Herbs such as Astragalus, Echinacea, Cat's claw can be combined and are known to boost the immune system significantly, and Lymphocytes in particular. Turkey tail also boosts NK cells.
How Astragalus, Cat’s Claw and Echinacea can really boost your immune system.
This article looks at how the best way to boost your immune system may well be by using natural herbs.
As you may be aware, even healthy people make several hundred cancer and pre-cancer cells every day. You may also be aware that people with cancer often have weak immune systems. One school of thought says that because the immune system was weak, a cancer was allowed to form - it overwhelmed the poor defences. Another school says that a full-blown cancer weakens the immune system, rendering the defences incapable of fighting back. Chicken or egg?
Whatever the view, one thing is certain: The moment you start taking chemotherapy drugs, or having radiotherapy, taking antibiotics or almost any prescription drug, you compromise your microbiome and the white cells of your immune system decline, lowering your cancer survival chances. Low lymphocytes are known to be linked with lowered cancer survival rates.
Types of white cells:
The common types of white blood cells include:
* Neutrophils: These are the most common type of white blood cell, making up 60-70% of the total white blood cells. They are crucial in fighting bacterial and fungal infections by engulfing and destroying pathogens.
* Lymphocytes: These cells may be T-cells, Natural Killer Lymphoid cells and B-cells.
T-cells and NK cells attack rogue cells such as virus-infected cells and cancer cells. T-helper cells and cytokines then stimulate the B-cells to produce antibodies specific to infections - this is called immune memory. Lymphocytes are made in the bone marrow and make up 20-40% of the total white blood cells.
* Eosinophils: These cells are involved in combating parasitic infections and play a role in allergic reactions. They make up 1-6% of the total white blood cells.
* Basophils: The rarest type of white blood cell, basophils are involved in immune responses to parasites and are associated with allergic reactions. They release histamines and other chemicals that increase blood flow to infected areas.
* Monocytes: These are the largest white blood cells in size and play a role in phagocytosis, where they engulf and destroy dead cells and bacteria. They make up 2-10% of the total white blood cells.
Of these different types of cell, your immune attack centres around the lymphocytes and conventional medicine has little or nothing that can boost these cells.
Diet and supplements can help
Many people turn to diet as a way of boosting their immune system. Some turn to sunshine and vitamin D; zinc and magnesium were known to help during the pandemic. Others turn to supplements, like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Turmeric or beta-carotene. Happiness, laughter, exercise, yoga also boost your immune system.
However, when it comes to having strong absolute levels of lymphocytes, the evidence is turning more and more to a role for herbs. Oddly enough much of this is coming from US medical schools which have only a limited history in the use of herbs, as herbs have no traditional medicine foundation in America as they have in Europe.
First Hand Experience
I witnessed personally that Cat's claw, Astragalus, and Echinacea could be an excellent immune system re-booting combination for cancer patients, especially after treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. We gave this combination to Catherine when the chemotherapy drugs had reduced her white cells to desperately low levels, and the standard immune-stimulating drug injections on offer simply would not work even though she tried them daily for almost a month. On taking these three natural herbs in the sunshine of the South of France, her white cell levels recovered in a little over two weeks! (She was also taking aloe vera and turmeric (curcumin), which most probably helped further.)
So, here is a little guide to these three big herbs. I think you will be surprised at the research supporting their use. I've also covered a couple of others.
ASTRAGALUS
An all round performer
Astragalus has been around in Chinese medicine for two thousand years. It is known as haung qi, or chi, because it boosts natural body energy (chi) levels. Astragalus is taken from the root of a perennial plant (Astragalus membranaceous) needing four to seven years to mature before the root is harvested in early spring. The root is not unlike a garlic bulb. Traditionally, this herb is known to boost the immune system and has chronicled benefits in cases of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and respiratory infections. It is also used as a general tonic and to treat burns, abscesses and for hepatitis.
An excellent Immune system booster
Its wide usage in China as an immune system booster brought interest from Europe, Japan and America. Original Chinese studies dated back to 1981, when a study by Hou et aI showed that Astragalus taken orally induced greater quantities of interferon and leukocytes in the blood stream.
A 2023 review and meta-analsis of research (1) concluded that Astragalus demonstrated a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and an enhancement of cellular immune markers, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for immune-related disorders.
A common misconception is that merely stimulating the immune system will be enough to kick out a cancer. Maybe, in a few cases it will. But, by and large, the problem with cancer is two-fold true, the immune system is weak, BUT .......the cancer evades the immune system because of the low immune system response capacity. (In English the bad guys can't be seen, no matter how many good guys you produce. The issue is to make lots of good guys AND stimulate the bad guys in such a way that they appear on the radar screens).
So, Medical Herbalists rightly point out that two therapeutic requirements are essential when treating cancer Immuno-modulating action, and Adaptogenic action, and BOTH are required to work synergistically.
Astragalus is a very important herb because it seems to be able to do both jobs. Firstly, it has phenomenal immune system modulating effects. In tests at the Hiroshima School of Medicine in Japan, it was shown to directly increase B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte levels, interleukin and antibody production.
But, not only does it increase the number of various white cells and in particular the hunter T-lymphocytes, it also helps identify the viruses, bacteria and other rogue cells. The University of Texas has shown that Astragalus seems to be an adaptogenic herb offering up viruses, bacteria and even cancer cells to be seen by the immune system.
Astragalus contains bioflavonoids, choline and a polysaccharide, astragalan B, amongst other active ingredients. Astragalan B controls bacterial infection, viruses and other such rogue bodies by binding to their outer membranes. This has two effects it weakens their internal systems, and by sitting on the membrane it thus helps the T-cells identify the invaders and rogue cells.
All this also makes its use as an adjunct to fight AIDS increasingly important.
A considerable amount of detailed German and American research has confirmed the herb's powers, and identified an important potential role in cancer therapy. For example:
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Researchers from the University of Texas, Houston, have reported that cancer patients receiving Astragalus have twice the survival rate of those only receiving placebos.
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In particular, Astragalus boosts levels ot T-lymphocytes, NK cells, B-lymphocytes and T-helper cells. Increasing levels of Lymphocytes in cancer patients (who frequently have low levels after treatment) increases survival.
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It is often used in conjunction with other herbs. In a 1994 Italian study (Morazzoni, Bombardelli) breast cancer patients were given a combination of Ligustrum and Astragalus. Patients given this mix showed a decline in mortality from 50% to 10%.
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In another study of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer all undergoing chemotherapy, the group taking the dual herb mix showed an average life span increase of 130%.
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Astragalus doesn’t merely enhance interferon levels; there is strong scientific evidence that it benefits liver function (often impaired in the cancer sufferer). In China, Astragalus is widely used in the treatment of hepatitis. It seems to reduce toxin levels significantly, boost interferon levels and inhibit viral protein expression whilst having little or no effect on normal DNA.(Zhang 1995, Fan 1996)
The FDA is on record as saying that is looking at granting it approval as an anti-cancer agent. However, the FDA has never in its history approved any herb as a cancer treatment in whole or in part! And 10 years later, there is still no approval.
Astragalus can improve the effectiveness of Radio- and Chemotherapy
One extremely important conclusion from several US studies is that Astragalus seems to help the immune system differentiate between healthy cells and rogue cells, thereby boosting the body's total cancer fighting system. One effect of this is the added benefit of improving the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.
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In Chinese hospitals, Astragalus is now routinely used to help people recover from the negative effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
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MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas) researchers reported that cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy had twice the survival rates if they took astragalus during the treatment.
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In the West some herbalists routinely provide chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients with Astragalus and, apart from boosting the immune system (which of course both orthodox treatments damage), it also seems to stop the spread of malignant cancer cells to secondary healthy tissues.
Dosage of Astragalus - There are no known conflicting effects with drugs, although it may lower blood pressure. Astragalus should be taken with meals at a total intake of 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day.
ECHINACEA
Although Echinacea was a favourite of Native American Indians for centuries even being used for snakebites, it lost its position as an immune system booster when antibiotics came along. Originally, claims were made for its excellence in aiding relief from anything from colds to cancer.
Over the last twenty years it has been the Germans who have pioneered all the new research work with literally hundreds of studies. This is a very well researched herb! There are several forms in common use - e.g. Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida
The German Federal Health Agency has approved echinacea as a supportive treatment for colds and influenza, hard-to-heal skin wounds and urinary tract infections. Almost all the research uses liquid preparations or tinctures. Other research studies have noted an effect in eczema, candidiasis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
However in 1999 a paper by M J Verhoef in Neurology volume 52, reported the successful study of echinacea in neurological disease and in brain tumours, and this led scientists to refocus their attentions to cancer.
Echinacea is an excellent immune booster particularly lymphocytes
Echinacea is a member of the Compositae family. Although there are nine members, only three have been widely studied and used. Most common, the purple cornflower, is a native plant to America and was first officially used there in medical practice in 1887. Both the roots and the leaves have medicinal properties.
It boosts the immune system directly due to a number of active chemicals like polysaccharides, alkylamides, flavenoids, caffeic acid derivatives, polyacetylenes and essential oils. For example, arabinogalactan is a very powerful immuno-modulating polysaccharide and is effective in activating macrophages, interleukin and interferon with an increase in T-cell activity. It can boost the immune system to attack and kill microbes, cause cancer cell death and more and more studies are showing positive effects with brain tumours.
Several studies have indicated this increase in levels of interferons, whilst highlighting increases in the ingestion of foreign particles by the white cells (phagocytosis).
The University of Munich have shown that it stimulates interleukin and increases levels of white B- and T-lymphocytes, the latter (the cells that can hunt down cancer cells) by 30 per cent. A University of Iowa study showed the same effects with T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and NK cells saying it boosted both the Innate and Adaptive immune systems (2).
Echinacea can also be used to reduce secondary infection during and after radio and chemotherapy.
Dosage of Echinacea - Recommended dosage appears to vary from 900 mg to 1200 mg per day divided into three equal doses. No significant side effects have been reported in the German research, although echinacea should not be used for more than eight weeks at a time as may thin the blood.
It is also available in health shops in capsules and teas.
CAT's CLAW (Una de Gato, or, Uncaria Tomentosa)
Boosting the attack
Alkaloids are very powerful natural plant compounds and there are six oxindole alkaloids in Uno de Gato vine bark. This natural compound is found in the Peruvian rain forest and China. It is known to be anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant and an immune stimulator. It also reduces inflammatory cytokines and helps the immune system work better.
Cat's Claw is an immuno-modulating herb - it is known to increase various white cell levels stimulating the production of Natural Killer Cells. Four alkaloids in particular boost phagocytosis (the ability of the white cells to attack, wrap up and carry off the rogue cells in the body; be they microbes, viruses, antigens and even cancer cells).
Research studies have shown the herb to be very powerful in its use with AIDS and cancer therapies. Research shows an action in decreasing the size of some tumours.
Cat's claw can reduce the damaging side effects from radiotherapy and chemotherapy as it seems to offer protection to healthy cells while enhancing the attack on and removal of cancer cells.
As an anti-cancer aid it can also be combined with wild yam and aloe vera forming a very strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial immune boosting force.
It has also been reported to boost the body's natural energy levels and have benefits in several illnesses from Nephritis to prostatitis and osteoporosis (3)
Dosage - 1 gm a day on an empty stomach.
Other compounds to boosts lymphocytes and immune response
Ligustrum lucidum
Another strong traditional Chinese herb, with Sloan Kettering confirming that it can boost the immune system in cancer treatment. Ligustrum lucidum comes from the berries of a variety of privet, it also boosts and protects the liver and restricts inflammation. It is often used alongside astragalus. The berries (Fructus Ligustri lucidi) contain oleanolic acid (yes, the same as in olives). The herb is one of those TCM herbs that does everything, from protecting your liver and kidney to helping keep your hair dark! It also has anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, immunomodulating effects, antiviral activity, and antiosteoporosis activity. A full review is here (4)
Glycyrrhiza gabra (liquorice)
Traditionally used to treat respiratory tract infections, In a small study of 16 people, Echinacea and Glycyrrhiza together boosted T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes while Glycyrrhiza on its own boosted NK cells.
Glycyrrhiza glabra modulates the immune system, inhibits viral growth, and has anti-inflammatory activity (5).
Turkey Tail Organic mushrooms
Turkey Tail is a medicinal mushroom approved in Japan for cancer treatment Used as an extract in powdered form, it is known to boost the natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, and T-lymphocytes during chemotherapy. This has been shown to make the drugs more effective and increase survival times, also reducing toxicity and side-effects. We have a review on Turkey Tail here.
Acemannan from Aloe Vera
Research (6) as long ago as 1992 showed that an active polysaccharide compound named acemannan taken from Aloe Vera leaf gel could boost cytotoxic T-lymphocyte function. It also induced macrophage cytokine function and dendritic cell production in several studies.
Dietary Carotenoids
Both beta-carotene from carrots and alpha-carotene lycopene from tomatoes are known to boost the immune system - beta-carotene has been shown to boost Lymphocytes. However, high street brands can be synthetic. Indeed, carrot juice supplementation given to smokers was also shown to protect against lymphocyte DNA damage (7).
Summary
As you can see from the above the three musketeers - Astragalus, Cat's Claw and Echinacea work in slightly different, but complementary ways. Of real significance are the claims from top German and American Medical Schools that they can enhance the effect of chemo and radiotherapy, whilst protecting healthy cells. In our article on the depletion of Lymphocytes by conventional medicine, and the consequent diminution of survival times, the lack of a conventional medicine booster for absolute levels of lymphocytes make these herbs crucially important.
Frankly, the research evidence is growing apace. The synergism between these three herbs means that these could be a solid base for building (re-building) any depleted immune system. Whether the illness is cancer or any other.
Of note is research on Turmeric/Curcumin that might well be the fourth musketeer in the immune boosting effort; and the US VITAL study showed Grape Seed Extract head and shoulders above anti-oxidant supplements. We have a good review on the 20 Herbs that can fight cancer.
"If you are already buying supplements and want all natural, quality products where someone knowledgeable has done the brand selection process for you, why not see what Our Natural Selection has to offer?"
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References
1. The Effect of Astragalus on Humoral and Cellular Immune Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies; Xueling Zhang et al; Complement Med Res. 2023;30(6):535-543.
2. Enhancement of Innate and Adaptive Immune Functions by Multiple Echinacea Species; Zili Zhai et al; J Med Food. 2007 Sep;10(3):423–434.
3. Uncaria tomentosa; Valentina Della Valle; G Ital Dermatol Venereol; 2017 Dec;152(6):651-657
4. The Advances in Research on the Pharmacological Effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi; Zunting Pang et al; Biomed Res Int. 2015 Mar 22;2015:281873.
5. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology Shadma Wahab et al; Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 14;10(12):2751.
6. The impact of acemannan on the generation and function of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes; D Womble and J.H.Helderman; Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol, 1992;14(1-2):63-77
7. The effect of carrot juice, β-carotene supplementation on lymphocyte DNA damage; Hye-Jin Lee; Nutr Res Pract; 2011 Dec;5(6):540-7
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