UPDATE May 2020: With the pandemic of Covid-19 flaring across the world there are many things we are still learning about the virus. Scientists are discovering that many individuals who succumb to the virus experience a cytokine response – that is an over-active immune response, often in the lungs. While there can be a place for essential oil use in every home when used with care and respect, if you have an illness or disease seek professional medical care from a doctor. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
In the last article we covered boosting your immune system. There are tens of thousands of scientific articles on the immune system, it’s a much more complex subject to cover thoroughly in a simple blog post. We’ll break it down into three separate articles and every day language so it doesn’t feel like a college course (my apologies to the biology geeks – I suggest you head over to this FREE article at the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy and get Kurt Schnaubelt’s article on the Cytokine Response that’s filled with plenty of scientific details to please the most discerning chemist). It’s important to understand some foundational principles of this complex system before just jumping in with immune boosting routines.
The right action taken at the wrong time can result in unexpected results.
We have so many resources at our fingertips for healthy living – vitamins, herbs, essential oils, body therapies and more. We know more than ever that stress management plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy immune system so modalities like massage, chiropractic, yoga, prayer and meditation can also benefit our immune functions. How do we decide what is necessary? Do we need to be taking 20 different supplements to truly support the immune system? Â
Is Bigger Always Better? Our culture values BIG, SUPERSIZE, STRENGTH in everything. We’re performance driven: Cars, Muscles, Energy Drinks, Vitamins. Â
For decades, the holistic health industry in the US has been focused on supporting the immune system to make it stronger. Vitamin C, Elderberry, Garlic, Zinc and Echinacea have been the traditional recommendations circulating in the mainstream. More recently, essential oils have entered in the immune-boosting category along with medicinal mushrooms, micro greens, juicing, bone broth, ginger, Vitamin D, probiotics, quality sleep, fresh air and more. Many of these are good for maintaining health when used in moderation and balance. While most think of boosting the immune system into action (such as eating 5 cloves of garlic at one time), too much of a good thing can be detrimental. There is still so much that even Immunologists don’t know about our immune system, we have very complex systems. To get a glimpse into one small cell, watch this amazing 3-D video from Biovision. Â
Though we don’t know everything about the human body, we do know enough about some principles that can keep us healthy. This article will focus on Calming the immune system to help it run most efficiently. Â
There are several factors that can affect your immune system’s effectiveness, one of them is
1. Depleted Resources (Energy)  When you body is stressed, your immune system suffers. When you rest, it allows your body to do what it was designed to do. Can your immune system do too much?
Yes.Â
Overactive immune systems result in a number of illnesses and diseases including allergies, and autoimmune disorders like Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. When the body is ill, the immune system kicks in and becomes inflamed as it fights bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Normal bodies calm down after the crisis has passed, systems that don’t shut down cause chronic inflammation that leads to autoimmune disorders and disease.
The number of individuals who suffer from seasonal allergies, asthma and autoimmune disorders are on the rise. Some speculate this is tied with living in a world with chemicals, processed foods, vaccines and other substances that are confusing our chemistry. We have so many ways to take care of ourselves in the modern world, but anyone who already has compromised immune function (allergies, asthma, digestive issues and more) adding immune enhancing resources during an illness may cause the perfect storm for a cytokine response.
Essential oils are often thought of as immune enhancing, some touting lavender as the “swiss army knife of oils” suitable for most situations. Companies have created Immune-boosting blends often with Eucalyptus (which may have anti-inflammatory qualities depending on the species.) Using too many essential oils or not quite the right one for your constitution at the time may result in a mini-cytokine response of sorts. You many have experienced this already – after using some herbs, supplements or essential oils, maybe your homemade immune support routine: Your immune system kicks in full force, showing up in your nose as it begins to run like a faucet. No amount of kleenex stops the flow of mucous. The sinus cavity inflames with T-cells (T-Lymphocytes) rushing to attack the microbes and eliminate the bad guys. If there is a form of Montezuma’s Revenge for sinuses, a cytokine storm would be it. Other “normal” responses our body has to protect the immune system includes coughing, enzyme production and stomach acid production. You can imagine a cytokine storm in any of these areas –Â
Immune support requires balance. We know that a weak immune system makes one vulnerable to getting sick from any germ or microbe. Too much of an immune response though results in the nasty cytokine storm. In that case, the body needs to decrease inflammation. Â
2. Decrease Inflammation to Build Your Immune System Up
Inflammation is the bad guy in immune system dysfunction. Most people think if they are suffering from symptoms their immune system is not doing it’s job, when it might be working overtime, and producing the symptoms as it fights.  Scientists have been working some time on anti-flu drugs, to specifically target inflammation from an over-reactive immune system. Pandemic flus like the one in 1918 resulted in so many deaths because of immune responses to the virus. SARS deaths were also a result of over active immune response to a virus. This syndrome is known in medical community as cytokine storm. Viruses and bacteria become lethal when immune system floods the body with immune building cells that affect major body systems, like the lungs filling with mucous to fight a virus (pneumonia).
Crisis = Inflammation Can your allergic rhinitis turn into a cytokine storm? Maybe. There are many times throughout the day we need nutrients and simple immune support. Specific foods can keep the immune system strong without tipping it into a cytokine response. Here are some superfoods that can support a healthy immune response:
Goji Berries – low in sugar, high in protein. This drink combines are a powerhouse of antioxidants, energy and nutrients. This combination is also highly anti-inflammatory when combined with a “Multi-Greens” supplement (Barley, Spirulina, Alfalfa and Kelp plus essential oils to deliver nutrients deep into the cells: rosemary, lemon, lemongrass and melissa)
5. Self-Care Routines that support a healthy immune system:
1. Drink enough water Anyone who’s had surgery knows how quickly you can spike a fever (inflammation from trauma) if you are dehydrated. Drink water each day: half your body weight in ounces. Good rule to follow? If your pee is dark yellow, you need more water. Too much water is not good either, if your pee is clear, you’re flushing out essential minerals that keep you in balance. Stay hydrated on the inside to keep your body cool. All body systems run better when they are saturated with enough water.
2. Eat more green foods (parsley, kale, spinach, salad greens) Many of these are alkaline versus acidic. Most foods in the American diet are acidic and encourage inflammation.
3. Use the right essential oils Some great anti-inflammatory essential oils are Helichrysum, clove, Chamomile (Roman & German), myrrh, Raventsara, and thyme. Most of these can be helpful when gently massaged into the lymph system. Researchers continue to study the antioxidants found in essential oils that help calm the immune response such as linalool (citrus sinensis), p-Cymene (thymus vulgaris),and bornyl acetate (Black Spruce). Using essential oils to calm the immune system down requires proper dilution and application!
4. Breathe and calm down  When your central nervous system is heightened, hormones surge through your body. Adrenaline, Cortisol and Aldosterone are hormones produced when the body is under stress. If your body’s “flight” mode never calms down, the immune system is compromised. Ongoing stress in the body can lead to long term health issues. Manage stress on a daily basis so your body can return to normal and your immune system will run like it should.
5. Balance your active fitness routine with calming exercises like yoga, qi gong and tai chi. Vigorous exercise increases inflammation in body and can actually aggravate over-active immune systems.
Are you surprised by any of these? What do you do to keep your immune system in balance?
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. If you are sick, seek treatment from a medical doctor.
My fingers are crossed that you are right. 7 years ago I caught ‘a cold’. (Others had a bad case of ‘flu’.) I was left wiped out. I couldn’t breath, walk a block without stopping, ached all over, slept like Sleeping Beauty. From being bursting with life I became a crumpled rag. Thankfully after 4 years of ‘ME’ and tests and doctors saying nothing was wrong (boy, did that make me cross) the symptoms eased. Now they only flare up when I do catch a cold or the flu -apart from having a constant blocked nose, sneezing and a cough. I have been thinking along the lines of it’s my immune system that won’t turn off. Your article seems brilliant. I’m going to try some of your suggestions. I’ll report back if any work.
Anne, have you ever heard of mold toxicity? Mold can cause a CIRS reaction which throws the body into defense mode. 24% of people have mold susceptible genes. People blow it off quickly but it’s an underlying cause for many illnesses with “ME” being one of the top ones.
Hope you feel better soon.
Good article and great advice!
Hi Mary, Thanks for taking time to comment.
Yes, Mold Toxicity is far more prevalent than most people realize. It’s in our homes, our environment (Fall leaves, any damp dark areas) and even in our foods if grains are not processed quickly.
This is an excellent point to remember and one many should factor in when dealing with autoimmune issues. The signs of toxicity are not always significant, and ones that might be easily overlooked or attributed to other illnesses: nausea, headaches, skin rashes, asthma attacks, bloody noses at severe or longer term exposures.
I understand that spirunella must be avoided for folks with overactive immune system.
Any feedback on this topic?
I have a psorisis skin problem.
I have tried eveything. Does anyone
Have a idea how it can be treated.
Thx.
You can calm skin down from psoriasis with tea tree oil. Try diluted for the first time ( 50/50 with water) on small area, slowly increase it. my niece got relief with tea tree oil. You can read about it on internet. Good luck!
Diana
I have alopecia areata was diagnosed like 3 months ago. It keeps getting worse. I quit drinking and smoking. I watch what I eat. It’s just really frustrating. I read one of the posts about mold. I live in a very old apartment. I was wondering if anyone had any advice. On any of this thank you
Great article. It’s so hard for a type A personality, like myself, to slow down and rest. As a small business owner I’ve been working 12 hour days 7 days a week. No wonder my system is in overdrive!
Thanks for stopping by, Julie. I know it feels counter-intuitive when you are working with your own business to stop and slow down. The old adage “time is money” can be shifted to make the most of your time when you are working. If I may suggest, you could schedule in time to rejuvenate into your weekly schedule- a massage, mani/pedi, yoga class. Whatever you find that restores you in small ways each day/week will go a long way to keeping your immune system in balance in the long run. Keep the Calm~
I’m quite surprised by the Reccommendation of this powdered beverage. It’s well documented those with autoimmunity issues should not consume barley, spirulina or grains of any sort as they are highly inflammatory.
Hi Carla,
The Ningxia Red beverage doesn’t have any grains or spirulina in it. Thanks for leaving the comment though, good info for readers to know!
Cheers,
Susan
The Ningxia Red has Stevia in it, which causes me lots of pain with my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I understand this may not affect everyone this way. Be cautious. What’s good for one is not good for another. Know your own body.
That is good perspective, Xena. It’s also important to know what forms of Stevia are used in your products as the quality of the ingredients will most likely affect how your body responds to something. Just like there are varying grades of “sugar” or essential oils, Stevia is no exception. YL uses a form of stevia that is very close to the original plant material: “stevia rebaudiana extract”. The less processed an ingredient it, the more likely our bodies will identify it as safe. Anyone on pharmaceutical drugs or dealing with chronic illness may have a different body response than nature intended 🙂 Hope you can find relief from your RA.