Description
Before answering this question, discussing the intent and purpose behind creating a formula or product is vital.
Specific intentions must lead the way when a formula is designed, and the following question must be answered.
What is the purpose or multiple purposes for the product?
There can be a wide variety of answers to this question.
For example, it can be as specific as targeting numerous mechanisms of action (like modulating the inflammatory response via Nuclear Factor Kappa B) or a more general desired result like overall nourishment.
One of the hardest things for a formulator is to create a properly formulated product for the masses (especially for general categories that are not explicitly targeting individual mechanisms of action) so it can work for everyone, regardless of the underlying cause.
The only proper way to do that is to create a formula with a wide range of herbs or foods that support various mechanisms of action for what may cause that general issue.
Therefore, the formulator must understand the proper function of each herb as an individual entity and how to combine it with other herbs for the proper synergistic effect.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Example of a sleep formula done wrong
A great example of formulas that misuse herbs based on their function is the popular category of sleep problems.
There are many sleep formulas on the market, and a good portion of them are poorly formulated or mislead the consumer through improper marketing, leading to less-than-optimal results. One primary reason for this is the misuse of specific herbs within the formula.
For example, valerian has a misunderstood reputation for being a sedative, leading to its improper placement as a lead herb in sleep formulas marketed as a sedative, resulting in a lack of effectiveness for those formulas. Valerian is, in fact, a very effective antispasmodic and anxiolytic and, when used correctly, can produce profound results.
On the contrary, one of the better-formulated sleep products on the market has a full spectrum of herbs covering all potential reasons for sleep trouble, including:
- Passionflower (fantastic for when the body is exhausted but the mind won’t stop racing)
- Skullcap (anxiolytic)
- Kava (anxiolytic and antispasmodic)
- Valerian (antispasmodic and anxiolytic)
- California poppy (analgesic)
- Blue Vervain (nervine that soothes the nervous system)
- Hops (the only true sedative)
- Gotu Kola (supports cerebral circulation and cools red, hot, inflamed tissue)
As you can see, the above formula covers all aspects of sleep issues, which is why it is so effective for many people.
So, what are the ingredients and purpose of Z Natural Food’s IMMU-C support?
With our IMMU-C immune support formula, we have taken a wide range of foods, herbs, tonics, and mushrooms, all traditionally used in various medicinal modalities, to provide a wide range of nourishing compounds to do the following:
Here are the ingredients in IMMU-C:
Orange juice powder
While many think this fruit's sweet, juicy flesh is where the nourishing power is packed, the white meat and orange skin actually pack the powerful polyphenolic punch.
Oranges are much more than your grandma’s fix for a quick dose of Vitamin C. Oranges are well studied for their essential oils in the skin, bioflavonoids found in the bitter white flesh, and pectin in the orange flesh. Don’t let its simple and innocent look fool you; the compounds in oranges may support and nourish a healthy immune system and kidney and liver health.
Sea buckthorn powder
Known and revered for containing more than 120 active Phyto compounds, this tiny tart and tangy powerhouse isn’t shy to flex its muscles in the Wild West of superfoods. While it is true that sea buckthorn contains powerful antioxidant levels of Vitamin C and a variety of carotenoids, highly concentrated powders of sea buckthorn have shown ORAC scores as high as over 800,000 per 100/g.
This doesn’t hold a candle to what makes this berry a truly unique food. It is the only plant that contains a full spectrum of fatty acids 3,6,7 and 9. The superstar is the omega-7 fatty acid. Sea Buckthorn is known as one of “The great beauty secrete,” with the Greek people supporting a healthy inflammation response and healthy skin.
Turmeric
While curcumin (a compound found in turmeric) is touted as the greatest plant for supporting a healthy inflammation response due to its unique mechanisms of action (Modulating Nuclear factor kappa B), turmeric has been shown to support more powerful and broad-spectrum benefits potentially. Research has shown that curcumin-free turmeric extracts have been shown to be as capable of supporting a healthy inflammation response. Furthermore, specific essential oils in turmeric are necessary to properly utilize curcumin.
Turmeric’s ability to support a healthy inflammation response as one of its key benefits has produced a fallacy that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory. In fact, the results of human research, the experience of many top herbalists, and the fact that turmeric has many modes of action (upwards of 300 activities have been ascribed to it) show its ability to possibly be an amphoteric (normalizing the function of an organ or system).
Red Reishi Extract
Red Reishi is known as “The Mushroom of Immortality” and has a long and well-documented history in traditional Chinese medicine. Reishi is a nourishing tonic known to build the body’s resistance. Because of its ability to potentially support a healthy aging process via nourishing what Chinese medicine knows as “The Three Treasures” and for building great wisdom, it could arguably be one of the greatest tonics on earth.
Reishi is also known as the mushroom of spiritual potency. It is believed to calm the mind, strengthen the nerves, strengthen memory, and build willpower. Red Reishi primarily comprises complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpenoids, proteins, and amino acids. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi and may support a healthy immune system response and liver function.
Chaga Mushroom Extract
From Maine to Siberia, this prized fantastic fungus only found growing on birch trees has been traditionally “hunted” by mushroom enthusiasts in the dead of winter when the temperature has been at a minimum below 40 degrees for several weeks but truly thrives in brutal arctic weather, much like adaptogens, the more severe the growing conditions, the more influential the end product.
While 20-year-old Chaga is considered to be fully mature with the greatest concentration of potent healing compounds, it can live as long as 80 years before it dies and repeats the cycle. Our Organic Chaga Extract contains 30% of polysaccharides to ensure you will get the support you need for a healthy immune system, liver, and gut.
Mangosteen
As a traditional food and medicine for the people of southeast Asia, Mangosteen has been studied for its plethora of nourishing benefits, especially when all parts of this powerful food are used correctly. Used both internally and topically, mangosteen is chuck-full of Phyto-compounds studied to support a healthy inflammation response. The outer rind/pericarp contains a class of naturally occurring polyphenol compounds known as xanthones (which, according to research, may also have remarkable benefits for cardiovascular health) that yields a polyhydroxy-xanthone derivative termed mangostin, also beta-mangostin.
Traditionally used to make ointments to potentially support the healing of infection and support healthy skin, you can believe it when we tell you that the people of southeast Asia don’t waste a drop of this precious food. While Budweiser may be the king of beer and Mangosteen is highly regarded as the queen of superfoods, I am not sure that beer and mangosteen are a match made in heaven. Still, the nourishing qualities and benefits of the mangosteen fruit make it easy to conclude that the superfood gods did bring this straight from the heavens.
Astragalus root
Revered as one of the great tonic herbal medicines in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, Astragalus is known as the “Great Protector of Qi” due to its ability to fortify what is known as protective Qi, which flows just under the skin and in the muscles. This “surface energy” supports the opening and closing of pores, our first line of defense against external environmental changes. But Astragalus is known for so much more.
The term dampness is used in Chinese medicine to describe conditions for which an individual cannot metabolize fluids properly. Astragalus is a slightly warming Qi and blood tonic with strong supportive qualities for the spleen and lungs (2 organs specific to fluid metabolism) and is known to support “fluid metabolism.”
As a “Double Directional Adaptogen,” it may also help to support good posture and help tonify organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Modern science has put this world-renowned tonic back on the front pages due to its unique family of compounds known as Astragalosides that have been undergoing intense research for their many supportive aspects of a healthy aging process.
Ginger
While very popular in the traditional dishes of Asia, India, and the Middle East, this prized culinary spice is used for so much more than its aromatic and spicy kick. Ginger has been well-researched, and its traditional uses have been confirmed. It is a warming remedy, ideal for supporting healthy circulation, thereby perhaps supporting healthy blood pressure levels and possibly keeping the blood thin in higher doses. In her book '10 Essential Herbs', author Lalitha Thomas describes the properties: "The major active ingredients in ginger are terpenes (quite similar to the chemical action of turpentine) and an oleo-resin called ginger oil.
These two, and other active ingredients in ginger, may support healthy circulation. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger dispels cold dispositions and supports healthy energy levels. Whereas in Ayurveda, ginger is used to support healthy digestion. According to Stephen Buhner the author of the book "Herbal Antivirals," which takes a more Western approach to herbs, ginger may possess anti-viral effects, thereby supporting a healthy immune system response.
According to modern research, ginger is rich in specific active compounds called gingerols (6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol), which are believed to be the primary reason for its ability to support a healthy inflammation response, immune response, support healthy blood flow.
Here at Z Natural Foods, we take the time to hand-pick specific ingredients that work well synergistically to produce a well-balanced product that nourishes and creates an optimally supportive environment for your body to adapt and thrive during your most stressful times. We don’t make products that Spike or Boost; we develop products that Nourish and Support.
This is exactly what we did when creating IMMU-C support.
For more information about our Organic IMMU-C Blend, go here:
Organic IMMU-C Blend - Organic