Echinacea by NOW Foods - Herbs 60 Vegetarian Capsules Supports A Healthy Immune System* Our Price: $7.28 Retail Price: $11.99 You Save: $4.71 each, a 39% Savings!
Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a native American herb that was once widely used by the Plains Indians and is now used by millions of consumers worldwide.
Echinacea supports the immune system through a variety of mechanisms that aid phagocytosis and T-Cell production. The extracts are standardized to specific levels of marker compounds known to have immune enhancing effects. Caffeic acid derivatives (echinacosides), polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, alkylamides, and flavonoids are among the plant constituents with known activity.*
Additional Sizes Available
100 Capsules - 400 mg of Echinacea
250 Capsules - 400 mg of Echinacea
60 Vegetarian Capsules - 125 mg of Echinacea
Supplement Facts
One (1) Vegetarian Capsule Contains:
Amount Per Serving
Echinacea Root Extract(Angustifolia) 125 mg Echinacea Root Extract(Purpurea) 300 mg
Cellulose (capsule), Magnesium Stearate, Contains no milk, corn, wheat, yeast, sugar, salt, soy, preservatives, or synthetics. As an herbal dietary supplement, one (1) vegetarian capsule, two to three times (2-3x) daily as needed, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Continuous high level consumption of this product for more than two weeks each month is not recommended. Herb , Herbal , Immune System Enhancer Immune Impairment By Heidi Li, NOW Methods Department
Echinacea herbal medicines are traditionally used for treatment of inflammatory and viral diseases such as cold, cough and upper respiratory infections. Recent studies show that they can also be used as antioxidants or free radical terminators to prevent cardiovascular disease, arthritis and aging. In fact, Echinacea has become one of the most widely used herbal medicines and dietary supplements in Europe, North America, and Australia.
The parts of Echinacea used in herbal medicines are the roots and aerial parts of three species: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea. angustifolia and Echinacea pallida. The main active compounds of Echinacea are caffeic acid derivatives (phenolic compounds), alkamides and polysaccharides. Among caffeic acid derivatives, several components, such as caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, echinacoside and chichoric acid, are identified from Echinacea extracts. Chicoric acid is the major phenolic compound in E. purpurea, but minor in E. angustifolia and E. pallida. Echinacoside is the main phenolic compound in E. angustifolia and E. pallida, but only trace is found in E. purpurea.
Studies have shown that chichoric acid has immunostimulating effects, as well as antioxidant properties. Recently, it has been found to inhibit HIV-1 replication. Echinacoside does not contribute its immunostimulating activity, but it has antioxidant and cicatrizing activities.
The pharmacological activity of each Echinacea species appears to reflect the slight variation in the amount of active ingredients and their chemical profiles. All three species of Echinacea are found to have a protective effect on the free radical-induced degradation of collagen, which is probably due to its polyphenolic compounds. Extracts of E. purpurea roots have greater free radical scavenging capacity than those of E. pallida or E. angustifolia due to more amounts of phenolics constitute found in E. purpurea. E. purpurea is also well known to boost the immune system in prevention of common cold, flu and chronic respiratory infections because it is rich in cichoric acid.
Nutraceutical preparations of Echinacea are primarily based on the extracts or juices from their roots, leaves, stems and flowers. In herbals and supplements of Echinacea, the active ingredients in recommended therapeutic amounts depend upon the quality of plant material, preparation procedures, formulations and storage conditions. These active ingredients, especially phenolic acids, are mainly responsible for the pharmacological activities of Echinacea extracts and plant materials. Therefore, the profile of their content represents a useful fingerprint to define the identity and the quality of these products.
To ensure the quality of products, it is important to have reliable and practical analytical methods for the determination of phenolic acids in complex natural matrices. It is also a necessary step to clearly identify the different species of Echinacea to distinguish the efficacy of the different plants and their parts for a proper therapeutic usage.
Phenolic compounds of Echinacea have been studied with several analytical techniques, such as HPTLC, UV and HPLC. To standardize Echinacea products, NOW has developed HPLC method based on official U. S. Pharmacopeia method. This method validates the analytical procedures used for the determination of total phenolics in Echinacea products. This analytical method is accurate, efficient and simultaneously determines typical levels of various phenolic compounds, ensuring the quality of NOW Echinacea products.
In today’s stressful world, immune system health is more important than ever. History has proven that no matter what we do to combat viruses, bacteria and parasites, they have the remarkable capability to mutate for survival, often returning in a more virulent form than before.
However, mutating microbes are only part of the problem confronting our immune systems. Factors such as environmental pollution and over-processing of foods are believed by many researchers to play a major role in many health conditions. Which means, more than ever before, you need to make sure your immune system is functioning at peak efficiency.
Raw Materials
Superior supplements begin with superior raw materials. As the foundation that supports our line of quality products, NOW tests raw materials for contaminants, heavy metals, pesticides and fillers. Our philosophy remains unfaltering; we always start with the purest, freshest raw materials to ensure that the finished product is the best it can be. By partnering with some of the most trusted names in the industry including Lonza, PL Thomas, Cyanotech, Inter-Health, Hoffman LaRoche, Sabinsa and others, NOW is proud to provide unadulterated natural products that are safe, potent and true to their claim.
Natural Ingredients
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Pure, Fresh Raw Materials, Always
Good Manufacturing Practices
NOW's commitment to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is evident in everything we do. As one of the first companies to receive GMP certification from the NNFA, in addition to being one of the very few to maintain a consistent 'A' rating, we've remained steadfast in our commitment to good manufacturing practices. Our clean, controlled and technologically advanced production facility is regularly inspected by the Food and Drug Administration, and has been certified organic by Quality Assurance International.
Longstanding NNFA GMP "A" Rating FDA Inspected Organic Certification by QAI Clean, Modern, Controlled Production Facility
Our Price: $7.28 Retail Price: $11.99 You Save: $4.71 each, a 39% Savings!
