New York Buyers' Club Supplement Fact Sheet: Botanicals, HIV, and Immune Support

PREPARED BY THE NEW YORK BUYERS' CLUBwww.newyorkbuyersclub.org

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Posted 3/16/07CLICK TO PRINT

TOPIC:

Botanicals, HIV, and Immune Support

DESCRIPTION:

Overview (Adapted from NYBC's Managing HIV Symptoms and Drug Side Effects)

PREFACE:

General cautionary note: Many natural therapies that are currently freely available on the commercial market work through enhancing normal bodily processes and mechanisms, such as enhancement of cardiovascular, immune, or liver functions. Normally, such effects are highly desirable and beneficial. However, caution is advised: therapies that enhance liver function can dramatically alter the level of conventional medications that occur in the blood, thereby potentially affecting their efficacy.

When starting on natural therapies, especially those affecting the liver, it is wise to consult with a qualified natural health care consultant. At the end of this document you will find a list of referrals for natural healthcare providers who can help you make informed decisions about your health management strategy.

Go to list of natural healthcare providers.

INTRODUCTION:

In addition to direct therapies used for the reduction of viral loads and improvement of immune deficiency syndromes, there are numerous botanical and nutritional therapies that can be used to support secondary conditions and symptoms that are common among those with immunodeficiency syndromes. Following is a review of some of these therapies including an overview of primary categories of nutrients that are key to maintaining health. It is important to remember that herbal medicines are used within the context of a comprehensive healing program and, when used by experts, are typically formulated according to the specific needs of the patients.

For expert advice regarding herbal medicines, consumers and patients should seek the assistance of a qualified herbal health care practitioner.

There are numerous botanical therapies that are specific for enhancing immune function. These botanicals can be used alone to enhance immune resistance as well as be used in conjunction with conventional anti-HIV therapies. Many of these botanicals are also used to enhance immune resistance in those undergoing conventional therapies for cancer. Most have specific antitumor and antiviral activity as well as general and broad ranging immune enhancing effects such as restoration of hematopoiesis, enhancement of macrophage count and activity, increase in CD4s, and improved ratios of CD4s/CD8s. Most also have liver supportive effects in those with chronic hepatitis.

BOTANICAL:

Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus): Astragalus has broad spectrum immune modulating activity and is the primary immune supportive botanical used in Chinese medicine.

Numerous immune-related mechanisms of action have been reported including: improved T-cell activity, generation of blood cells (hematopoiesis), increased macrophage and natural killer cell activity, induction of interferon, and induction of tumor necrosis factor.

Clinically it is used to support immune resistance in subjects undergoing conventional cancer and HIV therapies. It is specifically used in the restoration of immunocompetence after conventional chemotherapies.

Astragalus has also been shown to have hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity (increases glutathione) and is widely used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis.

In healthy individuals, it is the most specific botanical used in the prevention of infections. It is best used in conjunction with other immunomodulating botanicals such as atractylodes and ligustrum.