ViraCare

Herbal blend to stimulate immune system response and provide fast-acting, short-term support for upper respiratory health

• Boosts immune system performance
• Supports temperature regulation and respiratory health
• Modulates the bodys inflammatory response
• Supports production and performance of leukocytes
• Encourages adaptive response to environmental stress

Unique Properties
Patient One ViraCare supplies standardized extract of andrographis, a cornerstone tonic herb of both Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic wellness traditions. With flavonoids and andrographolides as primary active constituents, andrographis modulates inflammation and mediates both nonspecific and antigen-specific immune responses – optimizing immune system performance.

Standardized extracts of echinacea, eluthero and holy basil supply additional immune-supportive polysaccharides, flavonoids and alkaloids. The immune boosting agents in this herbal formula are recommended for short-term natural support when the body is challenged by stress and respiratory issues.

Key Ingredients

Andrographis
Andrographis paniculata supplies flavonoids and andrographolides, bitter compounds that support immune health and normal inflammatory responses. Andrographolides activate the natural creation of antibodies and macrophages, promoting the body’s resistance against a variety of bacteria, microbes and pathogens. Andrographolides also optimize production of and promote performance of leukocytes, supporting their ability to recognize and eliminate pathogens. Andrographis optimizes the immune system, both the initial defense of the nonspecific immune response and the secondary antigen-specific response.

Botanical Complex
Patient One Andrographis Immune Complex reinforces andrographis with standardized extracts of traditional immune-supportive herbs.

Eluthero is a well studied adaptogenic herb that protects the body and enhances its various systems against the ill effects of any type of stress. It increases interferon production and thus displays antiviral properties. The use of eleuthero root dates back 2, 000 years, when it was used for its immune-enhancing effects to defend against respiratory tract infections, colds, and the flu.

Echinacea, a perennial herb native to the midwestern region of North America, supplies antioxidant phenols and supports overall immune health. According to evidence found by archaeologists, Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds. While this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline following the introduction of antibiotics. In Germany today, Echinacea purpurea is used to treat colds, upper respiratory tract infections and flu-like infections.

Holy basil, formally named Ocimum sanctum and also known as Tulsi, is a versatile adaptogen that features high antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory properties. The extract from leaves has shown anti-asthmatic activity and antimicrobial properties as well as the ability to reduce histamine. Holy basil was used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat coughs, asthma and bronchitis as well as coughs due to colds and flu.

Research

• One British meta-analysis that drew on 7 controlled, double-blind trials with nearly 900 combined subjects examined the effectiveness of andrographis in the treatment of upper respiratory problems. The results indicated that andrographis performed better than placebo in minimizing upper respiratory tract symptoms. Researchers suggested that in addition to mitigating symptoms, andrographis may hold potential in warding off the onset of upper respiratory issues.
• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Chile focused on men and women ages 25 to 50 who each had upper respiratory issues. While one group of patients received placebo, the other took 1, 200 mg of andrographis dried extract daily. By the fourth day, researchers found that andrographis appeared to be notably effective in easing upper respiratory symptoms. The same Chilean researchers conducted a study with similar constraints to determine if andrographis might also assist in maintaining upper respiratory wellness. This study, which included more than 105 volunteers around 18 years of age, divided the subjects into two groups, one with placebo and one receiving andrographis extract for every weekday during three months of winter. During the third month, the andrographis group had a notable lack of instances of upper respiratory issues. Researchers concluded by suggesting that andrographis appeared to reduce the risk of developing upper respiratory issues by 50%.
• Several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever) found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.
• One study suggested that echinacea extract exerted an antiviral action on the development of recurrent cold sores triggered by the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) when taken prior to infection.

References

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3. Ji LL, Wang Z., et al. Andrograpanin, a compound isolated from antiinflammatory traditional Chinese medicine Andrographis paniculata, enhances chemokine SDF-1 alpha induced leukocytes chemotaxis. J Cell Biogem, 2005 Aug 1; 95(5) 970-8.
4. Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of [upper respiratory problems]: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med 2004;70:293-8.
5. Caceres DD, et al. Use of visual analogue scale measurements to assess the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of the upper respiratory. A randomized double-blind placebo study. Phytomedicine, Vol 6, 1999, pp 217-223.
6. Caceres DD, et al. Prevention of [upper respiratory issues] with Andrographis paniculata dried extract. A pilot double blind trial Phytomedicine, 1997 Vol 4 (2), pp. 101-104.
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18. Agarwal, P., Nagesh L., Murlikrishnan. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) extract against Streptococcus mutant: an in vitro study. Indian J. Dent. Res., 2010, 21(3), 357-359.