Your Complete Guide to Plant Medicine Cold & Flu Remedies

St Francis Herb Farm

Cold and flu season is here, and we’re all on guard to protect our health. Over the last 18 months, there has been a lull in transmission of common viruses – but it looks like they’re back!

There are plenty of cold & flu over-the-counter products on the market that can help ease symptoms temporarily, but they often come with side effects like drowsiness, or dryness—and, once they’ve worn off, the symptoms rear back up.

The key to a fast recovery is to treat the symptoms PLUS address the underlying infection – so you don’t just get temporary relief – you get on the path to healing.

We’ve got you covered with potent formulas that work to nip symptoms in the bud – and target the root cause of sickness by supporting an effective immune response against colds and flu!

Protect… with Deep Immune®

Before we get to talking about specific cold & flu products, we’d be remiss if we didn’t start with the most important step… helping to prevent getting colds & flu in the first place. To this end, it’s critical to take a proactive approach, and this means daily immune support.

To ensure your immune system is in balance – and at its strongest – there’s Deep Immune ®. This daily immune tonic blends 8 carefully selected immune adaptogens, including astragalus and reishi mushroom, in just the right combination to help balance your innate immune system, so that, when illness strikes, you (and your family) are fortified.

Learn more about how to holistically Help Prevent and Minimize the Impace of Common Viruses with the S.E.E.D. Approach

React… Fight Back with Echinacea 2+

St. Francis’ echinacea formulas stand apart because they contain a unique, powerful echinacea made from 2 species.

While most echinacea products contain one species (primarily purpurea!), St. Francis’ Cold & Flu products contain both purpurea and angustifolia species– we refer to them collectively as Echinacea 2+ – for the most powerful echinacea available.

Research has shown that when these 2 species – Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea – are combined they provide greater benefits. Specifically, the alkylamides, compounds that impact the immune system, from purpurea are most able to be absorbed and used by the body when in the presence of those from angustifolia. Thus, the two species reinforce the therapeutic action of one another.

This unique combination doubles down on infection, effectively stimulating the immune system, shortening the severity and duration of the common cold & flu. What’s more, they are Canadian-grown and organic!

Read all about why two species of echinacea are more effective than one here.

The Echinacea 2+ Team

Echinacea 2+ – first line of defense for pregnant and breast-feeding women

Our Echinacea 2+ formula features the combination of these two species of echinacea only, and is recommended for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding or those who might have sensitivities to additional ingredients. For the rest of us, there is EchinaSeal ® – a formula that takes Echinacea 2+ to the next level yet!

EchinaSeal® – the #1 choice for adults at the first sign of general cold & flu symptoms

This powerful formula amplifies the benefits of Echinacea 2+ by combining it with goldenseal, a potent herb that offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. It also contains propolis, which has the added benefit of easing the pain of sore throats, plus additional anti-infective herbs.

If infection has progressed and specific symptoms have presented, you can take these following products in addition to EchinaSeal .

Respirafect® – Lung/bronchial/cough Support

Upper respiratory tract infections are extremely common during cold & flu season and tend to come with irritating lung congestion and/or dry coughing.

Respirafect® is built on the powerful Echinacea 2+ combination, with its immune-enhancing properties, PLUS it has the targeted lung-supportive herbs, usnea, mullein, and elecampane, which inflammation, and fight infection.

Respirafect® effectively addresses symptoms such as wet coughs and excess mucus that accompany lung and bronchial conditions and infections – and, for support in easing hard, dry, irritating coughs, Respiracleanse® is an effective companion to Respirafect®.

Sinafect® – nasal/sinus support

Seasonal infections can wreak havoc on the sinuses, causing inflammation, congestion, pain, and headache. Some OTCs can temporarily ease the congestion, but the discomfort returns when their effects wear off.

Sinafect® combines Echinacea 2+, along with targeted antihistamine, antibacterial, and antiviral plant medicines that synergistically treat sinus issues related to the common cold, as well as acute and chronic sinusitis – PLUS it supports the immune system in fighting infection in the sinus cavities and nasal passages.

Virafect® – Anti-viral/Flu Support

Fever, chills, body aches, general malaise, and fatigue are all sure signs that a flu-specific virus is setting in . Virafect® is specially formulated with herbs that are specifically effective for fighting back against flu viruses, delivering a potent healing punch that tackles this specific type of viral infection from all angles, to help shorten its impact and duration .

Andrographis is its principal active herbal ingredient, with a long history of medicinal use in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In Virafect®, this powerful immune-stimulating infection fighter is blended with 4 other herbal ingredients that enhance its antiviral properties.

Just for Kids

Children’s bodies have different health needs than grown-ups – and we offer a cold & flu season duo just for kids!

To protect and help strengthen kids’ immune systems daily, there’s Deep Immune® Kids – a safe and mild-tasting formula that Canadian families have relied upon for over 20 years. It’s the winner of the prestigious Alive® Gold Retailer & Consumer Choice Award. Deep Immune® Kids contains:

Astragalus, which strengthens both innate and adaptive immunity for a robust defensive system.
Codonopsis, which is immune restorative, improving resilience to fatigue and defending against frequent infection.

Echinacea 2+ Kids helps to lessen the severity and length of colds and flu in children, in a mild-tasting formula with our signature blend of antiviral and antibacterial echinacea species – suitable for toddlers and children ages two and up!

The most effective way to protect your health is with a holistic approach, and our S.E.E.D. strategy can help you to prevent and minimize the impact of common viruses. We’ve laid out everything you need to know to stay healthy and make sense of all the information out there!

Colds and flu may strike, but by taking the S.E.E.D approach, including effective, targeted plant medicine formulas, you and your family will be prepared!