China's Successful Treatment of the H1N1 Flu Virus with Herbs

China has been using herbs for thousands of years to treat colds, flu, and sickness. This statement comes from Cao Bin MD. Herbal medicine is the common medical treatment protocol for their people both in their past and today. Chinese medicine must work since they have 1.43 billion people in China. It would seem logical if Chinese medicine did not work, that a pandemic would have wiped them out long ago. The greater the density of population, the faster a pandemic spreads and that can wipe out many thousands quickly. So perhaps China has a few thousand years of experience in healing techniques that we ought to listen to.

The Capitol Medicinal University in Beijing is at present conducting a clinical trial to determine how 10 Chinese medicinal herbs work on the H1N1 virus. Dr. Cao Bin is the head investigator of the study and is conducting the research study following the principals of evidence based research. They know Chinese herbs work but they want to prove it by scientific standards.

It's interesting that in the countries that are so densely populated such as China, where vaccination is impossible for the masses, they are using herbs successfully. China expects only to vaccinate 5 per cent of the 1.34 billion in that country. In light of this, the Education Ministry and State Administration of TCM is promoting the Chinese people to take a Chinese herbal mixture, Lian Hua Quing Wen, made up of forsythia suspensa, Oleaceae fruit and honeysuckle.

Research is going on in Taiwan as well right now. Researchers there have found that using the roots of the Asian plant, Asafetida, is more effective at killing the H1N1 virus than their antiviral drugs. Historically this same root known as devil's dung or giant fennel was used successfully against the Spanish Flu of 1918.

The Chinese Health Ministry is asking people who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms to use their traditional Chinese medicine to boost their immune system. The Chinese Health Ministry is also giving tourists an herbal drink that contains Indian Tinospora, Holy Basil and Ginger. Here is the United States we are labeled as criminals for referencing any herb to helping to prevent or treat H1N1 virus symptoms.

Maybe you ought to start wondering why herbs are being used successfully against the flu in other countries but is considered a crime here by the FDA?

Herbs Used Successfully in China and India To Prevent and Treat The H1N1 virus:

Ayurvedic Medicine used in India and Chinese Medicine are two very effective traditional healing systems that have been used for thousands of years in those countries. You will notice references to these healing systems in the information below.

Forsythia: In Chinese medicine the crushed unripe fruit and seeds are prepared in an herbal formula called lian qiao. Chinese herbalists and physicians use it for fevers, chills, and headaches. Topically it is made into a salve to treat infected injuries, rashes, and boils. There have been research to prove its antibacterial properties but few double blind studies. I will interject here, that Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years, which prove effectiveness of use.

Honeysuckle (Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica): The stem of this plant is used in Chinese medicine to cure colds, fever, inflammation, boils, sores, bacterial infections. It is a proven antibiotic in research studies to kill staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, B-hemolytic, Escherichia coli, vibrio cholera, diplococcus pneumonia, mycobacterium tuberculosis, and bacillus dysenteriae. One of its effects is to cause increased perspiration thereby lowering a fever. Chlorogenic acid which is found in the stem is the main factor that gives it antibiotic properties. Luteolin which is also found in this plant contributes immune support and is anti-inflammatory. Japanese Honeysuckle is also an antioxidant.

Indian Tinospora (Tinospora cordifolia, Menispermacea) is a climbing shrub which has been shown to contain factors that are anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and boost immune function.

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)(Tulsi): One of the basil families that is medicinal. Used in Ayurvedic medicine and considered sacred for thousands of years. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used to treat bacterial and viral infections. It contains Eugenal, which suppresses inflammation and swelling. One of its effects is to damage bacterial and viral cell membranes inhibiting their ability to multiply. It is classed as an adaptogen that aids the body in combating stress.

Ginger- Ginger has been proven to contain anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects

Astragalus (astragalus, bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwanggi, milk vetch, Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus mongholicus) Astragalus has been used in China for thousands of years and is considered an adaptogen. It is used to support and boost immune function. In China, it is used today in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and in cancer. It is used also to prevent and shorten the severity of many illnesses.

Chinese Mushrooms, Shiitake and Reishi mushrooms: Both dried and fresh mushrooms are used In China and Japan. These special mushrooms contain phytochemicals and beta-1,3 Glutans that stimulate the production of white blood cells, which boost the immune function. They help boost other areas of immune function as well including the macrophages. Many research studies performed in these countries have proven this fact. They are used there as both a preventive and means to help patients get well more quickly. You can also buy them fresh, but they are expensive.

So if you wish to follow the Chinese protocol for treating flu, find a combination with the herbs listed above at your health food store or online store. Not all the herbs above will be included in one herbal formulation. You will find a number of formulas on the store shelf. You will generally find them under the heading of immune stimulating herbs or under cold and flu headings. It might be wise to buy a formula where the herbs in that formula have been grown in the United States because of lead issues in some products from overseas.

The Chinese has some of the most successful healing protocols in the world and has been using them for thousands of years. Research how countries overseas are using herbs to address the H1N1 flu virus, then incorporate this into your own life style.

References:

HerbalGram, The Journal of the American Botanical Council, Issue 84, November 2009, International Report on Herbs and Swine Flu, Page16

abc.herbalgram.org

https://www.worldscibooks.com/medsci/4700.html