Folk remedies and foods to avoid

I received this information from the Natural Solutions Foundation. Just passing on the information.

eAlert: Pandemic… Be ProActive and Take Some Steps to Feel Less Helpless
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 neurominadase. Viruses need neurominadase to reproduce. There are anecdotal stories of people taking large amounts of Vitamin C (children ½) 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)- Very effective antiviral.


Also decreases the production of the cytokine (catechins) TNF-a. Inhibits
neurominidase. 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 tranquillizer. Research suggests neurominidase,
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.
(PubMed Home) 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, fetuses, 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 curcurmin cannot be utilized 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:
PubMed Home (search using Pubmed ID number listed after each food)


Index
Natural Antivirals
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Some Herbal Remedies
Lomatium dissectum root -- A Native American remedy. A powerful herbal tincture that kills viruses by disrupting their genes (a chain terminator). When tested at NIH, it made DDI (an AIDS drug) 4000 times more potent. Dose = 2 droppersful / day.


Monolaurin -- the natural anti-microbial substance in mother's milk, made from lauric acid (a fatty acid). Patented by Ecological Formulas. Adult dose is 6 capsules / day. Safe and effective for children at lower doses based on weight.


Echinacea angustifolia root -- A native American remedy. Multiple European and American studies have shown that this herb can reduce the risk by one-half of catching a cold, and shorten the duration of a cold by 1.4 days. It should contain all 3 active compounds (polysaccharides, alkylamides and cichoric acid). Dose is 3 grams / day. Not recommended for children.


Olive Leaf Extract -- This herbal compound fights bacteria, yeast, fungus and viruses.


L-Lysine -- An amino acid that interferes with viral genes (a chain terminator). It has been shown to be extremely effective against Herpes viruses, but has some action against most other viruses.

Vitamin C -- Enhances the micro-tubules (cell skeletons) in immune cells, helping them to extend outward (pseudopods) and engulf viruses and bacteria.



Thymus Extract -- organic bovine thymus, which provides the 4 basic hormones to stimulate the immune system.



Transfer Factor Plus- A combination of 2 powerful factors: (1) Transfer factors from bovine collostrum, which stimulate the immune system to make natural killer cells. There are over 1000 scientific papers on the efficacy of transfer factor. (2) Japanese mushrooms with anti-viral properties. Together they have been shown to elevate natural killer cells 4000%. Dose 1-2 capsules / day. You can buy Transfer Factor here: Search Results:: Organic Supplements and Health Products :: Natural Solutions Store!
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