Penn Herb Wellness Guide
Childhood Diseases
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Vitamin A | High doses ofvitamin A may be used to treat measles or chicken pox, but only under a doctor's supervision |  [3 stars] Vitamin A plays a critical role in proper immune function, it has been used successfully to prevent and treat measles and to treat chicken pox. |
Quercetin | Refer to label instructions |  [1 star] Quercetin is a flavonoid that has shown particularly strong antiviral properties in the test tube. |
Selenium | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Supplementing with selenium, an antioxidant mineral, supports a healthy immune system and has been found to prevent viral infections. |
Vitamin C | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin C enhances the immune system and may protect against viral infections, including measles and chicken pox. |
Vitamin E | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Healthy immune function requires adequate amounts of vitamin E. Animal studies have shown that vitamin E increases immune cell activity and reduces virus activity. |
Zinc | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Zinc is a mineral antioxidant nutrient that the immune system requires. Supplementing with it increases immune activity in people with certain illnesses. |
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.