Swine flu- what to eat, what NOT to eat!

[maria]

I have been searching forever for this info- all that I have found so far is suggestions to wash your hands and sneeze into a tissue. The following article refers to the H5N1 bird flu, which ought to apply to the H5N1 bird/swine flu. If anyone has info on how it might not, or to confirm that it does, please post a response. Any info is appreciated!

Maria

http://www.the-health-gazette.com/healt ... antivirals

Natural Antivirals

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/quer ... &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)

[Cat of the Moonlit Wood]

Thanks for posting that! I was especially interested in the Avoid section. I had the flu a couple of months ago, and had a strong aversion to most of the stuff on that list, even though I eat them all the time normally. I couldn't touch honey for over a month, and now am loving it again. Same with some of the other stuff. Interesting! I guess it was good to listen to my body. Even though the list says those things aren't bad for regular flu, I had a strong aversion to them.

[cory su]

Great article. I have passed it along to some of my contacts.

Cory

[Susun Weed]

This is what I know about echinacea. Other herbalists certainly will differ in their beliefs.

1. Echinacea root tincture does not stimulate the immune system.

2. Echinacea root tincture increases the amount of white blood cells available to counter bacterial infections.

3. Echinacea root tincture make the white blood cells smarter and more effective.

4. Echinacea root tincture does not effect the part of the immune system that handles viruses.

5. Echinacea root tincture cannot cause a cytokine storm.

6. Echinacea root tincture is one of the best agents for reducing fevers rapidly. Many flu deaths are caused by high fevers.

7. Echinacea in capsules or pills or teas is not only ineffective but can cause side effects and even death.

8. Echinacea works best alone. I would never take it with golden seal.

9. Echinacea root tincture works best when taken in lavish doses repeatedly. A dose of 4-6 dropperfuls taken every two hours is reasonable.

10. People with auto-immune diseases improve when taking echinacea.

11. People with leukemia improve when taking echinacea.


Hope this helps throw some cold water on the rumors going around.

Green blessings.

Susun Weed

ps. I agree, don't eat kimchee, those hot peppers will do you in. I say, eat sauerkraut, it is the best way to prevent the flu and the surest way to get over it fast if you do get it.

oh, and by the way, skullcap has no immune system effect of any kind.

[Madame Sophia]

Thank you, Susun, for all this information!

I would love to get some help understanding one thing: I had thought that the fact that echinacea caused the body to produce more white blood cells meant that it acted as a "stimulant". Can someone explain this? Also, it seems that Susun is saying that echinacea would not act against a flu virus, but that it might help to reduce a fever if that is one of the symptoms. Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks,
Sophia

[Susun Weed]

dear sophia

stimulants push the organ or organism past its normal healthy limits. stimulants are critical to keeping people alive in acute situations. used to maintain health, however, stimulants erode core energy. nourishing and tonifying herbs build the functional ability of the organ and organism, thus creating true health.

the immune system has two arms, much like a see-saw. one arm deals with bacteria, the other deals with viruses. when one is active, the other is done. how could the immune system be stimulated? it is not really possible. or, if we could stimulate one half of the immune system, then we would make the other half weaker.

yes, echinacea encourages the body to make more white blood cells. but it does not stimulate, it nourishes.

green blessings.

susun

[HugsnKisses]

Excellent resource for sure. I never knew that echinacea could cause illness in a tea? Yikes I put it in a tea (weak decoction)for kids, after reading several different books specific to herbs for kids...thinking I better do a little more investigating on that before I make it, next time their sick perhaps make the rest of it and add the tincture. Thank you much : ) And good to see you in the forum for certain. God be with you.
Warmest Regards;
Deanna

[crystal woman]

Just bumping this up.

.

[sapphire kate]

That list is about the bird flu/H5N1, not swine flu/H1N1. I don't think we know enough yet to say if the information applies to both.

Also, alot of medical research on plants is not directly applicable to how humans use those plants has herbal medicine, especially in the WWT. eg one of the echinacea assertions (that it induces cytokine storms) is based on research on echinacea juice, or standardised extract. And neither of the research abstracts is about immune response to flu viruses.

[tammytoad]

n

[Baba yaga 13]

Oh my Goddess I have been knocked of my feet by what the Dr thinks is swine flu...I have been wiped out for the last 10 days, I've not seen anyone.
everyone I know is frightened of catching it.. I was glad to find the info on your site but am also aware its for bird flu and not swine flu. The worst symptoms I have at moment are a annoying painful cough and what appears to be a chest infection. Any idea's?

[drgnfly]

I'm not sure if I had swine flu or not, but I had a low grade fever for 2 weeks, and very uncomfortable chest centered sickness. Aches, fatigue, general unwellness. I felt like I was stuck in it, not getting any better, until I took elderberry elixir (I used Kiva's recipe - http://bearmedicineherbals.com/?p=66 ). I took a tsp or so every couple hours. Also, I drank hot water with lemon and lime and that seemed to help as well. And bundling up, getting rest, and staying out of those chemtrails! Get well soon!

_Dragonfly

[drgnfly]

One thing I might've tried, had the elderberry not worked, is a product I've often relied on called Clear Lungs, by Ridgecrest Herbals. It has always worked for me whenever I had a bronchitis like infection, and worked for a friend who had a serious lung infection that antibiotics wouldn't help. I don't know if this would help with the swine flu or not, but it might be worth a try if it feels right for you.

Another idea is elecampane tincture.

[mercedes]

I always have a Thyme infusion right at the beginning of a cold or chest infection. It helps a lot!

[sapphire kate]

Me too, I love thyme for lung stuff.