ViraCare™ (70 caps)

ViraCare™ (70 caps)
  • Gluten Free
  • Non-GMO
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegetable Caps

Herbal blend stimulates immune system response and provides fast-acting, short-term support for upper respiratory health

  • Boosts immune system performance
  • Supports respiratory health
  • Promotes production and performance of leukocytes
  • Encourages adaptive response to environmental stress

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Product Information Sheet (PDF)

Unique Properties

Patient One ViraCare™ supplies a botanical blend to stimulate immune system response. Combined with a foundation of standardized andrographis are standardized extracts of echinacea, eluthero and holy basil that supply additional immune-supportive polysaccharides, flavonoids and alkaloids. The immune boosting agents in ViraCare are recommended for short-term natural support when the body is challenged by stress and respiratory issues.

Andrographis is associated with reducing discomfort from respiratory challenges when taken at the onset of distress. Eluthero, echinacea and holy basil contribute adaptogenic actions in helping to protect against and resist the effects of occasional stress, including defense from upper respiratory challenges. Research also supports beneficial effects of the combination of andrographis with eluthero in supporting immune health.

Key Ingredients

Andrographis

A cornerstone tonic herb of both Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic wellness traditions, Andrographis paniculata supplies flavonoids and andrographolides, bitter compounds that support immune health and normal inflammatory responses. Andrographolides activate the natural creation of antibodies and macrophages, promoting the body’s resistance against a variety of pathogens. Andrographolides also optimize production of and promote performance of leukocytes, supporting their ability to recognize and eliminate pathogens. Andrographis optimizes the immune system, both the initial defense of the nonspecific immune response and the secondary antigen-specific response.

Botanical Complex

Patient One ViraCare reinforces andrographis with standardized extracts of three additional immune-supportive herbs.

Eluthero is a well studied adaptogenic herb that protects the body and enhances its various systems against the effects of any type of stress. It increases interferon production and thus decreases susceptibility to stressors. The use of eleuthero root dates back 2,000 years, when it was used for its immune-enhancing effects to defend against respiratory tract challenges.

Echinacea, a perennial herb native to the midwestern region of North America, supplies antioxidant phenols and supports overall immune health. According to evidence found by archaeologists, Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years. While this herb was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, its use began to decline following the introduction of antibiotics. In Germany today, Echinacea purpurea is used for upper respiratory tract symptoms.

Holy basil, formally named Ocimum sanctum and also known as Tulsi, is a versatile adaptogen that features high antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory properties. The extract from leaves has shown to promote clear respiration as well as the ability to reduce histamine.

Research

  • One British meta-analysis that drew on 7 controlled, double-blind trials with nearly 900 combined subjects examined the effectiveness of andrographis in the treatment of upper respiratory problems. The results indicated that andrographis performed better than placebo in minimizing upper respiratory tract symptoms. Researchers suggested that in addition to mitigating symptoms, andrographis may hold potential in warding off the onset of upper respiratory issues.
  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Chile focused on men and women ages 25 to 50 who each had upper respiratory issues. While one group of patients received placebo, the other took 1,200 mg of andrographis dried extract daily. By the fourth day, researchers found that andrographis appeared to be notably effective in easing upper respiratory symptoms. The same Chilean researchers conducted a study with similar constraints to determine if andrographis might also assist in maintaining upper respiratory wellness. This study, which included more than 105 volunteers around 18 years of age, divided the subjects into two groups, one with placebo and one receiving andrographis extract for every weekday during three months of winter. During the third month, the andrographis group had a notable lack of instances of upper respiratory issues. Researchers concluded by suggesting that andrographis appeared to reduce the risk of developing upper respiratory issues by 50%.
  • Several clinical trials have shown that people who take echinacea as soon as they feel sick reduce the severity of their cold and have fewer symptoms than those who do not take the herb. One study of 95 people with early symptoms of cold and flu (such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and fever) found that those who drank several cups of echinacea tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.
  • One study suggested that echinacea extract exerted an antiviral action on the development of recurrent cold sores triggered by the herpes simplex virus (HSVI) when taken prior to infection.

References

  1. Puri A, Saxena R, Saxena RP, and Saxena KC. Immunostimulant agents from Andrographis paniculata. J. Natural Products. 1993. 56(7):995-99.
  2. Liu J, et al. In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of neoandrographolide. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2007. 35(2), 317-328.
  3. Ji LL, Wang Z., et al. Andrograpanin, a compound isolated from antiinflammatory traditional Chinese medicine Andrographis paniculata, enhances chemokine SDF-1 alpha induced leukocytes chemotaxis. J Cell Biogem, 2005 Aug 1; 95(5) 970-8.
  4. Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of [upper respiratory problems]: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med 2004;70:293-8.
  5. Caceres DD, et al. Use of visual analogue scale measurements to assess the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of the upper respiratory. A randomized double-blind placebo study. Phytomedicine, Vol 6, 1999, pp 217-223.
  6. Caceres DD, et al. Prevention of [upper respiratory issues] with Andrographis paniculata dried extract. A pilot double blind trial Phytomedicine, 1997 Vol 4 (2), pp. 101-104.
  7. Barrett B, Brown R, Rakel D, Mundt M, Bone K, Barlow S, Ewers T. Echinacea for treating the common cold: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153(12):769-77.
  8. Di Pierro F, Rapacioli G, Ferrara T, Togni S. Use of a standardized extract from Echinacea angustifolia (Polinacea) for the prevention of respiratory tract infections. Altern Med Rev. 2012;17(1):36-41.
  9. Frank LG. The efficacy of Echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. J Comp Alt Med. 2000;6(4):327-34.
  10. Ghemi A, Soleimanjahi H, Gill P, Arefian E, Soudi S, Hassan Z. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide reduces the latency rate in herpes simplex virus type-1 infections. Intervirology. 2009;52(1):29-34.
  11. Islam J, Carter R. Use of Echinacea in upper respiratory tract infection. South Med J. 2005;98(3):311-8.
  12. Kupin, “Biological Active Modifiers of Immunity”; and B. Bohn, C. T. Nebe, and C. Birr, “Flow cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticocus extract as an immunomodulating agent,”
  13. Arzneimittel-Forschung Drug Research 37 (1987); 1193–96.
  14. I. I. Brakeman, Eleutherococcus: 20 Years of Research and Clinical Application (Hamburg: 1st International Symposium on Eleutherococcus, 1980); Brakeman, Man and Biologically Active Substances; B. Glatthaar-Saalmuller, F. Sacher, and A. Esperester, “Antiviral activity of an extract derived from roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus,” Antiviral Research 50(3) (2001): 223–28;
  15. J. Drozd, T. Sawicka, and J. Prosinska, “Estimation of humoral activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus,” Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica 59(5) (2002): 395–401.
  16. Zykov and Protasova, “Prospects of immunostimulating vaccination against influenza.”
  17. Lupin, “Biological Active Modifiers of Immunity”; and Bonn, et al., “Flow cytometric studies with Eleutherococcus senticocus.”
  18. Agarwal, P., Nagesh L., Murlikrishnan. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) extract against Streptococcus mutant: an in vitro study. Indian J. Dent. Res., 2010, 21(3), 357-359.

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container: 70
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value**

Andrographis paniculata extract (leaf) [Std. for minimum 10% andrographolide]

500 mg

Eleuthero extract (Eleutherococcus senticosus) (rhizome) [Std. for 0.8% eleutherosides]

125 mg

Echinacea angustifolia Extract (root) [Std. for 4% echinacosides]

125 mg

Holy Basil extract (Ocimum sanctum) (leaf) [Std. for minimum 2.5% ursolic acid and oleanolic acid]

50 mg
† Daily Value not established.


Suggested Use

Loading Dose: Take 1 capsule every 2 hours for 12 hours, preferably with food. Maintenance: Take 2 capsules per day for 5 or more days, or as directed by your health practitioner. Intended for short-term use (approximately 10 days), as needed.

Warnings

This product is contraindicated if you are pregnant or nursing or have a known allergy to plants of the daisy family. If you are taking any medications, consult your health practitioner before use. Discontinue use and consult your health practitioner if any adverse reactions occur. Keep out of reach of children. Use only if safety seal is intact.

 
ViraCare™ (70 caps) Label