The Herbalist

October 2005

We are hearing a lot of stories about the dangers of bird flu at the moment. Many years ago one of my teachers Dr John Raymond Christopher warned us about the coming epidemics.

Bird flu or H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus has killed a handful of humans, but there is a growing conviction amongst health care professionals that eventually it will mutate to a form which will spread rapidly amongst people, killing millions. The World Health Organization (WHO) warn us that this virus born disease is the starkest evidence of the concern with which the international community is regarding bird flu – i.e. it has all the hallmarks of a classic pandemic  strain influenza if it mutates and all the conditions are ripe for it to do so.

Lets Get Some Perspective
 

To date bird flu has infected 115 people world wide, killing 59. This doesn’t really compare to the number of people killed on the roads or even close to all the major diseases which decimate our population per annum. MAF spokesman Ron Thornton says international experts, migration studies and MAF surveys point to a “low risk (of bird introduction)". Press release yesterday has just informed us that it has now arrived in Romania so the death rate may have increased already.

However...
According to Michael Brooks, of the Poultry Industry Association (Christchurch Press 1-10-05), “…about 200,000 migratory birds arrive in New Zealand during Spring, primarily godwits and knots which have traveled 11,000 km from Alaska and Siberia" – both are known to have H5N1 in limited areas.

What Can We Do?

Tamiflu

The New Zealand government has secured a quantity of this anti viral drug which is available by doctors prescription at around $75 to $80 per course of 10 tablets. However this drug is no guarantee of protection – it is certainly no “magic bullet”.
 

Survival Kit
 

Depending on the severity of the pandemic it could come in several waves of up to 6 weeks each over the course of a year. During these times it is likely that isolation is the best course of action – this means that traveling to and from supermarkets may be limited and certainly not advisable.

Power may be down and our water supply may also be affected. The director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs recommends that all of us be ready in case this situation arises and health authorities say households should have a survival kit containing:

• At least two weeks supply of water.

• At least two weeks supply of canned or dried food (don't forget a can opener!).

• A battery operated radio with plenty of spare batteries.

• A first aid kit.

• Protective clothing including gloves and face masks.

• Paracetamol to reduce fevers.

• Warm clothing and sleeping bags.

• Plenty of soap (the virus has a lipid coating and soap destroys it).

The Naturopathic Approach
 

Diseases and epidemics have been happening for as long as time itself both in animal and human populations.  We believe that:

• A healthy immune system is resistant to most if not all infections.

• Avoidance of contamination in the first place.

• Fight pandemics using nutritional principals.

The Naturopathic Pandemic Kit
 

We believe that as well as the above kit recommended by public health we would go much further.  We suggest that the following be added to any survival kit:

• At least six weeks supply of food and water (remember that your hot water cylinder is a good source of emergency water).

• Everyone should have a water purifying kit (available at most sports shops).

• A good supply of immune fighting foods and herbs.

Immune Fighting Herbs & Foods

Echinacea - immune stimulant anti – viral/ microbial.
Black walnut - high in iodine – the HSN5 is destroyed by iodine.
Golden seal – anti-biotic and immuno-stimulant.
Garlic – antibiotic high in selenium and organic germanium.
Apple cider vinegar – acid – the virus is inactivated in an acid medium.

We suggest that you continue to use what we have already prescribed on many occasions – the “bottom line” of a naturopathic herbal program (i.e. Blood Purifying Tonic, Mineral Max and Para) – these herbal formula we believe are still your best protection against infections of any kind due to the immune enhancing, blood and tissue building and detoxifying properties that they contain.

However we have designed a separate formula to address specifically many of the issues in a pandemic viral infection:

ParaFlu ™

(Not available until November, orders are necessary to secure)
 

Contents

GARLIC (allium sativum Liliaceae):
Garlic is among the few herbs that has a universal usage and recognition. Its daily usage aids and supports the body in ways that no other herb does. It is one of the most effective antimicrobial plants available, acting on bacteria, viruses and alimentary parasites. The volatile oil is an effective agent and as it is largely excreted via the lungs, it is used in infections of this system such as chronic bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, recurrent colds and influenza. In general it may be used as a preventative for most infectious conditions.
 

MANUKA HONEY:

Much of the credit for the advancement in our understanding must be given to Dr. Peter Molan of The Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. Dr Molan has been involved in studying and cataloguing the therapeutic effects of Manuka honey. All honey has some level of the antibacterial chemical hydrogen peroxide, which is produced by enzymes in the honey. Manuka honey is known to have a synergistic antibacterial effect with the hydrogen peroxide activity, producing a very powerful weapon against bacterial conditions. We will be making the total formula minus the honey so it is suggested that you obtain good supplies of manuka honey yourself - take one teaspoon of manuka honey with each dose of ParaFlu ™
 

CIDER VINEGAR:

Cider vinegar is very effective in detoxicating various organs in the body together with the blood stream. Hence it is a purifier, as it has a means of breaking down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. Cider vinegar also helps oxidate the blood which consequently prevents the blood from becoming too thick and gluey.  It also neutralizes any toxic substance taken into the body.

BURDOCK ROOT (artium lappa):

Burdock has a strong action in cleansing the blood and the lymphatics. Burdock is indicated in all conditions where an accumulation of toxins is present in the body especially in particular skin diseases such as boils, eczema and ulcers.

DANDELION ROOT (taraxacum officianalis):

Dandelion cleanses the liver, kidneys, lymph and bowel and is ideal for toxic blood conditions.

ECHINACEA (augustafolia & purpura):

Echinacea is an immuno stimulant. Enhancing the body's resistance against both bacterial and virus infection it is probably the best detoxifying agent in Western Herbalism. A natural antibiotic, it counters the effects of most poisons in the body. It cleanses the blood and lymph systems, helps arrest pus formation and tissue putrefaction. It catalyses the action of white blood cells and thus supports the body's own defence system.

LICORICE ROOT (glycyrrhiza glabra):

Licorice root is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It is an effective expectorant helping to liquify and expel toxic mucus from the body. Cleansing for the lungs and stomach.

SARSAPARILLA (smilax ornata):

Sarsaparilla dispells infections and inflammation. It also helps to dispel accumulated toxins in the gastro intestinal tract.

RED CLOVER (trifolium pratense):

A fine blood cleansing herb. Rich in micronutrients it posseses activity against several bacteria, the most significant of which is the pathogen that causes tuberculosis.

OREGON GRAPE (berberis aquifolium):

The herb stimulates the action on the liver and is one of the best blood cleansers. A tonic for all the glands.

BLACK WALNUT (green hulls):
Black walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites.

WORMWOOD (artemsia absinthium):

Wormwood as its name suggests has long been renowned for its ability to rid the body of intestinal worms. It is also useful for all complaints of the digestive system such as constipation and indigestion.

PRICKLY ASH (xanthoxylum rutaceae):

Prickly Ash destroys toxins in the gastro-intestinal tract, including worms, and has been traditionally used for treating yeast infections and candida.

QING HAO (Chinese wormwood):

Has a similar action to Artemisia and some herbalists claim to get better results - to avoid the controversy we include both wormwoods in this formula.

CITRUS SEED:

Citus seed extract has been shown to effective against a number of intestinal parasites including giardia, candida albicans and the stomach pathogen heliobacter pylori thought to be associated with gastric and duodenol ulcers. Many naturopaths believe that abnormal bowel flora, particularly overgrowth with candida albicans and other parasites, can lead to may other manifestations of chronic ill health.

Dose: one teaspoon for children and one tablespoon for adults once daily as preventative assistance and four or more times daily in acute situations. Every hour in emergencies.

NOTE: We do not make any claim that this formula is a cure for Bird Flu. We do believe that this combination of herbs and foods contains the finest well known and researched weapons that may well assist your body to guard against infection of many kinds – including viral infections. We believe that the most powerful tool against bird flu or any infection for that matter is a healthy immune system – one able to respond effectively against all foreign invaders. We offer this tonic after the successful outcomes of over 30 years in practice with sick individuals suffering from all manner of illnesses including acute and chronic infections

CAUTION
Your best protection against pandemic diseases including all infectious illnesses are first to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the World Health Organisation, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Public Health Department and your G.P. The herbal and nutritional suggestions above are suggestions only from a naturopathic and nutritional point of view.

SUMMARY

We believe your Bird flu survival kit should contain all the materials and actions recommended by your GP and health practitioners and should include:

• One packet of Tamiflu for each family member.

• Canned food and water to last at least six weeks.

• A water purifying unit.

• Large supplies of onions and garlic.

• Large supplies of nuts and seeds (such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds as well as almonds).  Don't forget to drink plenty of water when eating nuts and seeds.

• At least 200mls of concentrated ParaFlu per individual.

• Continue with your existing health program as prescrbed and step it up if an infection is imminent.

• Obtain a good quality respiratory face mask from your local chemist.

Healthier lifestyles lead to stronger immune systems.  Therefore, regular rigorous hand washing with greater than 50c water with soap and/or detergent is recommended to decrease the likelihood of infection and prevent the spread of the virus.

Heat whole poultry to at least 85c for 30 minutes before eating and heat eggs and other poultry products to at least 75c.

Avoid high risk areas.

If you're diabetic, now is the time to take it seriously from a healthy standpoint. It's critical now to have fruit in your diet. Use supplements. These do boost the immune system.

Getting eight hours of sleep a night, reducing stress and increasing daily exercise are also essential to staying healthy.

If you're a smoker, now is the opportunity to use this as a poke to stop smoking.  The “bottom line” is that smokers will be more susceptible to dying from it.

A simple cough with a low-grade fever, muscle aches and pains should be taken seriously early on.

Wishing you all the best this month from all the team here at New Zealand Herbals!

Team:  Michael McCammon N.D. (practitioner, managing director), Christopher Toki (practitioner, naturopath), Marie Grant (secretary and coordinator), Alexander Brouwer (computer technician & programmer), Christine Chaston (herbal technician), and Rose McGown (herb & organic gardens).

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