Swine Flu Prevention with Natural Herbs and Supplements

The swine flu pandemic has continued to spread, prompting people to seek herbs, supplements and natural compounds to help fight the disease. In a recent article, I discuss three critical supplements -- vitamin D, elderberry, and selenium -- that show promise in combating swine and avian flus.

Vitamin D, selenium, and elderberry syrup remain among the most critical immune-supporting supplements because all three have been clinically shown to be effective in combating the H5N1 avian flu virus, a close relative of the current swine flu pandemic.

Fortunately, vitamin D and elderberry both have very few side effects except in extreme megadoses, and are considered to be safe even for children and infants. Despite concerns referenced in online forums, none of these supplements has been linked to an increased risk of cytokine storm, the immune reaction that makes flu so deadly.

Still, for people seeking further immune support to stave off the threat of swine flu, other supplements have also been clinically shown to be effective in fighting several flu strains -- and most are considered to be very safe. The following additional herbs and supplements may also provide the safe immune support necessary for preventing and defeating swine flu.

Resveratrol

As an herbalist-nutritionist, I often turn my nose up at trendy, over-hyped supplements that promise to reduce the signs of aging, promote weight loss and prevent infectious disease. But resveratrol -- a natural chemical found in red wine -- may be the ticket to health that it is widely proclaimed to be. While it may have a few side effects (discussed here), it is generally very safe and may have what it takes to prevent swine flu infection or to keep inflammation from becoming deadly should the virus attack.

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant, which some researchers consider to be critical in the fight against flu. At least one study of the H5N1 avian flu (one of the genetic components of H1N1 swine flu) confirmed that resveratrol and other antioxidants support the body's immune response without causing a potentially deadly increase in cytokine production. While flu has not been affecting humans long enough for demographic studies to confirm this, it may be worth taking resveratrol to help prevent the spread of the virus. The potential anti-aging, anti-cancer effects are an additional bonus.

Quercetin

When I last checked, quercetin had not yet been featured on Oprah or any late-night infomercials, so it is not nearly as popular as resveratrol, even though its antioxidant effects may be just as strong. Quercetin is a bioflavinoid with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that have been successfully proven by peer-reviewed studies. Because inflammation is considered to be one of the most deadly factors of pandemic flu infection, quercetin may be life-saving in the event that someone becomes infected with swine flu.

Quercetin is also believed to reduce the inflammation and swelling of brochial tissue, so it is a popular medicinal supplement for people with asthma and respiratory infectiosn including flu. The downside? The compounds in quercetin are metabolized quickly, so they should be taken in frequent but very small doses, and it may interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs, including Relenza and Tamiflu, so they can not be taken together. Quercetin should, for this reason, only be used to treat pre-existing swine flu infection if a doctor recommends it because of a shortage of these critical drugs.

Oil of Oregano

Oregano oil is becoming an increasingly popular herbal supplement for natural immune support, since it has fewer side effects than other popular immune-boosters like echinacea and goldenseal. Echinacea, goldenseal, and other immunostimulants may increase cytokine production, thereby causing a fatal overreaction of the immune system during a flu pandemic. I am much more enthusiastic about recommending safer anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbs like oregano and elderberry.

Oil of oregano has potent antibacterial and antiviral effects. Though the MRSA staph superbug infects very differently than swine flu and avian flu, it is interesting to note that oil of oregano has found to be more effective than most drugs in fighting that separate pandemic. Oil of oregano contains antioxidant bioflavinoids, and it appears to reduce fevers, inflammation, and congestion. For this reason -- and the fact that it has no known drug interactoins -- oil of oregano may be one important factor in natural protection from the swine flu.

Supplements may prevent, mitigate or decrease the effects of the swine flu outbreak, but self-treatment or self-diagnosis of any disease is unwise and potentially dangerous. If you believe that you or anyone in your family has swine flu or any other strain of influenza, see your doctor immediately. Supplements can support a health immune system, but they are not a substitute for the expertise of a medical professional.

Sources:

Faleiro, Leonor; et al. (2005). "Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils Isolated from Thymbra capitata L. (Cav.) and Origanum vulgare L.". J. Agric. Food Chem.53 (21): 8162-8168.

H. Friel, et al. A nutritional supplement formula for influenza A (H5N1) infection in humans☆ Medical Hypotheses, Volume 67, Issue 3, Pages 578-587