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I have been doing some additional research on herbal anti-virals as an additional protection against H5N1. I started with the post by ThePythonicCow, on a summary of herbal anti-virals and substitutes for Tamiflu (or in addition to Tamiflu). Original link here.. I also considered the many excellent posts on the FR Thread: Bird Flu May Over-Stimulate Immune System.

The article on herbal Tamiflu alternatives was a pretty good article because it gave PubMed references for most of the suggestions. I decided to loop up those references and learn a little more.

One of the best was: Proinflammatory cytokine responses induced by influenza A (H5N1) viruses in primary human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells., which discussed the "cytokine storm" and the possible mechanism for the lethality of H5N1, namely the overstimulation of the immune cytokine system. This article had also been referenced in the Avian Influenza Bird Flu Information summary.

What I found particularly interesting about this particular article is that it cited the specific cytokines that were associated with the immune response. Those were: TNF-a, IL-6, and IP-10. Significantly, the Avian Influenza Bird Flue Information Summary also cited: "Below is a list of foods that are said to contain substances that are natural antivirals, immune boosters or they decrease cytokines TNF-a and IL-6." Therefore, the summary of anti-virals and cytokine suppressants discussed in the summary only included TNF-a and IL-6. IP-10, which was prominently mentioned in the ProMed article was absent from the summary. So, I decided to look more closely in the Promed database for IP-10 suppressants. I found one article: Ginger extract components suppress induction of chemokine expression in human synoviocytes.

Significantly, the only reference I could find on the suppression of IP-10 was Ginger. Moreover, this research was done at the renown Johns Hopkins Medical School.

In our previous discussions, we had come up with a tentative list from those discussions. My variant of this list was (in rough order of importance):

Vitamin C
Resveratrol
Sambucol (this is somewhat controversial)
Cinnamon
Turmeric
St. Johns Wort

I have eliminated other candidates because the results were not well-substantiated or there were significant side effects.

To this list we must now add:

Ginger.

Outstanding post. It should be added to the Avian Flu Prep thread, if and when you get a chance...

I am presently using Cinnamon and Turmeric for other reasons, primarily these:

Cinnamon is good for insulin response and blood sugar levels, also benefits triglycerides and good cholesterol. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and has a shown detectable improvement in my RA.

I also take my elderberry "potion" on days I go out in public, just before and just after.

Ginger is an excellent addition. Thanks for the information.

Of course, it is better not to get the flu in the first place. That is why NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) is high on my list (e.g. reference from Swedish Medical Center Hospital, Seattle).

http://www.swedish.org/110925.cfm

Actually, it didn't really prevent infection. "Rather, the supplement seemed to reduce the rate at which influenza infection became severe enough to cause noticeable symptoms."

Also, for new readers, curcumin is the active ingredient from turmeric. Turmeric used as spice has far too little to be useful. It should be in a concentrated form (about 95% standardized). And curcumin in any form has to be supplemented by an absorption facilitator (i.e. piperine), or it is not absorbed effectively. The usual cautions about piperine over-facilitating absorption of prescription medications applies and should be observed.