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Dr. Michael Murray The IMMUNE FA CTOR - Natural MediFAQS

Dr. Michael Murray The IMMUNE FA CTOR - Natural MediFAQS

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T H E I M M U N E F A C T O R<br />

diseases as uncontrolled studies have actually found it<br />

to be useful in rheumatoid arthritis.<br />

Can echinacea be used in patients with cancer?<br />

At this time the answer appears to be “yes” although<br />

more research is definitely needed. In animal studies,<br />

echinacea extracts have been shown to inhibit the<br />

growth of various cancers in experimental animal<br />

studies. In preliminary human studies, a stimulatory effects<br />

on white blood cell counts or function in patients<br />

receiving radiation or chemotherapy for cancer has<br />

been noted. 36,37<br />

Is echinacea helpful in fighting herpes infections?<br />

Herpes simplex is a virus responsible for cold sores and<br />

genital herpes. <strong>The</strong>re are two types of Herpes simplex<br />

viruses: type 1 (HSV-1) is most often responsible for<br />

cold sores (also referred to as fever blisters) while type<br />

2 (HSV-2) is responsible for nearly 90 percent of cases<br />

of genital herpes. Slight differences between the viruses<br />

results in a preference for the location of infection. <strong>The</strong><br />

sores known as lesions, develop as small red bumps and<br />

then turn into blisters or painful open sores. Over a<br />

period of days, the sores become crusted and then heal<br />

without scarring. Other symptoms can include fever,<br />

headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination,<br />

vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area.<br />

What preliminary studies indicate is that echinacea<br />

78

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