How Can We Help to Provide
Better Immunity Throughout the Year?
By Corina Mueller
I
mmunity has seen more limelight over the past year, and it is a topic which is more important than ever. I see more and more compromised immune health in my clinic from recurrent infections, autoimmune conditions, allergies, chronic inflammation and antibiotic resistance. Immunity is in decline and it is due to a combination of stressful lifestyle, unconscious and poor quality food choices, emotional imbalance, chronic inflammation and environmental pollution. With the Western world’s immunity in a fragile position, we need to up the game and turn the cards, as microbes, viruses and bacteria are not sleeping. In fact, medical research has seen an increase in a faster mutation rate of bacteria and viruses,1 which makes it increasingly difficult for new medications to be put on the market.2 The UK has had an increase in antibiotic resistance which is leading to Sepsis cases and deaths that have doubled over the last 3 years, and now we are facing an era of viral pandemics.3
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Issue 01 Autumn 2020
So how can the Naturopathic Society help and support?
Simon Mills highlights that we should help and support the first three stages of immunity for our clients,4 so our immunity can tackle a microbial invasion without getting into serious trouble and recovery time will be swift. The immune system is divided into Barrier Immunity (Stage 1), Innate (stage 2-3) and Adaptive (Stage 4) Immunity. The Barrier Immunity is our skin, microbiome, airways and stomach acid. The Innate Immunity is our second response for entering pathogens. It reacts with natural killer cells, phagocytes (stage 2) and creates inflammation and fever (Stage 3). The barrier and innate immunity is the phase which we may treat in an acute infection (first hours and days of infection). Adaptive immunity specifies microbes and adjusts accordingly. The lymphatic system is the home
of adaptive immunity and assists in circulating fluids throughout the body. It reacts with the primary lymphocytes – T cell and B cells.5 Adaptive immunity can be supported and boosted during non-acute infection. A small note on fever control: Simon Mills and Kerry Bone have pointed out that we need to start enforcing the knowledge about fever control and educating clients about the importance of fevers in infections.6
Immune supporting and modulating herbs
There is a long list of immune supporting herbs. All Herbs are prescript and dosed according to the client’s needs and treatment plan. The wonderful benefit of herbs is that they will work on both stages and multiple organs.
