Pukka Andrographis, Organic Herbal Supplement, Supports Seasonal Wellbeing, Non-GM, Vegan, Sustainably Sourced), 30 capsules

Product Information

Uncontrolled wild harvesting is threatening the medicinal plants on which the herbal medicines industry depends’. Doctors have been asked to avoid prescribing antibiotics for self-limiting illness such as respiratory infections and ensure that they are only prescribed for serious infections such as pneumonia and kidney infection. Three of the Sambucol products contain artificial sweeteners. Sambucol Immuno Forte Sugar Free Liquid contains Sorbitol. Sambucol Immuno Forte Effervescent Tablets contain Sucralose & Sorbitol. Sambucol Immuno Forte Pastilles contain Maltitol in addition to the natural sweetener, Stevia. The majority of Sambucol products are suitable for vegans with the exception of Sambucol Immuno Forte Pastilles (which contains honey), Sambucol Baby Powder and Sambucol Extra Defence Liquid (which contains Vitamin D3, derived from sheep’s wool lanolin).

Stimulates the immune system by increasing numbers of antibodies and acting as an immune modulator. There are unfortunate but understandable commercial reasons for this. “The problem is that the current business model for the pharmaceutical industry makes it very difficult to finance new antibiotics which are designed to be used as rarely as possible for as short a time as possible,” says David Partridge, research lead for the Directorate of Laboratory Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Andrographis leaf (50%)*, Acerola fruit concentrate (20%)*, Echinacea purpurea aerial part (17.5%)*, Thyme flower tops*, Ginger root*, Echinacea purpurea root extract (2.5%)*, Vegetable cellulose capsule (Hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose) * = Organic Known locally as kalmegh, meaning “dark cloud”, the Ayurveda herb andrographis is widely cultivated in southern and south-eastern Asia, with its roots and leaves used for medicine. Alma takes it as a tincture, prescribed by an Ayurvedic practitioner, whenever she feels she’s about to get a cough or a sore throat. “It is certainly bitter. I’d never put it in whisky, it would ruin a good malt. But I can swallow it in a warm honey drink or in fruit juice.”

At Pukka our values are much more than good ideas that inspire us. They are ways of working that help us be pukka in everything we do. We apply values to our work at Pukka to create energy, inspiration, better results and satisfaction for ourselves and others. With the British public spending millions of pounds every year on herbal remedies, Alma’s experience might seem less than newsworthy. What’s different about andrographis is that it could be about to become an alternative to antibiotics in UK medical general practices. Andrographis paniculata (Photo: Wikipedia Creative Commons) Research and trials When we started Pukka Herbs, we knew – well we hoped – that we were going to create something special; Tim and I were both utterly passionate about bringing plants and people together and we set off with the inspiring tailwind of Ayurveda behind us. We really wanted to be a part of the positive change that was at the heart of the organic health community and so we dived in, head first. And, wow, what a welcome we have received! With a degree in Hindi, followed by a decade of studying the traditional medicine systems of Ayurveda, Chinese and Western herbalism – as well as the organic farming experience I gained to fund my studies – my path ahead was clear: to do my best to promote the benefits of herbs and natural medicine. As well as practicing in clinic, I knew that one of the best ways to achieve this would be to set up a business that would champion herbal medicine and the healing power of plants.

It is called ayurveda because it tells us what foods, herbs and activities enhance the quality of life, and which ones don’t.’ Truth is the essence of who we are, the root from which we emanate; respect is how we relate to each other, the vine that weaves throughout everything; purity is about knowing the heart of the matter, it’s the flowering of our heart; and effort is the fruit that we reap from our inspiring and purposeful activities. Connecting people and plants Information stated regarding dietary supplements is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Proven use in treating influenza, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat and parasitic infections in the gastro-intestinal tract. We have identified these values as four ‘wisdom seeds’ drawn from ancient Asian systems of religion, philosophy and medicine that are still alive and flourishing today. In fact, these values are so important they are the foundation of the longest thriving social and medical institutions in the world; the Buddhist Sangha and Ayurvedic medicine.There is a litany of regulations with which any company selling foods, food supplements and/or herbal medicines must comply (eg Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC), Novel Foods Regulation (258.97), Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (No. 2006/1924), Human Medicinal Products Directive (2004/27/EC) and the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) (2004/24/EC). While being instinctively cautious of over- regulation, we have always respected the need for regulation to make sure that companies sell the correct species, appropriately quality controlled, labelled with safe dosage and without unsubstantiated claims. There is an evidence base to show this is also true for andrographis. In 2004, a review of the evidence on the herb by Edzard Ernst, former professor of complementary medicine at Exeter University, published in the journal Planta Medica, was positive. “It looks like a safe and efficacious treatment,” it said, “superior to placebo in alleviating the symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection” with “preliminary evidence of a preventative effect” and “few spontaneous reports of adverse events”. Has strong hepato-protective properties It increases the flow of bile through the liver helping to clear liver infection and inflammation,

You can still find many of our supplements at independent health food stores. You can find your nearest store on our store map. Sambucol can be taken daily for immune protection and dosage can be increased for additional support. Please refer to the individual product directions of use before use or as directed by your healthcare professional.Alma Tildesley hates having to take antibiotics for the frequent coughs, colds and sore throats to which she is vulnerable, but this is the downside of using steroid inhalers for the asthma that has affected her since childhood.