With recent global headlines causing folks to binge on hand sanitizer, what else should you be considering to stay healthy?  We'd like to introduce you to Jade Windscreen, the inspiration behind our Immunity Support formula - and some compelling research that shows exactly how it helps to keep a healthy body healthy.

The Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Solution to Boosting Immunity

What if there was another option to boost immunity? Well, there is another option and it comes from thousands of years of traditional Chinese medicine practice. The ancient Chinese herbal formula Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen) is used for reinforcing the body’s immune defense function and is among the most popular in China during cold and pollen seasons still to this day (in fact, our friend and respected Chinese medicine practitioner Dr. Shelley Ochs in Beijing recently noted that she and her family are using this powerful formula to stay healthy during the recent health crisis).

The composition of this formula includes root of Astragalus (Huang Qi), rhizomes of Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), and root of Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng). These herbs can be cooked by boiling, simmering and straining the liquid to consume or by ingesting tablets or pills. The name Yu Ping Feng San literally means “Jade Windscreen” because it is believed by doctors of Chinese medicine to function as a “solid screen” to protect the body against pathogens.

This study shows that Yu Ping Feng San/Jade Windscreen modulates release of cell signalling molecules that aid in cell-to-cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma. The ability to attack foreign cells in the body is an important defense mechanism in an innate immune system.

Clinically Yu Ping Feng San has been applied in anti-viral and anti-bacterial situations and has been shown to prevent viral infections such as SARS, and to enhance cellular immunity. However, the chemical and biological efficacy of Yu Ping Feng San--the action mechanism of the herb blend--is still rather limited.

In a study conducted at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, researchers looked at the action mechanism of Yu Ping Feng San and analyzed the chemical and biological properties of the formula. They studied cultured macrophages (a type of white blood cell that ‘eats’ cellular debris that does not have protein types specific to healthy cells) in mice and found Yu Ping Feng San modulates the release of cytokines.

Cytokines are cell signalling molecules that aid in cell-to-cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma. The ability to attack foreign cells in the body is an important defense mechanism in an innate immune system.

Chemically, the three different herbs together in Yu Ping Feng San during preparation promoted strongly the solubilities of different chemicals, which was better than single herb or two-herb compositions. According to the study, having different herbs together in making the herbal formula might greatly enhance the pharmaceutical effects by getting more extractable active ingredients in the final decoction.

Jade Windscreen helps during cold season. The best time to take it is when you feel those initial symptoms of a cold coming on. An alternative to boiling or taking a tablet form of Yu Ping Feng San is our Immunity Support, which uses a Jade Windscreen blend with the addition of natural pear, ginger spice, and rosemary flavors.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, mitigate or cure any disease or symptom.These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.