Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Immune Tonics and Allergy Supports

I have on hand some excellent herbal immune tonics from Health Concerns Company for anyone who wants to enhance your natural immune defense to flu or other noxious bugs. Also two formulas for mitigating allergic sinusitis or poison ivy.


Astra 8
Symptoms
Strengthen immunity
Qi tonic
Protect immunity
Poor memory
Mental fatigue
Lung qi deficiency
General tonic - anti-aging
Emphysema
Asthma - Spleen and lung qi deficiency
Breathing, Difficult - Lung and spleen deficiency
Wei qi (Defensive Energy) Weak
Limbs, Aching
Hypoglycemia
Fatigue - Spleen and lung qi deficiency
Emphysema - Spleen and lung deficiency
Cough - Lung qi deficiency
Bronchitis - Weak lungs
Therapeutic Actions
Take for immune system enhancement and as an energy tonic. May be used for fatigue, systemic weakness, night sweats, adrenal deficiencies, chills, diarrhea, muscle aches, and inability to concentrate
Has adaptogenic properties; helps the body adapt to stress
Useful for weak lungs
Chinese Therapeutic Effects
Tonify the lung, spleen, and kidney qiStrengthen wei qi
Administration
Internal: 3 tablets BID to TID between meals90 tablets, 750 mg, 15 day supply270 tablets, 750 mg, 45 day supplyContraindications: Warming tonic that may be too warm for some patients, reduce dosage or take an alternate formula
Formula Rationale
Astra 8 contains astragalus (huang qi), an herb that has been the subject of much research because of its immune enhancing ability. Astragalus has been shown to have significant antiviral activity. All of the herbs in the formula are Qi tonics that support astragalus with the intention of boosting the immune and energy systems. Red ganoderma (ling zhi) is included for its immune enhancing effects. Schizandra (wu wei zi) combined with eleuthero root (ci wu jia) promote body energy and mental activity while protecting the liver from chronic viral infections. Codonopsis (dang shen), and licorice (gan cao) together treat immune deficiency and autoimmune disorders. Ligustrum (nu zhen zi) promotes circulation and removes toxins from the liver, and also has immune enhancing properties. Oryza (gu ya) as a digestant.
Ingredients
Astragalus root huang qi
Ligustrum fruit nu zhen zi
Red Ganoderma (reishi) fruiting body ling zhi
Eleuthero root ci wu jia
Codonopsis root dang shen
Schizandra fruit wu wei zi
Licorice root gan cao
Oryza sprout gu ya
Clinical Notes
Astra 8 may be taken over a long period as an excellent daily tonic and immune regulator
The formula was used in the Immune Enhancement Project in San Francisco and in the Transfusion Safety Study at the Univ. of Miami in Florida
The herbs in the formula contain adaptogens which help alleviate a depressed immune system. For example, Astra 8 can be used as support therapy during cancer treatment
Some of the herbs appear to have a homeostatic effect on the immune system: deficient immune function may be strengthened, or overactive immune responses may be calmed
While restoring the immune system, Astra 8 also benefits the cardiovascular system
Astra 8 may be used for chronic muscle pain due to Spleen deficiency
Has been used in the treatment of emphysema and other conditions with weak lung Qi

Astra Isatis
Symptoms
Viral infections
Herpes zoster (Shingles)
Mononucleosis
Strengthen immunity
Virus - Chronic
Fever - Afternoon low grade (deficiency of yin with heat)
Hepatitis - Chronic
Herpes - Heat signs
Herpes - With cold signs
Lymph Glands, Swollen
Mouth, Dry
Thirst - Yin deficiency and heat
Throat, Sore - Chronic
HIV
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic infections
Tidal Fevers
Herpes - Prodromal and Prevention
Therapeutic Actions
Serve as an immune system tonic for chronic viral infections and inflammations accompanied by fatigue, facial flushing, agitation, and lymphatic swelling. Useful for chronic fatigue syndrome, Herpes simplex, HIV, hepatitis.
Chinese Therapeutic Effects
Tonify Qi, yin, and yangClear phlegm
Administration
Internal: 3 tablets TID90 tablets, 750 mg, 10 day supply270 tablets, 750 mg, 30 day supply
Formula Rationale
Astra Isatis combines isatis (da qing ye/ban lan gen), an herb with strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, with Qi, yin and yang tonics. The formula is designed for patients with weak constitutions who are prone to many infections. The cooling and warming properties of the herbs are balanced in Astra Isatis to provide long-term therapy for chronic viral infections which tend to exhaust the Qi and yang. The formula contains herbs that help calm an overactive metabolism and inhibit the agitating effects of pathogenic organisms. It includes spleen and kidney tonic herbs chosen for their immune enhancing properties and their ability to reduce inflammations. Laminaria (kun bu) regulates the thyroid and resolves lymphatic congestion. Bupleurum (chai hu) invigorates liver Qi and is used in the treatment of prolonged infections. Astragalus (huang qi), codonopsis (dang shen), white atractylodes (bai zhu) and dioscorea (shan yao) strengthen the spleen, and have immune enhancing properties according to western research. Epimedium (yin yang huo) tonifies kidney yin and yang. Lycium (gou qi zi) nourishes kidney yin. Licorice (gan cao) tonifies the adrenal gland and has detoxifying properties.
Ingredients
Isatis extract leaf da qing ye
Isatis extract root ba lang gen
Astragalus root huang qi
Bupleurum root chai hu
Laminaria leaf kun bu
Codonopsis root dang shen
Epimedium herb yin yang huo
Lycium cortex gou qi zi
Dioscorea root shan yao
Ligustrum fruit nu zhen zi
Broussonetia fruit chu shi zi
White Atractylodes rhizome bai zhu
Licorice root gan cao
Clinical Notes What is This?
If taken in large dosage at the first sign of a herpes outbreak, the formula can prevent its occurrence, i.e. 9 tablets BID to TID
Used in a study on immune system enhancement at John Bastyr Naturopathic College in Seattle, Washington
May be useful in chronic gum and throat infections


For Allergic sinus congestion from Spring plants I have

Astra C
Symptoms
Increase Resistance to Disease - Boost wei qi
Protect immunity
Children - Frequent Infections
Wei qi (Defensive Energy) Weak
Rhinitis
Food Allergies
Sinus problems - Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis
Hay fever
Therapeutic Actions
Help prevent colds and flu
Treat chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis
Use as supplement to other burn therapies
May be used for spontaneous sweating
Chinese Therapeutic Effects
Strengthen wei qi Relieve the surface
Administration
Internal: 2 tablets BID-QID as preventativeTake between meals90 tablets, 660 mg, 22 day supply
Formula Rationale
Astra C combines eastern and western therapies to prevent the common cold. Vitamin C and zinc citrate have been added to the traditional formula, Jade screen powder, used to enhance the body's protective power, or wei qi. Vitamin C has been used for two decades as a supplement to prevent viral infections. Zinc in citrate form is an easily absorbable form.Astragalus (huang qi) tonifies Qi, stops perspiration and spontaneous sweating, white atractylodes (bai zhu) tonifies Qi, dispels dampness, stops sweating, and strengthens resistance. Siler (fang feng) dispels wind, cold, and dampness.
Ingredients :
Astragalus root huang qi
White Atractylodes rhizome bai zhu
Siler root fang feng
Rose Hips fruit
Acerola
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C
Zinc Citrate
Clinical Notes
For allergic rhinitis use Xanthium Relieve Surface (2 to 3 tabs) plus Astra C (1 to 2 tabs). Results are usually seen in a few days
Astra C is an excellent formula to protect the body against illness (wind invasion) and should be considered long term for those who have chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis
This formula is used in China as an internal formula to treat 1st to 3rd degree burns. The herbs relieve the surface, regenerate damaged skin, and protect against infection. Astra C is particularly soothing in cases of sunburn
Clinical research in China has shown this to be effective in preventing recurring respiratory infections in children. The formula raises the mean value of serum IGA, the main antibody protecting the mucous membrane of the lungs

Xanthan Relieve Surface
Symptoms
Hay fever
Sinus problems - Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis
Eczema - Allergic reaction
Rhinitis
Phlegm / Cough - sinus allergies, watery phlegm
Therapeutic Actions
Treat allergic reactions--allergic rhinitis, sinus congestion (stuffy nose), sinus headaches, chronic aching muscles
Treat various itching skin rashes--dermatitis, hives, poison oak, psoriasis, eczema, etc
Treat stuffy or runny nose associated with common colds or flu with wind-heat signs
Chinese Therapeutic Effects
Clear surface wind-heatOpen nasal passagesCool heat and dispel wind-dampnessPromote blood circulation and remove toxins
Administration
Internal: 3 tablets TID, between mealsFor acute conditions, 3 tablets every 4 hours90 tablets, 750 mg, 10 day supply
Formula Rationale
Xanthium Relieve Surface is a combination of the traditional formulas Bi Yan Pian and Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Screen Formula). Xanthium (can er zi) and magnolia flower (xin yin) are widely used Chinese herbal decongestants. Platycodon (jie geng) directs the actions of the herbs to the lungs and nose, schizandra (wu wei zi) and licorice (gan cao) have antiallergenic and adaptogenic properties. Angelica (bai zhi), siler (fang feng) and schizonepeta (jing jie) have wind relieving properties that help relieve acute nasal and skin symptoms. Astragalus (huang qi) and white atractylodes (bai zhu) bolster defensive energy. Wild chrysanthemum (ye ju hua) enters the lung meridian and is included for respiratory conditions.
Ingredients What is This?
Xanthium fruit cang er zi
Magnolia flower xin yi hua
Platycodon root jie geng
Schizandra fruit wu wei zi
Angelica root bai zhi
Wild Chrysanthemum flower ye ju hua
Siler root fang feng
Schizonepeta herb jing jie
Astragalus root huang qi
White Atractylodes rhizome bai zhu
Licorice root gan cao
Clinical Notes What is This?
This formula does not contain ma huang, making it a good choice for patients with ma huang sensitivity
For rashes, results should appear quickly. If results do not occur within a few days, increase dosage or re-evaluate
Can also be used to clear stuffy or runny nose associated with the common cold or flu with heat signs
If congestion is chronic, combine with a formula to decongest and invigorate the liver
For poison oak, take 3 tablets every 2 hours. (May be most effective to combine with Astra C)
Practitioners report superb results with hives and allergic rhinitis when other therapies proved ineffective.

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