Echinacea- It's Antibiotic Activity is Essential for T-Cell Activation

[Guest guest]

The Immune System & Echinacea JoAnn Guest Oct 21, 2002 12:49 PDT The Immune

System

 

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 factitively 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 also 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 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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[Guest guest]

, " Alobar "

<alobar@b...> wrote:

> Why should Echinacea not be taken by people with diabetes?

> Could you site some website where I can read more about this,

JoAnn.

>

> Alobar

>

> Echinacea- It's Antibiotic

> Activity is Essential for T-Cell Activation

 

> 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.

 

Alobar,

I am curious about this as well, now that you mention it.

As for websites, I'm not sure there are any. This was taken from

several herbal references of mine.

 

I can understand why the other diseases are mentioned. They are auto-

immune diseases in every sense of the word. Diabetes? I really

wasn't aware that was an auto-immune disease. One learns something

new everyday. <LOL

I'm well aware once diagnosed, the disease never relinquishes

control, however after sugar levels are brought down using proper

herbals, I'm quite certain one should be able to take echinacea

without any ill effects.

If I were you, I believe I would just take minimal amounts and heed

the precautions in the article. I took it for one year without a

break after my sister died. This is not wise as you can see from the

article itself. Large doses cause short term memory loss if taken

successively over a long period of time.

 

Best of luck,

JoAnn

[Guest guest]

, " Gracia "

<circe@g...> wrote:

>

> autoimmune is really not hyper immune, it is dysfunctional immune,

so

> echinacea would still be of benefit IMHO. I also believe that

autoimmune starts with an adrenal problem and can be cured. (Safe

Uses of Cortisol by William Jeffries MD).

> Gracia

> Why should Echinacea not be taken by people with diabetes? Could

you site some website where I can read more about this, JoAnn.

> > > Alobar

> > > Echinacea- It's

Antibiotic Activity is Essential for T-Cell Activation

> > > The only caution with Echinacea is that those with auto-immune

> > > disorders such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and diabetes

should not use it

 

Gracia,

Adrenals and other glands are implicated in the vast majority of

diseases. When a glandular problem exists, we usually find it tends

to throw everything out of balance. The glands are the conductors

that orchestrates the whole symphony.

 

Autoimmune disease can be cured, I believe that as well, however I

also believe that one should observe these cautions in the meantime.

Echinacea is one of the more widely known herbs and is used for the

common cold and viruses when there are others (astragalus, etc.)

that could be substituted as well. When used for indefinite periods

of time it loses it's effectiveness. This is the reason all the

experts recommend a break after several weeks.

Also,in my opinion, it is best to alternate with various herbs

and/or using them intermittently, rather than relying on just one

for your healing.

Then too, there are various forms of echinacea that are more

beneficial for long term use.

Augustfolia, for example is a strong form of the herb and is better

for short term use, whereas Purpurea is better for the long term.

 

Some brands combine the two for maximum benefits. Usually a

combination is used for terminal cancer patients whose immune system

is sorely compromised. This does work by the way. I have observed it

first hand. Doctors shake their head in disbelief when echinacea is

used for cancers.

 

Best Regards,

JoAnn