Herbs For Immune Support
Herbs,  Supplements & Nutraceuticals 

Many herbs and other natural supplements help the body heal itself. They usually work more slowly and gently than pharmaceutical drugs that kill everything in their path, but most are very safe.

A few can have unwanted side effects in certain situations, so care should always be taken to know what you are putting in your body. Consult your health care practitioner and a professional herbalist if you are buying herbs on your own.

Most of the herbs, supplements and nutraceuticals available through retail or direct sales are vetted for potentially negative combinations or effects, but it's always safer to ask before using herbal supplements, if you have any questions or concerns.

Herbs And Immune Support

Herbs excel at helping to rebuild our immune systems. Some herbs have particular qualities. For instance, the rainforest tree, Jatoba, has the most potent anti-fungal properties on the planet. Many other rainforest plants from the Amazon and elsewhere develop resistance against fungus as a matter of survival. Certain essential oils excel, and we will showcase those in particular in another article.

Other herbs are "adaptogenics," meaning they go where they are needed to reduce inflammation, help rebuild tissue, and so forth. They don't have one specific action. By balancing various bodily functions, adaptogenic botanicals may help our bodies resist stressors from the environment.

• For example, the herb Eleuthero has been used to support conditions are varied as colds, chronic fatigue, Alzheimer's disease.
  
• The holistic system of Ayurveda identifies the cause of disease as the separation of mind, body and consciousness. To balance the degenerative effects of mental, emotional and physical stress, Ayurvedic medicine utilizes a wide variety of adaptogenic herbs, such as ashwaganda and the familiar turmeric. Along with Eleuthero and many others, these are available through Starwest Botanicals Inc.

• The adaptogenic herb known as both Tulsi and Holy Basil is used in Thai cuisine, and has long been a staple medicine in Eastern cultures since it's properties supposedly allow it to act as a mild painkiller, My mother and I often enjoy a cup of hot or cold Tulsi Tea to lift the fog and enhance our mood and energy (for best value, we order the one-pound Bulk 100% Organic Tulsi Tea Mix and split the bag).
  
• Many important adaptogenic rainforest herbs are available from Starwest Botanicals Inc., such as  Pau D'Arco, Una de Gato (Cat's Claw), Suma, and Muira Puama.
  
• A variety of adaptogenic medicinal mushrooms are used for immune support and these are becoming more widely available in easily usable form. For instance, important healing properties have been found in the Brazilian rainforest mushroom, Agaricus Blazei, used in  Mega Defense formula available online through DetoxPure.com. The  

Some natural products, such as zeolites, help with heavy metal chelation and detoxification of body cells and organs. Our favorite zeolite comes in a product available online through BasicDetox.com,

Nutraceuticals bridge science and nature. For instance, the active ingredient in SE2 and SE3 (Stem Enhance 2nd & 3rd generations), which is extracted from a natural algae, stimulates the release of your own adult stem cells from your bone marrow. Your adult stem cells go wherever they are needed to repair your body!

This is huge!

Detox First For Body-Mind Health

Detoxing is the first, most important step toward regaining vibrant health. We live in a toxic environment and we've just sucked this stuff up (eating, breathing and through our skin) since we were born. We are going to devote a lot of conversation here to detoxing. 
 
If you are prone to anger or negative thinking, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover how much easier it is to begin shifting your thought patterns once the physical toxins have been removed and your body feels light and clear.