The Okcitykid – A Peaceful Vet

My wife forwarded this to me and feels it is  very important information to pass on.  Normal  alternative medications like echinacea will not work and actually will make things worse if you catch the swine flu or suspect you have it.  There are however other alternative treatments that will help. So what I have hi-lighted green is good and what I hi-lighted red is bad.  Pass this on.

http://www.the-health-gazette.com/health-gazette-blog/alternative-medicine/natural-antivirals

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 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 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.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed)
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.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ (search using Pubmed ID number listed after each food)