The immune system is the body’s biodefense. Immune function involves a complex cascade of events. There are intelligent communications between all tissues of the body. Alterations in the balance of the immune function are responsible for the cause or progression of many common diseases, including cancer, chronic inflammatory disorders, arthritis and specific auto-immune disease. People talk about boosting immune function but most often they really mean balancing immune function.

Single-agent approaches with one herb or nutrient possess disadvantages and limitations. For example, sterolins (Moducare™) or mushroom extracts (MGN3™ or AHCC, ImmuPower™) are valuable immune stimulators but they have focused and limited effects on only certain aspects o immune function. There is a way of producing an improved dietary supplement that can be used in combination to stimulate immune function in a more global manner. Such combinations do not rely upon an isolated component of the immune cascade of events.

Any natural agent that exerts an antioxidant function can be potentially valuable in promoting healthy immune function, because oxidative stress (free-radical damage) to components of the immune system is a common reason for disordered immunity. In particular, the following antioxidants are of great value for immune well-being: Vitamin C, zinc, green tea, turmeric, grape seed extract and antioxidants found in a variety of herbs and botanicals.

Botanical agents with specific immune-enhancing power include several species of mushrooms, plant sources of beta glucan, Echinacea and the potent and versatile herb Andrographis paniculata (AP). Recent research implies that AP may be a very powerful stimulator of immune function by its specific actions on chemical signals in certain cells, and it has potent immune properties. As a supplement, Andrograhis carries no treatment claims.