To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Virus Link to Vanishing Bees
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 13:13:32 -0500
Back when the mites started, some beekeepers did well using herbs to control
them, before there were chemicals approved for the purpose. If it is indeed
a virus causing CCD, here are some herbs that beekeepers might try. I have
taken bits from several websites, plus there is a terrific article on
Chinese formulas for viruses at
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=30038. This is
well worth reading before flu season rolls around. Some of these herbs are
flowering plants that beekeepers might do well to plant near their hives to
protect them from infection by the virus. Others might best be used as a
tincture, either offered as drinking water, mixed with a feeding solution,
or even sprayed on the bees at intervals to be groomed off. Donna
In my experience, there are several herbs that work best to suppress
viruses; licorice, lomatium, osha, astragalus, and elderberry
Astragalus (Astragalus, various species). Also known as huang qi, this is an
immune-boosting herb from China. In one small Chinese study, ten people
whose heart muscles were infected by Coxsackie B virus, which causes the
heart inflammation known as myocarditis, received injections of astragalus
extract for three to four months. The activity of their natural killer
cells, a component of the immune system, rose 11 to 45 percent. They also
showed increased levels of alpha- and gamma-interferon, the body's own
antiviral compounds. Not surprisingly, their symptoms improved. European
studies suggest that, as withechinacea, many of the immune-stimulating
compounds in astragalus are active when taken orally.
Dragon's blood (Croton lechleri). This herb is also known as sangregrado or
sangre de drago. There's a good reason why dragon's blood is on the back
cover of the Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary, which I co-authored in
1994 with Rodolfo Vasquez, botanist at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Several compounds in it, among them dimethylcedrusine and taspine, have
antiviral and wound-healing properties that may be especially useful against
the viral sores caused by herpes. The natural mixture of all three compounds
heals wounds four times faster than the individual compounds alone.
I use dragon's blood when I get cuts or abrasions in tropical Peru.
Unfortunately, this herb is not yet widely available in the United States,
although I expect that it will be soon. It is applied externally.
Garlic (Allium sativum). In addition to its well-known antibacterial
action, garlic is also antiviral. Several of the sulfur compounds in garlic
are active against the flu virus, according to Heinrich P. Koch, Ph.D.,
professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and biopharmaceutics at the University
of Vienna, and Larry D. Lawson, Ph.D., a research scientist at an herb
company in Utah, authors of Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic Application
of Allium Sativum and Related Species.
Again, I'm reluctant to point to any specific compounds in garlic, because I
suspect that they all somehow work together.
Some physicians who use herbs recommend taking two garlic capsules a day to
treat colds, flu and other viral infections. But I prefer fresh garlic to
capsules, and so does naturopath Jane Guiltinan, N.D., chief medical officer
of Bastyr University in Seattle. She recommends consuming up to a dozen
cloves a day. To avoid colds, I'd suggest you go ahead and eat a lot of
garlic as a preventive. The other food to favor is onion, a close relative
of garlic, which has similar though less potent antiviral action.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Like echinacea, goldenseal is an immune
stimulant, thanks to the berberine it contains. I often use it in
combination with echinacea.
Juniper (Juniperus, various species). Even among herbalists, it's not
widely known that juniper contains a potent antiviral compound
(deoxypodophyllotoxin). Juniper extracts appear to inhibit a number of
different viruses, including those that cause flu and herpes. Sometimes when
I feel a cold coming on, I make ajuniper tea.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Also known as melissa, this herb is
highly recommended as an antiviral, especially against herpes. I would try
lemon balm for treating any viral infection. It makes a very pleasant tea.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Among its many other medicinal uses,
licorice is active against many types of viral infections. One of its eight
active antiviral compounds, glycyrrhizin, inhibits a number of processes
involved in virus replication, among them penetration of the body's cells
and replication of viral genetic material.
You could try a tea made by adding a few teaspoons of chopped dried root per
cup of boiling water; steep for about ten minutes.
Shiitake (Lentinus edodes). This tasty Asian mushroom contains a compound
called lentinan that has antiviral, immune-stimulating and anti-tumor
properties, according to a report published in the Lawrence Review of
Natural Products, a respected newsletter. Its antiviral action has been
demonstrated in experiments with laboratory animals. Shiitake extract helped
protect mice against viral encephalitis.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus.) Several compounds in eucalyptus,
hyperoside, quercitrin and tannic acid, have virus-killing properties,
according to pharmacognosist (natural product pharmacist) Albert Leung,
Ph.D.
Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) and honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
Whenever I feel a cold or flu coming on, I mix up a revered Chinese tea
combo with honeysuckle and forsythia. Sometimes I add a little
antivirallemon balm. Like lemon balm, honeysuckle and forsythia contain
compounds that are proven virus killers. I find the combination of
honeysuckle, forsythia andlemon balm especially nice in hot tea just before
bed.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Good old ginger is good for more than just
motion sickness and upset stomach. According to my database, it contains ten
antiviral compounds. So if you have a viral illness, you could try
someginger tea or add ginger liberally to dishes you cook. Many of the
antiviral compounds in ginger also appear in turmeric.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
This beautiful yellow flower yields a blood-red tincture that I take by the
dropperful to prevent viral infections such as the flu. A dropperful in the
morning throughout the cold months is adequate for prevention. I increase
that to 2-3 dropperfuls a day if I have been exposed at home or at work to
the flu. If I do get sick, I will use other herbs to counter the infection.
Capsules of St. J's are ineffective; I only use the tincture.
Elder (Sambucus canadensis)
Elder flowers are a nice remedy for those with a feverish cold, but for
those with the flu, I prefer elder berries. The most common way to take them
is in the form of a syrup. The immune enhancing properties of elder berries
are renowned in Europe and slowly gaining popularity in the United States.
Elder berry syrup also eases coughs and lung congestion.