Immune Health and Nutrition

A well-maintained immune cache equals healthier returns

It makes sense that plants contain self-defense compounds that might also help human immunity. Thus, many natural immune health products are plant-based, from botanical extracts to plant fibers and related plant components. Buchman noted SPINS found the immune category represents nearly 20 percent of the $160 million of herbs sold.

There are scores of immune remedies in the proverbial herbal medicine chest, a few which have recently been credited with flu-fighting mechanisms. A Norwegian study highlighted the effects of black elderberry extract on influenza A and B strains.⁷ Noting influenza A is the culprit behind most flu epidemics as it mutates more often more often, yielding a new strain every few years, the scientists reported black elderberry (as Sambucol, from Nature’s Way) may reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of both flu types. Symptoms disappeared an average of four days earlier in subjects taking 15 ml elderberry 48 hours into the flu, compared to placebo.

From traditional Chinese and Indian medicines comes Andrographis paniculata, an antiviral herb. In a University of Illinois, Chicago, trial, andrographis was among a short list of herbs shown promising against childhood illnesses.⁸ In fact, researcher Gail Mahady, Ph.D., said the science indicates andrographis has a significant effect on the common cold, flu and other infections.

Add tea to the list of antiviral botanicals, as green tea has inhibited infections such as influenza, HIV, herpes simplex type 2 and adenoviruses (respiratory and eye infections).^9,10 Scientists speculate green tea’s antioxidant flavonoids enhance both humoral (use of antibodies against identified invaders) and cell-mediated immunity (use of macrophage, NK cells and other immune cells against invaders).¹¹ Another dietary botanical favorite with immune powers is cocoa. Intake of cocoa has been linked to improved antioxidant defenses via differentiation of immune cells in the thymus, where T cells mature.¹² University of Barcelona scientists noted activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in the thymus was dose-dependently increased by cocoa.

Garlic also may stimulate immune cell production and activity, including macrophages and NK cells, as well as interferon and the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In fact, in vitro research has shown garlic extracts significantly stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes, which correlates with IL-2 expression and production.¹³ Garlic is also a proven antibacterial herb, as are goldenseal, guggul, myrrh, oregano and rosemary.^{14,15,16,17,18,19}

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