Antiviral properties of organic compounds found in common herbs, spices and other plants

I promised a thread about oil of oregano a while ago but haven’t had much time to work on it since. I've since expanded the topic to include some of the various plant oil research that has shown antiviral properties in general or has otherwise shown the potential to lessen the effects of a viral infection. Some of these oils have also been shown to have antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer properties as well, but I won’t cover them in order to limit the length of the OP. There have been many other studies, but these are the most recent ones. I had planned to give a short, but concise history of herbal medicine, but that made for an extremely long thread. I may make a separate thread for that.

I hope this will be informative for everyone, but my main audience will be those who have experience with herbal and traditional medicine and are aware of the safe concentrations associated with historical use of these oils to fight disease. Because of the lack of human in vivo research, I would not recommend solely relying on herbal remedies for the treatment of covid or any other disease unless it is under the guidance of someone trained and experienced with the safe use of herbal medicine, preferably a naturopathic doctor or an allopathic doctor who had courses in alternative medicine. Please do not try concocting any kind of herbal remedy unless you have experience with the safe use of these plant materials.

When using the neat essential oils, it is very important to appropriately dilute them with a carrier oil, or there is a strong potential for adverse effects. Some of these compounds may have harmful interactions with each other and/or any other supplement or pharmaceutical medication you are taking. In most cases, they must also be properly prepared with the right other food ingredients for them to be absorbed by your body. Again, please consult with someone who has experience and training with traditional herbal medicine if you have no knowledge or experience with the safe use of essential oils.

That said, I realized after working on this thread that I already frequently eat copious amounts of most of the herbs and spices that the oils in the following studies come from. Some ordinary food recipes that use these herbs and spices, often include them at a potentially therapeutic levels and also include the other necessary organic compounds, like fats, for these oils to become bioavailable. Anecdotally, while I have tested positive for covid, I have never experienced any significant symptoms, and would not have even known I was infected were I not required to undergo regular testing. Hippocrates may have been onto something when he said, “Let food be thy medicine”.

SARS2, like any RNA virus, is a single strand of RNA wrapped in a protein. To replicate, once inside the cell, the viral RNA is converted into a long protein, which then needs to be separated into smaller proteins by a protease enzyme before the virus can begin to replicate. Paxlovid, the Pfizer drug, works to stop replication by inhibiting the sars2 3CL protease enzymes. Natural plant-based extracts were tested for their ability to inhibit Sars2 3CL protease activity (1). Turmeric showed a complete inhibitory capacity against 3CL activity. Mustard seed and wall rocket showed a high inhibitory capacity. Celery leaves, aloe vera leaves, oregano and wasabi powder showed an intermediate inhibitory capacity. Grapefruit peels, lemon peels, orange peels, red onion, celery stalk, and horseradish were some other extracts that inhibited 3CL in a minor way.

A different study looked at the effectiveness of 221 phytochemicals and essential oil constituents against the original SARS (2). They used a cell-based test to examine the cytopathogenic effects on Vero E6 cells (green monkey kidney cells) infected with SARS. Ten terpenoids, two sesquiterpenoids, and two triterpenoids out of all the experimental components demonstrated 50% inhibition.

Significant activity against coronavirus replication and levels of TRP gene expression has been observed for the essential oils extracted from Citrus sinesis, Anthemis hyalina, and Nigella sativa (3). HeLa-CEACAM1a (HeLa-epithelial carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a) cells were injected with MHV-A59 (mouse hepatitis virus-A59), which was found to be the nontoxic active dose, to evaluate the effect of extracts on the replication of coronavirus and on the manifestation of TRP genes throughout coronavirus contagion. For treatments to ascertain viral loads, TCID 50/mL (Tissue Culture Infectious Dose) was discovered. This dose will cause a cytopathic effect in 50% of the injected tissue culture cells. After 24 and 48 hours of extract exposure, it was revealed that the levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-8 increased. The expression levels of the genes TRPA1, TRPV4, TRPM6, TRPC4, TRPM7, and TRPM8 significantly changed after extract treatments. Once extracts were introduced to the infected cells, the viral load decreased. Following an infection, all extract treatments had an impact on TRP gene expression, IL-8 secretion, and virus load and may represent candidates for a therapeutic molecule.

Major components of the essential oil of Laurus nobilus include -pinene, -pinene, 1,8-cineole, and b-ocimene. Strong antiviral activity against SARS1 has been reported for the oil, with selective index and IC50 values of 4.6 and 120 mg/mL, respectively (4). The essential oil of Juniperus oxycedrus has been linked to antiviral effects in the past. This oil has 48 different compounds in total, with the main ones being 2.2 percent cadinene, 2.3 percent epibicycloses-quiphellandren, and 6.7 percent limonene and -phellandrene. The SARS1 coronavirus was effectively inhibited by all these substances. Theileria orientalis essential oil has a complex chemical makeup. This oil is made up of 43 components. 9.55 percent -cedrol, 9.48 percent -3-carene, and 35.72 percent -pinene made up the oil's main ingredients. All these potent phytochemicals have been linked to SARS1 coronavirus inhibition.

The antiviral activity of a mixture of oleoresins and essential oils derived from several fragrant herbs and medicinal plants was tested in vivo and in vitro against the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). This mixture proved to be viricidal and was most beneficial before the virus gained entry and attachment (5).

Garlic oil has been used for centuries to cure a variety of human illnesses, such as the flu, the common cold, and other infections. Garlic oil underwent GC-MS analysis, revealing 18 compounds. Diallyl tetrasulfide (6.5%), allyl methyl trisulfide (6.7%), allyl (E)-1-propenyl disulfide (8.2%), allyl trisulfide (22.8%), and allyl disulfide (28.1%) were the major constituents. Of the 18 components, 17 had their effects on the SARS2 protein and the viral major protease Mpro/6LU7. Mpro helps in viral replication, whereas ACE-2 is an enzyme that facilitates virus entry into the host cell. The 17 components under investigation showed exceptional interactions with Mpro and ACE-2, demonstrating the efficacy of garlic oil to effectively cure covid (6). The pathogenesis and life cycle of viral illnesses are heavily influenced by the oxidative stress that viruses create in host cells. Antioxidant mechanisms, including nuclear factor erythroid 1p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), are activated in host cells as a result of oxidative stress (7). It is well known that the Nrf2 transcription factor modifies the levels of expression of various genes linked to antiviral activity [134]. According to reports, the substance PB125® (activator containing active ingredients carnosol, withaferin A, and luteolin) has a high capacity to activate Nrf2, which led to the downregulation of TMPRSS2 mRNA and ACE-2 levels in HepG2 cells obtained from human liver. SARS2 entry into the host cell is facilitated by both the ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 mRNAs. Furthermore, it was shown that PB125® changed the expression of roughly 36 cytokine-related genes in primary human pulmonary artery endothelial cells, which are known as cytokine storms during severe COVID-19 instances. The cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2 patients may be suppressed by activating Nrf2 (8). Dialyl sulfide, one of the active components of garlic oil, may potentially activate Nrf2 in lung MRC-5 cells. Through the regulation of oxidative stress, Nrf2's translocation into the nucleus following activation reduced lung injury (9), 10.

The effectiveness of several plant-derived essential oils from various families against the S1 (also known as receptor binding domain) subunit in the spike proteins of the COVID-19 virus was examined (11). Through ACE-2 receptors, the S1 subunit of the spike proteins participates in the contact of the virus with the host cell. Pulegone, thymol, L-4-terpineol, cinnamyl acetate, geraniol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde, as well as anethole, among the essential oils employed, showed potential inhibition of the S1 subunit in silico (12). Elfiky performed a comparable docking investigation to show the effectiveness of thymoquinone and cinnamaldehyde against COVID-19 and RdRps (SARS RNA-dependent RNA polymerase). Both substances were discovered to have decreased binding affinities for RdRps (13).

This study made the conclusion that cinnamaldehyde could inhibit SARS2 viral attachment, although more in vivo and in vitro research is needed to confirm this. In xenografted mouse models, researchers examined the protective effects of cinnamaldehyde against acute lung injury generated by lipopolysaccharide (14). Cinnamaldehyde reduced pulmonary oedema and the wet/dry ratio, which had positive benefits on the mouse lungs. Additionally, cinnamaldehyde reduced the number of macrophages, neutrophils, and total cells in the fluid from bronchoalveolar lavage. The production of cytokines implicated in inflammation, such as IL-1, IL-13, IL-6, and TNF-, was also decreased (15). More in vivo and in vitro investigations are necessary, as this in silico data indicates that cinnamaldehyde might be essential in the fight against covid.

Numerous respiratory conditions like pharyngitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis have been treated with the use of Eucalyptus globulus essential oils. 1,8-cineole, one of the active components of eucalyptus oil, has been linked to muscle-relaxing actions by reducing the contraction of smooth muscles brought on by various substances (16), (17). Additionally, investigations have shown that inhaling cineole has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; as a result, it can be utilized to treat COPD and asthmatic patients (18). Strong antiviral activity of eucalyptus essential oil against HSV-1, HSV-2, and enveloped mumps viruses has been documented (19)

Strong evidence for the antiviral properties of Eucalyptus essential oil and its components has prompted researchers to test the substance's efficacy against SARS2 using in vitro assays and docking. Researchers looked into the antiviral activity of jensenone, one of the active components of eucalyptus oil, against viral proteinase Mpro/3CLpro. The study's findings showed that the jensenone molecule formed a complex when it reacted with Mpro through interactions with the hydrophobic molecules PRO184, TRY126, LEU29, TRP207, PRO52, and ALA7, the ionic molecules HIS163, ARG38, ASP34, and LYS3, and the hydrogen bond molecules T16, D10, L30, V18, and M4 (20 PDF), 21 PDF).Using molecular docking, it was demonstrated that eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), another active component of eucalyptus oil, could connect with Mpro and prevent viral multiplication. Strong ionic contacts, hydrogen bond interactions, and hydrophobic interactions between the eucalyptol/Mpro complexes have all been observed (22). However, these authors recommended that in vitro enzyme assays against SARS2 be used to confirm the accuracy of these results. It was demonstrated that practically all SARS2 patients experience aberrant lung development. The excessive and aberrant inflammatory responses have been blamed for the fatalities and severity in covid patients. Increased cytokine levels, significant mononuclear cell infiltration, and extensive lymphopenia in the lungs and other affected organs such as the kidneys, lymph nodes, spleen, and heart are all results of this storm of inflammatory responses. Increased levels of cytokines such as TNF, IL-6, and -7, as well as other inflammatory cytokines, were seen in the SARS2 patients' cytokine profiles (23). Studies on the impact of eucalyptus oil and its active ingredient, eucalyptol, on the recruitment of macrophages and monocytes during lung infections and inflammation have been conducted both in vitro and ex vivo. Data from these investigations shows that both eucalyptus oil and its potent component, eucalyptol, have noticeable immunomodulatory activities. Although the phagocytic functions of macrophages and monocytes were reduced by both treatments, their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines was not stopped (24). According to data from clinical and preclinical research, eucalyptus oil and its active ingredients have a significant anti-covid capability, according to data from clinical and preclinical research. Therefore, further research in this area is urgently required.

Through molecular docking, scientists tested 171 essential oils and the molecules that make them up against various proteins in SARS2, such as spike proteins, Rdrp, ADP-ribose-1-phosphatase, endoribonuclease, human angiotensin-converting enzyme, and viral proteases Mpro (25). Only a small number of the 171 compounds, including (E)-nerolidol, (E,E)-farnesol, and (E,E)—farnesene, had increased binding effectiveness to Mpro. The outcomes showed that administering these components of essential oils in combination or alone could prevent viral multiplication. Endoribonuclease and non-structural protein 15 (Nsp15) are the two primary proteins involved in the viral infection of SARS (26). Nsp15 has exhibited a high affinity for the molecules (E)-nerolidol, (E,E)-farnesol, (E,E)—farnesene, and (E)—farnesene. RdRp catalyzes viral replication, which is a fundamental and essential stage in viral replication, in RNA viruses. In order to combat RNA viruses, this makes it a prime target for antiviral therapy (27). The best docking scores against RDRp have reportedly been achieved by (E,E)-farnesol. Spike proteins on the SARS-CoV-2 virus help it enter the host cell by interacting with ACE-2 located on the host cell membrane (28). Thus, it was thought that one of the main targets of management therapy for COVID-19 was ACE-2. Numerous components of essential oils, such as -bulnesene, eremanthin, (Z)-spiroether, -sesquiphellandrene, (E)-nerolidol, (E,E)-farnesol, (E)—farnesene, and (E,E)—farnesene, have been found to have increased affinity for ACE-2. The substances eremanthin, geranyl formate, (E,E)-farnesol, (E)—farnesene, (E,E)—farnesene, and (E)-cinnamyl acetate had better activity against SARS2 spike proteins.

Researchers used a molecular docking study to examine the effectiveness of carvacrol, menthol, and eugenol against a number of SARS2 proteins. These substances were said to have higher affinity for the proteins ACE-2, RdRp, Mpro, and spike. Similar research was conducted in silico (29) to assess the ability of carvacrol to bind to the primary protease protein in SARS-CoV-2. The results demonstrated that carvacrol significantly reduced viral replication by inhibiting Mpro. In rat models, menthol has been shown to have a wide range of pharmacological effects, including gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory capabilities. Interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-23 expression and levels were found to be significantly lower in menthol-treated rats (30, 31). The antiviral properties of eugenol have been shown to be ineffective against HSV-1 and HSV-2 (32). By preventing the generation of cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-6, eugenol use has been associated to significant leukocyte recruitment and the prevention of an inflammatory storm in the lungs 33. In a mouse model of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema, Researchers undertook an in vivo experiment to assess the effects of three substances, including carvacrol (34). According to their findings, carvacrol reduced the number of macrophages that were attracted to the area, the size of the alveoli, and the expression of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. When compared to the disease control group, the inflammatory responses were less severe in the carvacrol-treated animals. In conclusion, the evidence from in vivo and in silico investigations suggests that carvacrol, menthol, and eugenol may have some protective effects against covid. More in vitro and in vivo tests are necessary to confirm these findings against SARS2. Significant ACE2 inhibitory effects were seen in epithelial cells by geranium and lemon oils (35).

Numerous non-enveloped DNA and RNA viruses, including adenovirus type 3, coxsackievirus B-1, and poliovirus, have been shown to be sensitive to oregano and clove volatile oil (36).

The essential oils of tea tree, eucalyptus, and thyme, as well as the monoterpenes they contain, have been proven to be very active against HSV-1 in an in vitro investigation. These essential oils inhibited HSV-1 by nearly 96 percent, and monoterpenes inhibited the virus by roughly 80 percent (37.

Essential oils and their chemical components derived from plants have been shown to have anti-herpes potential in the past [38]. Tea tree oils and their chemical components from plant sources have been shown to have antiherpes potential in the past(39).

Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil from Australia have been linked to anti-herpes effects in a few other studies(40),(7),(41).

Other studies have also shown that other essential oil compounds, including phenylpropanes, sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes, have been found to have potent antiviral properties against the rhinovirus and herpes viruses (42), (43), (44), (45).

Citronellal and citral, two important components of Melissa officinalis essential oil, may be able to prevent HSV-2 from replicating (46).

It has been discovered that the essential oils from Artemisia douglasiana and Eupatorium patens are effective against the dengue virus (47).

The essential oils from the leaves and fruits of Fortune llamargarita were found to have anti-avian influenza virus H5N1 action (48). PDF

Pogostemon cablin's essential oil components have been discovered to exhibit anti-H2N2 influenza-A virus activity (49).

It has been noted that the Trachyspermum oil exhibits extraordinary antiviral ability against the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (50), (51.

Additionally, the essential oils of Lippia junelliana and Lippia turbinate demonstrated potent antiviral activity against the Junin virus (52).

The anti-ORF virus (aparapox virus) activity of the Achillea fragrantissima essential oil has been demonstrated(53) PDF

A recent in vitro investigation assessed the antiviral effectiveness of noseltamivir and lemon balm (M. officinalis) essential oil against the H9N2 avian influenza virus as well as their synergistic efficacy against the virus. H9N2 virus replication was slowed down by varied doses of lemon balm volatile oils. These replication inhibitory effects were, however, intensified when noseltamivir was also administered. (54)

Ocimum campechianum, Hyptismutabilis, Lepechinia vulcanicola, Minthostachys mollis, and Lepechinia salviifolia are several Colombian plants whose oils have been demonstrated to be highly effective against herpes type-1 and -2. These essential oils seem to prevent viral infections in their initial stages.

(55)
Another study examined the antimicrobial effects of the volatile oils of Myrtaceaen species, specifically Eucalyptus globulus Labill. It showed that E. globulus volatile oil was effective against 120 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, 30 isolates of H. parainfluenzae, 40 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, 10 isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and 10 isolates of enteric bacterium pneumonia (56).

I hope this thread will be helpful and informative, especially considering the current times.

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a reply to: tamusan

Lots of work here. S&F.

If you aren't aware there's a database of ethnobotany.

It compiles known information about the constituents of plants. It includes a variety of sources but also includes uses that are historic and have no quantitative studies. It's priceless for wild plants. Dr. Duke held indigenous practitioners in high regard and believed that many of their uses that lack scientific backing have simply evaded sufficient study to discover the proper constituents.

Dr Jim Duke, the father of this database, was an incredible guy that I was very fortunate to meet at a field seminar on wild medicinals and edibles. I learned more in a week with him than a decade of independent study. He was at the forefront of bringing enthnobotany into the realm of modern medicine, rejecting the religion of "settled science" that still persists today among some sects.

The database is hard to navigate at first, but well worth the trouble.

I've been looking into the different methods of extraction and making tinctures and such. Perhaps you could mention some of that?

Of course the biggest problem would be to figure purity and dosages. Tests can be expensive, 300 dollars to test hops for it's essential oils and other components. I imagine it can get higher for different extracts.

As a child of the '70s with 3 siblings, my Mom always had Vicks VapoRub,

Somebody here on ATS turned me on to essential oils, and I used to think it was a bunch of hokum. Especially as a guy who would rarely go to the doctor, but since I hit 50. Think it all started when I had a toothache late one night somebody on ATS mentioned doing a coconut oil pull. I thought seriously what bullcrap, but I was hurting. Damn if it didn't work, since then when somebody talks about essential oils I listen.

Yes I used eucalyptus oil quite a bit I mix it with aloe vera gel to knock my cold sores down, tea tree oil is good. Ive heard Rose geranium has antiviral properties too, but it has a calming effect just the aroma, my sister and I call it grandmother in a bottle cause it reminds us of the potpourri essence both our grandmothers' put out and how you could always relax at grannies

I also use ginger and turmeric all the time.

You really do have to dial in what works for you.

Grapefruit has four different methods of action that fight this coronavirus. Concentrating on just one is not adequate to determine it's overall preformance against the coronavirus. Pine needle tea has four potent chemistries against viruses, but the one they made a flu treatment out of does not work well for this coronavirus but the other three do.

The chemical in parsley is pretty much the same as in oregano, dried parsley leaves have pretty much of it as do the oreganos, but the variance of the appigenin content varies widely in different oreganos, a few are strong, the rest are weaker than parsley. The chemistry in oregano oil is very antiviral and antibacterial. I have a bottle for emergency use, but it has not been opened...it is in a glass bottle, should be good for years. we do use good organic oregano in our sauces. As far as turmeric, I get it in mustard on sandwiches.

The medications they developed and approved for covid are based off of the method of action of some natural chemistries found in nature....they just created a patentable medicine instead of sticking the actual natural med into a pill which is probably just as potent as what is in the pill and is bioavailable too.

Good thread Tamusan, I comment but do not particularly like starting my own threads.

Nature has the cure for many diseases. But remember, too much of a good thing can be bad too.

a reply to: Ksihkehe

Thank you for the link, Ksihkehe! It looks awesome. I have no idea how I've never seen it before now.

a reply to: tamusan

It's picked up a lot of steam over the years and was not very well known outside that academic or career niche.

I try to post it when I see threads on related topics when they come up. This is helpful in creating oils and blends because you can add similar molecules to cover a wider range of whatever effect you're looking for.

Historically the native populations of each region would have various uses that were tested over time, synergistic effects observed by plants that tended to cohabitate. Now we have herbs by mail and that connection is lost, but I think by pairing similar compounds from non-native substitutes you can get close. This database is great for that, like a thesaurus for a creative herbalist that doesn't have access to a wild source.

originally posted by: MichiganSwampBuck
I've been looking into the different methods of extraction and making tinctures and such. Perhaps you could mention some of that?

I have very little experience with making tinctures and my knowledge of extracting requires expensive lab equipment. I'm more of a medical researcher than a practicing doctor. I will see if I can gather any information about this from someone. My grandmother used to have a wealth of traditional medicine knowledge, but she had a stroke last year and is not really with it any longer. My hope from making this thread was that it would inspire people to share their experiences and recipes for traditional medicine.

I will say that I've personally had great success with oil of oregano from the store. The kind that is already diluted with olive oil. It's anecdotal, but I take some whenever I feel a cold coming on, and I am fine the next day. It works for my wife as well, and my friends have also reported that it seems to help them.

Here is a link to a recipe that makes turmeric bioavailable that an acquaintance of mine came up with. He's an allopathic veterinarian and not really into traditional medicine, but many people claim this recipe helps them with a variety of ailments. You have to make sure that you use freshly ground peppercorns. They contain piperine, which helps to keep the organic compounds from the turmeric in your system longer. Piperine is a structurally weak compound, and it quickly breaks down once the pepper is ground up. That's why you need to use freshly ground pepper.

turmeric golden paste

I incorporate the recipe from the link into curries that I cook rather than eat the golden paste on its own.

a reply to: putnam6

I still keep Vicks Vapor Rub in the medicine cabinet.

I don't have much faith in doctors myself. I had some horrible experiences with doctors in my younger years, and that was the major factor behind why I studied medicine. I often refrain from trying to treat myself, but I will argue with a doctor at their level if I think they are going in the wrong direction.

a reply to: rickymouse

I think that the best approach is to moderately incorporate this knowledge into the diet in an attempt to prevent disease. Although, I've mentioned before that I strongly believe that oil of oregano can do some amazing things. Like Putnam6 says, you have to find what approach works for you.

originally posted by: tamusan

originally posted by: MichiganSwampBuck
I've been looking into the different methods of extraction and making tinctures and such. Perhaps you could mention some of that?

I have very little experience with making tinctures and my knowledge of extracting requires expensive lab equipment. I'm more of a medical researcher than a practicing doctor. I will see if I can gather any information about this from someone. My grandmother used to have a wealth of traditional medicine knowledge, but she had a stroke last year and is not really with it any longer. My hope from making this thread was that it would inspire people to share their experiences and recipes for traditional medicine.

I will say that I've personally had great success with oil of oregano from the store. The kind that is already diluted with olive oil. It's anecdotal, but I take some whenever I feel a cold coming on, and I am fine the next day. It works for my wife as well, and my friends have also reported that it seems to help them.

Here is a link to a recipe that makes turmeric bioavailable that an acquaintance of mine came up with. He's an allopathic veterinarian and not really into traditional medicine, but many people claim this recipe helps them with a variety of ailments. You have to make sure that you use freshly ground peppercorns. They contain piperine, which helps to keep the organic compounds from the turmeric in your system longer. Piperine is a structurally weak compound, and it quickly breaks down once the pepper is ground up. That's why you need to use freshly ground pepper.

turmeric golden paste

I incorporate the recipe from the link into curries that I cook rather than eat the golden paste on its own.

Thanks for the recipe for turmeric paste, I knew you had to use black pepper but I always used coarse ground pepper didn't know it had to be fresh ground. Doesn't it all have to be cooked or heated up to help it work better?

I take turmeric in some form every day as well as cook with it, in soups, stews, or stir fry. Ive always wanted to try golden milk but I haven't yet. I used to have a great supplier of fresh turmeric root but since COVID the selection sucks and it's much more expensive. I really want to get a bunch and can it and let it ferment, but I enjoy it fresh and cooked so much that I always go through it real quick

I m fairly new to tinctures though but after seeing how CBD has helped my sister and can see where using that as a delivery method has some promise, both orally and with patches.

www.alphafoodie.com...

originally posted by: tamusan
a reply to: putnam6

I still keep Vicks Vapor Rub in the medicine cabinet.

I don't have much faith in doctors myself. I had some horrible experiences with doctors in my younger years, and that was the major factor behind why I studied medicine. I often refrain from trying to treat myself, but I will argue with a doctor at their level if I think they are going in the wrong direction.

Ive had doctors tell was gonna have to take stuff for the rest of my life twice and Ive found other remedies that work as well as their prescriptions.

I had one doctor tell me Id probably have to take blood pressure meds till I got my weight down to below 200, I'm at 247 and haven't taken them regularly in 6 months. I drink turmeric and beet powder green tea basically every day, huge believer in garlic benefits too.

Have mentioned I have had chronic pain and inflammation in my legs that is made worse by scar tissue on my legs, especially my left foot. I've had decent success alleviating the pain with a turmeric tincture from the link and adding some eucalyptus and clove oil and just a small drop of DMSO and it works like a charm and makes my foot yellow but I don't care, it definitely feels better quicker.

a reply to: tamusan

Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic.

"An herbal ally for viral infections: Sweet Annie/ Artemisia annua"

originally posted by: Itisnowagain
a reply to: tamusan

Artemisinin is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual endoperoxide 1, 2, 4-trioxane ring. It is derived from the herbal medicinal plant Artemisia annua and is best known for its use in treatment of malaria. However, recent studies also indicate the potential for artemisinin and related compounds, commonly referred to as artemisinins, in combating viral infections, inflammation and certain cancers. Moreover, the different potential modes of action of artemisinins make these compounds also potentially relevant to the challenges the world faces in the COVID-19 pandemic.

"An herbal ally for viral infections: Sweet Annie/ Artemisia annua"

We don't have Artemisia annua or sweet wormwood around here in the wild. I suppose it could have spread from people's herb gardens by farms. I am not really into the wormwoods that much because I don't care for the buzz from them, they seem to dope me too much, make it hard to do research. I guess sweet wormwood is not as bad as the other one.

Marjoram does grow here well, it keeps trying to take over the yard where the wife planted it. We also have mints spreading. We need to replant chives again for emergency necessity, chives seem to die off after like three or four years here for some reason. I would like to plant some wild leaks in an area on our property too, have wandering onions that have been here for about five years but need to increase the numbers in case TSHTF.

I a

Good post/thread tamusan, however, as a Clinical Aromatherapist of +30 years I have to point out a couple of things for readers of your thread.
#1 There is a world of difference between essential oils and their original plant when used as a infusion (think tea) or tincture (think steeped in alcohol or base/carrier oil).
#2 Many of the plants you cite, in fact pretty much all of them in their essential oil form have contraindications as you rightly pointed out, not just to any medications people might be on, but more importantly to underlying health issues which can be exacerbated.
#3 You should clarify that there is a big difference between 'oil OF Oregano' and Oregano essential oil. Think Oil OF Cloves here.
#4 You cite Juniperus oxycedrus which is commonly known as Cade and people would be forgiven if they thought its botanical name implied Juniper. Juniperus oxycedrus is potentially carcinogenic, should not be used either internally or externally and for these reasons not used in Aromatherapy treatments, or at least shouldn't be. The point I am making is, as with all these researches and as your thread highlights, it is not the WHOLE plant chemist's are interested in, it is the individual chemical components and how they interact.
#5 Artemisia douglasiana and Eupatorium patens is Mugwort and Thoroughwort respectively. Mugwort essential oil is classified as toxic and Thoroughwort isn't even available to the public or therapists because of its toxicity.
#6 Just a small correction, you state Fortune llamargarita is I believe a misspelling for Fortunella Margarita basically Kumquat which is not available as an essential oil (some plants just don't convert into EO's) and is probably available as what we term a carrier oil.
Excellent post
S&F
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: Ksihkehe

I don't really have a green thumb, but my wife does grow some herbs. It's nowhere near enough for what we use for cooking, and there are many things that I have to buy that she doesn't grow. I am planning on learning how to keep plants alive when I retire and trying my hand at keeping a large garden. 

My grandmother and great grandfather had good knowledge of the medicinal plants that grew wild in the Potomac Appalachia region. They were also able to cultivate some on their own. I regret not taking any interest in what they collected and how it was used while I still had the chance. Neither my mom nor my uncles paid any attention either. 

I am interested in learning more about the traditional uses of organic compounds from plants and will continue to do a lot of reading, but I do not plan on concocting my own remedies. I go to a primary care clinic with doctors trained in both allopathic and traditional medicine. I wish that our healthcare and pharmaceutical industries in general were set up in a way that patents and corporate profits didn't decide which kinds of medicines were available to people.