"Immune Boost" can prevent the cold/flu especially during the winter or seasonal changes. Immune boosting herbs shorten the duration of cold/flu and help your body fight the infection. Here, I want to introduce immune enhancing herbs contained in Immune Boost Herbal formula.

Holy Basil helps strengthen the body's ability to fight off the opportunistic organisms. In Ayurvedic Medicine, the fresh leaf of Holy Basil has been used to treat cough, bronchitis and children’s fever due to its potent expectorant, adaptogenic and immune modulating activities. (1,2) In one randomised, placebo-controlled trial, Holy basil was proven to be beneficial for treating the recurrent respiratory tract infection in children. Six children out of seven children treated with Holy Bail had no recurrence of infection during the 6-month follow-up period when ten out of eleven children in control groups had a recurrence of infection. (3) However, it should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

Reishi has been used as a staple of Eastern Herbal Medicine as it has a rejuvenating action on mind and body. (4) Clinical research conducted on Reishi mushroom draw our attention to its impact on immune system. The polysaccharides of Reishi, in particular the beta-D- glucans, now is discovered as a potent stimulators of macrophages in vitro. It also protects the body from the oxidative stress and tonifies the organs.

In one randomised, double-blind trial, Reishi was used to effectively manage the symptoms of physical and mental fatigue in people with neurasthenia, a condition similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (5) Another uncontrolled trials conducted in China was positive for Reishi’s potential benefits on treating insomnia, leukopaenia, acute altitude sickness and chronic bronchitis. (6)

Ashwaganda is an adaptogenic and mild sedative herb that regulates the HPA-axis (Hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis) and helps body handle the stress more efficiently.

Ashwaganda also modulates the cell-mediated hyperactivity and IgE. Astragalus was proven to increase natural killer cells and tonifies the kidney and heart. It boosts the immune system with Echinacea and works in harmony with Reishi mushroom and Holy Basil to reduce the risk of infection. People who frequently catch the colds or do not easily recover from the infection can benefit from taking the Immune Boost Formula.

*This formula can benefit people experiencing the following symptoms:

Frequent colds/flu, sore throat, allergies, food intolerances, injuries that are slow to heal, frequent infections, fatigue, cold sore, mouth ulcers, atopic triad (eczema, hay fever, asthma) and other symptoms of low immunity.

*Herbs included:

Holy Basil (Ocinum tenuifloraum), Reishi mushroom (Gonaderma lucidum), Astragalus (Astragalus membranceus), Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera), Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia/purpurea)

*Recommended Dosage:

Adults: 7.5ml twice daily

Children (5-10yr): 2.5ml twice daily

Children (11-16yr): 5ml twice daily

Sensitive individuals are recommended to start 1/2 of the recommended dosage and slowly increase the dosage over 2 weeks until you are at the recommended dosage.

*Cautions

-Do not take Herbal Formula if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

-5ml of Herbal Formula contains ALCOHOL that is equivalent to 1/6 of a standard glass of beer. The human liver is conditioned to metabolise a small amount of alcohol. However, if you have a LIVER problem or has a history of alcohol dependence, speak to your health practitioner before use.

-Discontinue the Herbal Formula if you experience any abnormal symptoms eg. heart palpitation, diarrhoea, stomach ache and/or skin rash. Contact the herbalist for further instructions.

-If you are taking pharmaceutical drugs, you must speak to herbalist or personal health practitioner to avoid herb/drug interactions.

-If you are taking anticoagulant/ antiplatelet drugs or Pentobarbital, it is best to speak to personal health practitioner before taking this formula as Holy Basil(Ocimum tenuiflorum) may affect the effectiveness of drug.

-If you are taking antiretroviral drugs(HIV non-nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors, HIV protease inhibitors) and midazolam, it is best to speak to personal health practitioner before taking this formula as Echinacea spp may affect the effectiveness of drug.

-If you are taking immunosuppressive drug, do not take as Echinacea spp may decrease effectiveness of drugs.

*Disclaimer: This Herbal Formula is not intended to treat or cure any medical conditions.

*References:

1.Kapoor LD. CRC Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1990.

2.Chopra RN et al. Chopra’s Indigenous Drugs of India, 2nd Edn 1958; reprinted Academic Publishers, Calcutta, 1982.

3.Rege NN et al. 10th National Congress on Respiratory Diseases, Bombay, December 12-15, 1990. Cited in Wagner H (ed). Immunomodulatory Agents from Plants. Birkauser Verlag, Basel, 1999.

4.Chang HM, But PP (eds). Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica. World Scientific, Singapore, 1987