[AlternativeAnswers] Fw: Multi-D News Natural Antivirals (elderberry is not one of them)
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Home Health Gazette Blog
Natural Antivirals
Submitted by Health Gazette on Thu, 2006-05-11 08:55.
Alternative Medicine
Regular readers know that I have no time for the nonsense
relating to imagined bird-flu pandemics. However. I regarded
the following item of sufficient novelty to be of some
interest. You may judge its merits for yourself.
Research suggests certain natural foods may be as effective
against virus H5N1 as commercial antivirals.
(PRWEB) May 10, 2006 -- A Biology teacher from Australia,
named Stephen Jones, has done extensive research into the
H5N1 virus and compiled a list of natural foods that are
effective against it and listed others that are detrimental.
The list may come as a surprise to many people since foods
such as spirulina and echinacea are listed as detrimental.
This strange occurrence is largely due to the fact that the
virus is immune to 2 cytokines that the body produces (TNF-a
and IL-6). Cytokines are compounds produced by the body s
immune system that attack and remove foreign bodies. The
problem is that when a foreign body is immune to certain
cytokines, the body sees that its immune response is not
working and tries even harder, which can lead to what is
called a cytokine storm, where the body becomes flooded with
these compounds and they eventually destroy the body itself.
Foods such as Echinacea actually stimulate the production of
these specific cytokines; hence consuming it is not a good
idea if one suspects they may have the virus.
During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy young people died
from cytokine storms due to their immune systems
overreacting. Consuming foods which suppress the production
of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 and enhance the production of
the ones that actually are effective against the virus will
aid the patient greatly.
Other foods that create mucous in the respiratory tract,
such as bananas, are also listed as detrimental due to the
fact that the predominant breeding ground of the virus is
the respiratory tract and another way in which a patient may
suffer is due to the body's over production of mucous in
this area.
Folk Medicines and Herbs to use and avoid with Bird Flu
Below is a list of foods that are said to contain
substances that are natural antivirals, immune boosters or
they decrease cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.
Alternative medications that are most likely to help us
during a severe pandemic:
Garlic (allicin) - Very effective antiviral. Best if fresh
(raw) and crushed. Must be consumed within 1 hour of
crushing. Dosage is initially 2 to 3 cloves per day but
later reduce until no body odour occurs. No toxic effects
noted. (Pubmed PMID 9049657)
Vitamin C - Boosts the immune system and is an antiviral by
blocking the enzyme neuraminadase. Viruses need
neuraminadase to reproduce. There are anecdotal stories of
people taking large amounts of Vitamin C (children )
surviving the Spanish Flu. Research shows that it may reduce
the production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. A study on 470
people involved giving the test group 1000 mg hourly for 6
hours and then 1000 mg 3 times daily after reporting flu
symptoms. Symptoms decreased by 85%. (Pubmed PMID 10543583,
634178, 16169205, 12876306)
Green Tea (possible Tamiflu/Relenza alternative)
effective antiviral. Also decreases the production of the
cytokine (catechins) TNF-a. Inhibits neuraminidase. May have
antiviral activity that is equal to other antivirals such as
Tamiflu. (Pubmed PMID 16137775)
St Johns Wort (Hypericum) - Very effective antiviral. Also
decreases the production of the cytokine IL-6. Hypericum is
an extract from St John s Wort. There have been some very
successful field trials in commercial flocks infected with
H5N1 in Vietnam. (Pubmed PMID 7857513, 11518071, 11362353,
7857513, 11518071)
Vitamin E - Immune booster. Also decreases the production
of the cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 155882360, 10929076)
Experiments involved using mice. Very suitable for immune
compromised people, especially the elderly. Effects enhanced
when taken with Vitamin C.
Apple Juice - Antiviral. Fresh apple juice including the
pulp and skin has greater antiviral activity than heated
commercial apple juice. More research is needed.
Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID 32832,
12452634)
Resveratrol - Antiviral. In addition to inhibiting
neuraminidase, Resveratrol also sends a message to cells to
stop manufacturing viruses. This is a proven antiviral found
naturally in red wine, peanuts, mulberries, Japanese
Knotwood root (richest source), raisins and red grapes.
Resveratrol supplements are relatively inexpensive, are more
stable than wine and is available in liquid form for
absorption in the mouth. No toxic effects noted. (Pubmed
PMID 1583880, 12817628, 15985724)
Scuttellaria (Skullcap) - Antiviral. A herb used as a tea.
It has no side effects and is also a mild tranquilliser.
Research suggests neuraminidase, which is a substance needed
by the H5N1 virus to reproduce, may be inhibited.
Cranberry Juice - Early research shows that it may be an
antiviral, making viruses less able to invade or multiply.
Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID15781126)
Cat s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) - Decreases the production
of the cytokine TNF-a. Also boosts immune system. The number
of white blood cells was significantly increased during
treatment. No toxicity was noted.
(http://www.ncbi.
Active constituents can be found in the leaves, bark, vine,
and roots. Water extraction from bark used. Children and
pregnant women are to avoid. Has a potentially damaging
effect on the DNA of proliferating cells. (cancers,
foetuses, growing children)
Curcumin (Tumeric Spice) - Decreases the production of the
cytokine TNF-a. This is the yellow compound in turmeric
spice. Research shows that this may be very good for
preventing a cytokine storm although this is not proven.
Must be taken with food or gastritis or peptic ulcers may
occur. Pregnant women and feeding mothers should avoid this.
The medicinal properties of curcurnin cannot be utilised
when used alone due to rapid metabolism in the liver and
intestinal wall. When combined with Piperine found in black
pepper the absorption is increased with no adverse effects.
Obtainable from health stores in tablets, liquid, capsules
already combined with piperine. Dosage is 500mg to 4000mg
daily.
Astragalus root (Astragali Radix) - Boosts immune system.
(Pubmed PMID15588652)
Tea tree Steam Inhalation - Reduces the cytokine TNF-a. Add
2 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover
head with a towel and inhale for 5 to 10 minutes. Relieves
congestion and fights infection. Its effectiveness is
unknown. (Pubmed PMID 11131302)
The following substances may be best to avoid during a H5N1
pandemic
Elderberry juice (Sambucal) - AVOID - Increases production
of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. This substance is very
effective against the common flu but may not be desirable
for the H5N1 virus. Increases in these cytokines may trigger
a lethal cytokine storm. (Isr Med Journal2002 Nov;4:944-6)
Micro Algae (Chlorella and Spirulina) - AVOID - Increases
production of cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 11731916)
Honey - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and
IL-6. (Pubmed PMID12824009)
Chocolate - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a
and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID 12885154, PMID 10917928)
Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a
and IL-6. Although it is often used for normal flu, research
shows that it may increase the chance of cytokine storms for
H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)
Kimchi - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a
and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID15630182)
Dairy products & Bananas - AVOID - These foods increase
mucous production.
References:
http://www.ncbi.
number listed after each food)
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