Vitamin D3

Origin: Made by the skin when exposed to sunlight; it is also found in some foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement.

Also Known As: Cholecalciferol, Ergocalciferol-D2, Alfacalcidol

Overview: Vitamin D3 is a form of vitamin D used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency and associated diseases, including rickets. It is also used for familial hypophosphatemia, hypoparathyroidism that is causing low blood calcium, and Fanconi syndrome. It is usually taken by mouth.

Vitamin D is made in the skin following UVB light exposure. It is converted in the liver to calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) which is then converted in the kidney to calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). One of its actions is to increase the uptake of calcium by the intestines. It is found in food such as some fish, cheese, and eggs. Certain foods such as milk have cholecalciferol added to them in some countries.

Common Dosage: 100,000 iu/g

Vitamin C

Origin: Supplements or food sources like orange and red fruits and vegetables.

Also Known As: L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid

Overview: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is a vitamin that cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be acquired through diets high in fruits and vegetables or outside supplementation. Vitamin C is mostly used for preventing and treating the common cold, infections such as gum disease, acne, skin infections, stomach ulcers, helps the heart, blood vessels, and drastically helps improve the human immune system.

Common Dosage: The recommended dosage of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is 1-3 grams daily.

Magnesium

Origin: Supplements or food sources like dark chocolate, nuts & seeds, leafy greens, beans, whole grains and avocado

Overview: Magnesium oxide is a mineral supplement used to treat or prevent low levels of magnesium in the blood. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body, but it is especially vital for healthy muscles and bones. 

Common Dosage: The recommended dosage of Magnesium Oxide is 300-400mg daily.

Zinc

Origin: Supplements and food sources like meat, shellfish, nuts, seeds, beans, eggs, dairy and dark chocolate.

Overview: Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Zinc also helps wounds heal and is important for proper senses of taste and smell.

Common Dosage: The recommended dosage of Zinc is 15-40mg daily.

Echinacea Purpurea

Origin: A flowering plant native to North America

Also Known As: Coneflower, Purple coneflower, Hedgehog coneflower

Overview: Echinacea Purpurea is an herb that is used to make medicine from its leaves, flowers, and roots. Echinacea Purpurea is widely used to fight infections, especially the common cold and other upper respiratory infections. Echinacea is also used against many other infections including the flu, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, genital herpes, bloodstream infections (septicemia), gum disease, tonsillitis, streptococcus infections, syphilis, typhoid, malaria, and diphtheria.

Common Dosage: The recommended dosage for Echinacea Purpurea is 900 mg daily in healthy individuals.

Elderberry

Origin: Northern Europe.

Overview: The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They can help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. Some experts recommend elderberry to help prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms.

Licorice

Origin: Derived from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra or licorice

Also Known As: Glycyrrhiza glabra

Overview: Licorice extract is derived from the roots of the herbaceous perennial called licorice. Licorice extract contains the active ingredient glycyrrhizin which is responsible for its health benefits.  The plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a harmonizing ingredient in concoctions. In Ayurveda, it is used to treat various diseases.  In cases of food poisoning, stomach ulcers, and heartburn, licorice root extract can speed the repair of stomach lining and restore balance. This is due to the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of glycyrrhizic acid.

 It is also used as a skincare ingredient especially in skin lightening and regeneration formulations.

Common Dosage: 1 to 10 mg per day

Astragalus

Origin: Derived from the roots of the astragalus or Mongolian milkvetch.

Also Known As: Mongolian milkvetch

Overview: Astragalus is an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to boost the immune system as well as to treat conditions such as heart disease.

It is the source of a popular medicine called huang qi that the Chinese use against colds, flus and other respiratory infections.

The herb is called an adaptogen, meaning it helps protect the body from physical, mental, or emotional stress.

It is commonly available as capsules and liquid extracts. The root may also be ground into a powder, which can be brewed into teas

Suggested Uses:

• Boosting the immune system
• Potentially improving heart function
• Reducing negative side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Controlling blood sugar levels
• Improving kidney function
• Improving symptoms of chronic fatigue
• Improving symptoms of seasonal allergy

Common Dosage: There is no standard recommended dosage for Astragulus at the moment. However, supplements are usually taken in doses ranging from 9 to 30 grams per day.

Rosemary Leaf

Origin: The Mediterranean.  Dried and pulverized leaves of rosmarinus officinalis

Also Known As: Rosmarinus officinalis

Overview: Rosemary leaf powder is derived from the leaves of a woody perennial herb called rosemary. It contains a number of phytochemicals, including rosmarinic acid, camphor, caffeic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, carnosic acid, and carnosol. Rosemary was traditionally used to help alleviate muscle pain, improve memory, boost the immune and circulatory system, and promote hair growth.

Common Dosage: 750 mg

Green Tea Extract

Origin: Asian. Derived by soaking tea leaves in an alcohol solution

Also Known As: Camelia sinensis

Overview: Green Tea Extract comes from the Camellia Sinensis Plant. Green Tea Extract is used to improve mental alertness and thinking as well as being used for weight loss and to treat stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, bone loss, and solid tumor cancers. Green Tea Extract contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may improve the function of brain messengers important in Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine is thought to stimulate the nervous system, heart, and muscles by increasing the release of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.

Common Dosage: The recommended dosage for Green Tea Extract is 200mg daily in healthy individuals.

Ashwagandha

Origin: Derived from the Withania somnifera originating from the drier regions of India, Nepal, China, and Yemen.

Also Known As: Rennet, Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, Poison gooseberry, Winter cherry

Overview: Ashwagandha is a plant where the roots and berries are used to make medicine. Ashwagandha is also used as an adaptogen to help the body cope with daily stress, and as a general tonic. Ashwagandha has many uses such as treating insomnia, liver disease, arthritis, as well as anxiety. Ashwagandha is also used for fertility problems in men and women and also to increase sexual desire and drive.

Common Dosage: The recommended dosage of Ashwagandha depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions.

Bee Propolis Powder

Origin: Gathered by worker honeybees from flower pollen. It is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, wax, and other bee secretions.

Also Known As:  Bee bread, Ambrosia

Overview: Bee pollen, often called bee bread or ambrosia, are pellets of flower pollen gathered by worker honeybees. It consists of simple sugars, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. It serves as the main source of nourish for beehives. It contains up to 250 substances and due to its nutrient-dense nature, it is also gathered and used as an herbal supplement and is touted as a superfood.  Propolis and its extracts have numerous applications in treating various diseases due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimycotic, antifungal, antiulcer, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties.

Common Dosage: Currently there is no information yet on the standard dosage for bee pollen.