Immune +™

TCM herbal immune booster with Astragalus (Huang Qi), Ganoderma/Reishi (Ling Zhi), and Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao) — immunostimulant; immunomodulatory; antibacterial and antiviral; consolidates wei (defensive) qi; tonifies Lung, Spleen, and Kidney

⚠️ Immune + is designed to enhance the immune system — NOT to treat active infections. Patients with an active infection must be treated with other formulas first (see Supplementary Formulas below). Use with extreme caution in patients with autoimmune disease or those taking immune suppressant drugs after organ transplant — this formula may stimulate the immune system. Do NOT use Immune + alone to treat infections.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Weak or compromised immune system

* Frequent bacterial or viral infections such as common colds and/or influenza

* Prolonged recovery period from bacterial or viral infections

* Cancer patients with weakened immune systems from radiation or chemotherapy treatment

* Individuals with no significant complaints who desire to enhance their immunity

Background: The immune system is a very important host defense mechanism that protects an individual from invasion of micro-organisms. If the immune system is defective or becomes disrupted, micro-organisms can enter and affect various parts of the body. In TCM, wei (defensive) qi is located at the exterior surface of the body and provides the initial protection against foreign or pathogenic factors. When wei qi is strong, pathogenic factors cannot penetrate the body. When it is weak, a wide variety of infections occur. Prevention of infections relies on normal functioning of wei qi. In cases of chronic immunodeficiency, Western medicine has no drug treatment available (the one available drug is only indicated for bone marrow suppression in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy/radiation). TCM excels in maintenance and preventative therapies — many herbs have been shown in vitro and in vivo to have remarkable effects boosting both specific and non-specific immune systems.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Huang Qi (Radix Astragali): chief herb — fortifies the Lung; strengthens wei (defensive) qi; protects against external pathogenic factors; increases both specific and non-specific immunity in multiple studies; polysaccharides activate B cells and macrophages; prolongs allograft survival via promotion of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells; increases production and maturity of blood cells from bone marrow; clinically: 115 leucopenic patients — obvious rise in WBC count in dose-dependent relationship; randomized double-blind controlled trial of 36 adults with chronic fatigue — Huang Qi + Dan Shen decreased fatigue severity score vs. control group

— Ling Zhi (Ganoderma / Reishi): marked immunostimulant — boosts both humoral and cellular immune activities; increases monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes; increases production of cytokine, interleukin, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon; significant antitumor effect — inhibits tumor growth; GLIS proteoglycan fraction increases both humoral and cellular immune response with antitumor activity; broad spectrum antibacterial — inhibits growth of numerous bacteria; traditionally used to tonify blood and vital energy to rebuild underlying constitution

— Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps): immunomodulatory and antitumor — enhances overall immunity by increasing lymphocytes and natural killer cells and production of interleukin, interferon, and tumor necrosis factor; polysaccharides specifically interact with and activate surface receptors involved in innate immunity; antitumor — significantly inhibits proliferation of cancer cells; growth inhibition rate of cancer cells reached 78–83% in some instances; traditionally used for chronically debilitated patients; tonifies Kidney yin and yang; improves overall bodily constitution

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae): strengthens the Spleen; immunostimulant — stimulates activity of macrophages and reticuloendothelial system; increases WBC, lymphocytes, and IgG

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis): closes skin pores; stops sweating; prevents exterior attack of wind; immunostimulant — stimulates non-specific immunity; antibacterial — inhibits growth of many bacteria

— Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae): circulates in peripheral channels; expels lingering pathogenic factors; antibacterial and antiviral — prevents individuals with compromised immune systems from contracting bacterial and viral infections

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Immunostimulant — Huang Qi (specific and non-specific immunity↑, B cells↑, macrophages↑, WBC↑, bone marrow↑); Ling Zhi (monocytes↑, macrophages↑, T lymphocytes↑, cytokines↑, interleukin↑, TNF↑, interferon↑); Bai Zhu (macrophages↑, WBC↑, lymphocytes↑, IgG↑); Wu Wei Zi (non-specific immunity↑)

* Immunomodulatory — Dong Chong Xia Cao (lymphocytes↑, NK cells↑, interleukin↑, interferon↑, TNF↑, innate immunity surface receptors)

* Antitumor — Ling Zhi (tumor growth inhibition, GLIS proteoglycan); Dong Chong Xia Cao (cancer cell proliferation inhibition, 78–83% growth inhibition rate)

* Antibacterial / antiviral — Ling Zhi (broad spectrum antibacterial); Wu Wei Zi (antibacterial); Fang Feng (antibacterial and antiviral)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Consolidates wei (defensive) qi; dispels lingering pathogenic factors (Huang Qi, Fang Feng)

* Tonifies normal qi; strengthens the body (Huang Qi, Ling Zhi, Dong Chong Xia Cao)

* Tonifies the Lung (Huang Qi, Wu Wei Zi)

* Tonifies the Spleen (Bai Zhu)

* Tonifies Kidney yin and yang (Dong Chong Xia Cao)

* Closes skin pores; prevents exterior wind attack (Wu Wei Zi)

DOSAGE

Treatment: 4 capsules three times daily. Maintenance: 2 capsules twice daily to enhance the immune system and prevent viral or bacterial infections. Safe for long-term use in normal or immunodeficient persons. Safe to use between infections for children with recurrent respiratory infections.

Supplementary formulas — during remission: Tonify constitutional qi, blood, yin, and yang — combine with Imperial Tonic. Quick boost of energy and awareness — use Vibrant. Improve memory — add Enhance Memory. Minimize side effects of chemotherapy and radiation — combine with C/R Support. End-stage cancer or patients too weak for chemotherapy/radiation — add CA Support. Enhance anticancer effect — add Cordyceps 3. Weaker/older patients with asthma, wheezing, or dyspnea — use Respitrol (Deficient) instead. Cough — add Respitrol (CF). Inflammation with swelling — add Resolve (AI). Dryness and thirst — add Nourish (Fluids). Kidney yin deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yin). Kidney yang deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yang).

Supplementary formulas — during infection/inflammation (resume Immune + after symptoms subside):

— Bacterial or viral infections → use Herbal ABX or Herbal AVR instead

— Initial cold/flu with sore throat, fever, and/or headache → use Lonicera Complex instead

— Secondary stage with Lung heat → use Respitrol (Heat) instead

— Cold/flu with sneezing, clear nasal discharge, and chills → use Respitrol (Cold) instead

— Cold/flu with profuse yellow phlegm and cough → use Pinellia XPT instead

— Allergic conditions, sinus infection, yellow nasal discharge → use Pueraria Clear Sinus instead

— Allergic conditions, sinus headache, nasal obstruction, white/clear discharge → use Magnolia Clear Sinus instead

Nutrition: Vitamins A, C, E, and zinc are essential in promoting a healthy immune system. Drink plenty of fluids to ensure the lymphatic system drains freely and circulates smoothly. Foods helpful to strengthen the body and fight infection: garlic, citrus fruits, and green vegetables. Limit sweet foods and refined white sugar — they impair the body's ability to kill bacteria.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease):

— AIDS: Make brown rice porridge with pearl barley, mung beans, yams, and lotus seeds. Avoid dairy, alcohol, sugar, coffee, fatty or deep-fried foods, overly spicy foods, cold or raw foods, tomato, eggplant, bell peppers, and shellfish.

— Cancer: Blend shiitake or ganoderma mushrooms and white fungus, boil and drink the soup three times a day. Also: boil together mung beans, pearl barley, azuki beans, and figs — a delicious dessert that aids appetite and sustains energy. Avoid meat, chicken, coffee, cinnamon, anise, pepper, dairy, spicy foods (except garlic), high-fat foods, cooked oils, chemical additives, moldy foods, smoking, constipation, and stress.

— Susceptibility to cold or influenza: Make artichoke soup with generous amounts of garlic and onions and eat daily during flu season.

— Strengthen resistance against frequent colds: Add 1 tablespoon bee pollen, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1 tablespoon honey into daily quinoa cereal in the morning.

Lifestyle: Avoid over-exertion both mentally and physically — either can suppress the immune system. Wear appropriate clothing on cold, damp, or windy days; avoid becoming chilled or over-heated. Rest is essential in recovery of a weak immune system and as protection against catching a cold. The skin is the largest organ of the body and the first defense against pathogenic factors — exercises that stimulate the skin strengthen the immune system: cold-water stepping, dew walking, dry brushing, and swimming in cold water (transition slowly to avoid catching a cold from sudden exposure). Regular exercise and adequate sleep (at least 8 hours) are essential to maintaining a strong immune system.

CASE STUDIES

— 51-year-old male (F.G.): Recurring colds with excess white phlegm; works in smoky environment and smokes himself; Lung qi deficiency with phlegm. Immune + 5–8 capsules 3–4x/day. Result: fewer colds over the next 6 months.

— 31-year-old male (M.M.): Chronic cough and allergies after hurricanes; worked in mold-damaged bar; pale face, low voice, dark circles, blue nail beds, weakness, lack of motivation; on antibiotics; Lung qi, Spleen qi, and wei qi deficiencies. Immune + 6 capsules 2x/day + acupuncture. Result after 2 months: regained strength, returned to work; caught one cold during treatment but recovered quickly.

— 20-year-old female student: Recurrent viral/bacterial infections since starting college; lack of sleep, high stress, strep throat, bladder infection, flu susceptibility; qi deficiency and weakened immune system. Immune +. Result within 6 months: signs and symptoms decreased by 50%; marked decrease in recurrence of infection and sickness.

— 36-year-old female (N.T.): Painful shingles rash on abdomen; emotional stress; damp-heat; antiviral drug prescribed by Western doctor didn't help and caused lung pain. Herbal ABX + acupuncture 2x/week. Result after 7 days: rash and pain disappeared. Immune + prescribed to maintain results and boost immune system.

— 60-year-old male (M.C.): Chronic sinusitis with yellow-green discharge; heat sensation in upper neck, chest tightness, tickling throat; Lung qi deficiency and Kidney yin deficiency. Herbal ABX when discharge present + Immune + when discharge absent. Result: stopped having sinus infections and bronchitis.

— 66-year-old female: Repeated respiratory infections turning into asthma and bronchitis; allergy shots from medical doctor; cannot take Ma Huang or stimulants; BP 110/78 mmHg, HR 66 bpm; wei qi deficiency. Immune + prescribed. Result after 3 months: significantly fewer asthma attacks. Also advised to eat more vegetables and decrease dairy and gluten.

— 36-year-old female: Fatigue, anxiety, low immune function; catches cold easily and frequently; weak thready pulse, purple tongue, pale, dark circles; Lung and Kidney qi deficiencies. Immune + + acupuncture every other week. Result after 2 months: has not fallen ill from contact with family and friends — previously "would always get sick from others."

— 42-year-old female (S.C.): Overworked, constant stress; wanted to enhance immune system compromised by stress and exhaustion. Immune + 2 capsules 3x/day. Result over 7 months: no illnesses or symptoms.

— Female (S.W.): Tiredness, restless sleep, occasional recurrent nasal congestion during allergy season; Kidney yin, yang, and wei qi deficiencies. Immune + (to build wei qi) + Vibrant (to sustain and build Kidney yin and yang). Patient greatly commented on positive results from Vibrant for daily energy and positive outlook.

— 59-year-old male physician: Extreme fever (over 104°F), extreme difficulty breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath aggravated by exertion, unsteady walk, dizziness, unable to speak more than one word per breath; pale tongue with red tip and body, rapid superficial pulse; phlegm heat in the Lung. Pinellia XPT 6 capsules 4x/day + Immune + 6 capsules 4x/day + homeopathics + Combivent (albuterol/ipratropium) + aspirin. Result: respiration became much easier, energy and vitality enhanced, cough no longer productive. Practitioner noted "herbal formulas generated imminent benefit and long-term recuperation."

— 54-year-old property manager: Chronic sinus congestion and headache; food allergies to dairy, egg white, kidney beans, and lima beans; Lung qi deficiency with excess damp. Immune + during allergy seasons (more in fall, as needed throughout year). Result: sinus congestion and headaches subside upon taking Immune +.

Related Reading

Also see: Herbal ABX – for active bacterial infections | Herbal AVR – for active viral infections | Lonicera Complex – for initial cold/flu with sore throat and fever | Respitrol (Heat) – for Lung heat | Respitrol (Cold) – for cold/flu with chills | Pinellia XPT – for yellow phlegm and cough | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for sinus infection with yellow discharge | Magnolia Clear Sinus – for nasal obstruction with clear discharge | Imperial Tonic – to tonify qi, blood, yin, and yang | Cordyceps 3 – to enhance anticancer effect | C/R Support – for chemotherapy and radiation side effects | CA Support – for end-stage cancer | Vibrant – for energy boost | Respitrol (Deficient) – for asthma and dyspnea in weaker patients | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for Kidney yang deficiency | Immune Support Collection.