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Two of the worlds best herbs for Correcting Immune System Imbalance, and hence Improving Auto-immune Disorders

(For full treatment protocol and other factors to address in Auto-Immune Disorders see the article Factors Involved In Auto-Immune Disorders and Effective Treatment Protocols)  

 

The two herbs used are:

 

(1) Liquorice concentrate capsules. These work in a two fold manner (a) To restore the functioning of the adrenal output of natural steroids, (These do not have side effects like synthetic steroids taken, and are more effective) This will help relieve inflammation and immune system aggression /over-reaction. (b) Liquorice contains sterols and sterolins, know immune balancers.

 

Liquorice is used extensively by medical herbalist Gerald Green to treat auto-immune disorders, in combination with herbs to eliminate Candida infection in the body (This aspect is discussed in our Auto-Immune article)

 

(2) Kalawalla (Polypodium leucotomos)

 

 

 

 

 

Kalawalla (Polypodium leucotomos)

The World's Outstanding Herb for Auto-Immune diseases.

 

The fundamental action of this herb is to regulate the immune system, so that were there is imbalance, this is corrected. Not only have these effects been scientifically studied, but clinical trials with various auto-immune disorders have proven repeatedly that Kalawalla (Polypodium leucotomos) works to improve or remove the disease state of the persons taking it, due to normalisation of the immune system.

 

For serious conditions such as M.S. stabilisation of the disease usually occurs, with reduction of symptoms and with time the body can then go on to heal itself.

 

With auto-immune reactions the Immune system cannot recognise the difference between self and not self, so will attack areas of the body where there is weakness. This will determine the symptoms of the disease whether it be asthma, M.S or inflammatory bowel disorder or Psoriasis for example. The list of auto immune disorders is given here:

 

Auto-immune diseases include, but are not confined to;

 

Addisons disease, ALS,(Motor Neurone disease) Antiphospholipid syndrome, Arthritis, (Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis) Plus the rarer forms of arthritis e.g. Reiter’s, Behcet’s Psoriatic Arthritis. and, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteporosis (for all arthritic and bone diseases Boron has been found to be very effective therapy; see the article The Wonder of Boron), Various types of back pain that may be related to an arthritic process. Asthma, Allerigies,  Barth syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Cystitis, Diabetes, Emphysema, Encephalomyelitis, , Fibromyalgia, Grave's disease, Hashimoto´s disease, Hemolytic anemia, Hypertension (some cases) Inflammatory bowel disorders (alltypes) Interstitial Cystitis, Lupus, M.E. (Chronic Fatigue syndrome) Microscopic Polyangiitis, Myositis, painful jaw syndrome, Nephropathy, Neuralgia, foot pain of undetermined origin, Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, Pemphigus, porokeratosis plantaris, (palmaris, disseminata) prostrate inflammation, Optic Neuritis, Psoriasis, Macular Degeneration, Migraine and cluster headaches, Reynard's disease, Sarcoidosis, Scleroderma, Sjogrens Syndromes, Sciatica, silicone breast disease, Ulcerative Colitis. 

 

Many other chronic health disorders are increasingly being recognized as having an auto-immune component, including diseases traditionally recognized as ‘degenerative’ such as Alzheimer’s Parkinson's and circulatory disorders.

 

Note: Depending on the individual there will be a greater or lesser degree of auto-immune imbalance with each disorder, also other remedies are often required for the best results, e.g a person with arthritis or Osteoporosis usually need to take steps to insure diet is sufficiently alkaline and take a Boron supplement, whereas with other individuals/disorders improved diet may not be so crucial (If the diet is already a whole food diet omitting all processed foods) as the auto-immune component is inherently dominant.

 

Different types of immune disorders all brought into line with Kaliwalla.

 

Explanation of how Kalawalla (Polypodium leucotomos) Improves immune system balance, hence reducing or eliminating entirely the auto-immune response

 

Polypodium leucotomos has many clinical studies that prove that it regulates the CD4/CD8 ratios to their normal values. Most researchers will agree that this regulation alone is key to offer protection against all types of auto-immune disorders, including MS. Europeans have used Kalawalla extract for more than 10 years with very good results in all types of auto-immune disorders. Kaliwalla is also used in New Zealand and Australia.

 

Many auto immune disorders are caused by an imbalance in the ratio and activity of T-helper lymphocytes (Th1 and Th2). These two subsets of cells are in a constant state of balance (like a see-saw): when one is increased, the other is decreased and vice versa. The more common manifestation is a Th2 excess, potentially resulting in an increased incidence of allergies, asthma and a susceptibility to infections (through the corresponding decreased Th1 activity and loss of protection).

 

The opposite situation, an excess of Th1 activity 'excess' immune protection, may result in tissue-specific inflammatory damage examples being psoriasis, arthritis, lupus and vitiligo. Other diseases such as MS, although usually showing a  Th1 dominance  may alternate from one imbalance to another.

 

Kalawalla is a potent immune corrector that provides help if you have an immune disorder. Kalawalla works by restoring the correct balance of the immune system. Once this balance is restored to normal, your body can begin to shake of the disorder and begin to heal.

 

Kalawalla has been is used in Australia and Europe with the trade name Difur and Leucostat for the treatment of Lupus and other auto-immune disorders for over ten years. Improvements can be seen within the first month of taking the product.

 

A real solution to auto immune disorders is to modulate (not suppress) the activity of T cell ratios to normal balance without any side effects. Immune modulation has the advantage that, contrary to immune suppression, very few side effects can be observed from regulating the immune system back to normal. It also offers the advantage over symptomatic drugs in that the symptoms reverse themselves on their own after the immune system has reached proper balance, and this is done treating the root of the problem, and not only the symptoms.

 

Kalawalla has many clinical trials with MS, Lupus, Psoriasis, Vitiligo and other auto immune disorders, showing a high degree of success and very few side effects. It even has an OTC status in the European Union, which means that medical doctors actually prescribe Kalawalla for these disorders. We also know exactly how Kalawalla works due to trials by the Harvard Medical Schoold  that details how Kalawalla modulates the T cells and its usefulness in auto aggressive / inflammatory conditions.

 

Lupus

 

Kalawalla (Polypodium leucotomos) has many clinical studies that prove that it regulates the TH1/TH2 ratios to their normal values. Most researchers will agree that this regulation alone is key to offer protection against Lupus. Europeans have used Kalawalla extract for over 10 years with good results. Kalawalla is used in Australia and New Zealand for treating auto-immune disorders such as Lupus.

 

 

Below are examples of clinical trials and experience with Kallawalla (Polypodium leucotomos)

 

Two years personal experience in Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos extract) treatment of psoriasis in various clinical forms

By Pineiro Alvarez B.

 

A personal experience on 495 patients affected by several forms of psoriasis and its answer to the treatment with Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos extract) is presented. The whitenings between 80% and 100% of the affected skin were achieved on 304 patients (61.41%); 46 patients whitened between 30% and 80% of their lesions, 15 obtained null results and only 11 had relapses. It is remarkable the high number of abandonments to treatment which came at 119 patients (24.04%) due to slowness of process and other reasons probably. The association with PUVA which shortens the treatment and gives other advantages is pointed out as positive. The average time of treatment was 6 months, and daily doses were from 80 mg. and 720 mg. depending on age, weight and treatment phase. Side effects appeared in two patients only: one with intense pruritus and the other one with gastric disturbances. In both cases, these side effects disappeared when the treatment was interrupted.

PMID: 6348443 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Comments: Out of 495 patients 93% of those who completed the 6 months treatment with Polypodium leucotomos extract showed good results.

 

 

Double-blind study using "Polypodium leucotomos" 120 mg. in the treatment of psoriasis. Capella Perez MC, Castells RA Actas Dermosifiliogr 1981;72(9-10):487-494.

Comments: 61 psoriatic patients were treated for a period of 6 months with Polypodium leucotomos extract. 90% of the patients showed significant improvement within this period.

 

 

Multiple Sclerosis

 

There are several types of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Most will only vary in the degree or extent it affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). The most frequent type of MS is Relapsing MS. People with Relapsing MS will experience periods of relapses followed by complete or partial recoveries. This type of MS affects 85% of all MS patients. 50% of these patients will eventually experience progressive MS with or without periods of recovery. There are other types of more aggressive, progressive MS which affects the other 15% of the MS patients.

 

Most researchers will agree that MS is an auto-immune disorder. The immune system attacks nerve sheaves called myelin. Sometimes, in most severe cases the nerve fibers themselves will be affected, and not only the myelin.

 

Myelin helps nerve cells conduct electrical impulses and operate properly. The damage to the myelin causes degradation of nerve impulses and this leads to the various MS symptoms, which including cognitive dysfunction bladder and bowel dysfunction, vision problems, fatigue, walking difficulty, pain, numbness, and other symptoms.

 

Immunological Phenotype and Treatment with Polypodium leucotomos (Kalawalla) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients

 

Spanish Society of Neurology, XLVI Annual Symposium

MM Carreño, P Castro, Dept. of Neurology, Navarra University, Pamplona, Spain

 

Introduction and Objectives

Several studies have shown the existence of abnormal immunological phenotypes in MS, and more specifically a imbalance in the suppressor function.

 

Objectives: To determine quantitative abnormalities in the lymphocyte subpopulation of MS patients, to establish the relationship with the different clinical pictures and to study the response to the treatment with an extract of Polypodium leucotomos.

 

Patients and Methods: 12 patients, 10 women and 2 men, with well established MS; mean age of 43.7 years; evolution time 6.5 years; treated for one year only with an extract of Polypodium leucotomos (360 – 720 mg / day). The immunological phenotype was studied counting the lymphocyte sub population.

 

Statistical analysis were carried out by non parametric techniques.

Results: More frequent basal immunological alterations were increased CD4 in d LB (62.5%), decreased CD8 suppressors (50%). There was no correlation between the increase in ICD4 in LB – progressive form and decrease ICD8 – relapsing / remitting form. The treatment brought the lymphocyte count to normal in 100% of the patients with increased CD4 in B. the clinical evolution, according to the EDSS scale was:

 

Normal development of course of disease 3 patients (37.5%), stabilization and improvement 5 patients (62.5%) Increased in ICD8 suppressor figures were normalized in 3 patients (50%); worsening was recorder in only 1 patient.

 

Conclusions
The most frequent immunological alterations of the phenotype in MS are increase L ind B and decreased L supp. They are not related to classical forms. The treatment of Multiple Sclerosis with an extract of Kalawalla is useful to correct these phenotype imbalance and can contribute to a clinical stabilisation.

Kalawalla will regulate the T cells that build up and attack the myelin and help restore the CNS on its own, thus treating the symptoms as well as the heart of the disease.

 

Kalawalla has been used in Europe to treat MS over the past 5 years with great success.

 

Kalawalla has many clinical studies that prove that it regulates the CD4/CD8 ratios to their normal values. Most researchers will agree that this regulation alone is key to offer protection against all types of auto-immune disorders, including MS. Europeans have used Kalawalla extract for over 10 years with surprising results in all types of auto-immune disorders. Kalawalla is also used in Australia and New Zealand.

 

There are many types of Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis for example has been understood as an auto-immune disorder for many years. However, more recently even Osteoarthritis is generally thought to have an auto-immune component. So in this respect Kalawalla can be useful in the treatment of many forms of arthritis, and good results can be experienced within the first month of taking Kalawalla However, in our experience the remedy of first use for all types of arthritis must include a Boron supplement. (For all arthritic and bone diseases Boron has been found to be very effective therapy; see the article The Wonder of Boron. Available supplements containing Boron are: Boron with colloidal Minerals and Vitamin D and Repair-Tonic. This contains Boron, Glucosamine, MSM and other nutrients)

 

Kalawalla has been known to increase the lymphocyte levels. It is also known to regulate the CD4/CD8 ratios to their normal values. This helps some Arthritis patients to successfully fight the disease.

 

There are other factors involved auto-immune disorders, by addressing all the relevant factors, the best results can be achieved.  These are all discussed in the article Auto-immune disorders. Briefly, they include:

 

Vitamin D deficiency. Most persons in Northern climates suffer from this, and it can be simply remedied with the correct dose of vitamin D (Or the correct dose of sunlight ! with the sun above 50 degrees high above the horizon)

 

Heavy Metal Toxicity. This is usually from Mercury type dental fillings also vaccinations. This can be eliminated with amoungst other things, Deep Cell Detox

 

Chronic Infections of many kinds, including the common Candida Fungal infection. These can be eliminated with a combination of colloidal silver, Olive leaf extract, Alka-vita. They do not all need to be used, for example if you wish to help alkalise the system and provide a source of silicon and supply a potent anti-oxidant, the Alka-vita would be appropriate. If your auto-immune symptoms are particularly acute then Colloidal silver can be a good adjunct to treatment as not only does it wipe out virtually all pathogenic bugs, fungus and parasites, it also has a calming effect on the  unbalanced side of the immune system. Olive leaf has a more direct effect on the bowel or gut than colloidal silver.

 

 

The Importance of Liquorice in the Management of Auto-Immune Disorders

 

 Liquorice herb (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), the well known component of Liquorice sweets, is surprisingly one of the most important medicinal herbs on the planet.  It has been used extensively in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years, in approximately half of their formulas. The reason given is that it tends to improve the action of all the other herbs and ‘harmonise’ the action of the herbal formula. More recently, medical herbalist Gerald Green has elucidated its tremendous value in the reversal of auto-immune diseases. The patients he has treated have suffered from asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases, and multiple-sclerosis. However the action of liquorice is presumed to be potentially effective (depends on the person, diet etc not the particular disease as they are all related), on all auto-immune diseases.

 

This action is far wider than just helping to treat specific diseases. For example it includes many cases of inflammation and common conditions such as allergies. The auto-immune aspect of a health problem is extremely common, even though we may not be aware of this. This aspect is discussed more fully in the article Factors Involved In Auto-Immune Disorders and Effective Treatment Protocols   It is extremely common, due to many factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, inoculations, electromagnetic pollution, lack of sunlight on skin (Vitamin D deficiency, click here for our vitamin D supplement) and so on; the immune system becomes unbalanced so that on one hand, the immune response to virus and internal toxemia may be inadequate, and on the other, there is often an over-reaction. This results in inflammation, and attack of ‘self’. This may range from something as simple as fatigue, allergies, or all the way through to a serious auto-immune disorder such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disorders, and most chronic disease. Improving this balance with the use of Liquorice can make the totality of your nutritional supplements and diet work better for you, as realized by the Chinese herbalists many years ago. As Liquorice works in a different manner to Kaliwalla, it's action is therefore complimentary in the management and treatment of auto-immune disorders.

 

How Does Liquorice Achieve its Action?

 

Liquorice contains Glycosides called glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizinic acid; these have a structure similar to the natural steroids in the body and tend to rapidly restore natural steroid production from the adrenal glands. In addition, the direct action of these glycosides, along with other ingredients in the liquorice seem to have an almost magical effect in reducing inflammation and the entire auto-immune mal-response. (Please note that if you suffer from systemic Candida Albicans infection, usually due to antibiotics, artificial steroids and other medicines combined with a long period of low immune system and poor diet, then you are unlikely to obtain relief from any herb, including liquorice. Remedies to eliminate Candida must be used along side or prior to any other remedies, please see the article on Candida Albicans.

 

Liquorice also contains plant sterols including sitosterol and stigmasterol, more than thirty flavonoids and isoflavonoids have been identified, including liquiritin and its derivatives.  We know that plant sterols have been shown in clinical trials and in general use (See Sterols and Sterolins), to improve the majority of patients with auto-immune disorders, however, experience leads us to believe that Liquorice, especially in combination with Kalawalla is superior in this aspect. For me, taking Sterols and Sterolins from the product Naturleaf produced general health benefits and improved energy, it did not prevent the re-occurrence of asthma. Taking Liquorice had an obvious effect within hours of the first dose and repeatedly I found that it would turn off the initial stages on asthma like a switch. Note: if you have asthma, or bronchitis the formulation of Liquorice root, slippery elm and Lobelia (Gerald Greens Asthma and Bronchitis Formula) has a tremendously high success rate (according to Gerald Green) of almost 100% in babies and children and 80% in adults; irrespective of how serious the condition. So for general health benefits, improvement in energy, immune strengthening and a fair degree of immuno-modulatory effects along with all the aspects discussed in the article, then Naturleafhas its use. However for overactive immune system and auto-immune disorders/diseases then Liquorice is the first remedy of choice, as part of the treatment protocol.

 

It is interesting to note that during periods of detoxification, e.g. old catarrh/mucus ‘coming to the surface’ and being eliminated, the immune system can be encouraged to become over-active or ‘auto-immune’, and it is at these times that I find a special need for liquorice. Persons with chronic auto-immune disorders will usually need to continue with Liquorice as part of there treatment protocol for a considerable length of time, bearing in mind the cautions/side effects discussed next. If you decide not to take Liquorice, the Kalawalla is available without liquorice

 

The cautions and side effects of regular Liquorice consumption

 

Women appear to be somewhat more susceptible than men, and oral contraceptives may increase this sensitivity.

Pregnant women should not use liquorice at medicinal doses. There is a danger of high blood pressure or of a hormone imbalance that would harm the fetus.

People with extremely high blood pressure (See our article on Heart and circulation and Blood Pressure) should be careful with the use of liquorice, and monitor their blood pressure daily, as in some rare cases Liquorice can raise B.P. However Kaliwalla tends to lower high B.P. so as a combination this rare tendency to raise B.P. in those already suffering from  high B.P. is increasingly unlikely, but as with almost any herbal or nutritional supplement if you have very high B.P. a home based Blood pressure monitor, for daily monitoring is suggested. Also the foregoing applies to anyone with a heart problem, and  should use liquorice only under medical supervision, as in rare cases Potassium depletion caused by liquorice is especially hazardous for such patients. Anyone with pre-existing hypokalemia (low potassium) should not take liquorice.

People with kidney disease, especially the elderly, may be at increased risk of side effects.

 

Gallbladder disease and cirrhosis are considered contraindications for liquorice.

Generally these cautions are related to doses of over six grams a day, (although there are always a very small minority of individuals who react to any herbal product untypically, so in extremely rare cases even doses on one gram a day of the root may cause some of the listed side effects). Gerald Green, in his extensive experience of prescribing liquorice for his auto-immune patients has found that one gram a day is normally sufficient to accomplish its beneficial effects, the exception being in the Asthma and Bronchitis formula, where 3 grams a day is consumed if the tea is taken at the maximum of 4 doses a day.

 

The side effects that occur are related to the fact that Liquorice helps to conserve sodium in the body.

 

To re-iterate, side effects are very rare if the dose is kept to one gram daily, and liquorice has been used extensively throughout history in foods, and herbal remedies, and being extremely beneficial for the vast majority of persons taking it, one need to keep a balanced view concerning the safety issues

  

More Information

 

If we look at use of liquorice from a western perspective, we see that its use has changed little over 3,000 years. It is considered demulcent (soothing to irritated membranes), expectorant (loosening and helping to expel congestion in the upper respiratory tract), and stimulates mucous secretions of the trachea. Other well-documented activities include significant anti-inflammatory effects, a protecting effect on the liver against toxic substances and anti-allergic activity. Studies have shown that glycyrrhizin stimulates the excretion of hormones by the adrenal cortex.

 

Personally I have found liquorice to be more effective and totally harmless in its ability to help the body produce the correct type and amount of natural steroids, whereas drug based steroids, in my experience are less effective and will in time seriously disrupt the body’s homeostasis and render it susceptible to Candida Albicans infection and other health problems. Glycyrrhizin has a similar chemical structure to corticosteroids released by the adrenals, and further studies have suggested that it could be used as an aid in helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms from dependency on some corticosteroid hormones. Glycyrrhizin has also shown estrogenic activity in laboratory animals, and is experimentally anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and antibacterial. In China, liquorice root is used as an antacid.

 

Other Liquorice Uses

 

These are discussed  more  fully in the Main article on Liquorice The Importance of Liquorice in the Management of Health Disorders click here

 

 

Disclaimer: Regenerative Nutrition advocates a holistic approach to natural health and wellbeing.   The body's ability and power to heal depends upon the totality of diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors.  No claims for the cure of any disease is intended, or implied.  Always consult a health care practitioner when combating disease states.   The statements in this article have not been approved by the FDA.

 

 

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