I gave a talk on Friday 18th of May. It was a broad brush overview of auto-immune disease which emcompases ME.

As Medical Herbalists we talk about a number of triggers and issues that can prompt an autoimmune response and resulting condition.

A primary lesion.

Chronic tissue destruction

Due to infection, tumour, toxins as local macrophages (part of the body's first line of defense against infection or foreign body), go beyond their own area under attack and attack other areas of the body and organs.

Immune dysregulation

Concurrent infraction i.e lymes disease, alongside glandular fever. A viral infection may create an abnormal immune response that leads to an attack on other cells.

Endotoxemia

Endotoxin is a potent general stimulator of the immune system. Could come from bacterial infection or from bowel flora imbalance combined with leaky gut.

Allergens

Chemical sensitivity can cause  dysregulation; eg hair dyes, drugs, cleaning products.

Injury or foreign bodies 

Including objects such as breast implants

Diet

Poor diet heavy in allergens such as pork, shellfish, wheat, sugar.

Stress

Cancer

Reduced hepatic integrity 

The kupffer cells in the liver are the bodied detox machine. It they are underpar due to a dampened down immune system, they will fail to screen out harmful toxins,

Reduced phagocytic capability 

The cells that destroy infection.

Reduced proteolytic activity 

The proteolytic enzymes are key digestive enzymes. The better the digestive system is in screening for endotoxins  and antigens the less chance of them getting into the circulation and causing immune system chaos.

Treatment approach 

Reduce the presence of any microorganisms. We would use siberian ginseng, Astragaius, wormwood and or echinacea.

Antiviral herbs

Thyme, Marigold

Antibacterial herbs

Berberis.  In urinary tract cornsilk

Anit-fungals

Marigold

Control or eliminate dysbiosis of the gut.

Normalise gut flora eg citrus seed extract.

Reduce leaky gut

Plantain, goldenseal, licorice if not high blood pressure present

Increase the levels for proteolytic enzymes in the body . Bromelain supplements help with this.

Strengthen the mucous membranes of the body and the smooth muscle

Eg plantain, goldenseal.

Diet

Include supplements of magnesium and vit b6,.

Essential fatty acids : oily fish, avacaodoes, nuts, seeds.

With draw non essential drugs.

Eliminate food allergens; Wheat , dairy, yeast, soya, strawberries, mushrooms.

Include stress management techniques.

Tai Chi, qigong, pilates, yoga.

Herbs to combat exhaustion and stress

The adaptogens such as Verbena, ashwagandha, and anti-anxiety herbs such as oat straw.

Both Calma and Happy tum time teas would be very useful support in an auto-immune condition.https://www.urbanbasedwellness.com/herbalist-shop/Calma-Herbal-Tea-p288138858 https://www.urbanbasedwellness.com/herbalist-shop/Happy-Tum-Time-Herbal-Tea-p288180037