| One of the more exciting herbs, from the point of view of real therapeutic
potential, is Echinacea or Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea.
Several reports indicate that the immune-stimulating property of
Echinacea is
due to a polysaccharide. Macrophages are key players in the immune system. They
are actively involved in the destruction of bacteria, viruses, other infectious
agents and cancer cells. They produce some of their effects by the generation of
free oxygen radicals and the production of a protein called interleukin- 1.
A report in the December issue of Infection and Immunity demonstrated
that a polysaccharide fraction derived from Echinacea purpurea significantly
increased the killing effect of macrophages on tumor cells.
Another report indicated that Echinacea
enhances
natural killer cell activity, another important component in the immune system. |
Echinacea which activates macrophages could have considerable
significance in the treatment of such diseases as cancer and AIDS.
The polysaccharide also increased the production of
free oxygen radicals and interleukin-1. The Echinacea polysaccharide had no effect on
T-lymphocytes (involved in cellular immunity) and only a modest effect on B-lymphocytes
(involved in humoral immunity-making antibodies).
Anyone who is immune deficient should use
Echinacea only while being monitored by a physician so that the effect of the herb on the immune
system can be reliably evaluated.
1-Workout Delivery gives ECHINACEA
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