A healthy immune system is critical for general physical health and may contribute to mental health as well. Immune modulating herbs are herbs that broadly support the immune system. They can help the body defend against pathogens by adjusting the normal immune response to respond more effectively when a pathogen has been detected. These balancing herbs can be used in signs of excess, such as autoimmunity and allergies, and signs of deficiency as seen in frequent infections. They can be used prophylactically as well, especially during the winter months to help prevent viral infections such as the common cold and influenza.
The immune system is increasingly found to be involved in the development of a number of chronic illnesses for which allopathic medicine has limited tools for treatment and especially prevention. Herbal medicines, specifically immune modulating herbs, are frequently being used in the treatment of chronic conditions. These conditions are inadequately managed by conventional medicine which offers exceptional symptomatic and emergency-oriented medicine but often fails to get to the cause of the problem and is plagued by side effects from its solutions. The term ‘effectiveness gap’ refers to an area of clinical practice in which available treatments are not fully effective. These include many of the chronic non-communicable and degenerative diseases that are now making the most pressing demands on healthcare systems in the developed world. Herbal medicine may be used independently in these contexts or to support orthodox treatment and counteract the side-effects of conventional drug therapy. When immune modulating herbs are used in this situation they are generally a significant part of an overall plan which will also include addressing diet, lifestyle, and other herbal formulas specific to the condition.
Immune modulating herbs are traditional tonics for supporting the immune system and are slower acting with a more prolonged effect as compared to immune enhancers (or stimulants). They are usually taken regularly for an extended period of time, often six months to a year or even a lifetime. They are generally considered safe for everyone’s use and are often taken traditionally in foods such as bone broth. Many immune modulating herbs are also adaptogens that help to restore balance in the immune system when there is a problem.
Immune modulators: Herbs such as astragalus, cordyceps (pictured above), lion’s mane, reishi, schizandra, Siberian ginseng, withania.
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