Increases Body Immunity with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Human body utilizes immune system to fight disease, prevent aging and cancer. Therefore, the strength of immune function influences the possibility of getting sick, old and infected by cancer.

Ginseng - Courtesy: oldstersview.wordpress.com

Western sciences have a through understanding on immune system and they have advanced from cellular level into molecular level. Different immune parameters have also been established for clinical usages. Unfortunately, the Western immunology sciences did not emphasize much on how to strengthen our immune system for proper functioning of the body. They have very limited and very little solutions to enhance body immunity against diseases. Currently, the available immune stimulants and immune regulators are only immunoglobulins, interferons, protein-mediators and some vaccinations. And most of the available immunotherapy uses steroids or immune suppressors that have severe side effects.

On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an auxiliary treatment that emphasizes on human "qi and blood", "yin and yang" and "nourishing the weak and exhausted organs". From the Western point of views, TCM does have a great potential in treating immune related diseases.

Researches have shown that polysaccharides extracted from certain Chinese herbs can enhance the immune functions. Besides, the trace elements found in Chinese herbs are related to human's longevity. They act as anti-oxidants that expel free radical and aid in the recovery of illnesses. Hence, the TCM that focuses on cell rejuvination, promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, clears away heat and toxins has a positive impact on human immunity.

Chinese Herbs Enhance Immune Function

Most of the Chinese herbs are rich in polysaccharides. Besides its nutritional values, each has specific and significant pharmacological effects. Certain polysaccarides activate the body host-mediated and cellular immune responses. Some exert their anti-cancer, anti virus and anti-aging functions by stimulating the activities of T cells, B cells, macrophages and productionof interferons. Some other polysaccarides do promote the activation of lymphocytes while some are anti-mutagenic. These have been proven in many researches.

Animal experiments have proved that polysaccarides extracted from ginsengs protect the liver function. It also improves immunity and has anti-mutagenic, anti-tumor effects. Besides, when combined with anti-cancer drugs, it increases the therapeutic effect and reduces its side effect. Japanese scientific reports have shown that extracts of ginsengs is very effective in treating stomach and colon cancers. Patients who have a decline in white blood counts experienced an increase in white blood cells and lymphatic cells after taking the extracts.

Other Chinese herbs are also having anti-cancer and immune enhancing properties but the effectiveness varies among each other. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a combination of different herbs is taken into consideration where one herb will complement the effects of other herb; it emphasizes on regulating the functions of the organs and boostering our body immunity to recover.

Natural products that are able to promote our immunity include Tradtional Chinese Medicine and certain natural food supplements.