The Immune System

Anatomy and Physiology
The immune system is vital to our ability to fight off parasites, infections and viruses. It changes and develops new anti-bodies with each new substance we come into contact with; this is called ‘aquired immunity’. It is made up of the lymphatic system, white blood cells, thymus (which excretes t-lymphocytes), spleen and the tonsils which is not shown on the diagram above, it too produces t-lymphocytes. (Springhouse Publishing, 2002)
There are three different types of immune problems:
• Immunodeficiencies e.g. HIV
• Autoimmunities e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and SLE
• Hypersensitivity e.g. atopic conditions (eczema, rhinitis and asthma)

Immune System Pathologies
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus which leads to the immune system failing. This happens in 4 stages:
- Incubation which is asymptomatic and lasts 2-4 weeks
- Acute infection which has similar sings to a cold; fever, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, rash, myalgia, fatigue, mouth, oesophagus sores, hepatosplenomegaly (liver and spleen enlargement) and nausea and vomiting. This lasts up to 28 days.
- Latency shows few or no symptoms and lasts from 2 – 20 weeks and over
- AIDS eventually occurs giving symptoms of opportunistic infections which the patient contracts

Atopic conditions include asthma, eczema and rhinitis (hayfever). These conditions are due to a hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to foreign substances. The body reacts as though the allergen is pathogenic in nature although it is not. Often all three of these occur during a persons life and they are often more likely to have food sensitivities as well such as celiac disease. Anaphylaxis is an extreme reaction to an allergen which can lead to death.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune reaction. It may effect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart or lugns. It may cause a butterfly rash on the face as in figure 2, fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, photosensitivity, mouth ulcers, pleurisy, pericarditis, arthritis, myalgia and poor peripheral circulation.

Rheumatoid arthritis is another autoimmune disease covered in the musculoskeletal system.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular system resulting in progressive muscle weakness.

Herbs for the Immune System
Echinacea purpurea and angustifolia both help increase white blood cell count thereby increasing the resilience of the immune system. This helps when treating viruses and infections but can aggravate autoimmune diseases.
Thymus vulgaris is an excellent anti-viral which will help kill viruses without increasing the bodies resilience to deal with the pathogen itself. Most herbs high in volatile oils make good anti-virals.
Symphytum officinale fol. Is good as an anti-inflammatory for the bones.
Hypericum perforatum is another anti-inflammatory good for the nerves.
Chamomilla recutita and Calendula officinalis are both good anti-inflammatories as well.