For those of you who have followed me for a while, you know one of my go-to supplements is St. Francis Herb Farm’s Deep Immune. When I caught mononucleosis in high school, this stuff helped me recover in just 5 weeks when my family doctor had originally estimated 3 months. Yeah, it’s that amazing.
Now, it’s a staple in my household and among many of my close friends. I take this stuff when I travel, on overnight trips, and I always keep an extra bottle in the medicine cabinet. As soon as I feel a tickle in my throat, I pull out the Deep Immune and keep the cold at bay.
But what makes this supplement so successful at warding off illness?
It’s an adaptogen
According to The Oxford Dictionary, an adaptogen in herbal medicine is a natural substance that is considered to help the body adapt to stress and exerts normalizing effects on the body. It does so by supporting the immune system – like adding extra men to the warfront.
In other words, it helps your body maintain homeostasis – a calm, equilibrium, or a normal state. It helps us adapt to stressors, whether they be emotional, physical or chemical, so that we don’t succumb to those stressors.
So, what’s in it?
St. Francis lists their ingredients in order of quantity. According to the bottle, the ingredients are as follows:
Astragalus, Codonopsis, Eleuthero, Reishi, Ligustrum, Schinsandra, White Atractylodes, and Licorice.
Haven’t heard of half of these? It’s okay, I didn’t either.
Astragalus
Astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years! That alone makes this herb sound quite promising in its abilities. It is known as an immunomodulator, meaning it strengthens the immune system and therefore helps the body fight off infection and disease. This is because astragalus is an excellent source of compounds such as flavonoids, glycosides, polysaccharides, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and trace minerals. These compounds help stimulate white blood cell production in our bodies.
Astragalus is also an adaptogen, as it helps us adapt to stressful situations, whether it be emotional, physical or chemical (environmental).
Astragalus has also been used as a lung tonic to treat dry cough, upper respiratory infections or asthma. This makes it an excellent addition to Deep Immune to treat to common cold!
Finally, astragalus is a powerful hepatoprotective – meaning it helps protect the liver! In the case of my high school mono, this ingredient was crucial in healing my liver. My initial blood work showed that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, or the mono virus) attacked my liver and my spleen. My liver enzymes were that of an alcoholic. They were so high, they almost caused permanent liver damage. But Deep Immune came to the rescue, and my doctor was stunned.
Codonopsis
Codonopsis is another widely used herb in TCM. It acts as a lung tonic and promotes the production of bodily fluids. Don’t be surprised if you notice more mucous production when taking this herb. But this is a good thing! Mucous helps facilitate expelling the nasty virus and germs so your body can heal.
Codonopsis is also effective at improving spleen function. When I had mono, not only did it attack my liver, but it also attacked my spleen (because go big or go home, right?). I remember my doctor feeling my enlarged spleen just below my ribs and wincing in agony. It felt like her hands were digging around inside my abdomen. Her biggest concern was that my spleen was so enlarged that it may rupture. I am proud to report that it didn’t.
Finally, codonopsis has been said to also strengthen the digestive and immune systems, which actually work hand in hand at protecting the body from pathogens. Research also shows that it has anti-diabetic, anti-aging and anti-tumor activity. Is there anything it can’t do?
Eleuthero
Eleuthero is a nutrient-packed herb full of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium. It is used to fight fatigue, low appetite and bloating. All of which helped me manage my mono symptoms. I was beyond exhausted, repulsed by food, and bloated like you wouldn’t believe.
Eleuthero is an adaptogen and specifically helps with stress related conditions like angina, hypertension, hypotension, chronic bronchitis and cancer.
Eleuthero is also an immunomodulator. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-fatigue and hepatoprotective properties.
Reishi
Reishi is a powerful type of mushroom (no, not the magic kind) with some serious health benefits. In Japan, reishi means “divine.” The Chinese call is ling zhi meaning tree of life mushroom. In Vietnam, it’s called linh chi or supernatural mushroom.
It is an immunomodulator, an adaptogen, and also has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It is also a hepatoprotective herb.
Reishi mushroom is very rare in the wild, but agricultural production has increased due to the rise in awareness of its health benefits. In the wild, it only exists on 0.003% of trees that can harbour it.
Ligustrum
Ligustrum is another TCM herb that has been around for quite some time – over 1000 years to be exact. It’s specifically been used to treat poor eyesight, dizziness, fever and insomnia. It is also used to increase immune function, especially in cancer patients.
Ligustrum is known for its antioxidant, antitumor and antiviral properties, as well as its effects on stimulating the immune system.
The fruit of the Ligustrum plant specifically is a potent antibacterial, antiseptic, antitumor, cardiotonic and diuretic. The fruit portion of the plant is what’s used in Deep Immune.
Schisandra
Schisandra is another medicinal herb native to China. It is full of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, fumaric acid, quercitin, terpenoid compounds, phenolic compounds, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, phosphorus, magnesium, chromium, and potassium. Whew, that’s a lot.
This is yet another adaptogen added to Deep Immune. It works by monitoring and normalizing stress hormones throughout the body. It helps improve focus, coordination, endurance, and fatigue.
Schisandra is also an anti-inflammatory for the cardiovascular, lymphatic, and immune systems. It also acts as an antibiotic and an antiviral. Perfect for fighting off any bacteria or viruses causing you symptoms.
White Atractylodes
White Atractylodes is another plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. Specifically, the root, or the rhizome, is used. It specifically works by tonifying and strengthening the spleen (perfect for my mono case).
It is typically used for indigestion, stomach-ache, bloating, fluid retention, diarrhea, loss of appetite, allergies, joint pain, and physical and mental fatigue. One plant with so many uses – awesome!
Licorice
This is probably the most commonly known ingredient in Deep Immune, although I’m not talking about the sweet, red, sugar-filled candy. Think more like the flavour of black licorice. Super bitter but has tons of health benefits.
Licorice root is excellent at treating sore throats, dry coughs and even digestive upset.
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used to treat inflammation of mucous membranes throughout the body.
It is also an adaptogen affecting the adrenal glands directly and acts as a tonic for the endocrine system and adrenal exhaustion. Anybody feeling extra fatigued lately? Crashing around the same time each day? Your adrenals could be screaming for help.
The Verdict
Deep Immune is an excellent adaptogen supplement for the smallest of colds to the toughest bought of mononucleosis. Its ingredients are powerful herbs that help boost the immune system and tonify the whole body.
Like I said, I keep bottles of this stuff around at any given time. It’s like gold in my family.
Feel a tickle in your throat? Deep Immune.
Feel extra tired lately? Deep Immune.
Dying in bed and just cannot even anymore? Deep Immune.
Pick up a bottle for yourself in my office or purchase a bottle at the link below and search for Deep Immune in the search bar.
I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
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