As winter approaches or when we’re feeling tired, the instinct to boost our immunity through natural means has become commonplace. What’s more, the shelves in health and beauty shops are overflowing with dietary supplements promising to strengthen our body’s defences. However, manipulating our body’s defence mechanisms using plant-based active ingredients is not something to be taken lightly.
The immune system is an incredibly complex system, governed by a delicate balance between surveillance and tolerance. Furthermore, upsetting this balance through inappropriate self-medication can prove ineffective, or even have serious consequences. How can we look after our immunity without triggering a biological storm? This comprehensive guide sheds light on the little-known risks of immunostimulant herbal medicine.
What are the limitations of herbal medicine when dealing with immunodeficiency and weakened defences?
When an individual experiences a decline in immunity, there is a strong temptation to turn to natural remedies to restore their strength. However, severe immune deficiencies require strict medical management alone. They are therefore not a matter for herbal medicine.
What is immunodeficiency?
Immunodeficiency is characterised by the immune system’s inability to effectively protect the body against infections. It also fails to prevent abnormal cell proliferation. We are familiar with primary (or innate) immune deficiencies, which are genetic in origin and often diagnosed in childhood. However, there are also secondary (or acquired) immune deficiencies.
These can result from a serious viral infection, such as AIDS caused by HIV. HIV specifically destroys CD4 T-lymphocytes, the cornerstones of our cellular immunity. Furthermore, acquired immunodeficiency can also be induced therapeutically by intensive treatments: anti-cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy or the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. These are prescribed following organ transplants to prevent graft rejection.
The myth of boosting immunity with plants in cases of severe deficiency
In cases of confirmed immunodeficiency, the idea that a simple herbal remedy could ‘boost’ or restore immunity is a scientific fallacy. Worse still, in transplant patients or those on immunosuppressive treatment, the introduction of plants intended to stimulate the immune system can directly interfere with anti-rejection drugs. This interaction triggers a resumption of immune activity against the transplanted organ and leads to major treatment failure.
Why do echinacea and immunostimulant plants pose a danger in cases of immune dysfunction?
The aim of many natural remedies is to boost the immune system in a generalised way. However, for the millions of people suffering from an immune disorder where the body attacks its own tissues, this overstimulation proves to be extremely aggressive.
The mechanism of autoimmunity
Autoimmune disease is the exact opposite of immunodeficiency: it is a pathological hyperactivity in which the immune system loses its tolerance towards the ‘self’. Consequently, clones of auto-reactive lymphocytes escape the control mechanisms and begin to attack specific organs. This complex phenomenon has a strong genetic component, particularly linked to the genes of the major histocompatibility complex (HLA system).
Among the most common autoimmune diseases are type 1 diabetes (destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas), multiple sclerosis (demyelination of the central nervous system), systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. In all these diseases, the medical strategy involves curbing this destructive immune response using immunosuppressants or biologic therapies.
The main contraindication for echinacea
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is the leading plant used to stimulate innate immunity by increasing phagocytosis and the production of inflammatory cytokines. However, in the presence of an autoimmune disease, this stimulation is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.
The activation of immune pathways by echinacea can disrupt periods of remission and trigger an acute and severe flare-up of the disease. Moreover, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) formally contraindicates its use in these patients.
How does the rise in environmental allergies alter our tolerance to substances intended to protect our immune system?
Allergies constitute another form of immune dysfunction, characterised by the body’s hypersensitivity to normally harmless foreign substances (allergens).
Immediate (IgE) and delayed allergies
Hypersensitivity reactions fall into several categories.Immediate-type allergy is mediated by specific antibodies, immunoglobulin E (IgE), which trigger mast cell degranulation and the massive release of histamine upon contact with the allergen (pollen, venom, food). It manifests as rhinitis, asthma or, in the most severe cases, anaphylactic shock. In contrast,delayed-type allergy involves cell-mediated immunity (T lymphocytes) and mainly results in contact dermatitis.
Today, the impact of global warming and rising air pollution are extending the pollination seasons. Furthermore, these factors increase the allergenic load of pollen, making the general population much more reactive in terms of skin and respiratory symptoms.
The risks of cross-reactions between pollen and herbal teas
The danger associated with dietary supplements or herbal teas lies in the phenomenon of cross-reaction. Plants in the Asteraceae family (such as chamomile, dandelion, mugwort, echinacea or marigold) share protein structures very similar to those found in grass or ragweed pollen. Consequently, a patient suffering from hay fever may develop a severe immediate allergic reaction when consuming natural remedies intended to support their immunity. This occurs due to this molecular confusion caused by their own antibodies.
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Seeking to support one’s immunity through herbal medicine stems from excellent intentions, but biology reminds us that modulating it cannot be improvised. In cases of proven immunodeficiency, an overactive immune system linked to an autoimmune disease, or a predisposition to cross-allergies, so-called ‘stimulating’ plants such as echinacea or Asteraceae derivatives may do more harm than good. Therefore, to ensure that natural remedies remain an ally to your health, the key lies in a personalised approach, strict adherence to your medical treatments, and consistently seeking advice from healthcare professionals.
Sources:
- World Allergy Organization (Pollen & Climate Change): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4829390/
- Cross-reactions (Asteraceae & Supplements): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39336535/
FAQ: How can you boost your immunity with plants without taking any risks?
Why is echinacea not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases?
Echinacea actively stimulates the production of defence cells and inflammatory molecules. In cases of autoimmune disease (multiple sclerosis, lupus), where the immune system is already attacking the body, this stimulation may exacerbate the condition and trigger an acute flare-up.
What is the risk of consuming plants from the Asteraceae family if you are allergic to pollen?
Plants such as chamomile, mugwort and echinacea belong to the Asteraceae family. If you are sensitive to pollen from this family (ragweed, grasses), your body may experience a cross-reaction. Consequently, consuming these plants as herbal teas or supplements may trigger an allergic reaction (hives, breathing difficulties).
Can immunostimulant plants interfere with immunosuppressive treatment?
Yes, significantly. Immunosuppressive treatments (prescribed after a transplant or to stabilise a serious illness) aim to lower immune activity. Taking plants to ‘boost’ your defences directly counteracts this therapeutic effect, which exposes you to a risk of organ rejection or relapse.
