Yamamoto® Research Imugen® is a dietary supplement of vitamin C, zinc and Echinacea extracts.

Vitamin C and zinc contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc promotes normal cognitive functioning, while vitamin C helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.



In addition, Imugen® contains Echinacea extracts (3 different types of extracts in the form of ?kina3®) which supports the body’s natural defences and the functionality of the respiratory tract. ?kina3® is a patent consisting of the three different forms of Echinacea: Echinacea purpurea L. Moench root and aerial parts, Echinacea pallida Nutt. root and aerial parts, Echinacea angustifolia DC. root, which guarantees a much more complete and powerful phytocomplex.



With the arrival of autumn, the first unpleasant seasonal problems known as “colds” will arrive, and so many will go in search of vitamins or supplements that can prevent their onset or lessen the symptoms. In recent years, Echinacea has found great scientific renown and confirmation as a natural immunostimulant aid, while its therapeutic use dates back to the North American Indians, who used it in the external treatment of wounds and burns or for systemic use to cure coughs and colds.



Echinacea root contains polysaccharides that give the plant immunostimulant properties, activating the phagocytic action of lymphocytes and thus reinforcing the specific immune system of adults and children. The mechanism of action is therefore expressed by an increase in leukocytes, in particular polymorphonuclear granulocytes (or neutrophils) and monocyte-macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system, used by the phagocytates that “eat” pathogens.

It contains many flavonoids that confer corticosimile anti-inflammatory properties, thus helping to soothe inflammation, in the case of those disagreeable colds and other problems affecting the respiratory tract.



To date, many scientific studies have shown that it is effective in the prevention and treatment of colds and flu, hence the advice to use it for preventive purposes, as I said, in particular it reduces the chances of contracting viruses responsible for cold and flu and accelerates healing times. The effects have also been proven for children aged 1 to 5 years! Given its immunostimulatory power, its use is strongly contraindicated to those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Imugen® contains 3 different types of Echinacea extracts, in the form of Ekina3®: Echinacea purpurea LMoench root and aerial parts, Echinacea pallida Nutt. root and aerial parts, Echinacea angustifolia DC. root, which maximises the phytocomplex making it much more bioactive.



We hope that that we’re now coming to the end of the “cold” season of illnesses… there’s little we can do against bacterial strains and viruses which are becoming more diversified and widespread also due to an excessive use (abuse) of antibiotics (even when they do not serve to weaken the intestinal bacterial flora…), favoured by pollution and “adverse” climatic factors. But even this time, nature can offer an effective weapon to use in our defence.



Echinacea is well known (also thanks to widespread publicisation recently given by the media) as it is used to prevent seasonal illnesses, resulting in the abundance of sprays, syrups and capsules based on this phytoextract. However, the properties of Echinacea go far beyond that. It has the ability to strengthen the immune system, making the body more resistant in case of bacterial and viral diseases. The components of Echinacea root contain acids that have antiviral properties and also contain various flavonoids, as well as unsaturated fatty acids and essential oils and polysaccharides. It is not yet clear how this phytocomplex works, but its efficacy as an immunostimulant is widely demonstrated. This explains its presence in numerous over-the-counter products.



So not only is echinacea effective in the prevention of colds in winter, but it accelerates the healing process when the virus has already affected the body.

Echinacea always has the effect of stimulating the soporific and muciparous glands. It is essential in creating unfavourable conditions for the reproduction of the virus within the body. A greater presence of pharyngeal mucus makes it more difficult for the virus to penetrate. The presence of vitamin C and zinc partially have a preventative effect, but above all they reduce the time required to heal from unpleasant winter ailments such as the common cold.

Nutritional information