Let’s unpack the ingredients that make up one of our most popular products, our readywell Tincture. This immunity-boosting herbal supplement is chock-full of herbs used for centuries in Eastern medicine that have been scientifically proven to help you boost your immune system and up your energy levels.

So with further ado, let’s check out each of the carefully-chosen ingredients in readywell.

7 Immunity-Boosting Ingredients In readywell 

Astragalus | Huáng Qí

Astragalus has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM practitioners use it to treat all sorts of health issues, like the common cold, digestive problems, and kidney issues. It’s also been used as a sort of energy drink for hundreds of years.

In TCM, Astragalus has been touted for its immune-boosting benefits. More research is needed to show the exact benefits of this Chinese root, but what already exists shows that Astragalus helps to support your immune system.

As an adaptogen, Astragalus protects the body from the negative effects of stress. What does that have to do with immunity? Well, since the 2000s, researchers have been studying the link between stress and immunity. They’ve found that during periods of intense stress, our immunity levels plummet, leaving us wide open to germs, bacteria, and illness. By helping our bodies deal with stress, Astragalus does some behind-the-scenes work to keep our immune system strong.

Astragalus is also an immune-boosting superstar thanks to its ability to activate the white blood cells that defend our bodies from germs and bacteria. Studies have shown that Astragalus can help fight specific infections like Hepatitis-B and treat inflammation, too. Hopefully more research will be done soon, but all signs point to Astragalus being an ancient immunity-boosting superfood.

Atractylodes | Baizhu

It might sound like a dinosaur, but Atractylodes is actually a green, leafy plant found across Asia. In TCM, the root of Atractylodes helps ease digestive issues like loss of appetite, indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea. In TCM, Atractylodes is an ingredient of lots of Qi boosting prescriptions, but studies have shown that it’s also great for building up your immunity.

Like Astragalus, Atractylodes increases helper cells in our immune system, making it better equipped to deal with any diseases or germs. These cells are some of the most important cells in our immune systems because when your body needs an immune system response (if you get a cut, get ill, or have some unwelcome bacteria in your body, for instance), these helper cells activate pretty much every other cell in the system. That means without helper cells, your immune system would basically do nothing! So by increasing the amount of these cells, Atractylodes is a major support to your immunity.

Poria | Fu Ling

Poria is a type of medicinal mushroom that tends to grow underground. It can be dried and ground into a powder for medicinal use, and in TCM, it’s used to treat everything from anxiety to Alzheimers. Depending on which part of the mushroom is used, it has different names and properties. Fu ling refers to the white inner core which is usually shaved off into rolls. That’s what we use in readywell.

Poria contains two different substances that make it great for your health: polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Polysaccharides are a certain kind of carbohydrate that helps enhance immune function by dealing with inflammation in the body. Studies have shown that plant-based polysaccharides, like the kind found in Poria, stimulates the immune system, help your body deal with all sorts of issues, from allergies to cancer. 

The other important substance in Poria is called triterpenoids. These chemicals are strong antioxidants, so they support your immune system by destroying toxins known as free radicals, which are in cigarette smoke, UV light, and other pollutants. A review of studies found out that antioxidants also improve your immune response and can even help heal tumors!

Because of these two important ingredients, researchers are trying to figure out how to use Poria to help people with immune-disorders. In the meantime, the Chinese Food and Drug Administration has approved it as a treatment for diseases like cancer and hepatitis.

Schisandra | Wǔ Wèi Zi

Schisandra | Wǔ Wèi Zi

Known in TCM for it’s Qi-boosting properties, Schisandra (also known as the “five flavored fruit”) is a berry that’s been used medicinally across Asia and Russia for centuries. It’s filled to the brim with good-for-you nutrients and compounds. Schisandra contains all 5 flavors of food in TCM–bitter, sour, salty, pungent, and sweet.

Schisandra is a powerful superfood with a whole host of benefits. Not only is it adaptogenic (aka immune-boosting and stress-busting), but it can repair liver damage like that caused by hepatitis. It’s also anti-microbial, meaning it helps to kill disease-causing germs, and there’s evidence that it can prevent cancer. As an anti-inflammatory ingredient, Schisandra helps protect the brain against degenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons and lowers stress placed on the immune system. Thanks to all of these properties, researchers agree that Schisandra is a super effective ingredient to strengthen the immune system and make you better able to withstand sicknesses and diseases.

Reishi | Lingzhi

Reishi mushrooms are a rare fungus that grow on the base of trees. After they’re harvested, Reishi mushrooms are dried and ground up into a powder and used in Eastern medicine prescriptions to help people live long, healthy lives. It can even help kill bacteria and germs on your skin, which is why it’s found in some skincare products.

When it comes to keeping you healthy, studies have found that Reishi enhances immune system function by improving your cellular immunity. Cellular immunity is what helps your body fight off bacteria, cells that contain viruses, and even cancerous cells.

Researchers think it helps to soothe inflammation, helping to conserve your immune system’s energy for when your body is under attack from outside bacteria and viruses. But that’s not all–Reishi also boosts the production of “killer cells” that fight off infections and cancer cells. The mushroom also helps defend you against illness by encouraging the production of white bloodcells which are a major part of your immune system. When it comes to boosting immunity, Reishi is a multi-purpose ingredient.

Siler Root

In China, Siler Root is known as Fang Feng, which translates to wind-proof. That’s because it’s believed that consuming this medicinal herb would protect you from wind-borne pathogens like seasonal allergies or germs from a sneeze. TCM practitioners also use Siler Root to treat some mental disorders and constipation, but lately researchers have found that it actually can help with skin issues like eczema and hives.

Often combined with Astragalus for an immune-boosting effect, Siler Root is chock-full of antioxidants that help fight cancer and de-stress your body. Researchers have found that Siler Root also improves your immune system’s response to allergens and disease-carrying bacteria and viruses. That means it lowers the likelihood of infections while strengthening your immune system in case you do get sick.

Turkey Tail

The Turkey Tail mushroom is grown all around the world, and thanks to its multicolored banding, it looks pretty much like its namesake. It’s also one of the most helpful fungi around, thanks to its major immune boosting power.

Turkey Tail mushroom can help you stay healthy and energized in a few ways. First of all, it’s loaded up with antioxidants that support your immune system by dealing with inflammation and making more fighter cells. But that’s not all–Turkey Tails also have certain carbohydrates that basically act as a turbocharger for your immune system.

There’s even evidence that it can help cancer patients. One study found that rats treated with Turkey Tail mushroom had their tumors shrink significantly. Researchers even think it can help improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy for cancer patients.

Time For An Immunity Boost?

Feeling like your immune system could use a hand? We designed readywell to have all the ingredients you need to strengthen and support your immune system–and none of the ingredients you don’t. 

Check it out here.