Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Gail Ulrich
Contents
Introduction 1
Super Foods: The Immune Diet 4
Three Ways to Build Immunity 9
Exercise 12
Making Your Own Herbal Preparations 13
Materia Medica for the Immune System 21
Common Immune System Ailments 65
65
Candidiasis
69
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction (CFIDS)
73
Colds and Flu
77
Herpes Simplex
81
Urinary Tract Infections
Appendix 85
Index 87
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Don Cerow, Lilian Jackman, Linda Patterson and Saretta Ulrich for their help with this book.
Introduction
"Man did not weave the web of life. He is but a strand in it. Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the sons [and
daughters] of the Earth."
Chief Seattle
Although each individual comes into this life with certain genetic strengths and weaknesses, we all have the
ability to be truly well. Yet more and more 20th-century Americans are succumbing to immune system
ailments from colds and flu, herpes and chronic fatigue to AIDS and breast cancer.
At the same time, the pollution of the Earth has reached an alarming level. With the Industrial Revolution and
the mass production which followed, devitalized packaged foods began replacing fresh natural foods; thousands
of chemicals, many of them toxic, have permeated our food, air and water. The rapid increase in immune
disorders clearly coincides with the increase in environmental disorders.
At the same time that we attend to our personal health, we must begin the enormous task of cleaning up our
polluted environment. If it is true that we are microcosms of this macrocosm, the Earth, then we can start on a
personal level by buying organically grown foods, using biodegradable products for household chores and
recycling. And as we clean up our environment, it is clear that we will in effect be rebuilding our own immune
systems.
From this perspective, it becomes clear that human immunity is an interface between individuals and their
environment. And while lifestyle changes and a healthy diet
Super Foods:
The Immune Diet
The typical American diet is overloaded with processed foods: cold cereal or a bagel for breakfast, a burger or
ham sandwich on white bread with chips or fries plus coffee or a soda for lunch, and meat and potatoes, pizza
or pasta and maybe a salad of iceberg lettuce for dinner. This all adds up to a devitalized diet high in simple
carbohydrates, saturated fats and lots of calories and low in nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
It's no wonder that Americans are generally overweight and undernourished.
An immune-enhancing diet would include a wide variety of colorful, real foods as close to their natural state as
possible: organically grown fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes along with adequate amounts of
protein from soy, fish or grains.
Commercially raised meat and poultry are commonly treated with drugs and hormones. These contaminants
create toxicity in the body, weakening immunity and are often cofactors in many illnesses from allergies to
hormonal imbalance. It is far healthier for the immune system to minimize your consumption of animal
products and to restrict your consumption to that which is naturally raised.
Certain nutrient-dense foods, especially organic vegetables, fruits and whole grains, show a remarkable ability
to increase vitality and enhance immunity. Also, natural yogurt with live cultures can help to repopulate the
intestine with a garden of beneficial intestinal flora, restoring diges-
Exercise
It has been said that exercise can do even more for a person's health and well-being than diet. In addition to
keeping the body flexible, slowing the aging process, improving digestion and circulation, reducing stress,
depression, fatigue and body weight, exercise improves immunity and brings with it a sense of vitality. In
addition, sweating can help cleanse the body by eliminating wastes. It is always important to increase one's
level of activity gradually, and to practice deep breathing while exercising. A brisk 20- to 30-minute walk at
least three times a week is enough to make a significant difference.
Regular exercise also helps the body to speed recovery from many ailments including some types of arthritis,
digestive and stress-related illnesses. Choosing an enjoyable exercise is essential. For example, if you don't like
lifting weights or running on a treadmill at the gym, choose swing dancing, volleyball or yogawhatever brings
you joy.
For those who are bedridden because of an immune system ailment, gentle yoga postures and yogic breathing
can be done lying down and can prevent loss of vitality, constipation and muscle atrophy. These postures
should be done slowly and carefully, depending upon level of strength and wellness. Those who feel any pain
or cramping should stop and proceed more gently next time.
Teas
There are two methods of preparing teas: infusions and decoctions. Infusions are made by steeping: decoctions
are simmered.
Infusions: Make infusions of the delicate parts of plants, such as flowers and leaves. A simple infusion can be
made by using 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herbs for each cup of tea you intend to make. Place the herbs into a
nonmetal teapot or canning jar with a lid. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water for each cup of tea. Place the lid on the
pot and
Tinctures
Also called extracts, tinctures are concentrated herbal preparations which usually use alcohol as a solvent and
sometimes glycerin or vinegar. A tincture is an effective way to take a remedy. Tinctures are quick-acting and
dissolve almost all of the plant constituents, since alcohol-based tinctures are a mixture of both alcohol and
water. Although
Capsules
Herb capsules can be purchased in a natural food store or you can make your own to insure good quality. Keep
herbs as whole as possible to preserve their volatile principles and medicinal properties. When ready to use,
grind herbs in a coffee or spice grinder until they are powdered. Wear a pollen mask to avoid exposure to herb
dust, which can irritate lungs and nasal passages. Two-part gelatin capsules, as well as vegetarian capsules are
available in three sizes from a natural food store or mail-order source, listed in the Appendix. Capsule sizes
range from "0" (largest) to "00" and "000" (smallest). An "00" capsule holds about 600 mg. Open the empty
capsule and scoop the herb powder into it. Close the capsule. Mechanical capping devices are available in some
natural food stores or through many herb companies by mail-order. These devices hold multiple capsules in
place for faster filling.
Infused Oils
Many herbs can be extracted in oil and applied topically for skin ailments like eczema or psoriasis, for wound-
heal-
Salves
A convenient way to apply herbs topically is with a salve. Salves can be used for healing cracked dry skin,
rashes, abrasions and more. Don't use salves on fungal skin conditions, since fungus, like yeast, thrives in a
warm, moist environment, and salves hold warmth and moisture in the skin.
Start with an infused herbal oil. Place 8 ounces of herbal oil in a clean, dry nonmetal pan. Add 1/4 cup of
beeswax. Heat together over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beeswax is completely melted. Test
the consistency by placing a few drops of this mixture on a cold china plate. Check the firmness of your salve.
If it is too soft, add a little more beeswax; if too hard, add more oil. When it has reached the right consistency,
pour the salve into small glass containers or tins and cool until firm. When stored in a cool, dark place, salves
will last for many months, even years.
Candidiasis
The common yeast, Candida albicans is present in every person's bodyin the gastrointestinal tract, on the skin
Herpes Simplex
There are over 100 types of herpes viruses in the herpes family including shingles (Varicella zoster), Epstein-
Barr (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Herpes simplex I is often referred to as ''cold sores,'' with the initial
infection commonly occurring in childhood, and recurrent infections appearing throughout adulthood. This
infection can remain latent in the body for a lifetime, lying dormant in the nerve ganglia until the immune
system is challenged by another infection such as a cold, or by stress, sunburn, pregnancy or menstruation. A
poor diet, B-vitamin deficiency, inadequate sleep and use of birth control pills or antibiotics can increase the
likelihood of a flare-up. Usually, recurrent infections are less severe than the primary infection.
Outbreaks of oral Herpes simplex I generally last two to twelve days, and active shedding of the virus and
contagion are possible for the first three to five days. The individual may experience tingling or burning in the
area before any lesion is seen.
Herpes simplex II, or genital herpes, usually begins with an itching sensation in the genital area which can last
several hours or days before the lesions appear. Reactivation of the infection stimulates the virus to travel the
pathway of sensory nerves to the skin, causing blister-like lesions. Blisters erupt within a few days. About 50
percent of those afflicted experience tingling, burning or painful
Appendix
Recommended Reading
Bergner, Paul. The Healing Power of Echinacea and Goldenseal. Rocklin, Calif.: Prima Publishing, 1997.
Crook, W. G., The Yeast Connection, 2nd Ed., Professional Books, Jackson, Tenn. 1984.
Fulder, Stephen. How to Survive Medical Treatment. Essex, England: C. W. Daniel Company Limited, 1994.
Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms. Santa Cruz, Calif.: Botanica Press, 1995.
Hoffmann, David. Herbs to Relieve Stress. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1996.
. The Holistic Herbal. Dorset, England: Element Books, 1993.
Kaminski, Patricia and Richard Katz. Flower Essence Repertory. Nevada City, Calif.: Earth-Spirit, Inc., 1994.
Keville, Kathi. Herbs for Health Healing. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press, Inc., 1996.
McQuade Crawford, Amanda. The Herbal Menopause Book. Freedom, Calif.: The Crossing Press, 1996.
Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West. Santa Fe, N.M.: Museum of New Mexico
Press, 1989.
. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe, N.M.: Museum of New Mexico Press, 1979.
. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Santa Fe, N.M.: Red Crane Books, 1993.
Moss, Ralph W., Ph.D., Cancer Therapy: The Independent Consumer's Guide to Non-Toxic Treatment and
Prevention. New York, N.Y.: Equinox Press, 1992.
Herbal Suppliers
Avena Botanicals, 219 Mill Street, Rockport, ME 04865.
Delftree Farm, 234 Union Street, North Adams, MA 01247. Growers of fresh, organic shiitake mushrooms.
Eclectic Institute, Inc., 14385 S.E. Lusted Road, Sandy, OR 97055.
Flower Essence Services, P.O. Box 1769, Nevada City, CA 95959.
Frontier Cooperative Herbs, P.O. Box 299, Norway, IA 52318.
Healing Spirits, 9198 St. Rt. 415, Avoca, NY 14809.
Herbalist and Alchemist, P.O. Box 553, Broadway, NJ 08808.
HerbPharm, P.O. Box 116, Williams, OR 97544.
Island Herbs, P.O. Box 25, Waldron Island, WA 982970025.
Jean's Greens, 119 Sulpher Springs Road, Newport, NY 13416.
Herbal Directory
The Herbal Green Pages, P.O. Box 245, Silver Spring, MD 17575. One of the most complete resources for
products, publications, education, gardens, etc.
Index
A
acne, herbs for, 25, 43, 62
Acyclovir, 78
adaptogens, 10, 57
for CFIDS, 72
adenoids, herbs for, 28
aging, herbs for, 34
AIDS, herbs for, 27, 52, 55, 58, 60, 62
algae, blue-green, 10
allergies, herbs for, 27, 50, 55
allicin, 33
Alzheimer's disease, herbs for, 37, 55
amanita mushroom (Amanita phalloides), toxic, 48
amantadine hydrochloride, 58
amole, 63
antispasmodic, herbs for, 23
Antiviral Tincture, 80
arthritis, herbs for, 25, 27, 28, 29, 34, 36, 45, 50, 63-64
asthma, herbs for, 24, 37, 45, 57
astigmatism, herbs for, 57
astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), 10, 21-23, 30,72
atherosclerosis, herbs for, 37
athlete's foot, herbs for, 24, 34, 44
B
B-factor, 25
barberry (berberis) 42, 68, 71
for CFIDS, 71
basil, in tincture, 17
berberine, 41-42
Bergner, Paul, 41-42
Bio-Medical Center, 54
black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), 23-24
contraindications, 24
black elder (Sambucus nigra), 75
black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) 23
black walnut (Juglans nigra), 24-25, 68
blood disorders, herbs for, 29, 50
blood pressure, herbs to regulate, 33, 39, 55, 58
blood sugar disorders, herbs for, 29-30, 39, 45, 57
bloodroot, 41
boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), 75
bowel disease, herbs for, 45
''breakbone fever,'' 75
breast milk, herbs that promote, 49
breath, shortness of, herbs for, 23
Brekhman, I. I., 10
bronchitis, herbs for, 24, 29, 32, 33, 40, 43, 45, 46, 51, 53, 59, 61, 62
buchu, 28
burdock root (Arctium lappa), 25-26
C
cancer, herbs for, 22, 24, 26, 34, 38, 58
Candida albicans, 33, 43, 44, 46, 52, 55, 62, 65, 70
Candida Tincture, 69
candidiasis 68-68
herbs for, 27, 68
canker sores, herbs for, 31, 42, 45
capsules, 18
carrots (umbelliferae), 51
cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), 26-28
CFIDS: see chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
chemotherapy, herbs to lessen side effects, 21-23, 26, 34, 40
chicken soup, 5, 22, 75-76
cholesterol, herbs to reduce, 29, 33, 55, 58
chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), 69-71
herbs for, 27, 28, 46-47, 52, 62, 71
circulation, herbs to aid, 35, 37
Citricidal, 44
cleavers (Galium aparine), 28-29
for CFIDS, 72
cloves, for candidiasis, 68
colds and flu
herbs for, 21, 29, 33, 34, 41, 62, 74-75
liquids for, 74
symptoms of, 73-74
coughs, herbs for, 22, 33, 45, 57
crampbark (Viburnum opulus), 23
"Cranactin," 83
Crawford, Amanda McQuade, 54, 60
Crohn's disease, herbs for, 27
Crook, William, 66
D
dandelion, 47
in tincture, 17
dandruff, herbs for, 28
decoctions, simmered tea, 14-15
demulcents, 28
depression, herbs for, 23-24, 40, 49, 59
dermatitis, herbs for, 46
devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), 29
devil's club (Oplopanax horridum), 29-30
diabetes, herbs for, 27, 55
diarrhea, herbs for, 23, 61
diet
American, 4
immune enhancing, 4-5
and immune system, 1-2
digestive disorders, herbs for, 27, 38, 45, 47
Dr. George Goodheart's Famous Gargle, 76-77
Dr. Tori Hudson's UTI Tincture, 84
Dramamine, 35
Duke, James, 35, 50
dysentery, herbs for, 38, 61
dyspepsia, herbs for, 29
E
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida) 9, 30-32, 41, 42, 46,68, 74, 79
E. coli, 33, 43, 44
eczema, herbs for, 25, 28, 45, 50, 53
edema, herbs for, 51
elder, 47
elderberry flowers (Sambucus canadensis), 75
elecampane (Inula helenium), 32-33
emphysema, herbs for, 32
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 62-63
Entamoeba histolytica, 44
environment, and immune disorders, 1
ephedra, oldest medicine, 33
Epstein-Barr syndrome, herbs for, 47, 62, 70
Essiac, 25
exercise, 12
exhaustion, herbs for, 23
extracts, 15-18
F
fertility, herbs for, 38
fevers, herbs for, 29
fibromyalgia, 70
herbs for, 23, 26
Fibromyalgia Tincture, 72
Fire Cider, 76
"five-flavor-berry," 57
Flower Essence Formula for CFIDS, 73
foods, nutrients dense, 4
Foster, Steven, 31, 59-60
fungus, herbs for, 24, 34, 43, 44
Fu Zheng Tang Bouillon, 8
G
Galium aparine: see cleavers
gallbladder, herbs for, 29
gallstones, herbs for, 29
garlic (Allium sativum), 5, 9, 10, 17, 33-35, 68, 74
Garlic-Ginger Sesame Sauce, 6
Giardia lamblia, 43, 44, 70
Gilday, Kate, 36
ginger (Zingiber officinale), 35-36, 68
gingerols, 36
ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), 36-38
ginseng (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius, Eleutherococcus senticosus), 10, 30, 38-41
for CFIDS, 71-72
contraindications, 39
Ginsengs, The, 39
ginsenosides, 39
Gladstar, Rosemary, 76
"glycerite," 17
gobo, 25
goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), 41-43, 46
for CFIDS, 71
goldthread (coptis), 42
gout, herbs for, 25, 50
grapefruit seed extract, 43-44
gum disease, herbs for, 43
H
Harvard Medical School, 2
hay fever, herbs for, 50
headaches, herbs for, 38
heart disease, herbs for, 29, 33, 37, 38, 55
heavy metal toxicity, herbs to prevent, 34
hemorrhoids, herbs for, 27, 46
hepatitis, herbs for, 45, 48, 59
"herbal antibiotic," 41
herbal medicine, and immune system, 2
herbal remedies, preparation of, 13-20
herbs, culinary, 17-18
herpes group, 70-71
herpes simplex virtus, type 1, 44, 45, 52,
symptoms of, 77, 78
herpes simplex virus, type 2, 52, 70
symptoms of, 77-78
herpes, herbs for, 31, 46, 47, 52, 62, 79-80
HIV, and yeast infections, 66.
See also AIDS
Hobbs, Christopher, 39, 55, 56, 59, 61
Hoffman, David, 29
Holistic Herbal, The, 29
Hot Ginger Lemonade, 7-8
Hoxsey Formula, 53-54
Hudson, Tori, 82
hydrochloric acid capsules, for candidiasis, 67
hydrocortisone, 46
hyperglycemia, herbs for, 30
hypoglycemia, herbs for, 30
I
immune disorders, and environment, 1
immune function, influences on, 2
immunity
herbs to build, 9-10
process of, 2
impetigo, herbs for, 46
J
Journal of the American Medical Association, 34
K
Kate's Homemade Ginger Ale, 36
Keplinger, Klaus, 27
Keville, Kathi, 63, 64, 69
kidney
disorders, herbs for, 47
stones, herbs for, 28-29
L
Lactobacillus acidophilus, 5
Ilead toxicity, herbs to prevent, 34
"leaky gut," 66
LEM, 59
lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), for herpes, 79
lentinan, 58-59
licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), 10, 44-46, 72, 79
lifestyle, and immune system, 1-2
ligustrum, 30
ling-zhi, 54
liver
disorders, herbs for, 45, 48-49, 57
herbs to detoxify, 39
lomatium (Lomatium dissectum) 46-47, 71
lung disease, herbs for, 55, 57
lupus, herbs for, 27
Lyme disease, 70
lymph gland infection, herbs for, 62-63
M
malaria, herbs for, 52
malnutrition, herbs for, 23
Marc, 16
marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), 47-48
mastitis, herbs for, 61
Materia Medica, 24
Medical Herbalism, 41
Medicinal Mushrooms, 55
memory loss, herbs for, 37
menopause, herbs for, 23, 60
menstrual distress, herbs for, 10-11, 23-24, 36, 60
menstruum, 16
mercury toxicity, herbs to prevent, 34
milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum), 9, 10, 25, 45, 48-49, 67
milk vetch, 21
miso soup, 5, 76
Missouri snakeroot (parthenium integrifolium): see prairie dock
mononucleosis, herbs for, 62
Moore, Michael, 29-30, 51
motion sickness, herbs for, 35
Mowrey, Daniel B., 28
multiple sclerosis, herbs for, 27
mumps, herbs for, 62
mushrooms, 5, 10, 30, 48, 54-56, 58-59
myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), 70
N
Nagoya University, 25
National Cancer Institute, 22, 60
National College of Naturopathic Medicine, 82
Nervous System Tea, 80
nettles (Urtica dioica), 49-51
in tincture, 17
night sweats, herbs for, 33, 57
Nutribiotic, 44
O
obesity, herbs for, 29
oils, infused, 18-20
Old man's beard, 61
onions, value of, 5
Oregon grape root (Berberis/Mahonia aquifolium) 42, 68, 71
organ graft rejections, herbs for, 37
osha (Ligusticum portri), 47, 51-52
tincture, for herpes, 79
P
Pain and Insomnia Tincture, 72
pain relief, herbs for, 23, 55, 60, 63
for candidasis, 67
pau d'arco (Tabebuia spp.), 9, 52-53, 68
pelvic inflammatory disease, herbs for, 62
pleurisy, herbs for, 62
pneumonia, herbs for, 47, 61
prairie dock (parthenium integrifolium), 32
Proseed, 44
prostate, herbs for, 64
psoriasis, herbs for, 25, 28, 45, 53
psychoneuroimmunology, 2
Puotinen, CJ, 44
R
radiation, herbs to lessen side effects, 21-23, 26, 34, 40, 49
rashes, herbs for, 48, 50, 51
raspberry leaf, in tincture, 17-18
red clover (Trifolium pratense), 53-54
red root, for CFIDS, 72
reishi (Ganoderma spp.) mushrooms, 10, 30, 54-56
for CFIDS, 72
extract, 56
ringworm, herbs for, 24, 43, 61
Roots of Healing, The, 62
rosemary, for candidiasis, 68
S
St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), 59-61
for herpes, 79
Salmonella paratyphi, 33, 43, 44
salves, 20
T
Tagamet, 45
taheebo: see pau d'arco
tea tree essential oil, for herpes, 79
teas, 68, 83
preparation of, 13-15
eeth, abscessed, herbs for, 43
thrush, 66
thyme
for candidiasis, 68
in tincture, 17
tincture(s), 15-16
alcohol based, 16-17
antiviral, 80
candida, 69
dandelion, 67
for fibromyalgia, 72
glycerin based, 17
Dr. Tori Hudson's, 84
for pain and insomnia, 72
vinegar based, 17-18
yeast, 69
tinnitus, herbs for, 37
tofu, 5
tonic herbs, 10
tonsillitis, herbs for, 28, 43, 62
Toshiko's Burdock Carrot Sauté, 26
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 22, 57
"traveler's friend," 44
Trichomonas, 33, 61, 70
trumpet bush: see pau d'arco
tuberculosis, herbs for, 52, 61
turmeric, 41
tumors
breast, 54
herbs for, 27, 28, 31, 34, 39, 43, 58
U
ulcers, herbs for, 23, 33, 36, 45, 55
Umbelliferae: see carrots
University of Missouri, 24
University of Texas Medical Center, 22
uña de gato: see cat's claw
urinary tract infection (UTI), 81-83
contributing factors, 81
urtication, 50
usnea (Usnea spp.), 47, 61, 62
UTI Tea, 83-84
uva ursi, 28, 48
V
Varicella zoster: see shingles
vertigo, herbs for, 37
W
Wei chi, 22
whooping cough, herbs for, 24, 33
wild indigo (Baptisia tinctora), 62-63
Willard, Terry, 53
worms and parasites, herbs for, 24, 33, 44
wounds, herbs for, 48, 59
Wu-wei-zi, 57
Y
yarrow, 48
Yeast Connection, The, 66
yeast infections, herbs for, 34, 44, 53, 66
Yeast Tincture, 69
yellow dock, 25
yellow root (Xanthorhiza simplicissima), 43
yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica), 42
yogurt, value of, 4-5
yucca (Yucca spp.), 63-64
"yuppie flu," 69
< previous page page_90
If you like this book, buy it!