Viral infections
Viruses are very strange. They are incredibly small-so tiny that while
ordinary microscopes can see the body's cells and the bacteria that
may infect them, you need much more powerful electron microscopes to see
virus particles.
Antibiotics are generally useless against viruses; they work most actively
against bacteria. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, mainstream
medicine has come up with dozens of antibiotics. But today we still have only a
handful of antiviral drugs, among them acyclovir for herpes, AZT for
AIDS and
interferon, the body's own virus fighter.
Supplements and herbs
The good news is that several herbs used in traditional herbal medicine have
scientifically documented antiviral effects.
- Echinacea (Echinacea, various
species). This is by far the most popular antiviral herb, and for good reason.
Echinacea fights viruses in two ways. It contains three compounds with specific
antiviral activity - caffeic acid,
chicoric acid and echinacin. Root extracts of
Echinacea have also been shown to act like
interferon, the body's own antiviral compound. In
addition, Echinacea is an immune stimulant that
helps the body defend itself against viral infection
more effectively.
Herbalists are quick to tout Echinacea as
an immune booster, but the fact is, scientists
still don't fully understand how it stimulates the
immune system. Some suggest that it increases
the body's levels of a compound known as
properdin, which activates the specific part of the
immune system, called the complementary
pathway, that is responsible for sending disease-fighting white blood cells into infected
areas to battle viruses and bacteria.
Other researchers maintain that other
compounds in the herb, lipophilic amides and polar
caffeic acid derivatives, are at the root of its immuno-stimulant activity. One
compound, chicoric acid, inhibits integrase, an enzyme that's important in
viral reproduction.
Commission E, the German expert committee that judges the value of
herbal medicines for the German government, has approved Echinacea for
treatment of influenza-like symptoms. That constitutes a significant scientific
endorsement of this herb, which is native to America.
- Astragalus (Astragalus, various species). Also known as huang qi,
this is an immune-boosting herb from China. In one small Chinese study, ten
people whose heart muscles were infected by Coxsackie B virus, which causes the
heart inflammation known as myocarditis, received injections of astragalus
extract for three to four months. The activity of their natural killer cells, a
component of the immune system, rose 11 to 45 percent. They also showed increased
levels of alpha- and gamma-interferon, the body's own antiviral compounds. Not
surprisingly, their symptoms improved. European studies suggest that, as with
Echinacea, many of the immune-stimulating compounds in astragalus are active
when taken orally.
- Dragon's blood (Croton lechleri). This herb is also known as
sangregrado or sangre de drago. Several
compounds in it, among them dimethylcedrusine and taspine, have antiviral and
wound-healing properties that may be especially useful against the viral sores
caused by herpes. The natural mixture of all three compounds heals wounds four
times faster than the individual compounds alone.
- Garlic (Allium sativum). In addition to its well-known antibacterial
action, garlic is also antiviral. Several of the
sulfur compounds in garlic are
active against the flu virus, according to Heinrich P. Koch, Ph.D., professor of
pharmaceutical chemistry and biopharmaceutics at the University of Vienna, and
Lauy D. Lawson, Ph.D., a research scientist at an herb company in Utah.
Some physicians who use herbs recommend taking two garlic capsules a
day to treat colds, flu and other viral infections.
The other food to favor is onion, a close relative of garlic, which has
similar though less potent antiviral action.
- Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Like
Echinacea, goldenseal is
an immune stimulant, thanks to the berberine it contains.
- Juniper (Juniperus, various species). Even among herbalists, it's
not widely known that juniper contains a potent antiviral compound
(deoxypodophyllotoxin). Juniper extracts appear to inhibit a number of different
viruses, including those that cause flu and herpes.
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Also known as melissa, this herb
is highly recommended as an antiviral, especially against herpes. It makes a very pleasant tea.
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Among its many other medicinal
uses, licorice is active against many types of viral infections. One of its eight
active antiviral compounds, glycyrrhizin, inhibits a number of processes involved
in virus replication, among them penetration of the body's cells and replication of
viral genetic material.
You could try a tea made by adding a few teaspoons of chopped dried root
per cup of boiling water; steep for about ten minutes.
- Shiitake (Lentinus edodes). This tasty Asian mushroom contains a
compound called lentinan that has antiviral, immune-stimulating and anti-tumor
properties, according to a report published in the Lawrence Review of Natural
Products. Its antiviral action has been demonstrated in
experiments with laboratory animals. Shiitake extract helped protect mice against
viral encephalitis.
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus.) Several compounds in
eucalyptus, hyperoside, quercitrin and tannic acid, have virus-killing properties.
- Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) and honeysuckle (Lonicera
japonica).
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Good old ginger is good for more than
just motion sickness and upset stomach. It contains
ten antiviral compounds. So if you have a viral illness, you could try some ginger
tea or add ginger liberally to dishes you cook. Many of the antiviral compounds
in ginger also appear in turmeric.
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