Part I will introduce the concept of the adaptogen mechanism and the links between the neuro-immune function and the endocrine-immune function. Botanical adaptogens act to modulate the body's response to all forms of stress helping to regulate the interconnected endocrine, immune and nervous systems. These herbal medicines affect a wide variety of biochemcial metabolic regulators including many catecholamines, glucocorticoids, cortisol, serotonin, nitric oxide, cholecystokinin, corticotrophin-releasing factor and sex hormones. The anti-inflammatory antioxidant and amphoteric actions of these plants influence the manifestation of autoimmune disorders.
Part II will focus on specific adaptogenic plants, relative clinical studies and therapeutic application of adaptogens to specific female autoimmune conditions.