By Steven Horne, RH (AHG) & Kimberly Balas, ND
When most people think of treating infections, they think of antibiotics. But antibiotics only work against bacterial infections.
Viruses do not just cause colds and flu. Chicken pox, mumps and measles are all acute viral infections. There are also chronic viral infections like herpes and more serious and dangerous viral infections such as smallpox, hepatitis C. Epstein Barr, SARS, AIDS and Ebola.
The reason serious viral infections raise concerns is because modern medicine has very few effective antiviral drugs. Most drugs only relieve the symptoms of viral infections. So, when it comes to viral infections modern medicine focuses its efforts primarily on trying to create immunity to them through vaccines.
That is because outside of a living cell, a virus is inert. In order to replicate itself, a virus must enter a living cell and hijack cellular mechanisms that make copies of the DNA or RNA. So, a virus has no "life" outside of another cell. It does not grow or metabolize nutrients or perform other functions that cellular organisms do. This means you cannot "kill" viruses in the way one can kill a bacteria or fungal cell.
If a virus is able to get past the in innate immune system, then the adaptive immune system takes over. It produces substances called antibodies that attach themselves to a virus and render it inert so it cannot enter cells and disrupt their normal functions.
For fever or inflammation and skin eruptions.
It may be helpful for any viral condition that causes skin eruptions. The normal dose of this formula is one capsule daily.
For acute outbreaks, larger doses can be taken, up to 3 capsules daily. Long term use (about six months) has permanently cleared up some cases or herpes and other viral conditions.
Immune Stimulator
A powerful new ally in keeping our immune systems healthy. It contains beta-glucan, a substance 200 times more effective at stimulating the immune system than echinacea.
Beta-glucan increases general immunity and strengthens resistance to infection by activating immune cells.
Elderberry D3fense
Black elderberries can inhibit Viral infections like the cold and flu. It appears they may work by inhibiting viral replication. But, whatever the mode of action, elderberries are a time-proven remedy for acute viral infections. Elderberry D3fense combines elderberry with 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and includes two other major antiviral herbs, echinacea and olive leaf.
VS-C tcm
Dr. Xie feels it may benefit persons with chronic immune deficiency and those who have had antibiotics prescribed to excess.
VS-C stimulates the immune system, protects the liver and helps reduce glandular inflammation.
Typical consumption ranges from 1 capsules twice a day for mild problems more a day for serious problems.
When most people think of treating infections, they think of antibiotics. But antibiotics only work against bacterial infections.
Viral Infections
Most common infections, like colds and flu, are viral and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Most coughs, sinus problems, ear infections, sore throats and other common contagious diseases are viral in nature, it is a waste of time and money to treat them with antibiotics.Viruses do not just cause colds and flu. Chicken pox, mumps and measles are all acute viral infections. There are also chronic viral infections like herpes and more serious and dangerous viral infections such as smallpox, hepatitis C. Epstein Barr, SARS, AIDS and Ebola.
The reason serious viral infections raise concerns is because modern medicine has very few effective antiviral drugs. Most drugs only relieve the symptoms of viral infections. So, when it comes to viral infections modern medicine focuses its efforts primarily on trying to create immunity to them through vaccines.
Understanding Viruses
It is important to understand that a virus is very different than a bacteria or fungus. A bacteria, fungus or yeast (like Candida albicans) is a single celled organism. It feeds and grows, then divides to reproduce. However, viruses are not cells! They are pieces of DNA or RNA wrapped in a protein coat, having none of the structures or processes that cells have. So, there is some debate about whether viruses are alive or not.That is because outside of a living cell, a virus is inert. In order to replicate itself, a virus must enter a living cell and hijack cellular mechanisms that make copies of the DNA or RNA. So, a virus has no "life" outside of another cell. It does not grow or metabolize nutrients or perform other functions that cellular organisms do. This means you cannot "kill" viruses in the way one can kill a bacteria or fungal cell.
How the Body Deals with Viruses
Your body combats viruses in several ways. First, the innate immune system, which is found primarily in the membranes of the digestive and respiratory system, is designed to destroy foreign material (like viruses) to prevent them from ever entering the body. So, a healthy intestinal and respiratory system forms a protective barrier against most viral infections.If a virus is able to get past the in innate immune system, then the adaptive immune system takes over. It produces substances called antibodies that attach themselves to a virus and render it inert so it cannot enter cells and disrupt their normal functions.
Natural Antiviral Remedies
Because you cannot "kill" viruses, there are no broad spectrum antiviral drugs or herbs. Herbs that have broad acting activity against viral infections are those that support natural immune function. They boost production of white blood cells and antibodies, strengthen mucus membranes and increase white blood cell activity. This helps the body fight infections of all kinds—viral, bacterial and fungal. This is one way herbal remedies have a huge advantage over pharmaceutical drugs.To prevent and/or deal with a virus infection.
Trigger Immune TCMFor fever or inflammation and skin eruptions.
It may be helpful for any viral condition that causes skin eruptions. The normal dose of this formula is one capsule daily.
For acute outbreaks, larger doses can be taken, up to 3 capsules daily. Long term use (about six months) has permanently cleared up some cases or herpes and other viral conditions.
Immune Stimulator
A powerful new ally in keeping our immune systems healthy. It contains beta-glucan, a substance 200 times more effective at stimulating the immune system than echinacea.
Beta-glucan increases general immunity and strengthens resistance to infection by activating immune cells.
Elderberry D3fense
Black elderberries can inhibit Viral infections like the cold and flu. It appears they may work by inhibiting viral replication. But, whatever the mode of action, elderberries are a time-proven remedy for acute viral infections. Elderberry D3fense combines elderberry with 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and includes two other major antiviral herbs, echinacea and olive leaf.
VS-C tcm
Dr. Xie feels it may benefit persons with chronic immune deficiency and those who have had antibiotics prescribed to excess.
VS-C stimulates the immune system, protects the liver and helps reduce glandular inflammation.
Typical consumption ranges from 1 capsules twice a day for mild problems more a day for serious problems.