Genestra Citrigen (90 Vegetarian Capsules)

Echinacea and flavonoid combination
• Echinacea angustifolia is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and to help relieve sore throats
• Provides 1000 mg of Echinacea root per daily dose
• Includes 480 mg of grapefruit fruit extract (9600 mg Dried Equivalent,  standardized to 45% bioflavonoids) per daily dose
• 80 mg of green tea leaf and 40 mg of peppermint leaf per daily dose

Citrigen is a source of Echinacea angustifolia, which is traditionally used to help decrease symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and sore throats. Echinacea reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from immune cells and invading pathogens, including IL-6 and TNF-α, which contribute to symptoms of URTI.¹ Adults who consumed 100 mg of Echinacea root extract daily demonstrated significantly decreased pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels after four weeks of supplementation.² Echinacea also stimulates the phagocytic activity of immune cells and decreases the survival of bacteria.^1,3 Research demonstrates that echinacea can decrease the secretion of mucin, reducing the amount of mucous produced during infections.³ TRPV1 is a pain receptor present in sensory tissues that integrates pain and inflammatory responses.⁴ Desensitization of this receptor can block the transmission pain, and receptor agonists may therefore exert analgesic effects.⁴ In vitro research demonstrates that Echinacea angustifolia root is 10 times more effective at activating the TRPV1 receptor than capsaicin, a strong ligand for the receptor.⁴ As echinacea can activate and desensitize this receptor, it helps reduce pain associated with infections, including sore throats.⁴

REFERENCES
1. Woelkart, K, Bauer, R. Planta Med. 2007; 73(7): 615-623.
2. Hudson, JB. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. 2012; 2012: 769896.
3. Dapas, B, Dall’Acqua, S, Bulla, R, Agostinis, C, Perissutti, B, Invernizzi, S, Voinovich, D, Grassi, G. Phytomedicine. 2014; 21: 1406_1410.
4.  Birt, DF, Widrlechner, MP, LaLone, CA, Wu, L, Bae, J, Solco, AKS, Kraus, GA, Murphy, PA, Wurtele, ES, Leng, Q, Hebert, SC, Maury, WJ, Price, JP.   Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 87(2): 488S-492S.