Support for Immune Defenses

Echinacea and goldenseal are two of the most widely used North American herbs, renowned for cold weather use. Now Planetary Formulas unites these legendary botanicals with the traditional Mediterranean herb, olive leaf, shown in modern research to support immune defenses.

Planetary Formulas Echinacea and Goldenseal with Olive Leaf was formulated by Lesley Tierra, L.A.c. This comprehensive formula combines Echinacea purpurea root with goldenseal root, olive leaf extract standardized to 15% pleuropein, and a blend of key Western and Chinese botanicals: garlic, isatis, andrographis and more.

Echinacea Supports Immune Resistance

Echinacea is native to North America, and was widely used by indigenous peoples. It was introduced to the early settlers by C.F. Meyer, of Pawnee, Nebraska, who touted its health-promoting properties in his traveling medicine show. Echinacea widespread use continued until the 1940's, when the introduction of synthetic medicines pushed herbs into obscurity. It was Planetary Formulas primary factor, Michael Tierra, who reintroduced Echinacea to modern consumers in the early seventies, after a long period of disuse.

Today, research by scientists worldwide is validating Echinacea’s traditional uses. Its benefits have been linked to three primary constituent groups: caffeic acid derivatives including cichoric acid, polysaccharides, and fat-soluble compounds. Most research has focused on its ability to support immune function. Its polysaccharides and fat-soluble compounds have been found in vitro to stimulate the activity of certain white blood cells, macrophages. Macrophage activity is an integral part of the immune response and of a person's general immune resistance.

Goldenseal: Traditional Native American Botanical

Goldenseal was used primarily by Native American tribes in its growing range along the EasternCoast of the United States. The root of the plant was taken internally in the form of a bitter tonic, and a root infusion was also used as a soothing topical rinse.

Beginning in the 1830's and continuing for decades, goldenseal root was cited in such sources as the United States Dispensatory, the United States Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary. Goldenseal's benefits are primarily associated with its high concentration of the alkaloid berberine.

Source: Planetary Formulas

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Scientific References

Bauer R., Reminger P., Jurcic K., and Wagner H. 1989. Influence of Echinacea extracts on phagocytic activity. Z. Phytother 10: 43-48.

Bauer R., Wagner H. 1991. Echinacea species as potential immunostimulatory drugs. In Wagner H., Farnsworth NR, eds. Economic and Medicinal Plant Research. Vol 5, London, Academic Pr Ltd., 253-321.

Gonzalez, M. et. al. 1992. Hypoglycemic activity of olive leaf. Planta Medica 58: 513-515.

Renis Harold E. 1970. In vitro anti-viral activity of calcium elenolate. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Kalamazoo: The Upjohn Company. 167-172.