![]() Hello patients and friends, Due to the current COVID19 pandemic, we are going through a period where we are becoming homebound while waiting for these challenging times to come to an end. Due to this, I have put together some info for a home-made remedy which might be able to help regulate our immune system and which could have an antiviral application. I personally take this while at home and I wanted to share it with you. At the bottom there is information available into possible drug-herb interactions and modern research for each herb. PLEASE HAVE A THOROUGH READ OF THIS ARTICLE BEFORE CONSUMPTION OF THIS HOME REMEDY DISCLAIMER: This is not a cure for COVID19 as there are no proven ones existing at the moment. Also, this is not a proven or accepted preventative for it. IF YOU BECOME SICK WITH FLU OR COLD LIKE SYMPTOMS, YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR GP STRAIGHT AWAY BY CALLING THEIR CLINIC The Home Remedy: This home-remedy is based on herbs that can be accessed at the common supermarket. WARNING: Don't use an essential oil version of this herbs without proper professional advice. Daily dose for adults (per person): Star Anise 10g Cinnamon 5g Ginger 5g Garlic One clove Daily dose for children above 5yo (per children): Star Anise 4g Cinnamon 2g Ginger 2g Garlic 1/3 of a garlic clove Method: Place ingredients together in a pot except for the garlic. Add 2 cups of water and bring it to the boil. Then simmer for 45 minutes. Crush the garlic into the mixture at the end. Drink one warm cup morning and one warm cup in the evening. Can add manuka honey and lemon to add better taste. If cold and flu symptoms take place: (Once again, this is not a cure for coronavirus and you need to contact your GP/doctor straight away by calling them.) Adults: Star Anise 12g Cinnamon 6g Ginger 6g Garlic One 1/2 clove Children above 5yo (per children): Star Anise 6g Cinnamon 4g Ginger 4g Garlic 1 garlic clove Method: Place ingredients together in a pot except for the garlic. Add 3 cups of water and bring it to the boil. Then simmer for 45 minutes. Crush the garlic into the mixture at the end. Drink one warm cup morning and one warm cup in the afternoon and one warm cup in the evening. Can add manuka honey and lemon to add better taste. CONTRAINDICATIONS: DO NOT TAKE TOGETHER WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS. TAKE AT LEAST 2 HRS AWAY AFTER PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND READ INFO BELOW ABOUT DRUG-HERB INTERACTIONS If taking prescription medications, particularly anticoagulants (warfarin), antihypertensives, paracetamol, metformin, flagil; please red the drug-herb interaction guide below. Specialised dose for those on prescription drugs. Amounts are based in food level consumption: Adults: If taking blood thinners or anti-hypertensive drugs, reduce ginger to 3g, star anise to 6g, cinnamon to 3g and garlic 1/2 garlic clove. Divide this dose into two cups to take two doses per day. Children: If taking blood thinners or anti-hypertensive drugs, reduce ginger to 1g, star anise to 2.5g, cinnamon to 1g and garlic to 1/4 of a garlic clove. Divide this dose into two cups to take two doses per day. DRUG-HERB INTERACTIONS (IMPORTANT TO READ): -Garlic can accentuate the effect of anticoagulants and hypertensive medications(24, 27) which can be dangerous. It can also affect the rate on which other drugs are metabolised (27). -Star anise can reduce the amount of acetaminophen (paracetamol) actively available in the blood (28). -Ginger can enhance the effect of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications such as warfarin (30) which can be dangerous. It can also interact with anti-inflammatory drugs and blood pressure medications (30) and has been found to interact with Metronidazole (Flagil) (29) in studies with rabbits. -Cinnamon can accentuate the liver damage caused by medications that can cause such effect (31, 32). Cinnamon can also interact with Metformin absorption in rat models with adverse consequences for glucose metabolism. (31, 32). In addition, Cinnamon can accentuate the effect of anticoagulant drugs with the possibility of dangerous consequences (33). Finally, it should not be taken by those with liver damage (9). MODERN RESEARCH: Herbs for immune regulation function with antiviral and antibacterial effects for respiratory infections have been used in Chinese medicine for a long time (19,20). The following is some information that might be useful to explain the possible application for each of these herbs. Star Anise: Research has shown antiviral (2,5,6,7,8), antimicrobial (1,2), antiherpetic (5,8) and antiparasitic potential (2). There is some evidence pointing at bronchodilator, expectorant (6) and possible benefit to throat infections and influenza (2,6). In addition, star anise is one of the main precursors for the production of the antiviral drug Tamiflu (2,4,6,7). Cinnamon: Evidence reveals antiviral (10,11,12) and antimicrobial properties which can benefit respiratory tract infections (2,9,10,13,14) with possible assistance against influenza virus (10,11,12). It also shows antiherpetic properties (10) and has shown some immunoregulatory activity (11). Ginger: It has displayed antiviral (16,18,19,20), antimicrobial (2,15,18,20), antiherpetic (5), and immune regulating properties (15). It can have positive effects against Influenza viruses and assistance during respiratory tract infections (15,16), as well as the possibility of alleviating symptoms of shortness of breath and wheezing in asthma (17). Finally, fresh ginger is better for respiratory applications (18). Garlic: Research has shown antiviral (2,3,22,23,24), antiherpetic (23), antimicrobial (2,22,23,24,26), and antiparasitic effects (2,22,23,24). It can show potential activity against bacteria (26) and influenza viruses (23,24) in respiratory tract infections and viral pneumonia (23). It also possesses immunomodulatory activity by increasing immunity but decreasing hyper immunity in some allergic reactions (21,22,24,25). References:
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