Conversations and news reports are focusing almost exclusively on a move to lockdown level three and beyond, and the reopening the economy brings renewed focus on keeping healthy, central to which is maintaining an optimally functioning immune system.
With the combined easing of lockdown levels which sees industries, business and retail starting to reopen, together with a seasonal upswing in cold and flu cases, many people are wondering how best to strengthen their vital natural defence mechanisms1.
Coupled with this, the imminent onset of winter which brings a related increase in cold and flu infections, sees the importance of boosting your immune system moving up the annual health agenda.
“While business and factories are taking several precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their staff, there is still so much uncertainty about “getting back to normal” and by necessity, people are being ultra-cautious. Any additional measures that individuals can take that will add a greater element of protection are worth considering,” says Joan van Wyngaard, a pharmacist at Nativa, where Linctagon® is manufactured.
A healthy diet, exercise, limiting stress and getting enough sleep all contribute to the functioning of the immune system, yet few South Africans are aware of a small plant indigenous to South Africa which is believed to have strong immune boosting properties. Pelargonium sidoides, a humble shrub that grows abundantly in the Eastern Cape and Lesotho grasslands, is a medicinal plant native to South Africa. Its common names include Umckaloabo and the South African Geranium. It has been in the spotlight over the last few years regarding its proven potential to boost the immune system. In fact, the root extract of Pelargonium sidoides has been used for centuries by traditional healers as a tonic to boost immunity but also as a therapy for bacterial and viral infections of the lungs3 and is used worldwide in a myriad of cold and flu remedies5.
Van Wyngaard says doing all you can to keep your immune response as strong as possible should be an important consideration all year round, especially in autumn and winter when colds and flu are more widespread and even more so now in these unprecedented times.
“At the forefront of disease prevention methods are the all-important steps of handwashing, avoiding contact with sick people and practicing good hygiene1 practices which are now commonplace among all South Africans. We should be adhering to this all year round! Generally, our immune systems are designed to defend us against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it does fail, allowing germs in and making you sick2,” she says.
Van Wyngaard says the idea of being able to boost our immune systems has been the subject of much scientific study over the years2, and there is evidence that nutrition and other lifestyle measures can influence our immunity and our susceptibility to infectious diseases1. “Researchers are continuously exploring the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other factors on our immune response, as well as whether the use of herbs and supplements could have any beneficial effect2.”
Van Wyngaard explains that pharmaceutical biologists have been studying the Pelargonium sidoides plant in an attempt to describe its immune boosting properties and its mode of action, and in particular how it guards against the development of infections, finding that it has remarkable anti-infective properties3. Over 20 clinical studies about one particular extract of Pelargonium sidoides have been conducted globally involving more than 9 000 patients, including both adults and children3.
“In a nutshell, Pelargonium extracts boast proven efficacy in three ways: firstly, preventing pathogens from adhering to cells, secondly fighting viruses and thirdly by stimulating the immune system to hunt down invaders4,” she says. “It’s South Africa’s homegrown fighter and we like to call it another weapon in our arsenal to help boost the immune system.”
This is more easily understood when you look at how we get sick in the first place.
Our respiratory systems have complex natural defence mechanisms. When someone with a viral infection coughs or sneezes nearby, microbes or pathogens can enter the nose or mouth and be trapped in mucous and tiny hair-like structures called cilia in nasal passages and airways4. This is called adhesion3. Our natural filtration system will attempt to clean the air entering our lungs4, and Pelargonium sidoides has been shown to increase the frequency with which these cilia beat, essentially sweeping the airways clean more often which further strengthens our primary defences against invading particles4. This is of particular importance as the increased frequency of the cilia could potentially prevent pathogenic particles from entering deep lung tissue3.
Pelargonium sidoides also act as an expectorant, assisting the body to expel contaminated mucous4. During an infection, this could once again reduce the number of microbes accessing the airway3.
Furthermore, researchers have also pointed to the viral suppression effects of Pelargonium extracts and the benefit this could have in preventing enveloped viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus and coxsackie virus from binding to host cells3.
Several clinical trials have looked specifically at the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Pelargonium and its ability to stimulate the immune system. Research has shown that even low doses influence human white blood cells, causing the release of powerful natural antiviral factors called ‘interferons’, which interfere with the replication of viruses. Clinical trials also show that Pelargonium extracts exhibit antibacterial properties which is particularly relevant to complications arising from secondary infections especially in older and immune compromised patients.3
“Generally, Pelargonium extracts, available in over the counter colds and flu products, have been shown to help inhibit “sickness behaviour”, and assist with the alleviation of symptoms which in essence means that even if you do get sick, you should feel better faster,” van Wyngaard comments.
At this time of the year, and especially when we are all concerned about keeping healthy and supporting the immune system to fight disease, look after your physical wellbeing by eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly if possible, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate sleep, avoiding alcohol, minimising stress and avoiding of cigarette smoking2. And don’t forget to practice good hygiene1 and keep practising social distancing.
Go to https://www.linctagon.co.za/ for more information.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about more ways to boost your immune system.
This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use
Issued on behalf of Nativa by GGI Communications
References:
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Foods to Boost the Immune System (2020) at https://www.pcrm.org/news/blog/foods-boost-immune-system (website accessed on 25 March 2020)
- Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. How to boost your immune system (https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system (website accessed on 25 March 2020)
- Kolodziej, H. 2011. Antimicrobial, antiviral and immunomodulatory activity studies of Pelargonium sidoides (Eps® 7630) in the context of Health Promotion. Pharmaceuticals 4, 1295-1314.
- Schwabe – Kaloba® (Eps® 7630) Pelargonium Sidoides (https://www.schwabepharma.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Kaloba-Monograph-PRINT.pdf)
- Moyo M, Van Staden J. 2014. Medicinal properties and conservation of Pelargonium sidoides DC. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 152:243-255.
