immunological defenses.

Immunostimulant: Immune stimulants lead to a non-specific stimulation of our immunological defences. They generally do not effect our immune memory cells, and because their pharmacological effects fade relatively quickly, they must be administered at regular intervals or continuously. These herbs are more akin to conventional drug therapies for infections, and are valuable options when wanting to boost the body’s innate immune mechanisms in immunocompromised patients and in autoimmune disease.”

Immune Harmony Herbal Extract

• 1 part Eleuthero root (dried or fresh) (80% alcohol)
• 1 part Astragalus root (dried or fresh) (80% alcohol)
• 1 part Licorice root (dried or fresh) (80% alcohol)
• 1 part Ashwagandha root (dried or fresh) (80% alcohol)
• Alcohol (at least 42% for leaves, flowers and stems, brandy, vodka; 80% for roots and barks, Everclear)
• Sterilised jar and lid

Grind or chop the plant material as finely as possible. I use my juicer to grind the dried plant material and my grain mill to grind the dried roots.

Add the plant material to the jar: Dried- fill 1/2 of jar

                                                            Fresh- fill the entire jar

Add the alcohol. Fill to the brim. Keep an eye on it for the next several minutes and keep adding alcohol until all the plant material is covered.

Seal well and label with the plant name, date, percent and type of alcohol and the date 6 weeks out.

Shake the jar daily and store in a cool, dark place.

After 6 weeks, strain out plant material and decant the tincture into sterilised bottles for use.

Label bottles with the tincture name.

Adult dose: 3ml 3x day as a preventative, or 5 ml 3-5x day during the onset of a cold or flu.

Medicinal actions:

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus): adaptogen, antioxidant, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenative

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous): immune enhancing, adaptogen, tonic, adrenal tonic, hypotensive, cardiotonic, antiviral, antibacterial.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): adaptogen, tonic, adrenal tonic, antiallergenic

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): adaptogen, tonic, immunomodulator

 

Adaptogens:

• Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)
• Panax ginseng (Chinese/Korean Ginseng)
• Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)

Immunomodulators:

• Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus)
• Codonopsis tangshen (Codonopsis)
• Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom)
• Lentinus edodes (Shitake mushroom)
• Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail)
• Ligustrum lucidum (Privet)
• Schisandra chinensis (Schizandra)

Immunostimulants:

• Allium sativum (Garlic)
• Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo)
• Echinacea sp. (Echinacea)
• Thuja occidentalis (Thuja)
• Usnea sp. (Old Man’s Beard)