Description:
Echinacea has long been used clinically for conditions where its pharmacologic actions
have proven efficacy, especially in infections. The immune-enhancing components of echinacea work together in a harmonious fashion
to produce the phenomena of synergy. A key manner in which echinacea affects immune function is via enhancing the ability of macrophages
to engulf and destroy particulate matter. The specific components of echinacea that possess this action are the polysaccharides, alkylamides,
and cichoric acid.
The clinical applications of echinacea include the following:
• Treatment of the common cold and
other viral respiratory tract infections
• Possible prevention of the common cold and viral respiratory tract infections
• Treatment
of temporary immune deficiency and increased susceptibility to infections
• Children in daycare or nurseries
• Adults experiencing
undue stress
• Sport-induced immunodeficiency
• Supportive therapy to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics in bacterial
infections
• Chemotherapy and radiation-induced immune suppression
• Herpes simplex infections.
Read more…click on search articles
Contra-Indications,
Cautions and Interactions:
The question of whether echinacea should be used on a long-term or continual basis really depends on the
need. In a healthy individual with no apparent depression of the immune system, continual administration is certainly not indicated.
However, as recent studies have shown, patients with impaired immune function experience long-term benefit. The usual recommendation
with long-term use is 8 weeks on, followed by 1 week off.
Ingredients:
Echinacea angustifolia 1:3
Assessments at ICIM:
TheICIM Laboratory Assessment can conduct a full blood assessment which measures a full white blood cell count plus 5 part differential,
red blood cell count, biochemistry and haematology. This can therefore indicate immune dysfunction, whether it is chronic immune depletion
with low cell count, or acute immune activity with raised cell count. The ICIM Blood Analysis can measure the blood cells qualitatively,
also detecting the presence of white blood cells, and other indications of infection, but to quantify actual amounts, the ICIM Laboratory
Assessment would be an additional recommendation.
Description:
Elder has a very long history
of use by herbalists. Today the tea of dried flowers is commonly used as a first choice in treating feverish colds and flus, because
it promotes sweating and reduces congestion due to the diaphoretic, astringent and expectorant actions. The flowers also have alterative
properties, which make them useful as a blood detoxifier. Elder flower tea may also be used externally to treat haemorrhoids, boils,
tumours, sunburn and rashes. The flowers are anti-inflammatory when used externally. A cold infusion of elder flowers can be used
to treat sore or inflamed eyes. Read more….click on search articles. Read more….click on search articles
Contra-Indications, Cautions
and Interactions:
The safe internal use of elderberry is limited to the use of the dried flowers or syrups made from the ripe berries.
The roots, stems, leaves, and unripe berries may contain poisonous constituents that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Preparations
containing any of these parts of the elder plant should be avoided. At this time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with elderberry.
Ingredients:
Standardised Elderberry Berry Powdered Extract (45mg [30%] polyphenols)150mg Raw Elderberry Flower
Powder150mg PhytO2X ä (powdered blend of beta-carotene prep. and ascorbic acid) PhytO2X ä is a special blend of natural antioxidants,
the purpose of which is to maintain the freshness of the ingredients.
Assessments at ICIM:
The ICIM Laboratory Assessment can
conduct blood testing to measure biochemistry, haematology i.e. full red and white blood cell count plus 5 part differential. It can
therefore indicate immune dysfunction, whether it is chronic immune depletion with low cell count, or acute immune activity with raised
cell count. The ICIM Blood Analysis measures the blood serum qualitatively and can also detect the presence of white blood cells,
and other indications of infection, but to quantify actual amounts, the ICIM Laboratory Assessment is an additional recommendation.
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) 1:5 25%
Description:
This herb is a wonderful herb used
to assist the body to counteract the effects of stress of many origins. It restores and strengthens the body’s immune response and
increases vitality. It is used in the treatment of oedema, joint pain, muscular spasm and difficult urination and as a tonic, particularly
in the elderly. It is also useful in cases of exhaustion, chronic fatigue, irritability, insomnia and mild depression and can be helpful
in assisting recovery from acute or chronic diseases, trauma, surgery and other episodes when the body is under stress. Read more….click
on search articles. Read more….click on search articles
Contra-Indications, Cautions and Interactions:
It should not be taken
during acute phase of infection. It is to be avoided in hypertension above 180/90mmHg and if on Digoxin.
Ingredients:
Eleutherococcus
senticosus 1:5 25%
Assessments at ICIM:
The ICIM offers the Adrenal Stress Test which measures the hormones Cortisol and DHEA
involved in stress. They may be elevated in cases of current stress, but may be depleted in prolonged stress. For either case, treatment
can be conducted according to whether adrenal support or nervous system support and relaxation is needed.
Euphorbia hirta (Asthma weed) 1:5 25%
Description:
This herb is a wonderful respiratory spasmolytic, used in cases of tight,
breathless, non-productive cough, wheezing and other asthmatic symptoms. Asthma weed has traditionally been used in Asia to treat
bronchitic asthma and laryngeal spasm, though in modern herbalism it is more used in the treatment of intestinal amoebic dysentery.
The herb relaxes the bronchioles but apparently depresses the heart and general respiration. Read more….click on search articles
Contra-Indications,
Cautions and Interactions:
Although this is one of the few members of the spurge family not poisonous to humans, large doses may cause
nausea and vomiting. Euphorbia should not be combined with Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice).
Ingredients:
Euphorbia hirta 1:5 25%
Assessments
at ICIM:
The ICIM offers spirometry testing as part of their ICIM Respiratory Assessment to assess the current respiratory ability
of the lungs. It is an invaluable tool to quantitatively monitor treatment progress.