The Immune System - In All of it's Complexity

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The Immune System - In All it's Complexity JoAnn Guest May 15, 2003 14:15

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The Immune System

JoAnn Guest

Oct 21, 2002 12:49 PDT

 

 

The immune system is perhaps one of the most

complex and fascinating systems of the human body.

The immune system's prime function is to protect

the body against infection and the development of cancer.

 

The immune system is composed of the

lymphatic vessels and organs

(thymus, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, and lymph nodes),

 

White blood cells

(lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils,

eosinophils, monocytes, etc.)

 

Specialized cells residing in various tissues

(macrophages, mast cells, etc.)

 

and specialized chemical factors

such as complement, interferon,

and interleukin.

 

Also included are the " Peyer's patches " ,

(on the small intestine) the appendix

and bone marrow.

 

T lymphocytes

 

T lymphocytes, or T cells,

are a type of white blood cell responsible

for " cell-mediated immunity. "

 

Cell-mediated immunity refers to

immune mechanisms not controlled or mediated by antibodies.

 

Cell-mediated immunity is extremely important in providing

resistance to infection by moldlike bacteria, yeast (including Candida

albicans),

fungi, parasites, and viruses (including herpes simplex), Epstein-

Barr virus, and viruses that cause hepatitis.

 

If you are suffering from an infection by these organisms, it's a

good indication that your cell-mediated immunity is not functioning up

to

par.

 

Cell-mediated immunity is also critical in protecting against the

development of cancer, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid

arthritis, and allergies.

 

Not surprisingly,

 

Echinacea has been used to treat all of these conditions.

 

Echinacea promotes nonspecific *T-cell* activation.

 

When Echinacea polysaccharides bind to the surface

of T-cells, the T-cells increase their production

of interferon and other immune potentiators.

 

The result is enhanced T-cell replication,

macrophage activity, antibody binding,

and increased numbers of circulating neutrophils.

 

Neutrophils are another type of white blood cell.

 

Neutrophils actively phagocytize –that is,

engulf and destroy—bacteria,

tumor cells, and dead particulate matter.

 

Neutrophils are especially important in

preventing bacterial infection.

 

The nonspecific T-cell activation by Echinacea

also increases the activity of another type

of white blood cell

 

–natural killer cells.

 

They are called " natural killer cells " because they destroy cells

that have become cancerous or infected with viruses.

 

They are the body's first line of defense against cancer development.

 

The level or activity of natural killer cells in chronic fatigue

syndrome is usually low.

 

 

Effect on macrophages

 

Macrophages are blood monocytes

that have taken up residence in specific

tissues such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

 

From here these large cells filter

the lymphatic fluid (or lymph fluid),

engulfing (or phagocytizing) foreign

particles including bacteria and cellular debris.

 

Macrophages and monocytes are in essence, the " garbage collectors " of

the body.

 

Macrophages protect the body against invasion by microorganisms, as

well as prevent damage to the " lymphatic " system.

 

Echinacea polysaccharides-have been shown

to enhance macrophage phagocytosis and stimulate

macrophages to produce a number of immune potentiating

compound

(e.g. tumor necrosis factor (TNF),

interferon, and interleukin.

 

Furthermore, macrophages have been shown to destroy

tumor cells in tissue culture and inhibit

" Candida albicans " infection in rats

infected intravenously with a lethal dose of

Candida albicans.

 

The interactions of macrophages are most likely

responsible for much of the immune

system enhancement of Echinacea polysaccharides.

 

Antiviral properties

 

The fresh-pressed juice of the aerial portion of

*E. purpurea* echinacea along

with alcoholic and aquaeous extracts of the roots,

possess antiviral activity.

 

Some viruses inhibited in cell culture include influenza,

herpes virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus.

 

Antibacterial properties

 

The direct antibacterial activity of Echinacea is quite mild.

Clearly, its clinical efficacy is due to its strong

immune potentiating actions.

 

Echinacea does possess some mild antibacterial

action due largely to echinacoside, the

complex caffeic acid derivative,

found in highest concentrations in the root

of E. augustifolia.

 

Echinacoside and caffeic acid inhibit

the growth of Staphylococcus aureus,

Corynebacterium Diphtheria, and Proteus vulgaria.

 

Approximately 6.3 mgs of " echinacoside " is *equivalent*

to 10 Oxford units of *penicillin*.

 

Anticancer Activity

 

Echinacea obviously possesses indirect anticancer

activity via its general immuno-enhancing effects.

 

Particularly important is its

stimulation of macrophages to greater cytotoxic

activity against tumor cells.

 

(Z)-1,8 –pentadecadiene, a lipid-soluble component

found in the root

of E. augustifolia and E. pallida, possesses, in vivo,

significant direct anticancer activity.

 

Taken from:

" The Healing Power of Herbs "

By Michael T. Murray, N.D.

 

The only caution with Echinacea is that those

with auto-immune disorders such as

multiple sclerosis, lupus and diabetes

should not use it

since the herb could antagonize

an already over-active immune system.

 

The typical length of time to take Echinacea

is 10 to 14 days.

If you're in good health, the herb generally

doesn't need to be used for longer

than four days.

 

Current research shows that in many cases,

Echinacea's fighting ability

tends to slow down after 14 consecutive days of use.

 

That doesn't mean that the herb becomes

toxic to the body or dangerous,

it simply means that it *weakens* in intensity.

 

For this reason, it's always good to take a week

or more off from

the herb before resuming with your dosages.

 

Research has shown that Echinacea is most effective

for anywhere

from 14 to 28 consecutive days.

 

Echinacea has been shown to shorten the duration of cold symptoms.

 

Chronic sinus and ear infections are often linked

to your body's inability to process dairy and/or

wheat products.

 

 

 

 

 

JoAnn Guest

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