This paper describes an herbal therapeutic approach to addressing food intolerance and immune dysfunction. A case history was chosen to illustrate the therapeutic approach. The patient presented with a long history of allergy and food intolerances. The food intolerances could present in an atypical way. She had a recently diagnosed autoimmune disease, Antiphospholipid syndrome, and was taking prescription drugs. The patient was given herbal prescriptions chosen on an individual basis over a period of 6 months. Herbal treatment included addressing intestinal barrier integrity, improving digestive function and the balance of gut microbiota, reducing stress responses, normalising immune function and lifestyle advice. The treatment was particularly challenging due to the patient’s initial sensitivity to the herbal prescription. With continued treatment, the patient’s food intolerance was greatly improved, as was her general digestive function, fatigue and stress levels. Herbal medicine can play an important role in treating the underlying causes of food intolerance and a supportive role in patients with immune dysfunction, despite taking concurrent prescriptive drugs, whilst preventing the need for eliminative and potentially restrictive diets.

The reasons for changes in herb uses are many and varied, but AS herbal writings still have information of value. There is enough evidence of similarity between usage then and now to prevent us dismissing the texts as historically too remote in the nature of the practice described. Furthermore, there is a wealth of material differing from current practice which merits serious consideration. There is every likelihood that AS recipes contain currently unused herbs which could prove beneficial.

Sophia
Managing Editor
Herbal Medicine: Open access journal
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