Medicinal Tea For Immunity Support

WINDBREAKER MEDICINAL TEA FOR ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND IMMUNE SUPPORT

Yi Guan Acupuncture and Chinese Herbalism is proud to offer our own line of herbal medicinal teas designed to taste good and be good for you. Today we’d like to present Windbreaker, a tea with many uses around boosting immunity and regulating inflammation.

CLASSIC FORMULA

This tea is the classic preparation of the Chinese formula Yu Ping Feng San, which translates to Jade Wind Screen powder. The herbal actions include augmenting qi, stabilizes the exterior, and stopping sweating. In other words, it boosts the immune system, for active issues or preventatively. In Chinese medicine, wind refers to things that come and go, or carried into the the body from outside. In modern terms would include but is not limited to allergies and other upper respiratory tract infections. “Guarding against wind” is how the formula got its name. The chief herb is huang qi, also known as astragalus root, and has a high reputation in the modern West with adaptogenic, anti-oxidant, antiviral, anticoagulant, and hormone balancing properties. One of its deputy herbs, bai zhu, or atracylodes root, is also a known adaptogen, substances good for harmonizing the body in response to physical and emotional stress. The third herb in this blend is fang feng, or saposhnikovia root,has many compounds that exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antitumor, and immunoregulatory activities.

WESTERN PHARMACOLOGY

Though in use for centuries, Chinese herbal formulas are relatively new to Western pharmacologic study. This particular formula, however, due to its prior fame and wide effective use, has already been the focus of many studies. Several randomized controlled studies and subsequent meta-analyses have been conducted that demonstrate the formula’s effectiveness for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma symptoms. Other studies demonstrate the proposed mechanisms of action. One study showed that the formula reduces cytokine expression and thereby decreases inflammation in the airway in cases of allergic asthma. Another study demonstrated its use in atopic dermatitis by repairing tight junctions defects of epithelial cells. Other studies show that the formula increases glutathione transferase enzymes, which aside from allergy symptoms has even found use as a chemotherapy adjuvant.

GUARD AGAINST WIND

Similar to use as elderberry juice this is a good adjunct for any kind of immunity boost or support, and beyond. If you’re prone to catch cold’s very often, known as external wind invasion in Chinese medical terms, then his is the tea for you. If year after year your allergies overwhelm you, this tea can help guard against symptoms, especially combined with our Northwest Passage tea for nasal decongestion. As per the classical preparation instructions, the astragulus root has been fried in honey before preparation into the tea and increases the tonifying properties of the herb. This makes for a sweet, nurturing tea, which is suitable for longer term use. As with all of our teas, it is sold as a finely ground powder, and not as loose tea leaves or coarsely ground leaves. This caffeine-free tea is not steeped in a tea bag and later removed, like jasmine tea. But it is dissolved in the water and ingested with the beverage, similar to matcha tea. Add 3 grams of the powder (or 1-2 teaspoons) to a cup of warm water and enjoy!

Article Sources:

Potential effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine Yu ping feng san for adult allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, BMC Complement Altern Med . 2017 Nov 6;17(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29110710/

Jia-Wei-Yu-Ping-Feng-San Attenuates Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell-Mediated Airway Inflammation in Allergic Asthma ,Front Pharmacol . 2021 Jul 9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34305612/

Yu-Ping-Feng-San ameliorates recurrent allergic inflammation of atopic dermatitis by repairing tight junction defects of the epithelial barrier, Phytomedicine . 2019 Feb 15;54:214-223. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30668371/

The Mechanisms of Yu Ping Feng San in Tracking the Cisplatin-Resistance by Regulating ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter and Glutathione S-Transferase in Lung Cancer Cells, Front Pharmacol . 2021 May 28;12:678126. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34135758/

A Chinese Prescription Yu-Ping-Feng-San Administered in Remission Restores Bronchial Epithelial Barrier to Inhibit House Dust Mite-Induced Asthma Recurrence, Front Pharmacol . 2020 Jan 31;10:1698. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32076408/

Yu Ping Feng San Exert Anti-Angiogenesis Effects through the Inhibition of TSLP-STAT3 Signaling Pathways in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med . 2019 Oct 23;2019: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31885639/

Chinese medicine Yu-Ping-Feng-San attenuates allergic inflammation by regulating epithelial derived pro-allergic cytokines, Chin J Nat Med . 2019 Jul;17(7):525-534. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31514984/

Elderberry: Benefits and Dangers, healthline, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/elderberry