Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), the first-identified strain of the SARS coronavirus species severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV). The syndrome caused the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak. In late 2017, Chinese scientists traced the virus through the intermediary of Asian palm civets to cave-dwelling horseshoe bats in Yunnan.SARS was a relatively ...

severe acute respiratory syndrome

What-are-COVID-19-and-SARS-CoV-2

What are COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2

What-are-COVID-19-and-SARS-CoV-2_-1_0

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease and is caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Coronavirus also causes a higher rate of serious illness and death compared to the flu. But symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. This virus spreads mainly by respiratory means - through droplets of saliva or excreted from the nose when an infected person coughs. [&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19" target="_blank" data-ref="Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)" rel="noopener">[ref. 1]</a>&nbsp;]

What-are-COVID-19-and-SARS-CoV-2_-1_1

SARS-CoV-2 is a member of a large family of viruses called "coronaviruses". These viruses can infect humans and some animals. Sars-CoV-2 was first known to infect humans in 2019. However, cases of morbidity have not yet been completely zeroed in, and some therapeutic approaches include both medications and herbal products. One&nbsp;<a href="https://search.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/resource/en/covidwho-819599" target="_blank" data-ref="Knowledge and awareness about ginger and turmeric as a herbal cure for COVID-19 | Int. J. Pharm. Res.;(12): 768-777, 20200701. | COVIDWHO | ELSEVIER " rel="noopener">of them, which has</a>&nbsp;been studied for its potential against COVID-19, is ginger.&nbsp;

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What-are-the-health-benefits-provided-by-ginger

What are the health benefits provided by ginger

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The health benefits of ginger are painkillers, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating. In particular, the beneficial properties of ginger are shown in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, respiratory distress, liver diseases and primary dysmenorrhea. Ginger, or more precisely its compounds, exhibit a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant influence in numerous animal models. [&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754821000661?fbclid=IwAR0Gqf_rhiT5F1B45XM1jI2MWxMx_IHTZycnFdptcwbyJSwK3piiOha2qvQ" target="_blank" data-ref="Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?" rel="noopener">[ref. 3]</a> ] Experimentally and clinically ginger (the rhinity of Zingiber officinale) exhibits numerous therapeutic actions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulating, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, neuroprotective, antimygrenosis, hepatoprotective, respiratory, antidiabetic effects. [&nbsp;<a href="https://www.herbal-organic.com/bg/pubmed/Bioactive_Compounds_and_Bioactivities_of_Ginger_Zingiber_officinale_Roscoe_31151279" target="_blank" data-ref="Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). | Билкови и природни лекарства" rel="noopener">[ref. 4]</a> ] In this regard, ginger also shows direct antiviral effects and may have a protective role against ARDS, which is the main cause of mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. ARDS - Acute respiratory distress syndrome, is an acute respiratory distress syndrome and a serious lung condition that causes low levels of oxygen in the blood. [&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/ards" target="_blank" data-ref="Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - What Is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome? | NHLBI, NIH" rel="noopener">[ref. 5]</a>&nbsp;] Due to its antiviral action, ginger can have a beneficial effect on many organs that are affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Chemically speaking, ginger contains over 400 different compounds, but its pharmacological effects are largely due to its terpenes and phenolic compounds. The terpene ingredients of ginger include zingiberen, bisabolic, farnesen, cesifelandren, limoneol, linalool, borneol, geranial and curcumen. Phenolic compounds derived from ginger include gingerols, paradoli, shogaoli and zingeron. [&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286320305180" target="_blank" data-ref="Nutritional implications of ginger: chemistry, biological activities and signaling pathways" rel="noopener">[ref. 6]</a>&nbsp;]

Evidence-of-the-potential-of-ginger-against-COVID-19-and-other-viruses

Evidence of the potential of ginger against COVID-19 and other viruses 

Evidence-of-the-potential-of-ginger-against-COVID-19-and-other-viruses_-1_0

Fresh ginger has powerful antiviral effects against human respiratory singial virus (HRSV) and rhinovirus, as well as against several subtypes of influenza virus A. Results of in vitro experiments show that gingerol directly inactivates hepatitis A viruses and inhibits the replication of human norovirus in an infected cell line. In addition to direct antiviral effects, ginger can multiply congenital antiviral immunity. IFN is the first protective line against viral infections and in vitro analyses show that gingerols promote the secretion of IFN-γ by activated T cells. In addition, fresh ginger extract stimulates the secretion of IFN-α and IFN-β of HRSV -infected epithelial cells.

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With regard to coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2-related papain-like protease (PLpro) cleaves polyprotein a/b (PP a/b) in different locations, giving several proteins needed for survival and replication of the virus. By molecular modeling, it becomes clear that 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-gingerol and another class of ginger ingredients strongly inhibit PLpro. They also found that 6-gingerol exhibits a high affinity for binding to a number of viral proteins (main protease, molecule such as SARS-CoV3C and catepsin K), which are essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication.

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Meanwhile, some of the other terpenes such as geraniol, shogaol, zingiberen, zingiberenol and zingerone may interfere with the binding of S protein-ACE2. The results of a computational analysis show that the turpene derived from ginger, namely sesquifelandren, binds to the S protein and thus interferes with the interaction S protein-ACE2.&nbsp;

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However, it is important to note that these study data should be supported by in vitro and in vivo observations .&nbsp;

Inflammation-mediated effects of SARS-CoV-2 on COVID-19 pathogenesis

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Hyperinvention, which is characteristic of infection with coronavirus, and the direct effects mediated by SARS-CoV-2 promote tissue damage. Ginger is one of the means that can counteract SARS-CoV-2 and prevent inflammation. Ginger modulates oxidative stress and prostaglandins as harmful factors in COVID-19. Ginger is also able to modulate incorrect effector T-cell responses in COVID-19. The effect of ginger-derived ingredients applied during COVID-19 infection using appropriate animal models should be evaluated in future studies. The same applies to clinical trials among groups of people.

The therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: is there sufficient evidence

The therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: is there a sufficient

Бетина Цветкова

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What-is-curcumin

What is curcumin

What-is-curcumin_0_0

Like many spices, turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Its main ingredient is curcumin, which is a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory benefits as well as potential benefits associated with slowing down the aging process and preventing Alzheimer's disease. Ayurvedic medicine - a traditional Indian treatment system, recommends turmeric for various health conditions that proceed with chronic pain and inflammation because of the strong anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin and other active compounds in turmeric.&nbsp;

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With regard to inflammatory conditions, natural compounds such as curcumin have shown a beneficial effect on the progression of inflammatory diseases due to their numerous mechanisms of action: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiplatelet and cytoprotective. These and many other effects of curcumin make it a promising tool in the adjuvant treatment of COVID-19.

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The antiviral effects of curcumin have been widely studied - it prevents the binding of influenza A virus, dengue virus, Zika virus and human norovirus (HuNoV) to host cells. In addition, curcumin inhibits the replication of the viral genome and transcription of the respiratory syncythial virus (RSV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), interferes with the translation and assembly of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytimegalovirus (HCMV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

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The-potential-of-curcumin-as-a-medicinal-agent-for-COVID-19

The potential of curcumin as a medicinal agent for COVID-19

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A team of scientists found in in vitro analyses the antiviral action of curcumin against the SARS-CoV virus in Vero-E6 cells, and this natural polyphenol can inhibit viral replication at concentrations of 3-10 &mu;M. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.675287/full" target="_blank" data-ref="Curcumin as a Potential Treatment for COVID-19" rel="noopener">[ref. 1]</a> Based on such data on antiviral activity, researchers using in silico prediction models evaluated the potential of curcumin against SARS-CoV-2 binding proteins and its cell receptors. The results showed that curcumin has a high affinity for interaction with S glycoprotein by establishing six hydrogen bonds and realizes higher scores than control compounds such as nafamostat and hydroxychloroquine. In addition, curcumin shows an affinity for ACE2. In addition, curcumin interacts with the active part of the protein, in addition to the formation of two hydrogen bonds. Similarly, curcumin demonstrates a better affinity for ACE2 than control compounds.

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Another interesting result in this study is related to the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, which is mandatory in maturation and viral replication and is a promising target in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Among the compounds tested, including chloroquine, entecavir, hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir, curcumin surprisingly formed the most stable complex with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, and the affinity result was comparable to that of the N3 control.

The-potential-of-curcumin-as-a-medicinal-agent-for-COVID-19_1_2

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The researchers also found that curcumin in low doses inhibits the mTORC1-Raptor interaction, leading to inhibition of the mTORC1 complex. Curcumin also promotes interruption of mTORC2-Rictor interaction at higher doses, thereby inhibiting mTORC2. the mTOR route is a central regulator of mammalian metabolism and physiology, including humans. The signaling path of mTOR, which is often activated in tumors, not only regulates gene transcription and protein synthesis to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation of immune cells, but also plays an important role in tumor metabolism &nbsp;<a href="https://pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1716173114" target="_blank" data-ref="Just a moment..." rel="noopener">[ref. 2]</a>&nbsp;

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Another team of researchers looked at oral intake of curcumin in combination with piperine as adjuvant therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 in a randomized clinical trial. Patients with COVID-19 with mild, moderate and severe symptoms who received curcumin/piperine treatment showed early symptomatic recovery, less deterioration, fewer signs of serious pathology, better ability to maintain oxygen saturation above 94% with free breathing, better clinical outcomes compared to patients in the control group (who received only probiotics twice a day). The results were collected in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study conducted in two groups of 70 people each, a total of 140 people. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.669362/full" target="_blank" data-ref="Oral Curcumin With Piperine as Adjuvant Therapy for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial" rel="noopener">[ref. 3]</a>&nbsp;

In vitro results for the antiviral action of curcumin on SARS-CoV and data from in silico analyses confirm the hypothesis of potential activity against SARS-CoV-2. A limited number of studies also consider oral intake of curcumin as a potential cure for coronavirus infection. This information can be used by the scientific community to further assess the effect of curcumin on cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 and virus replication using in vitro and in vivo models and in randomised clinical trials.

Curcumin as a potential treatment for COVID-19

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Author: Ivelina Yankova, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

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Why-does-the-new-coronavirus-strain,-Omicron,-raise-everyone's-concerns?

Why does the new coronavirus strain, Omicron, raise everyone's concerns?

Why-does-the-new-coronavirus-strain,-Omicron,-raise-everyone's-concerns?_0_0

On November 9, 2021, a person positive for SARS-CoV-2 was registered in South Africa. "Nothing new" you are probably telling yourself. On November 25, it was established that in fact this person had been infected with a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 – B.1.1.529, later called Omicron. This new strain was first isolated at Botswana's Harvard H.I.V. Reference Laboratory in Gaborone. Since then, the virus has spread and continues to spread steadily, little by little reaching different parts of the world. Just two or three weeks later, on November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Omicron a "variant of concern" - a term of the most serious category that the WHO uses only when the strain in mind has global public health significance (1).

Why-does-the-new-coronavirus-strain,-Omicron,-raise-everyone's-concerns?_0_1

Scientists have discovered more than 30 mutations in the spike protein gene (S) alone and over 50 in total in the virus genome (2). Mutations in the S protein are the most disturbing ones because it is the means of the virus by which it manages to enter our cells. Once inside, the virus takes away the cells' replication control and forces them to make copies. Thus, the virus ensures the production of a sufficient amount of copies, which eventually causes the appearance of symptoms in people. Due to the large number of mutations, it is believed that Omicron will be able to enter the cells faster and therefore multiply faster.

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Mutations in the S gene are not a new event we face (other variants, such as Delta, also have S-gene mutations) and they are not the cause of surprise in scientists. What is surprising is the number of mutations. In order to collect so many mutations in one place, the virus must have had time to acquire them. Therefore, scientists believe that the strain was born in the body of a person with immunodeficiency disease, where the immune response teams are very few and very weak and have allowed the virus to play with its genes before they could kill it. Because of that, it is very important that people with immunodeficiency disease take proper security measures and are monitored and tested as needed.

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Despite the large number of mutations in the specific gene of the virus, they are not enough on their own to proclaim Omicron a "variant of concern". What is needed and unfortunately available in this case is a specific place of mutation to make the virus more dangerous. In Omicron's case, scientists believe the virus will be more easily transmitted from person to person. In combination with the large number of mutations in the S gene, this strain may be able to avoid antibodies that some people have already built from another strain or from a vaccine.

Why-does-the-new-coronavirus-strain,-Omicron,-raise-everyone's-concerns?_0_4

Every day scientists around the world work to understand the epidemiology, degree of contagion and danger of Omicron.

Why-does-the-new-coronavirus-strain,-Omicron,-raise-everyone's-concerns?_0_5

What's-the-point-of-antibodies?

What's the point of antibodies?

What's-the-point-of-antibodies?_1_0

The way antibodies work is by recognizing specific particles of the virus.

What's-the-point-of-antibodies?_1_1

When the virus first enters our organism, it is detected by specific immune cells that lead to the degradation of the virus to small particles. These cells, called dendritic cells, snatch different particles from the degraded virus (hooking them to their receptors so that all other cells can see them) and carry them to the lymph nodes. There, another type of cells (T cells) are activated and they then go to activate the B cells that are responsible for producing antibodies. This process is long and takes several days for the antibodies to develop after an initial encounter with the infection, and usually a person has developed symptoms by then.

What's-the-point-of-antibodies?_1_2

If a person has already encountered the virus, when they re-encounter it, the memory cells (these store the data of each infection that a person has had) react immediately and the antibodies are produced much faster, ensuring security for human health. The job of the vaccine is to create these antibodies without the need for disease, and when meeting the virus, the body reacts as if it had already encountered it, therefore clearing the invader quickly before getting sick.

Should-we-get-vaccinated-in-the-light-of-the-new-strain-–-Omicron?

Should we get vaccinated in the light of the new strain – Omicron?

Should-we-get-vaccinated-in-the-light-of-the-new-strain-–-Omicron?_2_0

Despite doubts that Omicron may be able to avoid the effect of antibodies that some of us have built so hard, scientists are advising people to get vaccinated. Why:

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At least some of the antibodies will be able to do their job.
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</ul>

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Omicron has many mutations in the S gene, which gives information on how to build the spike protein (this protein represents the characteristic spikes on the surface of coronavirus-class viruses). When the virus enters our organism, it binds, through the spike protein, to our receptors on the surface of our cells and thus enters them and begins to multiply.

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Similarly, the antibodies we have built from the vaccine bind to the spike protein to neutralize it. Since the mechanism of binding of antibodies and receptors to the virus is the same, if the antibodies cannot bind to the spike protein of the virus, then the virus will not be able to bind to the receptors of our cells to ensure access to their inside.

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Since we don't know about another way in which SARS-CoV-2 gives itself access to the inside of our cells, this suggests that the virus, even containing many mutations, manages to bind to the receptors and enter our cells. This shows that the virus has been altered just as much as to provide new advantages over old strains (faster multiplication, faster infection between humans), but retaining the necessary genes to enter the cells.

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Therefore, the antibodies we have will also be able to bind to the virus, leading to its destruction. What is possible is that some of the antibodies may not be able to bind to the spike protein. That is why it is even more advisable to vaccinate - by increasing the number of antibodies, we will also increase the number of these antibodies that can bind to the new strain of the virus.

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Cells that produce the antibodies can change their settings and start generating different antibodies
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B cells in the blood are the ones that produce the antibodies. If they produce one type of antibody and then in the next minute T cells signal an invader they have not seen before, then B cells can immediately change their settings and start generating another type of antibodies that are specific to the new virus. Since, as I mentioned earlier, it takes a few days to produce the new antibodies, it is good to have some of the old ones, which will certainly delay the initial reproduction of the virus and thus provide a shorter period of illness and milder symptoms.

What-is-sterilizing-immunity?

What is sterilizing immunity?

What-is-sterilizing-immunity?_3_0

The work of vaccines is just that – to create sterilizing immunity. This is when the virus is neutralized even before it has the opportunity to enter our cells. Soldiers who fight the virus in the extracellular space are the antibodies we have built up thanks to vaccines. About 50-75 % of COVID19 vaccines achieve this effect, and with Omicron, the expectation is that these rates will drop (3). This is another reason why it is advisable to vaccinate – to allow more antibodies to fight the virus and neutralize it in a timely manner before it begins to multiply – to give our body a chance to create sterilizing immunity.

What-is-sterilizing-immunity?_3_1

Should we get vaccinated in the light of the new SARS-CoV-2 strain, Omicron?

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 Should we get vaccinated in the light of the new SARS-CoV-2 strain,

Ивелина Янкова

Author: Rositsa Tashkova, Master of Molecular Biology and Microbiology

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In these troubled pandemic times, many people resort to self-treatment with home remedies and herbs. This is not recommended by doctors, but it is a fact and it is important to understand what the benefits and risks are.

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Unfortunately, there are no clinical trials yet on the effectiveness of herbs in the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, we decided to provide our readers with information about medicinal plants that are reported in the scientific literature that may support symptomatic treatment of influenza and other respiratory infections. We will also identify the potential dangers of using certain medicinal plants in the case of COVID-19.

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According to an overview published in the end of September 2020 in Frontiers in Pharmacology [<a href="https://www.bioseek.eu/en/eng/research/pubmed/covid_19_is_there_evidence_for_the_use_of_herbal_medicines_as_adjuvant_symptomatic_therapy_33071794" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.1</a>], the risk assessment was positive for the use of 5of the studied herbs (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix and Sambucus nigra) and promising in 12 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, essential oil from&nbsp;Eucalyptus globulus, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Pelargonium sidoides, Pimpinella anisum, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale).

Marshmallow-(Althaea-officinalis)

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Marshmallow-(Althaea-officinalis)_0_0

Marshmallow herb can suppress cough and reduce irritation through anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the respiratory tract.

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Traditionally the herb is used in the treatment of colds and symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infection. Data on the administration of marshmallow lead to the conclusion that it can alleviate the early symptoms of COVID-19.

Marshmallow-(Althaea-officinalis)_0_2

No serious side effects have been reported from taking this herbal remedy, it has high safety profile.

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How it is prepared: 0.5–5 g in 150 ml of water as an infusion, three times a day. Marshmallow root syrup is also a common preparation in a daily dose of 2-8 ml.

Marshmallow-(Althaea-officinalis)_0_5

What it contains: polysaccharides (they are responsible for the mucus consistency of the extract) - galacturonormanans, arabins, glucans; flavonoids (e.g. kaempferol); phenolic acids; coumarin (scopoletin); tannins.

Marshmallow-(Althaea-officinalis)_0_6

Special requirements for use: the absorption of other medicines taken simultaneously with marshmallow may be delayed due to the presence of mucilage in the herb extract. As a precautionary measure, all preparations with marshmallow should be taken at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before or after taking other medicines, minerals or vitamins.

Myrrh-(Commiphora-molmol)

Myrrh (Commiphora molmol)

Myrrh-(Commiphora-molmol)_1_0

It is synonymous with Commiphora myrrha, African myrrh, herabol myrrh, Somali myrrhor, common myrrh, or gum myrrh. Myrrh preparations appear to have a supportive effect as a painkiller and to relieve respiratory symptoms. However, their effect appears after a few weeks, thus exceeding the normal, uncomplicated development of COVID-19. It contains sesquiterpenes.

Myrrh-(Commiphora-molmol)_1_1

No serious safety concerns have been reported for this herb and it can be assessed as highly safe.

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How it is prepared: it is preferable to use a commercial preparation of a certain composition, such as tincture (0.5–5 ml in 150 ml of water for rinsing or gargling three times a day).

Myrrh-(Commiphora-molmol)_1_4

Special requirements for use: due to the uterine-stimulating effect, products containing myrrh resin should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. Simultaneous use of myrrh with theophylline (dimethylxanthine, which is used in the treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or cyclosporin A (immunosuppressive drug) should be avoided.

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-glabra)

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

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Liquorice can be useful for relieving respiratory symptoms, having a soothing&nbsp; effect on the respiratory tract - against cough and sore throat.

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The safety of the herb can be assessed as high, although it should be avoided by some risk groups. Patients suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney disease, liver or cardiovascular disorders or hypokalaemia (low levels of potassium in the blood) should avoid taking licorice. Short-term use seems safe for patients without serious illnesses.

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-glabra)_2_2

How it is prepared: 1.5 g roots in 150 ml, take the herbal decoction twice a day.

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-glabra)_2_3

What it contains: saponins (glycyrrhizin); triterpenes (glycyrrhetinic acid); flavonoids; coumarins; essential oil.

Licorice-(Glycyrrhiza-glabra)_2_4

Common-ivy-(Hedera-helix)

Common ivy (Hedera helix)

Common-ivy-(Hedera-helix)_3_0

Preparations containing ivy extract can be useful for symptomatic relief of respiratory diseases by its expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory tract.

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In many countries, licensed preparations are regulated for use in children. Safety of medicines containing ivy can be assessed as high, since side effects have only been observed with overdose - nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There is no evidence of interactions with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)

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How to use: a pharmaceutical preparation with a certain chemical profile and an adequate dose should be used. Common ivy is poisonous!

Common-ivy-(Hedera-helix)_3_3

What it contains: flavonoids and other phenols; polyacetylenes; saponins and essential oils (β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, lemon, α- and β-pinene and sabinene as main components).

Common-ivy-(Hedera-helix)_3_4

Elderberry-(Sambucus-nigra)

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Elderberry-(Sambucus-nigra)_4_0

Black elderberry is also known as elder, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, and European black elderberry. The dried flowers of the plant can alleviate conditions such as fever and inflammation of the respiratory tract, to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu, to relieve headaches and as an expectorant. Elderberry has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic (lowers fever) effects.

Elderberry-(Sambucus-nigra)_4_1

Clinical evidence is good and it is considered that this herbal remedy has a high level of safety.

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How to use: 2–5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml as an infusion, 2-3 times a day. Or 3–6 g of dried flowers in 150 ml as a decoction, 2-3 times a day.

Elderberry-(Sambucus-nigra)_4_3

What it contains: flavonoids such as kaempferol, astragalin, quercetin, rutin; triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid); sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol); phenolic acids and their corresponding glycosides (chlorogenic, ferulic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids); and essential oil.

Elderberry-(Sambucus-nigra)_4_4

Other-medicinal-plants-and-herbs-that-may-serve-as-complementary-treatment-for-COVID-19

Other medicinal plants and herbs that may serve as complementary treatment for COVID-19

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The authors of the review also identified 12 more herbs that provide encouraging results on safety and effectiveness as complementary treatment for infectious respiratory diseases, in particular COVID-19. They are:

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Garlic (Allium sativum) - 2-4 g of fresh garlic cloves per day, but avoid garlic when taking blood-thinning drugs - it can cause bleeding.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Green chiretta (Andrographis paniculata) - may be beneficial for mild symptoms. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"> Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea) - the benefit of echinacea in the treatment of colds has been confirmed, but theoretically it can affect the immune response in an unusual way in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no evidence to support this; another theoretical risk is the damage to the liver in the seriously ill, who need to be anesthetised. [<a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2020/2560645/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.2</a>]</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Eucalyptus&nbsp;(Eucalyptus globulus) essential oil - can relieve cough, but should not be used in young children under the age of 2.5 years.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis bark) - used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to treat asthma, allergic diseases, as well as relieve headaches, muscle pain and fever, but its active ingredient (magnolol) can enhance the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the cell.</li>
</ul>

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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">African geranium or South African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) - can alleviate symptoms at the beginning of respiratory disease, but it is good to stop taking it if the disease worsens due to immunomodulatory properties of the herb, which can cause an unexpected effect.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Anise (Pimpinella anisum) - may provide some relief to the initial symptoms of COVID-19, especially in asthma sufferers.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Willow (Salix sp.) - it has an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect, but it is not advisable to use with aspirin and other blood-thinning drugs, since it has the same properties and there is a risk of bleeding.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - it has an anti-inflammatory effect, but in high doses it may affect blood clotting, it&nbsp;is contraindicated for sufferers of gallstones, stomach irritation and high blood pressure.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Freshcut, chambá or carpintero (Justicia pectoralis) - this herb has an anti-inflammatory effect, but it is contraindicated to use with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood-thinning drugs, since it contains coumarin.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Guaco (Mikania glomerata) - may relieve cough and help with asthma, but also contains coumarin and is contraindicated to use with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood-thinning drugs.</li>
</ul>

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Herbs to avoid when taking aspirin, nurofen and paracetamol

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Herbs are not a "magic wand" for solving problems caused by influenza, COVID-19 or any other coronavirus. They cannot prevent viral infection, but they can alleviate symptoms and potentially improve the general condition of patients, especially when the severity of the disease is little. Complicated flu or coronavirus infection requires medical treatment and specialized help.

5 herbs to relieve mild COVID-19 symptoms and how to prepare them

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 5 herbs to relieve mild COVID-19 symptoms and how to prepare them

Rositsa Tashkova-Kacharova

Although the attention of the whole world in the last year is focused almost entirely on the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agents of other dangerous viral diseases have not disappeared.

History remembers the worst pandemic in the recent past - that of the Spanish flu in 1918, during which more than 500 million people worldwide became ill and 50 million died - mostly children and young people between 20 and 40 years. More American soldiers died from the Spanish flu than in World War I at the time. [ref.10] For comparison, currently the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in the world is 96.2 million, and the number of dead - 2.06 million.

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The smallpox virus is one of the most common causes of death in young children. The disease is extremely contagious (9 out of 10 people who are not protected are infected), it is transmitted by airborne droplets and is dangerous for people of all ages. Although there is an effective vaccine against the disease, many people remain unvaccinated, allowing it to spread. In 2019, a peak in the spread of the disease was observed, as 869,770 people became ill and 207,500 of them died. [<a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1077482" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ref.11</a>]

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Unfortunately, no effective drugs have yet been found for most viruses. Treatment is usually supportive and relies on the body's own immune system for the outcome of the disease. Because viruses are very different from bacteria [<a href="/p/kakva_ie_razlikata_miezhdu_baktieriia_i_virus_i_kakvo_tochno_ie_klietkata_f496ccd4_1ffa_42b5_bd7a_73a56893200d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">ref.1</a>], antibiotics cannot cure a viral infection.

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Currently, the danger of two simultaneous epidemics - influenza and coronavirus, poses a new challenge. In addition to the proper wearing of a mask, the use of disinfectants and soap, physical distance, we can support our body with healthy food, good sleep and aromatic herbs with antiviral properties while we expect better times :)

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This is not another article that promises a panacea. Here we will summarize which are the medicinal plants with the strongest antiviral properties, which we can easily find in the countryside, and which are the viruses against which they have shown effectiveness.