Immune Support Supplements
ShieldsUp! Immune Support Supplements FAQ
Linden Botanicals’ proprietary ShieldsUp! immune support supplements are designed to:
- Support healthy immune system function and immune balance
- Promote respiratory wellness and resliience
- Provide antioxidant support against oxidative stress
- Support a healthy inflammation response
- Bring together complementary botanicals for everyday and seasonal immune wellness
Each kit contains individual packets of:
- Cistus incanus (Rock Rose)
- Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra)
- Rosa rugosa (Rose Hips)
- Agarikon (Laricifomes officinalis)
- Torilis japonica (Japanese hedge parsley)
- L-lysine
Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, Agarikon, and Rosa rugosa are also sold individually. Learn more about immune support supplements below.
AGARIKON
(Laficifomes officinalis)
“The Elixir of Long Life”
Respiratory and immune support with antioxidant and immune-balancing properties.
CISTUS
(Cistus incanus)
“Rock Rose”
Polyphenol-rich botanical studied for respiratory wellness, antioxidant activity, and immune support.
PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI
(Chanca Piedra)
“The World’s Healthiest Tea”
100+ bioactives. No other plant in the world offers as many health benefits. It’s our flagship product.
“The Apothecary Rose”
Antioxidant with high levels of vitamin C. Exceptional anti-inflammation and anti-aging properties.
TORILIS JAPONICA
(Japanese Hedge Weed)
“The Dainty Shield”
Effective antiviral and antibacterial agents that support healthy inflammation and immune response.
6 Extracts in Each Kit
Harness the power of nature to support your immune system with six time-tested herbal supplements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do ShieldsUp! Kits contain?
ShieldsUp Kits contain an 8 ounce, food-safe tin, a 6 gram scoop, and 20 gram packets of L-lysine and 5 herbal extracts – Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, Rosa rugosa (Rose Hips), Agarikon mushroom (Laricifomes officinalis), and Torilis japonica (Japanese Hedge Parsley).
What Is the serving suggestion?
Pour each individual pack into the enclosed food-safe tin. Stir the mixture after each addition to blend well. Your kit includes a 3 gram scoop. Mix 1 scoop twice a day into warm water, juice, or a smoothie. (Smoothie recipes on our website.) If desired, you can also mix 1 scoop of herbal mixture with 1 teaspoon honey, add the mixture to warm water, and drink it as a tea.
You could mix Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, and Rosa rugosa as early support to discourage viruses and then add Agarikon, Torilis japonica, and L-lysine once you have been exposed to a virus.
What are immune support supplements?
Overall, your immune system does a good job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades and makes you sick. Sometimes the germ is novel, and your body has no innate immunity to it.
Our immune support supplements may assist the immune system in its day-to-day defense against disease. The right herbal supplements may be able to help your immune system function optimally. For example, Torilis japonica might contribute to the body’s natural response to outside stress like infection, illness, or injury. Rosa rugosa provides an excellent source of Vitamin C, which can contribute to the effectiveness of the body’s immune response.
The immune system is complex. Proving that an herb can support immunity is also complex. First, disregard miracle cures. Second, do the research. Start with the hundreds of resources on our site, but don’t stop there.
For example, you can find hundreds of articles on Cistus incanus and Phyllanthus niruri in respected medical journals and on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website. Read some of them. Decide for yourself if the science seems to back the immune system support a particular plant seems to offer. Then determine if that herbal supplement may prove helpful for you.
Can ShieldsUp Kits cure COVID-19 and other viruses?
No.
Many of us come across tricksters offering magic potions that will cure COVID-19. We see the pop-up ads. We see the ads in our social media feed. False promises and fake cures abound.
Viruses are scary, and tricksters love the smell of fear. They know who to prey upon. Some market capsules and tinctures. In place of science and research, some offer slick marketing pitches that persuade desperate people to part with their cash.
Many bottles of pills and herbal preparations claim to “boost immunity.” This is a problematic claim. Actually boosting the immune response to a pathogen to which the body has no natural immunity can cause a type of cytokine storm that could prove deadly. Now more than ever, it’s smart to be wary of “immune boosting” claims.
For example, extensive published scientific research exists on our two favorite herbal teas and extracts, Cistus incanus and Phyllanthus niruri. However, even that research is not definitive. While the science suggests that Cistus incanus and Phyllanthus niruri can help protect the body against infection and disease, these plants are not “immune boosting” agents.
Phyllanthus niruri is an immunomodulator that may help to quell an overactive immune response. Cistus incanus may provide immune system support by interfering with viral binding strategies. We suggest that you look for immune support, not an immune boost.
And if someone offers you a magic cure for COVID-19 or for any virus, walk away. It’s as simple as that.
So ShieldsUp! can’t prevent or treat colds, flus, COVID, or other viral infections?
No. ShieldsUp! is a dietary supplement intended to support immune and respiratory wellness. It should not be considered a treatment, cure, or proven method of preventing COVID-19, influenza, the common cold, or another viral infection.
Several ShieldsUp! ingredients have produced interesting findings in laboratory, animal, or limited human research. For example, Cistus polyphenols have been studied for antiviral activity in laboratory models, and clinical studies involving specific Cistus preparations have investigated upper-respiratory symptoms. Agarikon, Phyllanthus, and Torilis japonica also have emerging laboratory research involving immune or antimicrobial activity.
Those findings help explain why these botanicals are scientifically interesting, but they do not demonstrate that ShieldsUp! prevents or treats viral disease in people. We believe the better goal is to support a healthy, appropriately regulated immune system while continuing to use established preventive measures and appropriate medical care.
Why do kits include several immune support supplements instead of just one?
The immune system is extraordinarily complex. Healthy immune function involves physical barriers, innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammatory signaling, antioxidant defenses, respiratory health, nutrition, and the body’s ability to regulate its response appropriately.
That’s why ShieldsUp! combines ingredients with different traditional uses and areas of scientific interest. Cistus is rich in polyphenols and has been studied for respiratory and immune support. Phyllanthus is being investigated for immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity. Rosa rugosa provides vitamin C and polyphenols. Agarikon has a long history of traditional use for respiratory and immune wellness. Torilis japonica contains compounds being investigated for antimicrobial and inflammation-modulating properties. L-lysine is an essential amino acid with important roles throughout the body and a history of research involving herpes simplex.
Rather than expecting one ingredient to do everything, ShieldsUp! provides multiple forms of complementary support.
Why are the 6 immune support supplements packaged separately?
The 6 extracts are in separate packs so you can choose how best to support your immune system health. If you have a known allergy, a previous adverse reaction, or a health condition that suggests you should not use one or more of these extracts, customize your usage accordingly.
Can I take ShieldsUp! every day?
ShieldsUp! is designed to provide broad botanical support for immune health, respiratory wellness, antioxidant defenses, and a balanced immune response. Its six ingredients, Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, Rosa rugosa, Agarikon, Torilis japonica, and L-lysine, bring different but complementary properties to an immune-support routine.
The ingredients are packaged separately, giving you flexibility in how you use them. That also makes it easier to leave out an ingredient if it isn’t appropriate for you. People taking prescription medications, managing a medical condition, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with an appropriate healthcare professional before making ShieldsUp! part of a regular routine.
Should I take ShieldsUp! only when I feel like I’m getting sick?
Not necessarily. Immune health isn’t only relevant after you begin feeling unwell. Your immune system is active every day, constantly responding to microorganisms, environmental exposures, damaged cells, and signals from throughout the body.
ShieldsUp! brings together botanicals and nutrients associated with immune balance, respiratory wellness, antioxidant defenses, and overall resilience. Some people may choose to incorporate immune-supporting botanicals into an ongoing wellness routine, while others may be particularly interested in additional support during travel, seasonal changes, periods of stress, or times when respiratory illnesses are circulating.
ShieldsUp! should not be considered a substitute for vaccination, appropriate hygiene, adequate sleep, good nutrition, or medical care when you are ill.
How did you choose the six immune support supplements in ShieldsUp! Kits?
Recent scientific studies suggest that Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, Rosa rugosa, Agarikon (Laricifomes officinalis), and Torilis japonica are among the most promising immune support supplements in the world. These five herbal extracts that have the potential to optimize immune system health and overall wellness.
We sell four of these immune support supplements individually in our online store. In addition, our ShieldsUp! Immune Health Support Kits contain all six of these extracts.
Can you tell me more about Cistus incanus extract?
Cistus incanus, commonly known as Rock Rose, is a Mediterranean botanical exceptionally rich in polyphenols. These plant compounds provide antioxidant activity and have attracted scientific interest for their potential interactions with microorganisms and the immune system.
Laboratory research has investigated Cistus extracts for antiviral, antibacterial, and biofilm-related activity. Cistus also stands apart from many immune-support herbs because specific preparations have been studied in people with upper-respiratory infections, with research reporting improvements in symptom scores.
These findings make Cistus an especially interesting botanical for immune and respiratory wellness, but they do not establish Cistus as a treatment or preventive therapy for influenza, COVID-19, or other viral diseases.
Within ShieldsUp!, Cistus contributes polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and respiratory and immune support.
Can you tell me more about Phyllanthus niruri extract?
Phyllanthus niruri, commonly known as Chanca Piedra, contains an unusually diverse collection of naturally occurring phytochemicals, including lignans, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, and other phenolic compounds. It has a long history of traditional use across several cultures and is the botanical that helped inspire Linden Botanicals.
Modern laboratory and preclinical research has explored Phyllanthus and its compounds for antioxidant, inflammation-modulating, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity. These findings are scientifically interesting, but they should not be interpreted as evidence that taking Phyllanthus prevents or treats viral or bacterial infections in people.
Within ShieldsUp!, Phyllanthus contributes broad antioxidant and immune-balance support while complementing the other botanicals in the kit.
Phyllanthus niruri is the reason we started the company. Read the Phyllanthus niruri FAQ.
How does Rosa rugosa support immune health?
Rosa rugosa provides vitamin C along with polyphenols, flavonoids, and other naturally occurring antioxidant compounds. Vitamin C contributes to normal immune function, while the plant’s broader phytochemical profile makes Rosa rugosa particularly interesting for antioxidant protection and healthy inflammatory balance.
Oxidative stress and immune signaling are closely connected, which gives antioxidant-rich botanicals a useful supporting role in overall immune wellness. Rosa rugosa also has a long history of traditional use and is being studied for additional antimicrobial and inflammation-modulating properties.
Within ShieldsUp!, Rosa rugosa contributes nutritional, antioxidant, and immune-supportive properties rather than functioning as an antiviral treatment.
How does Agarikon support immune and respiratory health?
Agarikon (Laricifomes officinalis) is a distinctive medicinal mushroom with a long history of traditional use, particularly for respiratory wellness. Modern laboratory research has investigated Agarikon extracts and their compounds for immune-modulating, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity.
This emerging research helps provide scientific context for Agarikon’s traditional reputation, but human clinical evidence remains limited. Laboratory findings showing activity against microorganisms should not be interpreted as proof that Agarikon prevents or treats infections in people.
Within ShieldsUp!, Agarikon contributes traditional respiratory support along with emerging immune-modulating and antioxidant properties.
How does Torilis japonica support immune health?
Torilis japonica, also known as Japanese Hedge Parsley, has a history of traditional use in East Asia. Researchers have identified a number of bioactive compounds in the plant and have investigated extracts and individual constituents for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and inflammation-modulating activity.
Laboratory research is particularly interesting, but it is important to distinguish activity observed in experimental models from demonstrated effects in people. At this time, Torilis japonica is better described as a promising botanical for immune and inflammatory-balance research than as a proven antiviral or antibacterial treatment.
Within ShieldsUp!, Torilis japonica provides complementary botanical support for immune balance and antioxidant defenses.
Read more about Torilis japonica.
Why is L-lysine included in ShieldsUp?
L-lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning the body needs it but cannot produce it on its own. It plays important roles in protein synthesis and numerous normal physiological processes.
L-lysine has also attracted particular interest for its relationship with herpes simplex virus (HSV). Laboratory research has examined the relationship between lysine and arginine in viral replication, while human studies have investigated whether supplemental lysine may influence the recurrence or severity of cold sores and other recurrent HSV infections. Results have been mixed, and researchers have not established L-lysine as a broad-spectrum antiviral treatment.
Within ShieldsUp!, L-lysine complements the five botanical extracts as a nutritional component of a broader immune-wellness formulation. It should not be considered a treatment or preventive therapy for viral infections.
Do the immune support supplements in ShieldsUp! Kits have caffeine?
No.
Do you also sell the ShieldsUp! immune support supplements individually?
Yes! You can purchase Cistus incanus, Phyllanthus niruri, Rosa rugosa, and Agarikon individually in our online store.