Monday, December 8, 2008

Tonic Herbs For Immune Defense


Although the doctors of modern western medicine would have you believe that herbs cannot have any healing effects on you (read "Media Censorship at Olympics in China Mirrors FDA Censorship of Health Product Claims in America" by Mike Adams of NaturalNews.com), in other parts of the world, herbs are highly revered. Western herbs do have some healing qualities, but the herbs I am referring to are the tonic herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ayurvedic system, and the healing traditions of some South American countries. Tonic herbs do exactly what their name implies. They tonify the systems of the body. Tonic herbs are an elite class of herbs which can and should be taken on a daily basis, with little to no risk, and no side effects.

Reishi: Ganoderma Lucidum, commonly known as reishi, is considered a "superior" tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been sought after for thousands of years, and to find it in the wild is truly rare. It is known as "The Mushroom of Immortality" and "The herb of spiritually potency." Reishi is antiviral, antifungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory. Reishi has many bioactive polysaccharides, which are long-chain carbohydrates with medicinal qualities. It possesses anti-tumor qualities due to these polysaccharides. The extract of this amazing mushroom is hailed for effectively regressing tumors. Reishi can also help to lessen or negate the harmful and unpleasant side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy. For this reason, it is widely given to cancer victims in China. Reishi also possesses immunomodulating qualities. It strengthens the immune system with double ended action: it raises (or lowers) the immune defense to the proper levels without overstimulating the immune system thereby preventing autoimmune dis-eases. Autoimmune dis-eases result when the immune system can no longer distinguish its own cells from invading harmful cells and begins to attack itself. HIV/AIDS is a severe autoimmune dis-ease, but the very allergies which most of us suffer from are the result of autoimmune dysfunction as well. Reishi is adaptogenic, meaning it assists the body in adapting to internal and external stressors, thereby balancing bodily systems and maintaining homeostasis (balance).

I take reishi everyday. It has enhanced my life in so many ways, most notably, the way I interact with the world around me. There are less stressors and agitations, and I have more of a spiritual understanding of my place and purpose. Since I began taking reishi, I have not suffered from the severe seasonal allergies which plagued me my entire life. I encourage you to do your own internet research on reishi. There is so much information available about this that I simply cannot condense it any further for you...but it is out there. It works.

Agaricus: Agaricus, known as "God's mushroom" is another amazing medicinal mushroom. It too has immunomodulting effects, and is extremely potent. It is the richest known source of the polysaccharide-proteins known as Beta-Glucans (Beta-1,6-D-glucan and Beta-1,3-D-glucan). These polysaccharides are macrophage activators. Macrophages are the first line of immune defense in our bodies, the cells which seek out and destroy harmful foreign substances like viruses, fungi, yeast, and even heavy metals and pollutants. Anytime the viral load of the human body reaches a level which is no longer maintainable by macrophage activity, dis-ease results. Agaricus can be taken safely, everyday, without side effects, and like reishi, will not over stimulate the immune system. These tonic herbs are intelligent, and once you begin taking them, you will understand how they work with your individual chemical-molecular make up.

Holy Basil: Holy basil, also known as Tulsi, is one of the most highly revered herbs in the Auyurvedic Medical system of India. Traditionally, it is said that Tulsi balances the chakras (wheels or energy centers within the body), thereby balancing the flow of energy to all the systems of the body. Like reishi, holy basil is an adaptogen, and assists the body in lowering stress and fatigue levels. Holy basil has been scientifically proven to reduce the level of cortisol (a stress causing hormore) in the body. It can help to calm the body and the mind and reduces anxiety levels. It has also been shown to protect the cells from the harmful effects of radiation exposure. Holy basil has many health enhancing qualities and can be taken daily.

For more information or to purchase Tonic Herbs, visit: http://www.jingmasters.com/

To read "Media Censorship at Olympics in China Mirrors FDA Censorship of Health Product Claims in America," visit: http://www.naturalnews.com/023779.html

Erin Brennan is a Raw Foods Chef and the owner of Living Bliss, a company based out of Louisville, KY providing fresh and delicious raw and living whole foods, event catering, uncooking classes and workshops, nutritional consultations, and wellness coaching.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erin_Brennan

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