Powerful Herbal Allies Give Your Immune System the Edge

October 26, 2010

By NIS

Health care in the U.S. is a hot topic these days, as the increasingly expensive and seemingly endless “war on disease” continues to rage. But are we winning this war? Consider the following worrisome facts:

The health system in the U.S. is ranked 37th in the world by the prestigious World Health Organization (but ranked 1st in spending as compared to its GDP);[1]
American conventional medicine results in over 700,000 deaths per year;[2]
New “superbugs” continue to crop up around us, resistant to treatment with formerly effective antibiotics.[3]

Recognizing that limitations exist within modern medicine in terms of producing and maintaining good health, many knowledgeable Americans have begun looking for alternative, natural solutions to protect their health and immune systems against ever-increasing challenges.

Six powerful herbal ingredients (available as a single formulation) have been shown in research studies to kill multiple disease-causing organisms including harmful bacteria, viruses and fungal infections. They are:

Premium-quality Elderberry extract (50:1 Concentrate)
Olive leaf extract standardized to 18% oleuropein
Stabilized, high potency allicin from garlic (Allisure)
Guaranteed potency oregano oil (55% Carvacrol)
Arabinogalactan (ImmunEnhancer)
Rosemary oil

These powerful plant ingredients have been proven to offer superior protection for the immune system through a wide variety of potent, natural infection-fighting actions. Since our immune systems are continually challenged, these beneficial herbal supplements have shown themselves to be valuable “allies” by keeping infectious diseases from getting the upper hand.

Conventional Attempts to Treat Infectious Diseases Are Failing

With the advent of antibiotics, beginning with penicillin in 1928, it was thought that many disease-causing organisms would be eradicated. In spite of widespread antibiotic use, however, more than 50 emerging and re-emerging pathogens have been identified during the last 40 years.[4]

It is now known that whenever antibiotics are used, non-resistant bacteria are killed off, but, unfortunately, so are many beneficial bacteria needed for good health. What’s more, the surviving resistant bacteria reproduce without competition, becoming stronger and rendering an antibiotic ineffective.

Now, after many decades of antibiotic usage, new superbugs are emerging, including flesh-eating bacteria, that can no longer be controlled by antibiotics.[3] Furthermore, antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and can result in serious fungal infections.[5]

Unique Herbal Products Succeed Where Antibiotics Fail

Certain powerful herbal products have been found to kill bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.[6] These herbal ingredients have also been found to destroy viruses and fungal infections. As previously mentioned, antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, and may actually promote and worsen fungal infections by killing beneficial bacteria needed for good health.[7]

Herbal Ally #1:
Concentrated Elderberry Extract Kills Viruses

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a tall tree-like shrub, native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, and naturalized in the United States. Currently, concentrated extracts of elderberries are used primarily as antiviral agents for colds, influenza, and Herpes virus infection. Research has also demonstrated that Sambucus nigra has both immune-enhancing and antioxidant (cell-protective) properties.[8]

Currently, no satisfactory medication is available to cure influenza type A or B. During an outbreak of influenza, however, a standardized elderberry extract was tested in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study by Israeli scientists. Significant improvement of the symptoms, including fever, was seen in 93.3% of the cases in the elderberry treated group within 2 days, whereas in the control group 91.7% of the patients showed improvement within 6 days.

           A complete cure was achieved within 2 to 3 days
           in nearly 90% of the elderberry-treated group. [9]

Besides these impressive results, many other studies have confirmed the effectiveness of elderberry extract against influenza viruses, HIV strains and Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Very importantly, elderberry extracts have been shown to have immune-enhancing activity in healthy individuals as well as in those with viral infections or other diseases characterized by immunosuppression. One of the most effective elderberry concentrates is a 50:1 extract, which means that 50 pounds of elderberries were used to make one pound of extract.[8]

Herbal Ally #2:
Olive Leaf Extract Kills Viruses, Bacteria, Yeast, and Parasites

Since ancient times, extracts of olive leaf (Olea europaea) have been found to have strong antimicrobial properties against viruses, bacteria, yeast, and parasites. Olive leaf extract also has cardiovascular benefits and is considered an antioxidant, thus protecting against cell damage. Olive leaf extracts appear to be quite safe as shown in both animal experiments and test tube studies.[10] Superior quality olive leaf extracts are standardized to provide not less than 18% oleuropein (pronounced “oh-lee-or-OH-pin”), the extract’s key ingredient.

As far back as 1969, researchers discovered that olive leaf constituents are powerful inhibitors of numerous viruses, including parainfluenza, herpes, pseudorabies (related to the herpes virus), and some forms of polio. Nearly every virus studied, including several cold and influenza viruses, were inactivated when experimentally exposed to a constituent of olive leaf extract, calcium elenolate.[11]

Within recent years, olive leaf extract was shown to be effective against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inhibiting its replication by neutralization of reverse transcriptase, which interferes with the ability of the virus to reproduce itself.[12] Olive leaf extract was also found to neutralize the protease enzyme, thereby disrupting the virus' life-cycle.[10]

In other research, Olive leaf extract was found to inhibit many different types of harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites, including the malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum.[13,14] Olive leaf’s antibacterial activity is reported to be through inactivation of cellular enzymes crucial for bacterial replication or via direct attack on the bacterial cell membrane.[15]

Additionally, a 1977 animal study tested the effects of an olive leaf constituent against influenza A. Calcium elenolate, from olive leaf, was given to infected hamsters (as nose drops) shortly after the animals were inoculated with influenza A, resulting in a cure of the viral infection.[16]

Olive Leaf Extract May Protect Against Food Poisoning

Everyone is potentially vulnerable to Bacillus cereus. “B. cereus food poisoning” is the common description, though there are two recognized types of the illness, characterized by either diarrhea or vomiting. Severe complications from B. cereus food poisoning include: dangerous infections, gangrene, septic meningitis, cellulitis (skin infection), panophthalmitis (inflammation of the eye), lung abscesses and endocarditis (inflammation of the inside lining of the heart).[17]

Olive leaf extract was shown to inhibit Bacillus cereus, both in vitro (test tube experiments) and when administered to humans, by altering germinating spores and interfering with the growth of the organism.[10] Also, when oleuropein (key ingredient in olive leaf extract) was administered to rabbits with experimental multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis, the animals experienced decreased oxidative stress and prolonged survival time.[10]

Herbal Ally #3:
Garlic Compound Kills Harmful Bacteria, Viruses, Fungal Infections and Parasites

The antimicrobial properties of garlic are well-documented. The compound allicin found in this remarkable herb is responsible for garlic's ability to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungal infections and parasites.[7]   In 1858, garlic's antibiotic activity was noted by Louis Pasteur. Later, garlic was used by Albert Schweitzer in Africa to treat amoebic dysentery, cholera and typhoid, and as an antiseptic in the prevention of gangrene during World Wars I and II.[18,19]

In the past, one of the difficulties in comparing studies involving the efficacy of garlic has been establishing the concentration of allicin present in the garlic preparations used. The percentage of active constituents in fresh garlic may, reportedly, vary by a factor of ten.[7] Consequently, it’s important to look for a high-potency garlic product standardized for stabilized allicin content, such as Allisure.

Garlic has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against many types of bacteria, viruses, worms, and fungi, as summarized in several works. These findings support the historical use of garlic in the treatment of various infections. Besides garlic's well-known antibacterial effects, it's been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria that have become resistant to one or more antibiotics.[19,20,21]

In a recent book entitled Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA, public-health journalist Maryn McKenna describes the ravages of a newly-emerged pathogen—methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA carries the potential to do grievous international harm because there is virtually no known conventional treatment for it. This deadly “superbug” outsmarts just about every known antibiotic thrown at it. MRSA bacteria have been found lurking in our hospitals, schools, our gyms and even our food.[3]

A 2003 BBC News article reported that University of East London researchers, headed by Dr. Ron Cutler, found that allicin from Garlic can cure the deadly MRSA infection within weeks. It was even effective against the newer strain of this deadly infection which cannot be treated by the "last line of defense" antibiotics used in conventional medicine. One patient, Deborah Brown, 34 years old, contracted MRSA after a major spinal operation. Painful, weeping wounds on her spine failed to heal for two years, despite using the antibiotics and creams currently available. Yet within two months of using the stabilized allicin from garlic, her MRSA had virtually cleared and the wounds had begun to heal. As Deborah told reporters: "The effect of the treatment was dramatic - I am making a good recovery - but it was really awful at the time.”[22]

These dramatic results were later published in the British Journal of Biomedical Science. According to Dr. Cutler and his team, stabilized allicin from garlic was shown effective against S. aureus, including MRSA strains. Furthermore, allicin was active against all the organisms tested.[23]

Herbal Ally #4:
Oregano Oil, a Natural Germ Fighter, Kills Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses and Parasites

Oil of oregano is derived from the “wild oregano” species (origanum vulgare), a plant that is native to the mountainous regions surrounding the Mediterranean, especially Greece and Turkey where it has been used for centuries. The best grade of Oregano Oil provides a high concentration (not less than 55%) of the germ killer carvacrol.[24]

The Mediterranean-source wild oil of oregano destroys bacteria, fungi, molds, viruses, mites, and parasites. By comparison, a single antibiotic may only be able to kill a few species of bacteria. Furthermore, due to antibiotic-resistance, these drugs are becoming less and less effective against bacteria that have learned how to defeat them. Yet the high-mountain oil of wild oregano destroys virtually all species of bacteria and fungi plus essentially all viruses, and thousands of such disease organisms.[25,26,27]

Oregano oil has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic microorganisms, including Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. This activity holds interest for the food industry because it may enhance food safety and stability, and help prevent food poisoning. Because of its longstanding safety record, oregano oil, alone or combined with antibiotics, might prove useful in the prevention and treatment of severe bacterial infections, especially those that are difficult to treat or are antibiotic-resistant.[28,29,30]

Herbal Ally #5:
Larch Arabinogalactan is a Novel Immune Enhancer

Larch Arabinogalactan is a non-digestible soluble fiber from the Larch tree that is used as a supplement to support healthy intestinal flora (beneficial bacteria), known to be a key factor in proper immune response. Arabinogalactans are found in a variety of plants, but are more abundant in the Larix genus, primarily Larix occidentalis (Western Larch), which is comprised of approximately 98% arabinogalactan.

Arabinogalactan has been found to have strong immune-protective and anti-inflammatory properties, and has even protected against radiation in low doses.[31] Its anti-inflammatory effects have also proven to be effective in the treatment of numerous allergies.[32] Other studies report that arabinogalactan may help protect against colon cancer.[33]

An excellent source of dietary fiber, Larch arabinogalactan increases short-chain fatty acid production (primarily butyrate) through its vigorous fermentation by beneficial intestinal bacterial (microflora). Intestinal microflora are critical for proper digestion and intestinal health. Butyrate derived from arabinogalactan provides 70% of the energy consumption needed by specialized cells within the colon for normal intestinal function.[33]

Herbal Ally #6:
Rosemary Oil Found to Be Effective Against Drug-Resistant Infections

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. A member of the mint family, it is native to the Mediterranean region. Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities have been reported for rosemary oil. Research has demonstrated that rosemary is an effective antimicrobial agent against disease-causing bacteria in food, and against a wide range of germs in laboratory media.[7]

Research has shown that rosemary oil may be useful in counteracting a wide range of drug-resistant pathogens and fungal infections, including E. coli. [34] A new, drug-resistant strain of E. coli is causing serious illness, according to a very recent study in the August 1, 2010, issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. The lead researcher of the study, Dr. James Johnson, reported: "If this strain gains one additional resistance gene it will become almost untreatable and will be a true ‘superbug,’ which is a very concerning scenario." Many cases of food poisoning, serious illnesses and deaths are caused by E. coli bacteria.[35] In addition to thwarting E. coli, Rosemary oil was also found to be active against pathogenic fungi and drug-resistant mutants of Candida albicans.[34] These are important findings, since conventional medicine has little to offer against new, emerging pathogens (often referred to as “superbugs”).

All 6 “Herbal Allies” Are Available In a Single Formula

As a convenient and cost-effective option, a new dietary supplement is available that provides all six powerful “herbal allies” in a single, immune-wise formulation. This formula is available in softgel form, and combines the following ingredients (per serving):

Premium-quality Elderberry extract, 50:1 Concentrate (50 mg)
Olive leaf extract standardized to 18% oleuropein (50 mg)
Stabilized, high-potency allicin (as Allisure) from garlic (40 mg)
Guaranteed potency oregano oil (min. 55% Carvacrol) (40 mg)
Arabinogalactan (as ImmunEnhancer) (10 mg)
Rosemary oil (5 mg)

These protective herbals have been shown in research studies to kill multiple disease-causing organisms including harmful bacteria, viruses and fungal infections. Designed to work together in a complementary fashion, these proven immune-enhancing herbs have the potential to succeed where conventional antibiotics and other treatments have failed.

References:
1. World Health Organization Assesses the World's Health Systems, http://www.who.int/whr/2000/media_centre/press_release/en/index.html.
2. Death by Modern Medicine, Dean Carolyn, M.D., N.D., Belleville, ON, Canada: Matrix Vérité, 2005, http://www.deathbymodernmedicine.com.
3. Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA, McKenna Maryn, New York: Free Press, 2010.
4. Emerging pathogens: challenges and successes of molecular diagnostics, Dong J, Olano JP, McBride JW, Walker DH, J Mol Diagn, 10(3):185-97, May 2008.
5. Fungal Infections, Medline Plus, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fungalinfections.html.
6. Use of natural antimicrobials to increase antibiotic susceptibility of drug-resistant bacteria, Palaniappan K, Holley RA, Int J Food Microbiol, 140(2-3):164-8, June 15, 2010.
7. Herbal Medicines - Third Edition, Barnes Joanne; Anderson Linda A; Phillipson David J, London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.
8. Monograph, Sambucus nigra (elderberry), Altern Med Rev, 10(1):51-4, Mar 2005.
9. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama, Zakay-Rones Z, et al, J Altern Complement Med, 1(4):361-9, 1995.
10. Olive leaf. Monograph, Altern Med Rev, 14(1):62-6, Mar 2009.
11. In vitro antiviral activity of calcium elenolate, Renis HE, Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 9:167-72, 1969.
12. Anti-HIV activity of olive leaf extract (OLE) and modulation of host cell gene expression by HIV-1 infection and OLE treatment, Lee-Huang S, et al, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 307(4):1029-37, Aug 8 2003.
13. In vitro antimicrobial activity of olive leaves, Markin D, Duek L, Berdicevsky I, Mycoses, 46(3-4):132-6, Apr 2003.
14. Preliminary safety studies with calcium elenolate, an antiviral agent, Elliott GA, Buthala DA, DeYoung EN, Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 9:173-6, 1969.
15. Effect of phenolic compounds and oleuropein on the germination of Bacillus cereus T spores, Tassou CC, Nychas GJ, Board RG, Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 13(2):231-7, Apr 1991.
16. Influenza virus infection of hamsters. A model for evaluating antiviral drugs, Renis HE, Arch Virol, 54(1-2):85-93,1977.
17. Food Safety - Bacillus cereus, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/pathogens/index.cfm?parent=37&articleID=166.
18. Lawson LD, “Garlic: A review of its medicinal effects and indicated active compounds” In: Lawson LD, Bauer R, eds. Phytomedicines of Europe: Chemistry and Biological Activity. Amer. Chem. Soc. Symposium Series 691. Washington D.C.: Amer Chem Soc; 1998: 176-209.
19. Allium sativum (Garlic), Textbook of Natural Medicine, Third Edition, Vol. 1, Murray Michael T, ND;
Pizzorno Joseph E, Jr, N.D., St. Louis: Churchill Livingstone, pp 729-37, 2006.
20. Allium sativum (garlic)--a natural antibiotic, Adetumbi MA, Lau BH, Med Hypotheses, 12(3):227-37, Nov 1983.
21. Antimicrobial properties of Allium sativum (garlic), Harris JC, Cottrell SL, Plummer S, Lloyd D, Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 57(3):282-6, 57(3):282-6, Oct 2001.
22. Garlic beats hospital ‘superbug', Dec 24, 2003, http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3344325.stm.
23. Antibacterial activity of a new, stable, aqueous extract of allicin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Cutler RR, Wilson P, Br J Biomed Sci, 61(2):71-4, 2004.
24. Oregano Oil - Nature's Answer to Bacterial, Viral and Fungal Infection, Salima Candace, Orem, UT: Woodland Publishing, 2007.
25. The Miracle of Wild Oregano, Ingram Cass, D.O., Vernon Hills, IL: Knowledge House Publishers, pp 141-95, 2009.
26. Effect of essential oils on the enveloped viruses: Antiviral activity of oregano and clove oils on herpes simplex virus type 1 and Newcastle disease virus, Siddiqui YM, et al, Medical Science Research, 24(3): 185-6, Mar 1996.
27. Essential Oils of Aromatic Plants with Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, and Cytotoxic Properties – an Overview, Reichling J, et al, Research in Complementary Medicine, 16:79-90, 2009.
28. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of herbal essential oils and monolaurin for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, Preuss HG, et al, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 272 (1-2): 29-34, 2005.
29. Oregano: properties, composition and biological activity, Arcila-Lozano CC, et al, Arch Latinoam Nutr, 54(1):100-11, Mar 2004.
30. Pharmacological interactions of essential oil constituents on the viability of micro-organisms, Van Zyla RL, et al, Nat Prod Commun, 5(9):1381-6, Sept 2010.
31. Larch Arabinogalactan is a Novel Immune Modulator, D’Adamo Peter, ND, J Naturopath Med, (4); 32-39, 1996.
32. Larch Arabinogalactan. Monograph, Alternative Medicine Review, vol 5, No 5, pp 463-66, Oct 2000.
33. The role of butyrate in human colonic epithelial cells: an energy source or inducer of differentiation and apoptosis?, Hague A, Butt AJ, Paraskeva C, Proc Nutr Soc, 55(3):937-43, Nov 1996.
34. Potential of rosemary oil to be used in drug-resistant infections, Luqman S, Dwivedi GR, Darokar MP, Kalra A, Khanuja SP, Altern Ther Health Med, 13(5):54-9, Sep-Oct 2007.
35. Escherichia coli Sequence Type ST131 as the Major Cause of Serious Multidrug-Resistant E. coli Infections in the United States, Johnson James R, et al, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 51:286–94, 2010.

Notice: The information herein is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat or prevent any disease or endorse any brand or product. For medical advice consult a health care professional.

Copyright© 2010 Nutrition Information Services