Artemis ViroGone Liquid

What is ViroGone Liquid?

ViroGone is a liquid tonic containing natural herbal ingredients that support a healthy immune system. The easy to use liquid formula is based on ancient herbs that were used to fight the Black Plague as far back as the middle ages, and can be used today to help your body fight infection naturally.

Why use ViroGone Liquid?

If your immune system is weakened or is not working at its best, you can be more susceptible to infection with those bacteria and viruses that cause ills and chills. ViroGone contains a range of natural herbal ingredients that support a healthy immune system and some of the herbs used in ViroGone were also used in the Middle Ages to fight the plague known as the Black Plague or Black Death. This was in the days before bacteria had been heard of, but the plague is now known to be caused by infection with the bacteria Yersinia Pestis. ViroGone liquid provides a natural broad-spectrum immune shield against infection to enable the body’s natural defences to work at their best.

What are the Key Benefits of ViroGone?

• Traditional medicinal plant formula 
• Provides natural support for a healthy immune system
• Contains herbs that are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant
• Promotes wellness by supporting the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and natural detoxification processes
• All ingredients are GE free and vegan
• Does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners
• Does not contain added colours, flavours, preservatives, gluten, wheat or dairy

What is an immunomodulator?

The immune system is the body’s natural defence against invasion by environmental pathogens, like bacteria, viruses and parasites, and is a complex process that involves many cell types that produce an array of chemical mediators like cytokines and interferon; also antibodies. The various components of the immune system work together with the aim of recognising foreign invaders from self and destroying the invader. An immunomodulator is a substance (chemical or herbal) that affects the way the immune system works either by stimulating it (immunostimulant) or suppressing it (Immunosuppressant). Several plants have been found to contain chemicals with immunomodulatory properties and they may have a role to play in fighting infection^{1, 2.}

What is an expectorant?

Thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and passages of the airways (phlegm) causes irritation and is difficult to cough up. An expectorant helps thin and loosen this phlegm, which makes it easier to cough up and clear the airways.

What are the Ingredients of ViroGone?

The herbal ingredients of Virogone oral liquid contain a natural vegetable glycerin base, which also contains ethanol.

Key Ingredients:

Angelica (Angelica archangelica):

Angelica is a flowering plant belonging to the Apiaceae family native to Scandinavia, Russia, Greenland and Iceland, and cultivated for its edible stems and medicinal properties in many other locations. For centuries Angelica has been used as a traditional medicine and was even used to fight off the plague in the middle ages. In later times it was used for intestinal infections like cholera and dysentery, as a cold and flu remedy, also for hepatitis, arthritis, indigestion, coughs, chronic bronchitis and many other ailments. Angelica has also been recognised for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-tumour, diuretic and expectorant properties^3. Extracts of Angelica contain essential oils lik pinene and limonene; also coumarins and furanocoumarins, which are natural defence chemicals produced by plants. These chemicals are thought to contribute to the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-tumour properties of the Angelica plant^{4, 5.}

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea):

Echinacea is a flowing plant belonging to the Asteraceae (Compositae) family native to North America and used as a traditional medicine by Native Americans for many ailments including toothache, upper respiratory infections and bowel pain; also to treat insect and snake bites. Clinical studies have supported some of these traditional uses for Echinacea demonstrating immunomodulatory properties as an immunostimulant, for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections^6. Animal and in vitro studies have shown that Echinacea extracts demonstrate antiviral and immunomodulatory activity and stimulate cytokine (chemical messengers involved in the immune response) and antibody production by specific cells of the immune system^{7, 8, 9.} Chemicals that contribute to the immunomodulatory activity of Echinacea extracts include alkamides, glycoproteins, polysaccharides and caffeic acid derivatives^10. Several studies have demonstrated that alkamides are involved in the immunomodulatory properties of Echinacea extracts in vitro and in vivo8, 9. Reviews of a large number of clinical studies have indicated a trend toward a beneficial effect of Echinacea in preventing and treating the common cold due to rhinovirus infections10 and suggested a decrease in the incidence and duration of the common cold^{11, 12.}

Fir Needle Oil (Picea aether):

The Fir tree is a coniferous evergreen tree belonging to the family Pinaceae that grows in northern temperate regions. Fir needle oil is a volatile oil obtained from tips of branches or twigs of various species of pine tree and was traditionally used for relaxation; also in herbal medicine, as a remedy for coughs and colds, to clear the upper respiratory tract. Studies on extracts of Fir needle oil have identified several chemicals mainly monoterpenes like pinene, limonene and borneol, which have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating (stimulates the immune system) properties^13. Fir needle oil has also been found to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties^14.

Lemon Oil (Citrus limon oleum):

Lemon oil is a volatile oil that is obtained from the peel of lemons, the fruit of the small tree belonging to the Rutaceae family that is native to India but now cultivated in many countries bordering the Mediterranean and further afield. Citrus fruits have been used for centuries as antidotes for poisons and venoms. They are rich in dietary fibre, vitamin C, phenols, and flavonoids, and their essential oil is used for insecticidal, medicinal and cosmetic applications¹⁵. Essential oils of citrus fruits contain several bioactive compounds particularly the monoterpene limonene as well as others like pinene and terpinene^{16, 17.} Animal studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties associated with limonene^16. Monoterpenes have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating (stimulates the immune system) and antinociceptive (pain blocking) properties. The ability to block the sensation of pain may explain the soothing use of lemon oil for a sore throat^13.

Olive Leaf (Olea europaea):

Olive leaf belonging to the Olive tree of the Oleaceae family is grown for its fruit (the olive) throughout the Mediterranean region and beyond. Olives are a main component of the healthy Mediterranean diet which is known for its beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Olive leaves have been used as far back as Ancient Egypt as a traditional medicine and in more recent times for its cardioprotective health benefits. Olive leaf extract contains a wide variety of pharmacological active compounds particularly the polyphenol oleuropein, which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (effective against bacteria and viruses), and lipid lowering properties. Several studies have demonstrated that Olive leaf extract has beneficial effects on promoting increased energy by thermogenesis (burning calories to produce body heat), lipid metabolism, lowering blood pressure, improved glucose homeostasis by lowering blood sugar levels and supporting the cardiovascular system^{18. 19, 20, 21.} Many of these properties are attributed to oleuropein^{15, 16.} Polyphenols have also been shown to have immunomodulatory properties by stimulating white blood cells to proliferate and produce chemicals that are involved in the immune response^{22, 23.}

Sage (Salvia officinalis):

Sage is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Labiatae/Lamiaceae family and native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions although it is now cultivated around the world. In traditional medicine, Sage was used for a wide range of ailments including, rheumatism, ulcers, heartburn and bloating and inflammation of the nose and throat. Sage tea has been traditionally used for the treatment of digestive and circulation disturbances, bronchitis, cough, asthma, angina, and mouth and throat inflammations^24. Sage contains many bioactive compounds including alkaloids, carbohydrate, fatty acids, flavonoids, coumarins saponins and terpenes amongst others, which are thought to contribute to a wide range of pharmacological properties including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial^{25, 26, 27.}

St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum):

St Mary’s Thistle is member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family that is native to Mediterranean regions but now grows ubiquitously. St Mary’s Thistle has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for diseases of the liver and biliary tract and is used to treat acute and chronic liver diseases^28. Extract of St Mary’s Thistle contains several active hepatoprotective compounds collectively known as silymarin, which is a combination composed of flavonoids and lignin structures. Animal studies have demonstrated that these compounds inhibit free radicle formation, increase glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, which contributes to its hepatoprotective activity^29. Silymarin also has anti-inflammatory activity and promotes liver cell regeneration^{28, 29.}

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):

Thyme is a flowering plant belonging to the mint family Lamiaceae and is cultivated in most European countries and grown the world over for its medicinal properties. Thyme has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times as a decongestant, for the treatment of respiratory disorders like breathing difficulty and coughing, mouth infections and intestinal problems. In contemporary herbal medicine Thyme is used for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It is a rich source of vitamins A and C, which support resistance to infection and help maintain healthy mucus membranes. The essential oils extracted from Thyme, mainly thymol, and its other bioactive components, which include monoterpenes, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoids, contribute to it many medicinal properties^{30, 31, 32.}

What are the Contraindications/Interactions of ViroGone?

There are no documented herb-drug interactions within the recommended dosage. However, you should always check the ingredients for known allergies and to ensure you do not have any allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. Stop using if you develop any irritation or allergy while taking ViroGone. Always read the label and use as directed or seek advice from your healthcare professional.

Warning:

ViroGone should be not used if you have bronchial asthma.

What are the Directions for using ViroGone?

Dosage for immediate support:

Use up to five times daily and take every 30 minutes for up to 3 hours, but do not take more than 6 does per day.

Adults 

5ml

Children

6-12 years: 2.5mls

Dosage for preventative use:

Use once daily

Adults

5ml

Children

6-12 years:  2.5mls

Special Instructions:

Shake well before use. Store out of direct sunlight and in a cool place.

Product Size

200ml

References

The following references provide scientific support for the use of this product:

1. Singh N, Tailang M and Mehta SC: A Review on Herbal Plants as Immunomodulators. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2016; 7(9): 3602-10.doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7(9).3602-10
2. Jantan I, Waqas Ahmad W, Bukhari SNA. Plant-derived immunomodulators: an insight on their preclinical evaluation and clinical trials. Front Plant Sci 2015; 6: 655.
3. Sarker SD, Nahar L. Natural medicine: the genus Angelica. Curr Med Chem. 2004 Jun;11(11):1479-500.
4. Sigurdsson S, Ogmundsdottir HM, Hallgrimsson J, Gudbjarnason S. Antitumour activity of Angelica archangelica leaf extract. In Vivo 2005;19:191-4
5. Sigurdsson S, Ogmundsdottir HM, Gudbjarnason S. The cytotoxic effect of two chemotypes of essential oils from the fruits of Angelica archangelica L. Anticancer Res. 2005;25:1877–80
6. Barnes J, Anderson LA, Gibbons S, Phillipson JD. Echinacea species (Echinacea angustifolia (DC.) Hell., Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt.,Echinaceapurpurea (L.) Moench): a review of their chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties. J Pharm Pharmacol.2005 Aug;57(8):929-54.
7. Bodinet C, Lindequist U, Teuscher E, Freudenstein J. Effect of an orally applied herbal immunomodulator on cytokine induction and antibody response in normal and immunosuppressed mice. Phytomedicine 2002, vol 9 issue 7, 606-613.
8. Manayi A, Vazirian M, Saeidnia S. Echinacea purpurea: Pharmacology, phytochemistry and analysis methods. Pharmacogn Rev 2015 Jan-Jun;9(17):63-72. 
9. Woelkart K, Bauer R. The role of alkamides as an active principle of echinacea. Planta Med. 2007 Jun;73(7):615-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17538868
10. Karsch-Völk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014 Feb 20;(2):CD000530. 
11. Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI. Evaluation of Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;7(7):473-80.
12. Ross SM. Echinaceapurpurea: A Proprietary Extract of Echinacea purpurea Is Shown to be Safe and Effective in the Prevention of the Common Cold. Holist Nurs Pract 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):54-7. 
13. de Cássia da Silveira e Sá R, Andrade LN, de Sousa DP. A Review on Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Monoterpenes. Molecules 2013, 18, 1227-1254.
14. Poaty B, et al., “Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of seven essential oils from the North American boreal forest”, World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (2015); 31(6)
15. Ariasa BA, Ramon-Lacab L. Pharmacological properties of citrus and their ancient and medieval uses in the Mediterranean region. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005; 97: 89–95.
16. Amorim JL, Simas DLR, Pinheiro MMG, Moreno DSA, Alviano CS, da Silva AJR, et al. Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Chemical Characterization of the Essential Oils of Four Citrus Species. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0153643 April 18, 2016
17. Lota ML, Serra DR, Tomi FL, Jacquemond C, Casanova J. Volatile components of peel and leaf oils of lemon and lime species. J Agric Food Chem. 2002; 50: 796–805. 
18. Palmeri R, Monteleone JI, Spagna G, Restuccia C, Raffaele M, Vanella L, Li Volti G, Barbagallo I. Olive Leaf Extract from Sicilian Cultivar Reduced Lipid Accumulation by Inducing Thermogenic Pathway during Adipogenesis. Front Pharmacol. 2016 May 31;7:143. 
19. Merola N, Castillo J, Benavente-García O, Ros G, Nieto G. The Effect of Consumption of Citrus Fruit and Olive Leaf Extract on Lipid Metabolism. Nutrients.2017 Sep 26;9(10). 
20. Wainstein J, Ganz T, Boaz M, Bar Dayan Y, Dolev E, Kerem Z, Madar Z. Olive leaf extract as a hypoglycemic agent in both human diabetic subjects and in rats. J Med Food. 2012 Jul;15(7):605-10. 
21. Barbaro B, Toietta G, Maggio R, Arciello M, Tarocchi M, Galli A, Balsano C. Effects of the Olive-Derived Polyphenol Oleuropein on Human Health 1. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15, 18508-18524
22. Rigacci S, Massimo Stefani M. Nutraceutical Properties of Olive Oil Polyphenols. An Itinerary from Cultured Cells through Animal Models to Humans. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 May 31;17(6)
23. Gorzynik-Debicka M, Przychodzen P, Cappello F, Kuban-Jankowska A, Marino Gammazza A, Knap N, Wozniak M, Gorska-Ponikowska M. Potential Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Plant Polyphenols. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Feb 28;19(3).
24. Hamidpour M, Rafi Hamidpour R, Hamidpour S, Shahlari M. Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Property of Sage (Salvia) to Prevent and Cure Illnesses such as Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Dementia, Lupus, Autism, Heart Disease, and Cancer. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2017Volume 4, Issue 2, Pages 82-88.
25. Ghorbani A, Esmaeilizadeh M. Pharmacological properties of Salvia officinalis and its components. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2017 Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages 433-440
26. Cocan I, Alexa E, Danciu C, Radulov I, Galuscan A et al. Phytochemical screening and biological activity of Lamiaceae family plant extracts. Exp Ther Med. 2018 Feb;15(2):1863-1870. 
27. Bozin, B., Mlmica-Dukic, N., Samojlik, I., Jovin, E., 2007. Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of rosemary and sage (Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) essential oils. J. Agric. Food. Chem. 55, 7879-7885. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17708648
28. Madrigal-Bujaidar E, Madrigal-BujaidarIsela E, Álvarez-González I, Sumaya-Martínez MT, José Gutiérrez-Salinas J, et al. Review of natural products with hepatoprotective effects. World J Gastroenterol 2014 October 28; 20(40): 14787-14804
29. Flora K, Hahn M, Rosen H, Benner K. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. Am J Gastroenterol.1998 Feb;93(2):139-43.
30. Reddy P, Kandisa RV, Varsha PV, Satyam S. Review on Thymus vulgaris Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Properties. Med Aromat Plants 2014, 3:3
31. Dauqan EMA, Abdullah A. Medicinal and Functional Values of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Herb. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology Vol. 5 (02), pp. 017-022, March-April, 2017 
32. Hosseinzadeh S, Kukhdan AJ, Hosseini A, Armand R. The Application of Thymus vulgaris in Traditional and Modern Medicine: A Review. Global Journal of Pharmacology 9 (3): 260-266, 2015.