CoV is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family. The CoV family consists of several species and causes upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections in mammals and birds. In humans, it mainly causes common cold, but complications including pneumonia and SARS can occur. (van der Hoek L. Human coronaviruses: What do they cause? Antivir Ther. 2007;12:651–8)
The known human CoV (HCoV) includes HCoV-229E, -OC43, -NL63, -HKU1, and the more widely known severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) which caused a global threat with high mortality in 2003. (Geller C, Varbanov M, Duval RE. Human coronaviruses: Insights into environmental resistance and its influence on the development of new antiseptic strategies. Viruses. 2012;4:3044–68).
In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated a sixth type of HCoV infection identified as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) which is associated with high fatality.
SUPPLEMENTS:
A nutrient-based method is useful to prevent or minimize symptoms for viral infection:
- VIT C 3000 mg daily, in divided doses or more till bowel tolerance is suitable.
- VIT D 2000 UI daily (Start with 5,000 IU/day for two weeks, then reduce to 2,000 mg daily
- ZINC 20 mg daily
- VIT A 50,000 IU for a short term of 3 weeks
- MAGNESIUM 500 mg daily,in citrate, malate or chelate,
- SELENIUM 100 micrograms (mcg) daily
HERBS : ANTIVIRAL HERBAL MEDICINES
SWEET WORMWOOD
Artemisia annua (Sweet wormwood) contains quinoline alkaloids, which have similarities in structure and activity to hydroxychloroquinine. They are both used to regulate the activity of an overactive immune system eg malaria.
Traditionally Sweet wormwood has been used for severe febrile acute respiratory syndromes.
BAICAL SKULLCAP
Natural inhibitors against the SARS-CoV enzymes, such as the nsP13 helicase and 3CL protease, have been identified as well and include myricetin, scutellarein.
ELDERBERRY
Sambucus nigra has long been used to reduce the length and severity of flu symptoms. Elderberry extract binds to the surface mechanism spikes on a virus protein that are used to pierce and invade healthy cells and destroys them so that the virus is ineffective. Elderberry has shown to stimulate immunoregulatory cytokines, which are important to fight the infection and protect lung tissue. Elderberry shows a net non-inflammatory effect
BUPLEURUM
Effective antiviral for prophylaxis and treatment of CoV infection. We have previously reported that saikosaponins (A, B2, C, and D), which are naturally occurring triterpene glycosides isolated from medicinal plants such as Bupleurum spp. exert antiviral activity.
CINNAMON
A butanol fraction of cinnamon showed moderate inhibitory activity in wild type severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and HIV/SARS-CoV S pseudovirus infections.
LIQUORICE
Liquorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin that reduces the replication of viruses and halts their ability to penetrate replicate inside healthy cells. Five compounds were tested to assess their ability to inhibit replication of the SARS-associated virus- glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus. The findings suggest that glycyrrhizin should be assessed for treatment of SARS.
ECHINACEA
The herb Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is supportive of the immune system and has a direct anti-viral action against colds and viral bronchitis.
GREEN TEA
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains a group of flavonoids called catechins, which appear to inhibit viral infections by blocking the enzymes that allow it to reproduce. Green tea has been known to be effective in inhibiting HIV, herpes simples and the hepatitis B virus.
GARLIC
Garlic is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Its pungent compounds have been found to reduce cytokine storm.
OLIVE LEAF
The leaves of Olive trees (Olea europea) contain a substances called elenoic acid and calcium elonate has been identified as an inhibitor of a wide range of viruses in laboratory tests., including influenza, herpes, polio and coxsackie viruses. These substances block the production of enzymes that allow viruses to replicate.
PAU D’ARCO
Contains quinoids that inhibit virus replication by damaging the DNA and RNA inside the viral protein that would insert itself in a healthy human cell and replicate.
ST JOHN’S WORT
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is well-known for its ability to treat depression and neuralgia but it also has potent antiviral chemicals called hypercin and pseudohypericin that proactively fight off viruses that thrive by imitating existing cells through “cloaking”. These viruses that masquerade as human cells include Herpes, HIV and Hepatitis C. Prized as a restorative in deficient, depleted constitutions. Research points not only to its pharmacological effect on dampening the cytokine storm by suppressing IL-6 and MAPK, but also to its targeted and specific antiviral effect against the H5N1 strains of bird flu, both in the petri dish and in infected poultry.
This is not an exhaustive list of nutrients and herbal medicines. These are ready available in our dispensary, give us a call 03 9762 6093 for more information.
Christine Gozlan, Naturopath at Essential Health Foods – 246 Dorset Road, Boronia – 3155 – Tel: 03 9762 6093
B.H.Sc. Naturopathy
Dip. Herbal Medicine
Dip. Nutrition