Elderberry Plus

Elderberry Plus Liquid provides immune support in a pleasant tasting liquid ideal for both children and adults.

It is a comprehensive, synergistic formula that combines herbs, medicinal mushroom extracts and other natural compounds to help the body maintain a normal immune system response.* Its significant botanicals include organic extracts from elderberry, astragalus root, and wild cherry bark.

In addition, Elderberry Plus Liquid includes a combination of shiitake and maitake mushroom extracts, as well as the soluble dietary fiber beta glucan, which have been shown to help stimulate the immune system.*

The immune system is an extraordinary, complex system comprised of specific cells, organs and other microscopic immune defense organisms. Together, they make up the defense system that protects the health and wellness of our bodies on a day to day basis. The standardized herbs in Elderberry Plus Liquid contain optimal and consistent amounts of their most active ingredients.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Elderberry, commonly referred to as European elder, is grown in most parts of Europe, North Africa, West Asia, and now the U.S., and nearly every part of the plant is utilized medicinally, as dietary supplements, or for culinary purposes. The flowers and berries of Sambucus nigra are most often used medicinally and contain a variety of flavonoids which have been found to possess a variety of biochemical actions, including antioxidant anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic and immunologic properties.

Research demonstrates that of all fresh fruits or berries elderberry measures as one of the highest in antioxidant capacity, and is one of the most commonly used botanicals for medicinal purposes in the world. In a meta- analysis Sambuca nigra supplementation was found to significantly attenuate upper respiratory symptoms and may be an alternative to prescription medications for influenza, the common cold, and viral infections of the upper respiratory tract.

An in vitro study examining extracts from American-cultivated elderberries on microglial cells showed remarkable antioxidant properties by suppressing interferon-gamma induced reactive oxygen species and P-ERK1/2 expression. In addition to its medicinal properties it has a pleasant taste, rendering it very useful in creating liquid herbal extracts that are suitable for children.

Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus membranaceus and related species are native to China and considered one of the most important and widely utilized adaptogenic herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, astragalus is commonly found in mixtures with other herbs and is “used as an immune stimulant, antioxidant, diuretic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotectant, antiviral, expectorant, and anti-cancer tonic for numerous conditions and disorders.

Extracts made from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus have been shown to promote functions in both the innate and acquired immune responses. Human and animal in vitro studies have demonstrated its abilities to induce monocyte activation, migration and maturation, reverse iNOS expression, and inhibit cytokine productions by suppressing MAPK and NF-kB signaling pathways. Moreover, it has been shown to stimulate T-cell mitosis, increase antibody response and lymphocyte development, activate human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and regulate balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines.7 Additionally, in immunosuppressive mice, astragalus preparations promoted NK cell activity and improved B-lymphocyte proliferation,3 and astragalus polysaccharide has been demonstrated to, directly and indirectly, inhibit RNA virus replication, inhibiting hepatitis A virus proliferation in both in vitro and in vivo animal models.

Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina spp.)

Cherry includes members of the Prunus genus, which contains several species that have been used both as food and medicine. Cherries have been found to contain extensive polyphenolic compounds that may have a number of beneficial biological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. In an in vitro animal model, the bioactive compounds from wild cherry extract significantly decreased markers of oxidative damage, nitrite levels, and IL-1β & TNF-α mRNA secretion.

Traditionally, American black cherry has been used for common colds, fever, mouth infections, diarrhea, malaria, irritating cough, sore throat, and bronchitis due to its high content of phenolic compounds that possess a high antioxidant capacity and have been shown to promote smooth muscle relaxation and have vasodilatory effects. In addition to its extensive medicinal use, cherry imparts a pleasant taste into an herbal extract, syrup or elixir, making it particularly useful for children.

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes)

Shiitake mushrooms, thought to have originated in Japan and China, have been cultivated for over 1,000 years and can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1127 A.D.). Shiitake is one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the world and has rapidly increased its application for medicinal purposes. It was traditionally used for immune system stimulation, cholesterol-lowering, and antiaging. More recent research has focused its attention on the potential of Lentinula edodes to be used as an anti-cancer, anti-tumor, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent. In both human and animal in vitro studies, lentinan has been shown to modulate the immune system through selective induction of inflammasome and cytokine expression as well as activation of natural killer and T-helper cells.

Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa)

Extracts of maitake mushroom, and particularly the beta-glucan polysaccharide constituent, have been associated with immunomodulatory and immunostimulatory activity in pre-clinical studies, and are hypothesized to exert anti-tumor, anti-cancer, and antioxidant effects as a result of these immune properties.16,23 Cells exposed to beta-glucans found in Grifola frondosa enhanced the production of T-helper cells, cytokines IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and INF-γ compared to controls23 and strongly stimulated both the cellular and humoral immune reactions.

Beta 1,3 1,6 Glucan

Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber derived from the cell walls of algae, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and plants. It is commonly used for its immuno-modulating and cholesterol-lowering effects.  Beta-glucans have also been shown to have wound healing properties, help with diabetes, and aid in weight loss.  Vaccine research shows that beta-1,3 glucan from fungal cell walls produce robust humoral and cellular immune responses when exposed to antigens.