Our first line of defense is a physical barrier that prevents pathogens from getting into the body1. This includes the skin, cornea of the eye, and linings of the lungs and digestive tract.
If a pathogen manages to get past the body’s physical barrier, we have immune cells ready to neutralize them in our sinuses, eyes, digestive tract, and lungs1. Most of the time, our immune system is so effective that we don’t even notice that we have successfully defeated an intruder.
Every once in a while, our initial immune defenses fail, and a pathogen starts to replicate and infect our cells. At this point, the body sounds the alarm and brings in reinforcements to fight the infection. The ensuing battle between the pathogen and our immune system causes us to feel unwell, and we experience symptoms such as a runny nose, fever, fatigue, or cough1.
Cold and flu symptoms are indications that the immune system is actively fighting a pathogen, and it could use some extra support. When you are feeling sick, it can be helpful to give your immune system a boost to relieve symptoms more quickly and get you back to feeling your best.
Echinacea Plant Juice helps to relieve symptoms of colds and upper respiratory tract infections by stimulating the immune system2, inactivating pathogens3,4, and reducing inflammation2,3.
Echinacea stimulates our immune system helping our body make the white blood cells we need to fight infection. It activates neutrophils to fight bacteria and natural-killer cells to fight viruses2. Echinacea also activates macrophages2, which are white blood cells that engulf pathogens to destroy them.
Echinacea has been shown to have antibacterial3 and antiviral4 activity, meaning it directly neutralizes some types of bacteria and viruses. Echinacea has been shown to inactivate influenza A and B4, rhinovirus (the common cold)5, and Group A Strep3, which are some of the most common pathogens to cause cold and flu.
Echinacea also has anti-inflammatory components2,3. This means it can help to clean up the inflammation that our immune system creates as it fights infection.
Echinacea Plant Juice is made from organic, fresh echinacea herb and root that is pressed and sealed within 2-3 hours of harvesting the plant. Since it is made from the whole plant, it contains a full spectrum of active herb ingredients. It does not contain preservatives, added sugars, colors, or flavors.