Atsáli Biomedical & TCM Details

Allergy Relief | Atsali™ contains herbs that influence the allergy and asthmatic response in clinical and laboratory studies, and have strong immune enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Additionally, many herbs have numerous anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity, supporting its use in alleviating minor colds or flu symptoms

Allergies and asthma are both mediated by allergic responses and inflammation in the respiratory system. Many herbs in Allergy Relief have reduce overall inflammation, with distinct action on bronchial inflammation. (1, 2, 3, 4) Nettle, echinacea, magnolia flower, and cordyceps have activities directly related to the allergic response. Nettle has inhibitory effects on cells and pathways involved in allergic rhinitis. (5) One clinical study found freeze-dried nettle effective in relieving allergy symptoms with almost half of the patients finding it equally or more effective than their allergy medicine. (6) An animal study showed nettle decreased eosinophil cell infiltration and inflammation (markers for asthma). (7) 

Echinacea and magnolia flower both have anti-histamine activities by way of mast cell modulation. A clinical trial of 148 asthmatic patients showed a beneficial effect in symptom control, quality of life and sleep interruption when magnolia flower was taken along with their inhaled corticosteroids.(8) In an animal model of asthma, Echinacea showed a decrease in airway resistance and histamine levels. (9) Magnolia flower has been shown to modulate allergic reactions and mast cell degranulation (release of histamines). (10, 11) In a random controlled trial of 120 patients, cordyceps significantly improved AQLQ (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) scores, lung function measures and decreased inflammation in asthma patients. (12) In animal studies, cordyceps demonstrated the ability to reduce allergic nasal symptoms, IgE levels, and airway responsiveness (airway sensitivity). (13) Peony tree root has been shown to down-regulate eosinophil (white blood cells involved is allergic and asthmatic reactions) migration into the respiratory system. (14) Reishi has been demonstrated to modulate allergic asthma symptoms via its strong anti-inflammatory and immune modulating activities. (15) 

Herbs in Allergy Relief have positive impacts on the immune system. Cordyceps has many anti-inflammatory and immune regulating properties and has been shown to improve immune function in many animal studies. (16, 17) Reishi has been shown to enhance both the adaptive and innate immune responses. (18)

Cordyceps and reishi has vast anti-microbial functions, with activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites. (18, 19) Elderberry has been shown in many studies to have strong anti-microbial effects against many bacteria and viruses, with most research involving activities against influenza viruses, types A and B).(18,19, 20, 21)

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine view:

Ling Zhi (Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum)is slightly warm, enters the HT, LIV, LU, channels; tonifies Heart Qi, nourishes Heart Blood and calms the Spirit, tonifies Lung Qi, transforms Phlegm to stop cough and wheezing, tonifies Qi and nourishes Blood.

Xun Ma (Stinging Nettle Leaf, Urtica dioica)enters the LU, LIV, and KI channels; tonifies the lung and skin, purifies and tonifies Blood, Kidney and Liver Yin, transforms Phlegm, and stops bleeding.

Mu Dan Pi (Peony Tree Root Cortex, Cortex radicis moutan)is slightly cold and enters the HT, LIV, and KI channels; clears excess and deficiency Heat, cools and invigorates Blood, clears Liver Fire, drains pus and reduces swelling.

Zi Zhu Hua (Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea)enters the LU and SP channels; purifies Blood, clears toxins, disperses Wind-Heat and releases the Exterior, benefits the stomach.

Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower, Magnoliae lilliflorae)is slightly warm and enters the LU and ST channels; expels Wind-Cold and unblocks the nasal passages.

Jie Gu Mu (Elderflower, Sambucus nigra)enters the LU, KI and BL channels; releases the Exterior, clears Heat, dries Damp, tonifies Lung, expels Phlegm, and eliminates toxins.

Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps Mushroom, Cordyceps sinensis)is slightly warm, enters the LU and KI channels; tonifies the Kidney, strengthens Yang, augments Jing, nourishes Lung Yin, transform Phlegm, and stops bleeding.

Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Bark, Ramulus cinnamomi cassiae)is warm and enters the HT, LU, and BL channels; releases the Exterior, assists Yang, adjusts the Ying and Wei, releases the muscle layer, warms the channels and collaterals, unblocks Yang, transforms Qi, thins mucus, supplements the Heart Yang, warms the Yang Qi in the chest, warms and moves Qi and Blood, warms the middle and directs turbid Yin downward.

Jie Gu Mu (Elderberry, Sambucus nigra) enters the LU, KI and BL channels; releases the Exterior, clears heat, dries damp, tonifies Lung, expels phlegm, and promotes lactation. 

References: 

  1. Halpern, G. 1999. Cordyceps, China’s Healing Mushroom. New York, NY:Avery Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-0895298119.
  2. Zemmouri, H., Sekiou, O., Ammar, S., El Feki A., Bouaziz, M., Messarah, M., Boumendiel, A. 2017. Urtica dioica attenuates ovalbumin-induced inflammation and lipid peroxidation of lung tissues in rat asthma model. Pharm Biol. (1):1561-1568. https://doi.org/ 0.1080/13880209.2017.1310905.
  3. Fu, P., Yang, C., Tsai, T., Hsieh C. 2012. Moutan cortex radicis improves lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats through anti-inflammation. Phytomedicine. (13):1206-15. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.phymed.2012.07.013. 
  4. Ho, G., Wangensteen, H., Barsett, H. 2017. Elderberry and Elderflower Extracts, Phenolic Compounds, and Metabolites and Their Effect on Complement, RAW 264.7 Macrophages and Dendritic Cells. Int J Mol Sci. (3). https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ijms18030584.
  5. Roschek, B. Jr., Fink, R., McMichael M., Alberte R. 2009. Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. (7):920-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2763.
  6. Thornhill, S., Kelly, A. 2000. Natural Treatment of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis. Alternative Medicine Review. (5,5):448-454. http://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/5/5/448.pdf.
  7. Zemmouri, H., Sekiou, O., Ammar, S., El Feki. A,, Bouaziz, M., Messarah, M., Boumendjel, A. 2017. Urtica dioica attenuates ovalbumin-induced inflammation and lipid peroxidation of lung tissues in rat asthma model. Pharm Biol. Dec;55(1):1561-1568. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1310905.
  8. Park, C.S., Kim, T.B., Lee, J.Y., Park, J.Y., Lee, Y.C., Jeong, S.S., Lee, Y.D., Cho, Y.S., Moon, H.B. 2012. Effects of add-on therapy with NDC-052, an extract from Magnoliae Flos, in adult asthmatic patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids. Korean J Intern Med. Mar;27(1):84-90. doi: 10.3904/kjim.2012.27.1.84.
  9. Šutovská, M., Capek, P., Kazimierová, I., Pappová, L., Jošková, M., Matulová, M., Fraňová, S., Pawlaczyk, I., Gancarz, R. 2015. Echinacea complex--chemical view and anti-asthmatic profile. J Ethnopharmacol. Dec 4;175:163-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.007. 
  10. Shen, Y., Pang E., Xue C,. Zhao Z., Lin, J., Li, C. 2008. Inhibitions of mast cell-derived histamine release by different Flos Magnoliae species in rat peritoneal mast cells. Phytomedicine. 2008 (10):808-14. https://doi.org/0.1016/j.phymed.2008.04.012.
  11. Ma, P., Che, D., Zhao, T., Zhang, Y., Li, C., An, H., Zhang, T., He, H. 2019. Magnolin inhibits IgE/Ag-induced allergy in vivo and in vitro. Int Immunopharmacol. Nov;76:105867. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105867.
  12. Wang, N., Li, J., Huang, X., Chen, W., Chen, Y. 2016. Herbal Medicine Cordyceps sinensis Improves Health-Related Quality of Life in Moderate-to-Severe Asthma. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:6134593. doi: 10.1155/2016/6134593. 
  13. Chen, J., Chan, W.M., Leung, H.Y., Leong, P.K., Yan, C.T.M., Ko, K.M. 2020. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Culture Extract (Cs-4) on Rodent Models of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. Molecules. 2020 Sep 4;25(18):4051. doi: 10.3390/molecules25184051.
  14. Kim, J., Lee, H., Lee, Y., Oh, B.G., Cho, C., Kim, Y., Shin, M., Hong, M., Jung, S.K., Bae, H. 2007. Inhibition effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis on secretion of eotaxin in A549 human epithelial cells and eosinophil migration. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Nov 1;114(2):186-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.07.038. 
  15. Li ,Y., Li, M., Wang, R., Wang, B., Athari, S.S., Wang, J. 2022. Ganoderma modulates allergic asthma pathologic features via anti-inflammatory effects. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2022 May;299:103843. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2022.103843.
  16. Yamaguchi, N., Yoshida, J., Ren, L Chen, H., Miyazawai, Y., Fuji, Y., Huang, S., Takamura, S., Suzuki, S., Koshimura, S., Zeng, F. 1990. Augmentation of various immune reactivities of tumor-bearing hosts with an extract of Cordyceps sinensis. Biotherapy. (2):199-205. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f1a2/3f338cb07eb2b573315a9ee0da220e2a5832.pdf.
  17. Liu, J.Y., Feng, C.P., Li, X., Chang, M.C., Meng, J.L., Xu, L.J. 2016. Immunomodulatory and antioxidative activity of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides in mice. Int J Biol Macromol. 2016 May;86:594-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.02.009. 
  18. Benzie, I.F.F., Wachtel-Galor, S., editors. 2011. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton, FL:CRC Press/Taylor & Frances. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92756/.
  19. Tuberoso, C., ed. 2012. Berries: Properties, Consumption and Nutrition. City. Nova Science Publishers. Hauppauge, NY. ISBN-13: 978-1614702573 
  20. Krawitz, C., Mraheil, M., Stein, M., Imiralioglu, C., Domann E., Pleschka, S., Hain, T. 2011. Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. BMC Complement Altern. Med. (11):16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-16.
  21. Roschek, B. Jr., Fink, R., McMichael M., Alberte R. 2009. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry. (10): 1255-61. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.06.003.