The function of the immune system is to defend the body against invaders. Microbes (germs or microorganisms), cancer cells, and transplanted tissues or organs are all interpreted by the immune system as nonself against which the body must be defended. Although the immune system is intricate, its basic strategy is simple: to recognize the enemy, mobilize forces, and attack. Understanding the anatomy and components of the immune system makes it possible to see how this strategy works.

Immune Busters
Lack of adequate sleep
Excessive sun exposure
Stress of any kind
Excessive sugar intake

Deep Sleep is one of the most important ways to boost one's immune system.
Garlic may work against fungal infections and parasites, and that it may increase the body's resistance to viruses, including the common cold.
Flavonoids -- Most flavonoids, including Quercetin, have anti-germ activity. Quercetin also has Vision enhancing  properties, along with bilberry.
AHCC -- Active Hexose-correlated Compound - AHCC - is a mushroom extract that has been tested as an immune enhancing, liver protective and anti-cancer agent. For more AHCC research information.
Andrographis -- Andrographis has become popular in Scandinavia for use during winter upper respiratory infections.
Astragalus -- Astragalus is used by traditional Chinese doctors to stimulate the immune system. In a test tube study, astragalus was found to have anti herpes simplex virus activity. Astragalus has been shown to enhance certain aspects of the immune system.
Beta glucan -- one mouse study shows daily ingestion of beta-glucan may offset the increased risk of upper respiratory infection associated with stress.
Cat's Claw -- Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa or Una do Gato) is a medicinal plant from the Amazon River basin that is widely used for inflammatory disorders.
Echinacea -- Echinacea plant extract is widely used for upper respiratory tract infections.
Elderberry -- A number of important compounds are found in elderberry, including anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants and have immune system boosting properties.
Colostrum could be helpful in certain people in improving the immune system.
Zinc Lozenges work better for common cold prevention than echinacea.

Impaired immune function from supplements
It is possible that high doses of certain herbs and nutrients can impair immune function. For instance, very high doses of vitamin E taken for prolonged periods could have a negative impact in the immune system.

The immune system maintains its own system of circulation--the lymphatic vessels--which permeates every organ in the body except the brain. The lymphatic vessels contain a pale, thick fluid (lymph) consisting of a fat-laden liquid and white blood cells.

Along the lymphatic vessels are special areas--the lymph nodes, tonsils, bone marrow, spleen, liver, lungs, and intestines--where lymphocytes can be recruited, mobilized, and deployed to appropriate sites as part of the immune response. The ingenious design of this system ensures the ready availability and quick assembly of an immune response anywhere it is needed. This system can be seen at work when a wound or an infection in a fingertip leads to an enlarged lymph node at the elbow, or when a throat infection causes the lymph nodes under the jaw to swell. The lymph nodes swell because the lymphatic vessels drain the infection by carrying it to the nearest area where an immune response can be organized.

Natural Immune Enhancers
Bacteria -- Enhancement of immune system in the elderly by good bacteria. The aging process can lead to a decline in immune function. In an article published in the December 2001 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, thirty healthy elderly volunteers (age range 63–84 y) participated in a 3-stage dietary supplementation trial lasting 9 weeks. During stage 1, subjects consumed low-fat milk for 3 weeks as a base-diet control. During stage 2 (intervention), they consumed milk supplemented with bifidobacteria for 3 wk. During stage 3 (washout), they again consumed low-fat milk for 3 weeks. The results showed an increase in the ability of white blood cells to attack organisms or kill tumor cells after bifidobacterium consumption. The greatest changes in immunity were found in subjects who had poor pretreatment immune responses. Dr. Sahelian says: bifidobacteria and other probiotics may be an effective dietary supplement for enhancing some aspects of the immune system in the elderly. These supplements are usually found in the refrigerated section of health food stores and come in liquid or capsules. Dosage guidelines are on the bottles.
Tea - Drinking tea appears to boost the immune system. Non-tea drinkers who downed five to six small cups of black tea per day for two weeks appeared to be better able to fight off bacterial infections. As an explanation for tea's benefits, experiments in the lab revealed that an ingredient found in black, green, oolong and pekoe teas boosted the ability of immune system cells to attack a bacterial invader. The experiments used ethylamine, which is produced when the tea ingredient L-theanine is broken down in the liver.

Common words used to describe parts of the immune system
Antibody: A protein, made by B lymphocytes, that reacts with a specific antigen.
Antigen: Any molecule capable of stimulating an immune response.
Cell: The smallest living unit of tissue, composed of a nucleus and cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane. The nucleus houses DNA, and the cytoplasm contains structures (organelles) that carry out the cell's functions.
Immunoglobulin: A synonym for antibody.
Leukocyte: A white blood cell. Lymphocytes and neutrophils, among others, are leukocytes.
Lymphocyte: The main cell of the lymphatic system, further categorized as B lymphocytes (which produce antibodies) and T lymphocytes (which help the body distinguish self from nonself).
Macrophage: A large cell that engulfs (ingests) microbes after they have been targeted for destruction by the immune system.
Molecule: A group (aggregation) of atoms chemically combined to form a unique chemical substance.
Natural killer cell: A type of lymphocyte that can kill certain microbes and cancer cells.
Neutrophil: A large white blood cell (leukocyte) that ingests antigens and other substances.
Peptide: Two or more amino acids chemically bonded to form a single molecule.
Protein: A large number of amino acids chemically bonded in a chain. Proteins are large peptides.
Receptor: A molecule on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm that fits another molecule like a lock and key

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