There is a caution about Echinacea in this regard. There have been warnings in place for patients with MS for example.
There are not many things that stimulate the immune system really well anyway.

Do you recall what was listed?

I hope I can write them in right English:
Shitaki mushroms, Astregalus, Kambutch mushrom.

They even said that even healthy people are not recomanded to take them more then 2 months, since it can affect the immune systen and caused to the onset of some autoimmune diseases.

In my case - the onset was just after starting to eat flax seeds. Is it sound logical? also I have to check it, but I think that flax seeds are not good for me.

Flax is fine.....you need a good source of Omega-3 daily.

Thanks for the list. It is controversial how effective some herbal things are for the immune system. I have seen the Echinacea warnings the most frequently. Most of the time the warnings pertain to Multiple Sclerosis patients.

I'll look the others up and get back.

Don't worry about flax, it provides ESSENTIAL nutrition for you.
It is not an immune stimulant per se. You can't live without Omega-3s.

Here are some links about the items you posted about, amit.

Astragalus:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/a...lus-000223.htm
(possible interaction with immune suppressing drugs/steroids)

Shiitake:
https://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetC...hunkiid=220562
(weak evidence)

Kombucha:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha
questionable

Echinacea:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm
There are far more warnings and studies for this herb, to be used very carefully, and perhaps not at all for those with autoimmune disorders.

I have found it best to confirm things that one may see in the general media. Often the journalists are not that prepared or accurate about medical things, or especially about herbal or supplement information. (this is because the information may change rapidly).

The University of Maryland site, and the Natural Pharmacy site are just about the best I have found. Linus Pauling Institute is excellent for vitamins/minerals, but they don't do herbs as a rule.

Also beware of sites that sell their own proprietary products (not like iherb which sells everything). Information from specialty sites can be misleading, in order to hype up their product.

Actually, I have several autoimmune diseases (lupus, sjogrens and APS), and I find that I can take echinacea short term with no problems at all - up to 5 - 7 days. I wouldn't take it for any longer though, but seeing there is the odd situation that I find it extremely useful for (recurrent boils springs to mind - it works better than antibiotics for this) then I do take it without a problem. I watch for signs that it is flaring my autoimmune problems, but to date it never has.

I know it was one of my doctors who told me this was ok - I just can't remember which!

hth

raglet

Long ago I figured out that Echinacea with Goldenseal didn't help me at all and switched to straight Goldenseal for 2 week runs when having difficulty with sinus infection. Everyone said "use the two together - works better", but for me the Echinacea is a problem. Thanks for the info. Now I know why!

Becky

goldenseal is also on the list of herbs to be avoided with autoimmune problems - but if it works for you and you are not having any flares caused by it, then it is likely fine to take it short terms. I certainly find echinachea fine for short term use.

cheers

raglet