the immune system and natural ways to defeat flu

Gerald Green) of almost 100% in babies andchildren and 80% in adults; irrespective ofhow serious the condition. Gerald has usedliquorice extensively for many different autoimmuneconditions, with good success aspart of the a herbal programme. We supplyLiquorice Concentrate capsules and alsoKalawalla with Liquorice in a combinationcapsule called Immuno-calmLiquorice is the well known componentof Liquorice sweets, is surprisingly one ofthe most important medicinal herbs on theplanet. It has been used extensively in Chineseherbal medicine for thousands of years, inapproximately half of their formulas. Thereason given is that it tends to improve theaction of all the other herbs and ‘harmonise’the action of the herbal formula.The cautions and side effects of regularLiquorice consumption for a very smallpercentage of the population:- details aregiven in the full Liquorice article: Liquoriceherb.Personally I have found liquorice to be moreeffective and totally harmless in its ability tohelp the body produce the correct type andamount of natural steroids, whereas drugbased steroids, in my experience are lesseffective and will in time seriously disrupt thebody’s homeostasis and render it susceptibleto Candida Albicans infection and otherhealth problems. Glycyrrhizin has a similarchemical structure to corticosteroids releasedby the adrenals, and further studies havesuggested that it could be used as an aid inhelping to reduce withdrawal symptomsfrom dependency on some corticosteroidhormonesWild Yam and the AdrenalsIn our modern, stressful world, our fightor flight mechanism is over-stimulated andsubsequently the adrenals become overworkedand insufficient DHEA is produced,DHEA, is a precursor hormone to oestrogen,progesterone, and testosterone, and isnecessary to balance the hormones in yourbody. Insufficient DHEA can cause fatigue,bone loss, loss of muscle mass, depression,aching joints, decreased sex drive, andimpaired immune function. Wild Yam helpsto maintain a balance of hormones in thebody for women & men. The essence of theaction of yam appears to be in facilitatingthe production of DHEA, ‘the mother ofhormones’.• DHEA is also referred to as ‘the anti-aginghormone’: its widespread effects are dueto its role of ‘mothering’ the production ofover 50 other hormones. Researchers nowbelieve that adequate DHEA productionmay help modulate the following: fatigue,depression, stress, memory problems,obesity, tumor growth, viral and bacterialinfections, high blood pressure, collagenand sk in integrity problems, osteoporosis,immune responses.• Further evidence suggests that WildYam consumption can help to normalisethe production of the adrenal cortexhormones. The anti-stress and antinflammatoryhormones (natural steroidalhormones) help prevent inflammationand maintain joint and general structuralintegrity. This would explain the antiarthritic(especially relating to rheumatoidarthritis) and anti-rheumatic effectsobserved traditionally. The tendency tostrains, sprains and back problems (socalledslipped disc) are in part due topoor adrenal gland function. Also thetendency to pain in the body is modulate76 77by adrenal hormones. We cannot feel orbecome strong without adequate adrenalhormones. Aldosterone is an importantadrenal hormone that helps the bodyto maintain the balance of mineral saltsto water - a most important aspect ofoptimum well-being.• The adrenals are also involved inregulating salt balance in the body inconjunction with the hypo-thalamus. Insome people, it seems this regulationdoes not work properly and too much saltis lost from the urine. In these cases theneed for supplemental salt in the form ofeither Ionic Minerals or Celtic Sea Salt. isincreased.• Peruvian Maca. This herb can alsohelp the adrenals generally, Maca rootcontains natural substances that stimulatethe pituitary and hypothalamus. Thesemaster glands of the body in turn triggerthe ovaries, adrenals, testes, thyroid, andpancreas to return to healthy functioning,thus producing normal amounts ofhormones.Hormones That Help Adrenal FatigueAs for hormones, it is a good idea to be testedand find out what your hormone levels arebefore supplementing them. This way you’llknow exactly what hormones are deficient.The three hormones below are most oftensupplemented when dealing with adrenalfatigue.• DHEA - This is a basic adrenal hormonethat the adrenals will convert into otherhormones. If someone is very deficientin this hormone they may only be able totolerate a small amount such as 5 mg. Theaverage adult dose ranges 10 mg. DHEAwill also go on to become sex hormonessuch as testosterone and estrogen.