January 2001

Happy New Year!

Contents

Herbal Cold & Flu Busters

Myrrh May Reduce Cholesterol

Echinacea Safe During Pregnancy

Herbal Profile: Thyme

Recipes: Herbal Massage Oil

Book Recommendations

Music Selections

Chat Schedule

Member's Corner

Marketplace

Herbal Conferences

Herbal Cold & Flu Busters

Our bodies rely upon lymph organs (such as the thymus and spleen), white blood cells (including lymphocytes and monocytes) and specialized tissue cells like macrophages to function properly and remain healthy.  A compromise in the mechanism of any of these components and the immune system is weakened and a simple cold may graduate to a chronic or recurring infection.  But, there are several herbs that serve as immunomodulators by stimulating T-cell production and activity to help your immune system to function at its peak this winter season.

Herbal Immune Boosters

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): One of the most important constituents in this herb is inulin, a polysaccharide that stimulates leukocytosis and chemotaxis – or, respectively, the production of white blood cells and their migration to infection sites.  Studies have shown that echinacea also promotes macrophage phagocytosis, the action of surrounding and destroying foreign cells and their toxic enzymes.  In addition to immune support, echinacea also exhibits the ability to neutralize a bacterial enzyme called hyalauronidase.  “This enzyme,” writes Michael T. Murray, N.D., co-author of the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima, 1998), “is secreted by bacteria in order to break through the body’s first line of defense – the protective membranes such as skin or mucous membranes – so that the organism can enter the body.”

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus): In its native China, this herb is known as “huang-qi” which translates to “yellow leader” indicating its reverence in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  A recent study published in the International Journal of Immunopharmacology reports that this member of the pea family encourages newly produced cells of the spleen and lymph tissue to develop into active immune cells.  Like echinacea, astragalus root contains polysaccharides that contribute to immune support.  According to James A. Duke, PhD, a leading ethnobotanist and author, astragalus is often combined with mushrooms such as reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and shiitake (Lentinus edodes) to increase antibody production.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): In the 1980s, virologist Madeline Mumcuoglu, Ph.D., set out to determine by what mechanism elderberry successfully defeats the flu. She found that the action of elderberry extract was to prevent viral hemagglutinin, or the process of the invading cells using their spike-like projections to introduce its enzyme into healthy cell membranes. She further noted that the viral enzyme is also neutralized in the presence of elderberry extract.

A 1993 placebo-controlled, double-blind study on Sambucal, a standardized extract of elderberry, was carried out in Israel with very interesting results. The extract inhibited hemagglutination and replication of several strains of influenza. In the elderberry-treated group, 93.3% experienced significant relief, including the absence of fever, within 2 days. The control group had an improvement of 91.7% of the subjects, but it took 4-5 days longer. There is no synthetic "cure" for influenza type A and B available with such a degree of efficacy.

In addition to elderberry's ability to deactivate neutraminidase, the invading viral enzyme that is the threat of influenza, the berries are one of the richest sources of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins stimulate the body's immune response by promoting the production of lympocytes, "killer cells" that act as a second line of soldiers in the battle against foreign cells.

Adapt with Adaptogens

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus):  According to Andrew Weil, M.D., an adaptogen can be defined as “a substance that promotes adaptation to environmental stress of all kinds.  In the past such as substance was called a tonic, something that tones or stretches the system, making it more resilient, better able to bend under pressure rather than break.”  Like immunomodulating herbs, adaptogens have a non-specific action on the body, increasing resistance to bio-stressors rather than effecting a response to a particular infection or illness.  A ton of research has been done on siberian ginseng (also known as eleuthero) in Russia since the 1950s where it is commonly used by atheletes and was incorporated into their early space program.

Ashwagandha (Withania somifera): This member of the nightshade family is cultivated in India where it is featured in Ayurvedic medicine.  In his book, “101 Medicinal Herbs” (Interweave Press, 1998), Steven Foster points out that, “A recent comparative pharmacological study of ashwagandha and ginseng showed that ashwagandha stimulated the appetite and had significant anabolic activity.”  A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology revealed that ashwagandha increased bone marrow activity as measured by red cell, hemoglobin and platelet concentration in mice treated with immunosuppressive drugs.

Myrrh May Reduce Cholesterol

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are studying an extract made from the mukul myrrh native to India for its cholesterol-reducing properties.  The resin derived from the bush further yields a dietary supplement called gugulipid that has been used in traditional Indian medicine for at least 2,000 years.  

The researchers, working under a a five-year research grant of $150,000 annually, hope to evaluate the short-term efficacy and tolerance of the resin extract on western subjects with mild-to-moderately elevated cholesterol levels.

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Herbal Profile...

Common Names: Garden Thyme, Common Thyme

Range: A cultivated form of wild thyme (T. serpyllum), this herb can be found in North America and most of Europe.

History:  Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), received it's genus name from the Greeks, but it is uncertain what the actual meaning was intended to convey. Some linguists and herbalists believe that it was named for the Greek equivalent of "courage" due to its invigorating properties. Others contend that it's name means "to fumigate," referring to the herb's ability to ward off insects.

Whatever the origin of it's name, thyme has been revered by cultures around the globe and throughout history. Wearing sprigs of thyme during the Middle Ages signified that you were of a chivalrous nature. To the ancient Greeks, thyme was a symbol of elegance and social grace. In France, thyme became an icon of the Republican movement. Gardeners have always appreciated thyme for it's understated beauty, aroma and its ability to attract bees. In some cultures, fairies were believed to inhabit thyme patches and many a gardener made a point of isolating a few plantings to accommodate their little friends.

Medicinally, thyme has held a long place in history as a remedy for a variety of ailments. It was once used as a vermifuge to expel intestinal parasites, particularly hookworm. The Greeks treated nervous conditions with thyme and considered the herb to be an antiseptic. In Midieval Europe, thyme was used to ward off plagues and the essential oil (a source of thymol) was a standard antiseptic in first-aid kits carried on the battlefields of World War I. The essential oil is still used today to flavor cough syrups.

Thyme was also once applied to various mental health disorders. Pillows stuffed with thyme were made for those suffering from depression. Thyme was also believed to be a mild sedative and the tea thought useful in preventing nightmares. When prepared in a soup or served in beer, thyme was said to help one to overcome shyness.

Thyme is still popular in cosmetics and is important to the perfume industry. The dried leaves and flowers are often added to sachets and potpourri. Due to its antiseptic action, thyme is also an ingredient in some soaps and aftershave lotions.

"[Thyme is] a noble strengthener of the lungs, as notable a one as grows, nor is there a better remedy growing for hooping cough. It purgeth the body of phlegm and is an excellent remedy for shortness of breath. It is so harmless you need not fear the use of it. An ointment made of it takes away hot swellings and warts, helps the sciatica and dullness of sight and takes away any pains and hardness of the spleen: it is excellent for those that are troubled with the gout and the herb taken anyway inwardly is of great comfort to the stomach." -- Culpeper

Echinacea Safe During Pregnancy

In a study recently published in Archives of Internal Medicine that involved 412 women, half of whom used echinacea during pregnancy while the other half did not, researchers deem the herb safe to use during pregnancy. 

Neither of the two groups involved this study demonstrated any complications or differences in maternal weight gain, fetal health or distress or birth weight.  In addition, the women participating in this study revealed that they were less worried about potential health risks with echinacea than with prescription or other over-the-counter drugs or supplements.  The researchers stress that while previous studies have failed to provide safety data, and that this study supports the herbs safety during pregnancy, more research is needed.

~ Recipes ~

Try this soothing and nourishing oil for your next massage or after a shower or bath.

Combine all ingredients in a small (4-6 ounce) plastic squirt bottle or other appropriate container and shake gently.  If using after a shower or bath, apply lightly while skin is still damp.