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Ancient Plants In Modern Times
This formula supports the immune system during times of stress. Echinacea Goldenseal is particularly useful where support for respiratory health is indicated.
From the first half of the last century, Echinacea has been praised for its benefits to the respiratory tract. Today, modern science is beginning to support much of its established traditional use, by suggesting that extracts of Echinacea spp. have the ability to support immune function. Research has further suggested that alcohol/water extracts of Echinacea significantly enhance natural killer cell function, and have phagocytic and metabolic influence on macrophages. This simply means that Echinacea has the potential to nonspecifically activate your immune system. In other words, it helps your body respond when needed. Almost any alterative formula that focuses on supporting the immune system could well benefit from this powerful botanical.
Goldenseal rhizome and root is native to North America. Like several other ingredients of this formula (i.e., Oregon Grape root and Barberry root), Goldenseal contains the immunostimulatory alkaloid, Berberine. Oregon Grape root has a history of traditional use closely resembling that of Goldenseal.
Barberry root is a bitter tonic that pharmacologically shares many properties with Goldenseal and Oregon grape root. And, as one may expect of plants with closely related chemistry, the traditional use of Barberry is also similar to other Berberine containing plants.
St. John's Wort flower buds have been used traditionally for more than 2,000 years. It is utilized here for its harmonizing effect with stress and nervous system health.
Note: The intention of this information is to represent the traditional use of the individual botanicals found in these formulas and to inform the reader of any evolving scientific inquiry relevant to the formula's ingredients.
References
Murray M. The healing power of herbs - The enlightened persons guide to the wonders of medicinal plants. Rocklin, Ca. Prima publishing; 1995.
Bauer R, Wagner H. Echinacea species as potential immunostimulatory drugs. Economic and Medicinal Plant Research. San Diego: Academic press Ltd.; 1991.
Schranner I, Wurdinger M, et al. Modification of avian humoral immunoreactions by Influx and Echinacea angustifolia extract. Zentralbl Veterinarmed (B) 1989; 36.
Balch JF, Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York; Avery Publishing
General References
Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical drugs and preparations. Essex, UK. Saffron Walden;1988.
Bartram T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Dorset. Grace Publishers; 1995.
Leung A, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. NY: Wiley;1996.
Bradley P (Ed.). British herbal Compendium. Dorset. British Herbal Medical Assoc.; 1992.
Mills S, Bone K. Principles and practice of Phytotherapy. New York. Churchill Livingstone; 2000.
Ellingwood F. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Portland. Eclectic Medical Publications;1985.
Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin. New York. Springer-Verlag;1992.
Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. Ann Arbor. CRC Press;1993.
McGuffin M, et al. Ed. AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1997.
Newall CA, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.
Weiss R. Herbal medicine. Beaconsfield, UK. Beaconsfield Publishers;1985.
Felter H, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. Portland. Eclectic medical Publications; 1983.
Duke J. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton. CRC Press;1985.
Hoffman D. The Holistic Herbal. Moray. The Findhorn Press;1984.
Felter HW. The Eclectic materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Portland, Oregon. Eclectic Medical publications;1985.
Boon H, Smith M. The Botanical Pharmacy. Quebec, Canada. Quarry press;1999.
Mills S. The Essential Book of Herbal medicine. London. Penguin;1991.
Brinker, Francis ND. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications;1997.
Miller L. Herbal Medicinals: Selected Clinical Consideration Focusing on Known or Potential Drug-Herb Interactions. Arch Intern Med.1998;158: 2200-11.
Newall C, Phillipson JD. "Interactions of Herbs with Other Medicines." Online. Internet. [4/26/00].
Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Seattle: Eastland, 1986.
DeSmet PAGM. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 1993
Bergner P. "Herb-drug Interactions." Medical Herbalism. 1997. Online. Internet. [5/20/99].
WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume 1. Geneva: World Health Organization. 1999.
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