This is a complex topic. The choice of phytotherapy always depends on which autoimmune disease you want to address based on which tissue or cell group is affected:
- Skin and mucous membranes (lupus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis),
- Joints and cartilage (rheumatoid arthritis),
- Digestive system (Crohn's disease),
- Endocrine glands (autoimmune diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis),
- Nervous system (myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis).
Since autoimmune processes lead to the development of inflammation, it is further necessary to determine whether the herb should serve a more immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory function. Adaptogens are not sufficiently immunosuppressive on their own to halt the autoimmune process, which is why they are commonly used in alternative medicine. In our conditions, the most commonly used are ashwagandha and true ginseng (often as a supplement to regular medication), which can also be combined.
Questions answered by
Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system
Nutrition educator, lecturer, and author of the educational system and the ZOF learning application.
Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.
He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.
In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.