Andrographis has been in use for centuries in traditional herbal medicine systems. Due to its digestive and liver supportive or “blood purifying” properties, is commonly called the King or Prince of bitter herbs. This leads to its use in indigestion with gaseous distention – a condition we most likely call SIBO or SIFO in current times. In western herbal medicine it is mostly used for lung and sinus conditions and the common cold due to its perceived stabilizing effect on the respiratory track. Andrographis demonstrates strong liver protective effects against various toxins, with the effects of protecting the liver and increasing glutathione levels similar or better as compared to milk thistle or silymarin. Detox enzyme and liver cell protection enzymes demonstrates improvement with Andrographis. Andrographis extracts which contains arabinogalactans and andrographolides demonstrates encouraging effects against various species of bacteria, parasites and also candida. Extracts of Andrographis demonstrates cell and tissue protection, as well as decreasing inflammatory responses, with specific mention of decreasing the inflammatory response of macrophages when stimulated with LPS [gram negative bacterial cell membranes]. Andrographis decreases the immune suppression during chronic infections. Studies show that Andrographis inhibits the inflammatory enzymes TNF-α, IL-6 – both responsible for some of the runaway inflammation in chronic infectious responses.

Knotweed is included as one of the best sources of resveratrol, but also emodin. Resveratrol is a multi-pronged strategy that enables nerve and brain protection against inflammation and oxidative stress, but also functions well in other tissues, eg. digestive track. When the immune system is challenge with bacterial cell membranes [LPS], resveratrol significantly decreases secretion of immune inflammatory cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFN-g), IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-a. Production of IL-10 was significantly increased – which is an anti inflammatory cytokine that helps manage or terminate inflammation. Blood vessel benefits – resveratrol promotes Nitric oxide formation, which helps with vasodilation an better blood flow, decreases WBC adhesiveness to blood vessel walls, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, inhibits platelet clumping and increase blood flow. Cellular repair or anti aging – this is the most impressive effect of resveratrol. It activates the sirtuin cellular repair systems – with the top scientists in the anti-aging world focusing on the use of high dose resveratrol or NMN to keep cells in a good state of repair for the purpose of cells functioning possibly indefinitely. The theory does seem logical from their viewpoint. Emodin, the other ingredient in Knotweed, is highly protective of brain neurons and reduces pain. Emodin has wide spectrum of biological activity including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and neuro-protective properties. In an in vivo rat study, emodin treated rats had less lung tissue damage in a LPS [bacterial cell membrane] inflammatory challenge, less inflammation with less oxygen free radical production – while clearing up the bacterial debris quicker. This implies less of a Herx type reaction with quicker resolution of infection and inflammation. Less tissue damage as part of the immune response to infections is a highly desirable effect.

Cat’s Claw inner bark is used in modern day western herbalism for Lyme disease, cancer, AIDS, arthritis and various immune disorders. There’s a little research about it being active against certain viral and bacterial species, but is primarily an immune herb. Peruvian tribes used the South American Uncaria species like Cat’s Claw to treat various inflammatory conditions, but also asthma and cancer. Cat’s Claw is included in Foundation Formula as an immune potentiation agent – it stimulates normalization in people with immune deficiency associated with chronic infections [bacteria and viruses] with improving CD57 cytotoxic effector cell counts, with enhanced phagocytosis – the process through which white blood cells “eat” bacteria and other pathogens, while at the same time decreasing tissue inflammatory processes. Cat’s Claw helps suppressed immune systems recover low white blood cells.

Eleutherococcus, formerly Siberian ginseng, is the ultimate example of an adaptogen that increases resistance to physical, chemical and various biological stressors. In addition to its anti-fatigue and anti-stress effects, the plant also exhibits immuno-modulatory effects. – specifically anti allergic effects with less histamine release by mast cells activated by allergens. Eleutheroccus is an adrenal tonic, useful for both overworked and damaged adrenals. Eleutherococcus helps the body adapt to a varied platter of stressors. Better stress adaptation allows for more energy, greater endurance, and improved responses capacity to stressors in one’s life.

Milk Thistle is used as a foundational support for detoxification processes and general liver function – it’s been used in this capacity for millennia. We chose the standardized form due to this being the specific active ingredient that delivers the desirable effects and results. In addition to being a celebrated general liver tonic – Silymarin specifically protects and regenerates liver cells when its has been harmed by toxic, inflammatory or infectious processes. In patients with chronic liver conditions, Milk thistle helps to cause normalization of liver function, relief of bloating, abdominal pressure, weakness, nervousness, insomnia. As a liver protectant against toxicity, Milk thistle decreases mortality dramatically with Amanita mushroom poisoning. Milk thistle also decreases spleen inflammation. Regulation at the DNA gene region of cells – silymarin treatment results in the regulation of cellular stress responses to control energy-consuming (anabolic) pathways, including cellular inflammation and immunity. Milk thistle helps to down regulate inflammation in a similar way as curcumin and green tea extract, EGCG.

Curcumin is a foundational part of this formula due to its very well validated anti-inflammatory properties. It is valued as a food grade [meaning it is very safe] modulator of the immune system and inflammation. At the cellular level, it is strongly tissue protective demonstrates protection against the oxidative stress that underlies dysfunction in chronic conditions. Curcumin down regulates inflammatory signal transcription at the DNA gene region, leading to a very meaningful effect with sustained intake.