Dandelion beats the flu!?
I know that it is just one study, but spreade this around anyway[-
1. Virol J. 2011 Dec 14;8:538. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-538. Anti-influenza virus effect of aqueous extracts from dandelion. He W, Han H, Wang W, Gao B. Author information: CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology (CASPMI), Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Beijing 100101, PR China. BACKGROUND: Human influenza is a seasonal disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Anti-flu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has played a significant role in fighting the virus pandemic. In TCM, dandelion is a commonly used ingredient in many therapeutic remedies, either alone or in conjunction with other natural substances. Evidence suggests that dandelion is associated with a variety of pharmacological activities. In this study, we evaluated anti-influenza virus activity of an aqueous extract from dandelion, which was tested for in vitro antiviral activity against influenza virus type A, human A/PR/8/34 and WSN (H1N1). RESULTS: Results obstained using antiviral assays, minigenome assay and real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that 0.625-5 mg/ml of dandelion extracts inhibited infections in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells or Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) of PR8 or WSN viruses, as well as inhibited polymerase activity and reduced virus nucleoprotein (NP) RNA level. The plant extract did not exhibit any apparent negative effects on cell viability, metabolism or proliferation at the effective dose. This result is consistent with the added advantage of lacking any reported complications of the plant's utility in traditional medicine over several centuries. CONCLUSION: The antiviral activity of dandelion extracts indicates that a component or components of these extracts possess anti-influenza virus properties. Mechanisms of reduction of viral growth in MDCK or A549 cells by dandelion involve inhibition on virus replication. PMCID: PMC3265450 PMID: 22168277 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Full text is available |
Do you know if they were making a water extract from the aerial parts (leaves/ flowers) of the dandelion or root?
|
No, Aunt Bean, and I really couldn't tell from my initial reading. Most commercial products seem to be the root but I see no reason to not do a whole plant approach. A lot of nutrients there.
Quote:
|
Remember when we used to laugh at the old Italian couple by the side of the highway digging out dandelions? I guess I could have learned a thing or two from my ancestors.
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:00 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
vBulletin Optimisation provided by
vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.