“Your immune systems are comprised of all parts of the eco-system you know as yourself, and include not only every part of you, from your conscious and subconscious thoughts to your physical body systems, but also how you live and function in relationship with the larger ecosystems that surround you.”

 

 Although our blends are formulated to balance specific biological systems.. it’s essentially impossible to limit them to one action alone.. not only do all herbs, particularly adaptogens, have a myriad of benefits, but we are not compartmentalised beings.. we are an incredible interconnection of cells and neurotransmitters, organs and enzymes, hormones and electrical currents, energy and electromagnetic fields, that work in harmony with each other, and nature as a whole.

 

If you consider the immune system metaphorically, it is what protects us.. our guard against anything which may harm or weaken us. “When the body’s internal defenses are strong, we feel safer and protected, which relieves the adrenals of stress from worry and insecurity.” [1]

 

The science to support this comes from the field of psychoneuroimmunology, which tells us that there is an immune-brain loop and that “evidence for nervous-immunological interactions exist at multiple biological levels.” [2]

 

“Several studies in experimental animals have shown that chronic defects in the immune system have a dramatic impact on the emotional response. Immunodeficient mice… have been shown to have impaired learning and memory,[3] as well as an increased basal level of anxiety-like behavior. [4] “ [5]

 

Our COCO IMMUNE blend contains 4 key herbs as well as 2 supportive herbs to deeply fortify your immunity, and leave you feeling stronger and more resilient physically, emotionally and spiritually.

 

 Aside from being a a delicious, mood-elevating carrier for the other herbs in the blend, Cacao has its own remarkable benefits to the immune system.

“Its richness in plant compounds such as flavanols influence the differentiation and multiplication of friendly gut bacteria that are your body’s great defender against viruses and bacteria that try to enter your body through food.

Cacao-rich diets have also been evaluated to induce changes in the cell composition of the primary and secondary lymphoid tissues. These tissues are responsible for the production, coordination, and differentiation of your body’s white blood cells.

In the thymus, also known as the “white blood cell university,” cacao increases your body’s natural antioxidants (catalase and SOD) while promoting the maturation of T cells.”[6]

 

 Also known as “sweet root’ and sometimes referred to as the “immune warrior”, this ancient, immunoregulatory root, also boosts energy levels and is a potent cardiotonic, providing heart-protecting effects, including protection against free-radical oxidative damage.

 

“There have been many clinical studies showing how astragalus not only boosts the immune system, but also encourages an increase in immune cell (T-cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, immunoglobulin) activity, production, and function.

It appears to help trigger immune cells from a resting state into heightened activity. The number of macrophages (cells of the immune system that ingest foreign antigens to protect against infection) has been shown to increase after administering a decoction of astragalus. The natural killer cells of the immune system also have a markedly enhanced ability to fight intruders (five- to sixfold).” [7]

 

 Aside from being one of the highest sources of immune enhancing vitamin C and bioflavonoids, Rose hips also support immune health via antimicrobial and antibacterial activity. They have been proven, especially, to fight Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes gastrointestinal ulcers and may also inhibit some of the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.

 

 REISHI

 A supreme, deep immune system tonic, Reishi has long been associated with divine or magical properties. Indicated for immune deficiency or hyper functioning, this mushroom is one of the most potent tonics for the immune system and the body-mind-spirit as a whole.

 

 CAYENNE

 A potent detoxificant, this powerful spice has been shown to improve circulation and boost the entire immune system. For thousands of years, cayenne pepper has been used as a natural antibiotic and is extremely rich in vitamin c and bioflavonoids.

 

 STEVIA

 Shown to have an immune up regulatory and modulatory action this natural sweetener acts “by stimulating both humoral as well as cellular immunity and phagocytic function.” [8]

 

Best of all, this formula is DELICIOUS. Mix with YIN YANG in warm plant milk for an instant, sugar free hot chocolate or with BHAKTI for a heart-warming, immune-boosting, red velvet hot chocolate.

 

 

[1] Rehmannia Dean Thomas, http://www.shamanshackherbs.com/shaman-shack-herbs-1/reishi-essay-from-rehmmania/

 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoneuroimmunology

[3] Brynskikh A., Warren T., Zhu J., Kipnis J. Adaptive immunity affects learning behavior in mice. Brain Behav Immun. 2008;22(6):861–869.  [PubMed]

 [4] Rattazzi L., Piras G., Ono M., Deacon R., Pariante CM., D'Acquisto F. CD4⁺ but not CD8⁺ T cells revert the impaired emotional behavior of immunocompromised RAG-1-deficient mice. Transl Psychiatry.2013;3:e280. [PMC free article]  [PubMed]

 [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442367/#ref105

[6] http://www.superlife.com/7-superfoods-to-boost-your-immunity/

[7] https://www.alive.com/health/astragalus-the-immune-warrior/

[8] Chem Biol Interact. 2008 May 28; Epub 2008 Jan 31.

Immune up regulatory response of a non-caloric natural sweetener, stevioside.

Sehar I¹, Kaul A, Bani S, Pal HC, Saxena AK. [PubMed}