There is no single "Chinese herb for autoimmune" disease; instead, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses various herbal formulas and individual herbs that possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The specific treatment is highly individualized, based on the patient's unique symptoms and underlying imbalances, and is often used as an adjunct therapy with Western medicine.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Artemisia annua has been widely used to treat autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematoses (SLE) and RA. It was traditionally prescribed for “summer heat' or inflammatory conditions which worsen in the hot summer months.
Examples of important herbs in the management of autoimmune conditions:
Why is ashwagandha not advisable for people with autoimmune disorders? In people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system is already overactive. Because ashwagandha can stimulate the immune system, it can rev up your immune system even more, and that can be harmful.
Ways diet can help improve your condition
Taking vitamin D is recommended because vitamin D plays a role in immune regulation and may help reduce autoimmune activity. Many people with autoimmune diseases are deficient in this vitamin, and I am one of them. Eat more foods with omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish, nuts, seeds, and plant oils.
Natural immunosuppressant compounds, derived from plant sources like curcumin, luteolin, piperine, resveratrol are known to inhibit the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
There is evidence that ashwagandha might interact with some medications, including those for diabetes and high blood pressure, medicines that decrease the immune system response (immunosuppressants), sedatives, anti-seizure medications (anticonvulsants), and thyroid hormone medications.
However, widely used herbs — including spirulina, elderberry, ashwagandha, chlorella, echinacea, and alfalfa — possess immunostimulatory properties that can worsen autoimmune symptoms, posing risks to patients with conditions like DM and CLE.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often ranked by severity, impact on life expectancy, and organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (deadly heart inflammation), Vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation like GPA), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (multi-organ attacks), Multiple Sclerosis (nervous system damage), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas destruction). These conditions can severely affect quality of life, cause permanent disability, and reduce lifespan if not managed effectively, though rare ones like Giant Cell Myocarditis are acutely fatal.
14 Herbs for Immune Support*
Tea: Both green and black tea contain the flavenoids, catechins and theaflavins, which are beneficial in autoimmune disease.
Turmeric (Curcumin): Curcumin is a compound naturally occurring in turmeric that is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reducing inflammation from conditions such as arthritis.
Microalgae (Spirulina, Aphanizomenon flos-aqua, Chlorella), Echinacea, and alfalfa have been shown in several studies to upregulate cytokines and inflammatory pathways that are already aberrantly increased in a variety of autoimmune skin diseases.
The immune system plays a crucial role in the susceptibility, persistence, and clearance of these infections. With 70–80% of immune cells being present in the gut, there is an intricate interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the intestinal epithelial layer, and the local mucosal immune system.
1. Ginseng (人参) Ginseng, a perennial herb from the Panax genus, is renowned for its medicinal properties. With fleshy roots containing active compounds called ginsenosides, it is recognised for its adaptogenic qualities, aiding in stress management and overall well-being.
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Abstain from Eggs
To a person with autoimmune, they can cause havoc that probably wouldn't happen in a healthy person. Eggs can allow proteins (usually lysozyme, from the egg white) to cross the gut barrier where they don't belong and contribute to molecular mimicry.
Who should avoid ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a well-studied plant that is primarily classified as an adaptogen, a subset of herbs that improve the body's ability to cope with stress,” says Dr. Zachary Mulvihill, a physician at Integrative Health and Wellbeing at NewYork-Presbyterian, in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine.
Why did Denmark ban Ashwagandha? Denmark banned Ashwagandha in 2023 after a risk assessment highlighted potential hormonal disruption and reproductive safety concerns. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration required all Ashwagandha containing products to be withdrawn from the market to protect public health.
For rheumatoid arthritis, researchers reported encouraging results from an experimental therapy called rosnilimab. The drug works by removing overactive immune cells known as T cells, which attack the body's own tissues in autoimmune diseases.
For instance, he says, “It's been shown that vitamin D deficiency needs to be treated in lupus patients, but the effects are less clear when it comes to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.” Supplementing vitamin D won't cure an autoimmune disease, nor will it provide significant relief from its symptoms.
In contrast, eating foods recommended as part of a Mediterranean diet plan may help fight inflammation and help heal the body (4):