Natural antivirals

If the swine flue does get bad here is a great article on natural antivirals that work specifically on swine flu

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



I was surprised to find out that certain Holistic drugs that I would usually take during a sickness will make it WORSE like Echinacea

here is part of the article incase the link fails to work


"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."

Swine Flu

www.brainpop.com is showing a free movie for kids to understand the swine flu you can click on it above. We LOVE brain pop my son is always asking to watch videos, if you like this movie check out thier website. I'm glad we found out about it on one of our Home School boards.

Cereal box house

So I got this idea from my Daughters EARLY INTERVENTION therapist, she said that they had all the kids bring a cearl box into the daycare center and they built a cereal fort. I never saw it since we did home therapy but thought it was cool so I started saving and had my wonderful MIL save boxes as well, she also had some co workers donate boxes to us too! Thank you to all who help save boxes!It's not what I envisioned but here it is! It was actually very hard to make do to all the different size boxes we had but it is what it is. Don't mind the priority tape and 3 priority boxes (blush).

We are saving boxes again to build a bigger better house my husband is convinced he can make a 2 story castle that the kids can actually walk in so we will see I'll post pics if we ever get enough boxes. We have already been saving for 6 months and don't have nearly enough.

Spring is here!

It was very warm this week and the kids and I( spent a lot of time outside instead of doing school work. School works is for the bad weather days! Anyway we were excited to see Springtime's first flowers appear. We found beautiful yellow Daffodils growing in our neighbors yard after I threw a football over the fence on accident, whoops! So I let the kids pick a few (the house is vacant so I didn't think anyone would mind)Its a shame really it looks like it was once a beautiful flower garden too! There is a busted up bird bath, empty bird feeders and beautiful terraced stone workings to lay out flowers. Maybe it will be restored someday by new renters, or owners. Anyway back to the beautiful Spring day my son also found one purple flower, I'm not sure what it is but we picked that as well. Then we went in the house and put out beautiful Spring flowers in a vase with some water. I decided it would be a perfect time for the kids to paint some still life pictures of them so I can add some sunshine to our Homeschool room. My 2 yr old did really well when I explained how to paint them, I did help her though a little. I LOVE them and the look sooooooooo pretty on my walls.

Leprechaun traps

Here are the Leprechaun traps we made,the kids had a blast making them we set them up near the back door.

The one on the left was an old peanut container with yellow tissue paper over the top so the leprechaun would fall in when he tried to reach the rainbow.

The one on the right was a shoe box that had a hole in it with tissue paper covering it in hopes that he would fall in.

We found the traps knocked over in the morning with a few dollars scattered about but we were unable to catch a tricky lil' leprechaun.

Better luck next year!

Bird Craft

The 2 yr old starting her birds..... hers are all pink.My 8 yr olds are the multi color ones with the crazy eyes lol! Gotta love creativity

So here are the birds that we made the other day- I think they are soooooooo cute. Since then we have made nest for them, and eggs for thier nest and hung them on the wall.

A day in the life of....

I woke up at 7 am to a happy smiling baby . We played on the bed for 20 min then we got up. I changed him and got his breakfast ready as well as set out breakfast for my 2 other sleeping children. I put the baby in the living room where Papa bird is and set him with his cereal and sippy cup. Then I went back to take a nap.

8:30 all the kids and Papa bird coming running in to the bedroom and jump on the bed to wake me up. I climb out of bed after playing with them all for a bit then get dressed, dress baby, dress 2 yr old and send 8 year old to do his spelling worksheet.

9:00 I put baby down for his morning nap, start some laundry, turn on computer to look up the new recipe I’m making today its sesame chicken http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/chicken-crock-pot-recipes/sesame-seed-chicken.htm in the crockpot my 2 yr old helps me mix and measure everything all the while tasting everything J my 8 yr old is now practicing his math, vocab and spelling on www.freerice.com this is an awesome site that even adults can play to help increase skills and earn food for the hungry. My 8 yr old plays everyday and earns 1000-2000 grains of rice.

9:30 The 2 yr old is drawing on the board and I sit down at the table with 8 yr old to do his Language lesson. Snack time Snikerdoodles and OJ

10;00 We made a bird craft I cut out bird shapes out of cardboard then the kids glued feathers legs and eyes on them, they had lots of fun making them this is bird week for us as we are gearing up for our zoo class on birds this Thursday. Baby woke up around 10:30

11:00 we ate lunch- pizza applesauce and milk.

11:30 I sent the 2 older kids outside to play while the baby and I fold laundry and put the diapers in the dryer. Crock pot smell good. Made several emails about this Thursdays field trip to the zoo I’m hosting. …….I just need to say I HATE when people sign up then do not show or come late and interrupt the class that’s a huge pet peeve of mine, its just so very rude! Also got a few min top read and post on my fav boards http://www.mothering.com/discussions/index.php

12;00 PM played with the younger kids while the older one is still outside playing in the snow

1:00 put the younger 2 in bed for a nap, did a load of laundry, talked about art with older child then gave him his math and science, lesson walked on the treadmill for 10 min. then relaxed at my computer and played Worlds of Warcraft https://signup.worldofwarcraft.com/trial/index.html;jsessionid=D44CBDAEC58370DF8B823270330C13A6.app25_02 ( yes I am a gaming geek, so is my husband, dad and son- we all play together hee hee)

At 3:00 which is when the little ones get up from their nap and I watch Gudingl light while I folded and put away laundry. The kids have free time to do whatever or we all play together.

5:15 Dinner time Papa Bird Comes home and we eat today we tried the new recipe sesame chicken with rice and carrots I thought it was good but the kids weren’t thrilled after diner it was bath time.Then I cleaned up the kitchen , washed dishes, picked up toys and got he little ones ready for bed.

6;30 baby goes to bed 7;00 2 yr old goes to bed and 8;30 8 yr old goes to bed now I’m off to fix myself a bowl of Spumani Ice cream and play World of Warcraft for a bit before I watch Kyle XY at 9pm then head to bed

Hope you enjoyed reading my day!