Children’s immune health

One of the immune system’s most important functions is to detect and respond to infectious organisms, thus helping us to fight off illness.

Its ability to do so develops over time, so it’s normal for children to experience mild infections like common colds more frequently than adults.

Zinc reduces the frequency of children’s colds

Zinc supports healthy immune system function and helps reduce the frequency with which children catch common colds.

In children whose diets contain insufficient zinc, taking a supplement also supports a healthy appetite.

Astragalus: supports immune system health in traditional Chinese medicine

In Chinese medicine, Astragalus is traditionally used to help improve children’s immunity. It also helps reduce the frequency with which children catch common colds, according to traditional use in Chinese medicine.

Jade Windscreen Formula

Astragalus is the ‘chief’ or ‘emperor’ herb in a centuries-old herbal combination called Jade Windscreen Formula (Yu Ping Feng San)1, which is traditionally used to support defensive qi to help reduce the frequency of common colds.

In addition to astragalus, Jade Windscreen Formula contains the herbs white atractylodes and fang feng. In Chinese medicine, white atractylodes is traditionally used to nourish the spleen, and is therefore taken to relieve children's loss of appetite.

Fang feng, which is also known as wind protector, is traditionally used in TCM to expel wind-heat from the body. (This traditional Chinese terminology describes a symptom pattern that’s associated with conditions that arise from outside the body and involve the rapid onset of symptoms, some of which are traditionally considered ‘hot’ in nature).

Oriental Botanicals Kids’ Astragalus 8 Immune Shield combines astragalus and the other herbs in Jade Windscreen Formula with zinc. This great-tasting formula is suitable for children aged 2 years and older, and has no added sugar. It’s available now at your local pharmacy.

Looking for relief for your child’s common cold symptoms?

Consider Kids' Cold & Flu Fighter, which includes echinacea traditionally used to relieve a runny or blocked nose, and elderflower to relieve a sore throat, both based on use in Western herbal medicine.

If you’re unsure whether these products are suitable for your child, please contact our Technical Support team for free, confidential advice.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

References

1. Lou, J.S. et al. Sci Rep, 2016;631926.