Why we selected this company:

Gaia Herbs and Professional Solutions strive to produce pure plant medicines of exceptional quality and purity while enriching the ecology of the earth and the health and harmony of the people that use their phyto-medicines.  Gia Herbs’ mission is all about organics and making phyto-medicines with the highest degree of quality and integrity. To this end, Gaia Herbs and Professional Solutions have proudly invested in cultivation of 250 acres of certified organically grown herbs on our their farm in North Carolina. Their efforts in science & research yield unsurpassed quality botanical medicines.

Why we selected this product:

Echinacea Purpurea May Help Prevent Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS (URI), COMMON COLD - Echinacea Purpurea, Herb, Herbal, Pediatrics, Children

In a study involving data from 401 children (ages 2-11 years), intake of the herb, Echinacea purpurea, was found to be effective in reducing the reoccurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). Data for the study was taken from an earlier randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving the use of Echinacea purpurea for the treatment of URIs in children. In that study, children were randomized to receive Echinacea or a placebo to treat URIs during two four-month periods (the fall/winter of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002). In this study, the data collected from that previous study was analyzed to determine if children who took Echinacea to treat their URIs were less likely to develop subsequent URIs. The occurrence of a second URI and the number of days between the end of the first URI and the beginning of the second URI were assessed. Results of survival and Cox regression analyses found that children who were treated with Echinacea for their URIs were 28% less likely to develop a subsequent URI (95% confidence interval; 8-44% decreased risk). Of the 401 children who experienced at least one URI during the study period, 69.2% of those who received a placebo, and 55.8% of those who received Echinacea to treat their URIs experienced a second URI during the study period. These results suggest that Echinacea purpurea, when taken by children during an upper respiratory tract infection, may reduce the likelihood of subsequent URIs. A study conducted specifically investigating the effects of Echinacea in the prevention of URIs would be needed to confirm these findings.

"Echinacea purpurea for Prevention of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children," Weber W, Taylor JA, et al, J Altern Complement Med, 2005; 11(6): 1021-6. (Address: Naturopathic Medicine Department, Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA, 98028-4966 USA).

Immune Modulation of Macrophage Pro-Inflammatory Response by Goldenseal and Astragalus Extracts

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadenisis) is a native American medicinal plant used as an immune stimulant. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a widely used herbal product in China, other Asian countries, and the United States as an immune stimulant to be taken on first clinical signs of infection. In this study, the innate effects of goldenseal and Astragalus on pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined using two different commercial preparations of goldenseal and Astragalus. Both goldenseal and Astragalus were found to exhibit little to no direct effect on stimulation of mouse macrophages (J774A.1 cells), with only Astragalus able to affect production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α when used in high concentrations. However, both goldenseal and Astragalus were able to modify responses from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, with identified immunomodulatory effects to reduce production of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-12 in a dose-dependent manner. The results obtained indicate that both goldenseal and Astragalus exhibit abilities to modulate macrophage responses during stimulation. Therefore, it is hypothesized that their historical use as therapeutic agents may be due to reduction in the pro-inflammatory response that indirectly leads to limiting of clinical symptoms during infection. Both products differ in their immune stimulatory patterns, offering insight into differential use and therapeutic potential of these products to regulate macrophage immune responses and activation events.

Stacia Clement-Kruzel, Shen-An Hwang, Mark C. Kruzel, Amitava Dasgupta, Jeffrey K. Actor. Journal of Medicinal Food. September 1, 2008, 11(3): 493-498. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0044.

Benefits for the body:
Supports a Healthy Immune System Response
Maintains a Healthy Inflammatory Response to Seasonal Stressors
Promotes a Healthy Balance of Mucous Secretions of the Upper Respiratory System During Times of Seasonal Stress

Interesting facts:
The most widely studied preparation of Echinacea purpurea comes from the fresh pressed flowering juice and was first researched in Europe in 1939. Many chemicals are likely for its activity including, essential oils, flavanoids, polysaccharides, arabinogalactan proteins, caffeic acid derivatives and alkamide fractions. Utilizing a patent-pending extraction method, a new set of compounds have now been WholePlant Standardized and are known as “RX-P Factors”. RX-P Factors collectively represent the polysaccharides and glycoprotein fractions. RX-P Factors support the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells while promoting healthy levels of interferon; in doing so RX-P factors deliver a powerful preventative action and supply a naturally healthy immune response. RX-P factors are found only in Gaia Herbs Whole Body Defense formula, which was developed from findings during the last five years of research. The references below are for the published research made possible by Federal Grant # 1R44AT7771-01.

Gaia Herbs cultivates over 15 acres of Echinacea on its 250 Certified Organic farm in Brevard, NC. Gaia is the only US manufacturer that has been awarded a federal grant through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Centers for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), to study Echinacea (Grant # 1R44AT771). Gaia Herbs knows Echinacea like no other herb manufacturer. They are working to bring that understanding to the rest of the industry so that the benefit from using the correct product for the correct application can be fully realized by each consumer.
The root and rhizomes of Hydrastis canadenisis are highly concentrated in isoquinoline alkaloids or protoberberines namely Hydrastine (3.2- 4.%), Bereberine (2-4.5%), and Canadine (0.5-1%). The known actions of these constituents are vast affecting the immune system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, nervous system and mucosal membranes in general. There have been numerous studies validating the antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity of these chemicals.

Gaia Herbs uses ecologically cultivated Goldenseal. They offer a WholePlant standardized extract containing 10mg of total alkaloids per ml (30 drops). WholePlant standardization offers a regulated, scientifically validated therapeutic dosage of the plant without altering the original chemical profile of the original crude plant material. No solvents other than alcohol and water are used in the extraction process which is conducted in Gaia Herbs Certified Organic Processing Facility. Gaia Herbs captures the essence of Natures Vitality.

Ingredients:
Serving Size 15-60 drops
Herb Strength Ratio 1:2
Amount per serving size
PROPRIETARY BLEND†

Goldenseal rhizome (Hydrastis canadensis)
Echinacea Root - Certified Organic Gaia Farm Grown
Echinacea Purpurea Aerial Parts and Seed - Certified Organic

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  If in doubt consult with a licensed naturopathic physician before use.  Physicians at Genesis Health Systems can be reached at 480.284.8155 and we are happy to consult with you about this product and helping you achieve optimal health.