Echinacea fresh root (Echinacea purpurea)*

Indicated for acute viral or bacterial infections including colds (Schoop, et al 2006, Goel, et al 2004), influenza, bronchitis, cellulitis, Staph infections, Otitis media and sinusitis. Echinacea is also used for acute bacterial prostatitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, and gingivitis. Topically it is used for insect bites, psoriasis, inflammation and abscesses.

Andrographis herb (Andrographis paniculata)*

Used in Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine for damp/heat and blood heat infections (bronchitis, sinusitis, bacterial diarrhea, urethritis, tonsillitis and influenza). It also acts as an immunostimulant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. In a clinical trial Andrographis extract was found to be superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (Saxena et al 2010).

Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)*

Used in Chinese Medicine to nourish the lungs, heart and Wei Qi (protective Qi). It is an immune amphoteric enhancing immune response (Cho and Leung, 2007), while inhibiting allergic hypersensitivity (Matkovic et al 2010). Astragalus is also effective for lowering blood sugar levels, inhibiting ulcers, protecting the heart from Coxsackie B virus and it has nephroprotective and cardioprotective activity.

Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosis)*

An effective non-stimulating adaptogen. This herb normalizes blood pressure, enhances immune activity (Bohn et al 1987) and relieves fatigue, stress and depression. It is frequently used especially by athletes to improve performance and reduce recovery time.

Oregon Grape root (Mahonia nervosa)*

Anti-bacterial/fungal/viral and is indicated for urinary tract infections, Strep and Staph infections, intestinal viruses and skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. It is also a good digestive bitter, liver tonic and cholagogue used to increase digestion and absorption especially of fats and oils. It is used to treat dyspepsia, dysbiosis, jaundice and insufficient bile formation.

Myrrh gum resin (Commiphora myrrha)

An excellent astringent and antiseptic used topically for aphthous stomatitis, bedsores, herpes and as a gargle for strep throat, laryngitis and gingivitis. Used internally myrrh stimulates white blood cell production and is specifically indicated for acute infections of the mucous membranes of the throat, stomach and bowels.

Bibliography:

Bohn B, Nebe CT, Birr C. Flow-cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticosus extract as an immunomodulatory agent. Arzneimittelforschung. 1987 Oct;37(10):1193-6.

Cho WC, Leung KN. In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Aug 15;113(1):132-41.

Goel V, Lovlin R, Barton R et al. Efficacy of a standardized echninacea preparation (Echinilin) for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2004 Feb;29(1):75-83.

Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M et al. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):175-81.

Mitchell, W. Plant Medicine in Practice, St. Louis MO, 2003.

Saxena RC, Singh R, Kimar P et al. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine. 2010 Mar;17(3-4):178-85.

Schoop R, Klein P, Suter A, Johnston SL. Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus colds: a meta-analysis. Clin Ther. 2006 Feb;28(2):174-83.

Upton R. Americal Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium: Echinacea purpurea Root, Scotts Valley, CA, 2004.

Winston D, Maimes S. Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief, Rochester VT, 2007.