In times of health crisis, plants have frequently been relied upon to support human health and well-being. Medicinal herbs such as Echinacea, whose reputation as an immune enhancer have made it one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the world, speak to the growing global interest in supporting immunity naturally.

There are many different “biotic” products on the market, and it can be hard to know the difference between them. These products are designed to support the billions of microbes that live in the human body, each with unique characteristics and functioning via different mechanisms. The microbes in the digestive tract are commonly referred to as the gut microbiome, and they play essential roles in human health, from regulating the immune system to producing vitamins the body needs. Providing proper support to these microbes is important for good nutrition and health.

In this episode of the Medicinal Herbs podcast, naturopath and medical herbalist Berris Burgoyne joins our host Sara Le Brun Blashka, MS, to talk about specific herbal approaches to bolstering immunity for the winter. This includes approaches for chronic immune depletion, prophylaxis, acute infection, recovery, and more.

Chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) is an inflammatory immune dysfunction condition associated with biotoxin exposure. CIRS is not resolved during the body’s natural detoxification process; its main characterization is chronic inflammation associated with a large catalogue of potential symptoms, making CIRS difficult to diagnose.

Colostrum is the “first milk” produced by the mammary glands after birth and lasts only a short time before its composition changes.1,2 For many mammals, colostrum and mature milk is essential for the survival of the newborn offspring.3 Colostrum provides nutrients for growth, energy, and development as the newborns transition from placental supply before birth to oral ingestion of complex macromolecules after birth.3 Colostrum also provides immune protection that supports the innate immunity of neonates before their system can mature and adapt to the environment.3

Inflammation is foremost a defense mechanism against infection and tissue damage. However, if left unresolved it can progress to chronic inflammation and contribute to the development of diseases. Instead of trying to block or rid the body of inflammation, the goal should be to support healthy inflammation and resolution.

The primary function of the immune system – in animals and humans alike – is to protect the body from infection and disease from bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, parasites, and other harmful pathogens. The immune system is divided into two parts: innate and adaptive. Other important components of the immune response include lymphoid tissues of the skin, mucosa, nasal and respiratory passages, and gut.