Senior Health - Boost your Immune System with Natural Alternatives

As we travel through life, our immune systems are called upon to protect us against everything from pollen and bug bites to virus and bacterial infection. However, certain conditions and treatments we may have been exposed to may have weakened our immune systems, such as chemotherapy and immune disorders. Sometimes, simply getting older can cause the immune system to become less aggressive. In these cases, it is recommended that we build our immune system, strengthen it, so when we need to call upon it to protect us against a virus, or infection, it is up to the task. Traditional medicine does not currently offer an immune stimulator. So we look to Natural Medicines to help us build and maintain this internal protection shield.

Fortunately, there are many immunological herbs that are safe and effective for seniors on the market today, however, knowing which ones they are is the key.

Since Chemotherapy is known to suppress or compromise the immune system, many Chinese medical practitioners recommend Astragalus Root (in combination with other herbs) in chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens. According to the Seasonal section of The Herbaless, “[Astragalus] promotes the production of stem cells in bone marrow and lymph tissue and encourages their development into active immune cells.” Astragalus Root seems to help reduce side effects, and promote immune function. Astragalus is a member of the Legume family, and has been found to improve the function of T lymphocytes in cancer patients as well as stimulate the production of interferon.

This next botanical is almost a household word. Echinacea has become popular because of its power in cold prevention. In Europe, the natural medicine standard, Commission E, much like our FDA only for natural medicines, recommends a dose of 8 to 9 milliliters of Echinacea juice a day, to prevent colds an illness. For those who have an under-functioning immune system, taking echinacia daily may help prevent illness. However, it is not recommended for otherwise healthy people to take Echinacea on a regular basis (longer than 12 weeks), as some researchers believe that it would have an opposite effect. But if an otherwise healthy person, should come down with a viral or bacterial infection, you might benefit from taking Echinacea at the first sign of a sniffle.

When speaking of building and supporting your body in times of stress, whether physical or mental, you have to consider the family of Ginseng. There are three main types of Ginseng: Asian Panax or Korean Ginseng, and American Ginseng which are called True Ginsengs, and Siberian ginseng, which is actually Eleutherococcus senticosus. Each have their own health benefits, however the immune boosting ginseng is “behind door number one;” Asian Panax or Korean Ginseng. Currently, it is used extensively in Oriental countries to treat several illnesses, including heart conditions, and for an overall health enhancer, while in western herbal medicine, Panax ginseng has been studied for its effectiveness in preventing colds, flu, and some forms of cancer as well as its beneficial effects on the immune system. Studies show taking American ginseng has been known to lower blood sugar levels for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. In non-diabetic studies reductions in blood sugar levels were also noted, although their reductions were smaller than those seen in individuals with diabetes.

I am sure at one time or another you have heard of “hair of the dog,” but have you ever heard of “foot of the cat?” Well, as in the dog hair analogy, it isn’t really a cat’s foot, Una de Gato, or Cat’s claw, is an herb that originates in jungle areas in South America and Asia, and gets its name from the small thorns at the base of the leaves, which looks like a cat’s claw. It is the alkaloids, tannins and other phytochemicals in this herb that do all the good work. Una de Gato has been used to strengthen the weakened immune system, and treat ailments such as allergies, heart disease, crohn’s disease, and may more. By stimulating the immune system, it can also improve the body’s response to viral and respiratory infections. Some natural supplement manufacturers, like Nature’s Sunshine, combine Una de Gato with Echinacea and Astragalus (Una de Gato (Cat’s Claw)) for the best of all worlds.

Finally, have a nice cup of tea, since green and black tea (not herbal teas) have been linked to good health for nearly 5,000 years. Research has finally caught up with tradition, as researchers believe that tea’s great health benefits come from two types of flavonoid phytochemicals – catechins and flavonols. The difference in green and black tea is that black tea is oxidized, and green tea is unoxidized, and both contain the same amount of phytochemicals, different ones, but the same amount. These phytochemicals prevent free-radical damage to cells. Some studies show that this may translate to lower risk of skin, stomach, pancreatic, and esophageal cancer and possibly a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke for regular tea drinkers.

So, if you are looking to boost your immune system, or ward off illness, these herbs can help you to build your body’s defenses. If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then these herbs should “weigh heavily in your favor.” Be sure to speak with a professional natural health care provider or consultant to weigh the options that are the best for you, and in combination with any other protocols you are taking.

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