Bioclinic Naturals, ImmuneAlign Liquid 1.7 fl oz

Benefits

• Provides clinically established dose of ECHINAMIDE®, a formulation of Echinacea purpurea triple-standardized to its active components (alkylamides, polysaccharides, and cichoric acid levels) using the whole herb (roots and flowers)
• ECHINAMIDE is extracted from certified organic, Canadian-grown echinacea, with seed-to-shelf GLP and GMP standards 
• Proprietary blend of ECHINAMIDE, with potent anti-viral plant extracts of lomatium, astragalus, reishi mushroom, and licorice for a synergistic effect on immune function
• Tincture allows for easy dosing, suitable for vegan/vegetarians

Feature Summary

ImmuneAlign provides a synergistic combination of five clinically validated herbal extracts, standardized to ensure optimal potency and effectiveness. ECHINAMIDE is a well-established formulation of organically grown Echinacea purpurea, triple-standardized to the key constituents (alkylamide, cichoric acid, and polysaccharides) shown to enhance immune function, and demonstrated to significantly reduce symptoms of the common cold in randomized clinical trials.1 ECHINAMIDE stimulates the non-specific immune system, increasing total leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and natural killer cell counts.2 Its alkyl-amide has both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, in part by binding to cannabinoid receptors on immune cells.3 The polysaccharides and polyphenols induce cell-mediated immunity and help stabilize secretory IgA levels.4 While meta-analyses typically support the use of Echinacea as an anti-viral, standardization of its key components is essential to ensure clinical benefit.5,6

This potent anti-viral formula also includes lomatium and reishi mushroom extracts, anti-viral plants with a long history of traditional use, as well as licorice and astragalus extracts, both shown to act synergistically with Echinacea to induce greater CD69 expression, an indicator of immune cell activation.7 The broad anti-viral and adaptogenic properties of these herbs support their combined use for optimizing immune function and supporting upper respiratory health.8,9,10

Non-Medicinal Ingredients

Purified water, ethanol.

Dosage

Recommended Adult Dose: 1 mL 6 times per day or as directed by a health care practitioner. For acute needs, 1 mL every 2–3 hours, up to 9 times per day, or as directed by a health care practitioner. Take at the first sign of infection. To avoid digestive upset, take with food. Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 6 weeks.

Warnings

Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking medications to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive medications), or have a liver disorder, an auto-immune disorder, or a progressive systemic disease such as tuberculosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and/or HIV infection. Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs. Do not use if you have hypokalemia, high blood pressure, a kidney or cardiovascular disorder, or if you are taking thiazide diuretics, cardiac glycosides, corticosteroids, stimulant laxatives, or other medications that may aggravate electrolyte imbalance. Keep out of reach of children.

Allergens

Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, starch, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, animal products, salt, tree nuts, or GMOs. Suitable for vegetarians/vegans. Sealed for your protection. Do not use it if the seal is broken. For freshness, store in a cool, dry place.

Contraindications

Has not been thoroughly evaluated for use during pregnancy, and should be avoided. Echinacea products are contraindicated in those requiring immune suppression (such as organ transplant recipients) and should be used with caution in those with autoimmune disease. Individuals with atopy are more likely to have a hypersensitivity to echinacea. Licorice consumption should be carefully monitored in those with hypertension and/or hypokalemia.

Drug Interactions

No known drug interactions exist. Echinacea has been shown to reduce the required steroid dosage in inflammatory conditions, and to improve the efficacy of anti-fungal treatments for infection with Candida sp.11,12,13  Echinacea is also a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2 and minor inducer of CYP3A4, and may have slight effects on drugs metabolized through these pathways.

References:

1. Goel, V., Lovlin, R., Barton, R., et al. (2004). Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for treating the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther, 29(1), 75-83.
2. Goel, V., Lovlin, R., Chang, C., et al. (2005). A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold. Phytother Res, 19(8), 689-94.
3. Chicca, A., Raduner, S., Pellati, F., et al. (2009). Synergistic immunomopharmacological effects of N-alkylamides in Echinacea purpurea herbal extracts. Int Immunopharmacol, 9(7-8), 850-8.
4. Hall, H., Fahlman, M.M., & Engels, H.J. (2007). Echinacea purpurea and mucosal immunity. Int J Sports Med, 28(9), 792-7.
5. Shah, S.A., Sander, S., White, C.M., et al. (2007). Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis, 7(7), 473-80.
6. Barton, R. (2005). Efficacy of echinilin for the common cold. Clin Infect Dis, 41(5), 761-2; author reply 763-4.
7. Brush, J., Mendenhall, E., Guggenheim, A., et al. (2006). The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD69 expression and immune cell activation in humans. Phytother Res, 20(8), 687-95.
8. Zheng, Q., Zhuang, Z., Wang, Z.H., et al. (2020). Clinical and preclinical systematic review of Astragalus membranaceus for viral myocarditis. Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2020, 1560353.
9. Liu, H., Wang, Z.Y., Zhou, Y.C., et al. (2020). Immunomodulation of Chinese herbal medicines on NK cell populations for cancer therapy: A systematic review. J Ethnopharmacol, 113561.
10. Ghaemi, H., Masoompour, S.M., Afsharypuor, S., et al. (2020). The effectiveness of a traditional Persian medicine preparation in treating chronic cough: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med, 49, 102324.
11. Coeugniet, E., & Kuhnast R. (1986). Recurrent candidiasis: Adjuvant immunotherapy with different formulations of Echinacin(TM). Therapiewoche, 36, 3352-58.
12. Freeman, C., & Spelman, K. (2008). A critical evaluation of drug interactions with Echinacea spp. Mol Nutr Food Res, 52(7), 789-98.
13. Neri, P.G., Stagni, E., Filippello, M., et al. (2006). Oral Echinacea purpurea extract in low-grade, steroid-dependent, autoimmune idiopathic uveitis: a pilot study. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, 22(6), 431-6.