Our Blog is a selection of various topics on herbs, foods, attitudes and much more that overlap between Dr Clare's Clinic and her separate bricks & mortar store and online Apothecary shop products.
In today’s world, maintaining a balanced gut is more than just a goal—it’s a cornerstone of overall well‐being.
Modern lifestyles, dietary shifts, and environmental changes can disrupt our internal ecosystem, leaving us vulnerable to imbalances that affect digestion, immunity, and energy levels. At Dr Clare Apothecary, we believe that nature offers us potent allies to help support a thriving gut environment. Our signature formula, Paracan, combines traditional herbal wisdom with modern research to create a sophisticated blend designed to nurture and balance your microbiome.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the fascinating interplay between gut health and natural botanicals. We’ll share insights on key herbal allies—including thyme, elecampane, chamomile, sage, peppermint, calendula, black walnut tincture, wormwood tincture, and Japanese knotweed—that are incorporated into our approach. Read on to discover how these herbs, individually and synergistically, foster a balanced digestive ecosystem and enhance overall vitality.
The Gut Ecosystem: More Than Meets the Eye
Your digestive system is an intricate ecosystem where beneficial bacteria, fungi, and even microscopic parasites interact in complex ways. While parasites are often seen solely as harmful invaders, emerging perspectives suggest that their presence, in moderation, might even stimulate and “train” the immune system. This dynamic interplay means that maintaining balance is key: a diverse, well-regulated microbiome supports efficient digestion, nutrient absorption, and robust immunity.
Environmental factors—ranging from processed diets to modern sanitation and the overuse of antibiotics—can shift this balance. In many cases, these changes lead to an “immune poverty,” where the body’s natural defenses are underexposed to diverse microbial challenges. The good news is that targeted herbal allies can help restore harmony in your gut, supporting both the microbiome and your immune system through nature’s own means.
Key Herbal Allies for a Balanced Gut
At Dr Clare Apothecary, our approach harnesses the power of traditional botanicals, known for their ability to support digestive health and overall wellness. Here’s an overview of the nine herbal allies featured in our philosophy:
Thyme is celebrated for its powerful antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in active compounds like thymol and carvacrol, thyme naturally supports a clean and balanced digestive tract. By helping to keep harmful organisms in check and promoting a healthy microbial environment, thyme plays an essential role in traditional herbal blends. Whether infused in a tea or formulated into a tincture, thyme’s gentle yet potent actions contribute to a harmonious gut environment.
Elecampane has long been valued in herbal traditions for its digestive tonic properties. Known for stimulating the secretion of digestive juices and bile, elecampane aids in breaking down food and reducing discomfort. Its mild antimicrobial effects support beneficial gut flora while discouraging unwanted microbial overgrowth. This herb is often used to gently encourage the natural cleansing process of the digestive system, fostering an environment that promotes balance and efficiency.
Famed for its calming properties, chamomile is much more than a soothing tea for the senses. This versatile herb exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and gentle anti-inflammatory actions. By reducing digestive stress and easing occasional discomfort, chamomile helps to support smooth digestion and a relaxed gut. Additionally, its ability to alleviate stress—a key contributor to digestive imbalance—ensures that both body and mind are supported in the journey toward overall wellness.
Sage has earned its place in herbal medicine due to its robust ability to support cognitive clarity and digestive health. With proven anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, sage contributes to a well-regulated digestive process while reducing the risk of inflammation-induced discomfort. Its subtle influence on hormonal balance can also help temper the brain fog often associated with an imbalanced gut. Used as part of a comprehensive herbal blend, sage enhances the overall resilience of your digestive ecosystem.
Peppermint is a household name when it comes to soothing digestive distress. Its antispasmodic properties ease intestinal cramping, while its potent bactericidal actions help maintain a balanced microbial environment. Peppermint’s cooling effect is not only refreshing but also highly effective in alleviating symptoms such as bloating and discomfort. Available in various forms—from essential oil capsules to herbal teas—peppermint is an accessible and trusted ally in your digestive health regimen.
Calendula, also known as marigold, is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Traditionally applied to skin and mucosal tissues, calendula also supports the gastrointestinal tract by soothing irritation and promoting cellular repair. Its gentle, natural antifungal actions help maintain a healthy balance within the gut, making it an invaluable addition to formulations aimed at fostering overall digestive well-being. Calendula works in harmony with other botanicals to enhance your gut’s natural resilience.
Black walnut tincture is renowned in herbal traditions for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiparasitic qualities. Rich in tannins and juglone, black walnut creates an environment that challenges harmful organisms, supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes. This tincture gently stimulates bile production and enhances digestion, making it a valuable component of traditional gut care regimens. At Dr Clare Apothecary, we appreciate black walnut tincture’s ability to support a balanced internal ecosystem when used as part of a comprehensive herbal approach.
Wormwood tincture, derived from the bitter herb Artemisia absinthium, is a time-honored botanical used to promote digestive cleansing. Its potent bioactive compounds help stimulate bile flow and support the elimination of unwanted substances from the digestive tract. Recognized for its ability to discourage the proliferation of intestinal challenges, wormwood’s role is to gently encourage a recalibrated, healthier digestive environment. Its inclusion in a strategic herbal blend complements other natural ingredients, ensuring the gut remains a well-regulated and balanced system.
Japanese knotweed is a dynamic herb celebrated for its high resveratrol content and impressive anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally used in East Asian herbal medicine, it supports cellular health and aids in moderating oxidative stress—a contributor to digestive imbalance. Japanese knotweed works synergistically within herbal formulations to promote cellular repair and enhance overall resilience. Its concentrated antioxidant profile makes it a key ally in a holistic approach to gut health, supporting the internal environment through natural botanical wisdom.
Paracan: A Synergistic Herbal Formula
At Dr Clare Apothecary, our Paracan formula represents the pinnacle of our herbal expertise. While we are not able to claim it “treats parasites,” Paracan is designed to support a naturally balanced gut by harnessing the synergistic power of our carefully selected botanicals. This thoughtfully crafted formula blends ingredients known for their traditional roles in digestive tonics with modern insights into gut health.
Each component in Paracan is chosen for its ability to foster a supportive environment in your digestive system. When these herbs work together harmoniously, they create an environment that assists your body’s natural processes, fostering a balanced microbiome and supporting overall well-being. Paracan is a testament to the transformative potential of integrating herbal wisdom into a modern health regimen.
Embrace a Holistic Future
Navigating today’s health challenges requires a balanced, integrative approach that honors both traditional wisdom and modern science. With the well-being of your gut at the heart of overall vitality, embracing natural remedies like our herbal allies can provide the support your body needs. By incorporating thyme, elecampane, chamomile, sage, peppermint, calendula, black walnut tincture, wormwood tincture, and Japanese knotweed into your life, you’re taking a proactive step toward harmonizing your internal ecosystem.
If you’re looking to optimize your gut health and nurture the balance of your internal flora, explore Paracan—a formulation developed with care at Dr Clare Apothecary. Experience the benefits of these time-tested herbs, and join a community dedicated to natural, holistic wellness.
Discover the Paracan Formula Today
See Dr Clare's Paracan on our Shopify site to learn more about how this exclusive blend can help support your journey toward a vibrant, balanced gut. Embrace nature’s wisdom and empower yourself with the transformative power of herbal allies.
It is the start of May and the plant growth is in full swing here in Ireland. I really like this time of year when the weather is getting warmer, and the days are getting longer. The leaf growth on the trees is so rapid that it is hard to keep track of it and the same goes for all other plant growth. Some of the most commonly used medicinal plants are in full growth here in Ireland. These include Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Cleavers (Galium aparine) (also known as Robin-run-the Hedge or Stickleback), Daisy (Bellis perennis), Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), ….and many more. Many of these herbs, especially the Stinging nettles, Cleavers, Lemon balm and Dandelion are all herbs that I would frequently use in my clinic practice and I have seen their benefit on repeated bases for many of those attending our clinic. Each of these plants are used for different reasons. Let’s look at two of these in a bit more detail…
Daisy (Bellis perennis): is a low (approximately 10cm) growing plant of the Daisy plant family (Asteraceae) which can be found growing in lawns, along roadsides, and in other short grasslands throughout Ireland.
The leaves and flowers can be used. Daisies can be made into a salve which can be applied to bruises, sores and skin swellings to aid the healing as well as to ease tired muscles. Infusion of daisy can be used for coughs as well as joint pain.
It is also important to mention the lovely tradition of making daisy chains which is therapeutic in its own right 😊
Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica):can grow up to approximately 1m high and have opposite and heart-shaped leaves. The whole plant is covered in small hairs which give the nettle its characteristic sting. Stinging nettle leaves should be harvested when the plants are young. If the leaves have gone too mature or the plant has gone into flowering then it can be cut right back to stimulate new leaf growth for second harvesting.
I use Stinging nettles very frequently in my clinical practice (commonly in formulations) with consistently successful outcomes for my patients. The seeds, young leaf tops and roots can be used although each is used for different reasons. The leaves are rich in a variety of essential elements including iron, zinc, calcium, and many more nutrients which makes this plant very popular for hair growth, skin health, bone support, as well as for general wellbeing. It is also frequently used for allergies and hayfever. These are, however, only a few of the health benefits the amazing stinging nettle can offer. The following diagram offers a good overview of the numerous health benefits of nettles that is, itself, not an exhaustive list.
Diagram as presented by Khuma Kumari Bhusal, et al. (2022).
One well-known spring cleanse that has been recommended for centuries is a combination of cleavers, nettles and dandelion leaves. This is made into an infusion which is then drunk throughout the day. See recipe below.
All of the herbs mentioned in this post are commonly found in the wild in Ireland, except perhaps Lemon balm which would be more commonly found grown in gardens. I, therefore, invite you to see if you can spot them all next time when you are out walking. Just remember that if you intend to forage herbs for use to be 100% certain about identification of the plants that you harvest. Feel free to get in touch with us in Dr. Clare’s clinic at any stage if you have any questions (www.drclare.ie or by phone 091 583260)
Warm wishes …. or as we say in Iceland hlýjar kveðjur
Lara Jonasdottir 😊
Medical herbalist BSc, Clinical Education MSc
Ref: Khuma Kumari Bhusal, et al. (2022) Nutritional and pharmacological importance of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.): A review. Heliyon, Volume 8, Issue 6, ISSN 2405-8440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09717.
The Christmas season can be an emotional rollercoaster, with festive cheer mixed with much stress and worry. Many of us can feel the pressure in relation to decorating the house, buying presents, attending all the pre-Christmas get-togethers, managing any family tensions, and so on. The joy of the moment and watching happy memories being created can help override any negativity where it might exist, but not always.
Christmas can be a painful time for a variety of reasons, with increased feelings of isolation for some, stress of the in-laws coming to visit or feeling anxious about socialising. Medical Herbalist, Lara Jonasdottir of Dr. Clare’s Apothecary & Clinic in Galway explains how the right lifestyle and the help of relaxing herbs can come to the rescue. “As a medical herbalist these are the things that crop up in clinical practice as individuals have a full hour to discuss their concerns during their first appointment. A distinct pattern seen is that existing medical conditions including chronic stress and anxiety can flare up during the Christmas season.”
“It is therefore helpful in the approach to Christmas to manage expectations all round and to focus on the smaller positive things that do not involve major commitments. Time invested in oneself at this point including regular exercise, eating healthily, having relaxing baths, and getting more sleep can help to build up the energy needed to face the world and navigate through any expected or unexpected choppy waters.”
“Herbal medicine can also be helpful with many relaxing herbs available such as chamomile (Matricaria recutita), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), linden flowers (Tilia europea), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). These can be taken as teas or tinctures.” (links go to Dr Clare's Shop product offer)
Many of us have a laundry list of symptoms and a central role of the medical herbalist is to take the time to listen and help to make sense of these with a view to providing a beneficial course of action. For some this might involve a combination of more straightforward lifestyle changes and useful additions like herbal teas, creams, or other off-the-shelf products. For others this might involve an individualised herbal therapeutic plan in combination with a comprehensive review of potential contributing factors to ill health and any follow-on referrals. The aim in all cases is to find an appropriate level of intervention that delivers sustained improvement without causing any additional problems.
So when approaching the stresses that unfold this Christmas think about yourself first, without looking after you, you cannot look after anyone else.
For more information on stress free Christmas go to drclare.ie or call Lara on 091 583260.
Picture above screenshot from https://evoke.ie/ of Caroline Downey
"After meeting medical herbalist Lara Jonasdottir in Dr CLARE'S Apothecary in Galway she [Clare Downey] decided to try and tackle this life-altering change with the use of herbs.."
Although the current Coronavirus has recently emerged from the microbe soup with which we share the planet the same anti-viral strategies apply to using herbs for the flu like symptoms as for all such similar viruses.
The key to maintaining good health in an epidemic is avoiding contact as advised by Government agencies.
Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water is the gold standard, so don’t panic if you cannot source hand sanitiser in the shops.
Be assertive, offer a tissue to anyone not taking cough and sneeze hygiene seriously if they are in your company, we will all find it hard to consciously remember consciously.
Children are relatively resistant to the effects of the virus but may spread the virus, parents are advised to limit contact the contacts of their children with children outside the family, and limit contact with vulnerable people.
Good hydration with water or preferably herb teas e.g. Boost tea, lung tea, relax tea or any combination or single tea including Ribwort, Edderflower, Mint, Yarrow, Wild Oats, Rosemary, Rose Hips, Lemon Balm etc.
Liquorice plants
Drink herb teas with catechins e.g. Green tea
Eat catechin rich foods
Catechin
Catechins are a type of phenolic compounds very abundant in tea, cocoa and berries to which are ascribed a potent antioxidant activity, especially to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
Herbal Strategies
Herbs don’t wait for you to become infected, they don’t only rely on killing the virus, although they also have anti-viral properties.
A multi-action multi-constituent approach includes the following actions.
Strengthen mucous membranes
Support immune resistance to external challenges
Nervine herbs are useful for reducing immune suppression due to stress
Antimicrobial actions include antiviral actions, but also secondary bacterial infection resistance.
Adaptagen actions that support the physiological effects for coping with more prolonged stress.
Expectorant effects
Promoting sweating for managing a fever
These are targeted at mucous membranes resilience, immune support, nervous system support, adrenal support, antiseptic effect, fever management, antispasmodic effects.
If you are on medication and want to use herbal medicines for any condition seek reputable professional advice from a well-qualified herbalist, pharmacist or doctor. Better still make an appointment with a well-qualified herbalist for a full review of your health.
The herbs have many constituents and the science is generally limited to studying one constituent at a time, as the main reason for the research is for drug discovery for commercial development. Researching the use of whole herbs and blends of herbs is more complex, more expensive and rarely funded. Available research generally supports traditional indications.
Traditional herbal medicine aims to increase resilience and resistance with wholistic wellbeing so that you are more able to resist infection.
If you do become infected herbal medicines can make you more comfortable and better able to cope with the illness.
Fevers can have cool benefits: With a herbal medicine approach, the management of a fever is to encourage sweating and opening up of the circulatory system to disperse the heat.
The natural effect of a fever is to reduce the viral load in the bloodstream and research shows that heating boosts our immunity by speeding disease-fighting cells to an infection.
Anti-inflammatories may aggravate Covid-19, France advises: French authorities have warned that widely used over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs may worsen the coronavirus.
The Guardian Sat 14 Mar 2020 15.51 GMTFirst published on Sat 14 Mar 2020 15.47 GMT
However, if a fever is unrelenting and/or associated with respiratory distress contact medical support for urgent medical attention.
General advice
The top 3
Keep hydrated, this maintains a mucous membrane barrier resilience.
Eat well, particularly your 7-10 fruits and vegetables per day.
Get to bed early, avoid caffeine after 2pm.
Having paid attention to these:
Essential oils Diffuse aromatherapy oils including tea tree, thyme, oregano, marjoram, cedarwood, clary sage, rosemary cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender, and mint.
Use your fingers to apply a very small dab of Marigold Balm to the lining at the entrance of your nose. Add 2 drops of tea tree to 30gms of balm and mix thoroughly with a clean utensil or wooden stirrer.
Get out in the fresh air, do your Spring gardening if you have a garden, do your Spring cleaning
Avoid sugar beyond an occasional treat, dark chocolate and a glass of wine are rich in catechins, but remember too much of a good thing is not better than a treat portion.
Supporting positive thinking, looking out for others, reflection and any contemplative practice all boost the immune system.
Listen to a daily update from a reputable source for relevant advice. Don’t expose yourself to recurring negative media stories.
Don’t over-dwell on irrelevant details or other people’s opinions. Fear is infectious and it suppresses ‘happy chemistry’ which you want to encourage.
Do all the things you are usually too distracted to engage with such as DIY, crafts, reading, and dancing around your kitchen.
Remember no matter what it brings ‘this too shall pass’, let it remind us of the importance of what is really valuable in our lives, mainly each other.
Let it remind and re-focus us on the importance of sharing the planet respectfully with everything upstream and downstream of our daily lives. It is a reminder to renew pledges to be part of the sustainability and regeneration of our planetary home.
Humans are vulnerable as never before and need to guard and protect our connections with all living creatures if only because they are many and we are few, many reproduce, adapt and change more quickly than us. We may be more book-smart than ever but we don’t rule the world. It will never be possible to have a vaccine ready on the shelf for new viruses.
We can take care of ourselves, and those around us and take what joy is possible in the time with family or community that this makes available.
We can all dance around the kitchen, and tell very corny jokes.
Available Research
The following research is limited to specific anti-influenza effects. The herbal actions listed above also have positive research which cumulatively would need a book to integrate just for the ‘flu.
Unwanted effects from herbal food supplements are generally mild and reversible. Most have an enviable safety profile compared with paracetamol or nonsteroidal medication including ibuprofen.
Always ask for reputable professional advice from a well-qualified herbalist, pharmacist or your doctor if you are on medication.
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Mode of Action of Plant-Derived Antiviral Agents
3.6 Mode of Action of Plant-Derived Antiviral Agents
CHAPTER 3 Ethnomedicinal Wisdom: An Approach for Antiviral Drug Development Ananya Das Mahapatra1 , Priyanka Bhowmik1, Anwesha Banerjee1 et al. P.42-44
Catechin, present in the globally most popular beverage green tea leaves, when fermented into theaflavins can neutralize bovine rotavirus and coronavir (Lin et al., 1997). Another common herb Ocimun basilicum or the sweet Basil of India and China has broad-spectrum antiviral activity. The aqueous and ethanolic extract along with purified apigenin, linalool, and ursolic acid showed strong activity against HSV-1 (Bag et al., 2012), adenovirus 8 (ADV-8), Coxsackievirus B type-1 (CVB1) (Chattopadhyay and Naik, 2007). While Isoborneol, a monoterpene of essential oils isolated from Egyptian plant Melaleuca alternifolia, exhibited anti-HSV-1 activity by inactivating HSV-1 replication within 30 min of exposure (Armaka et al., 1999). Similarly Vatica cinerea from Vietnam is reported to inhibit HIV-1 replication (Zhang et al., 2003). The plant Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) having antidepressant activity was also reported to have antiviral activity against human retroviruses by inhibiting HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (Sakurai et al., 2004). It is important to note that the viral diseases caused by Picornavirus and Rhinovirus do not have any drugs till date, while the plant-derived compounds chrysoplenol-C, and its glycoside has virucidal effect against both group of viruses (Wei et al., 2004). Scientists have also explored Himalayan flora used in traditional medicine against viral diseases (Amber et al., 2017). Ethnomedicine from India, Pakistan, China, and Nepal has been explored as source of antivirals against Influenza virus, Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, Coronavirus, and Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV). Different compounds including monoterpenoids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, sesquiterpenes, benzoic acids, and phenolics have strong antiviral potential. Recent emergence of deadly dengue, which is now a public health concern worldwide, has also been shown to be prevented by plant-derived drug. Lupeol isolated from Maytenus gonoclada has shown activity against dengue virus (Silva et al., 2017). Extracts from Carica papaya have now been used for the treatment of dengue in hospitals (Ahmad et al., 2011; Dharmarathna et al., 2013) mainly to prevent the reduction on number of platelet due to platelet aggregation, although the anti-dengue or anti-aggregation of platelet activity of papaya extract has not been scientifically proved till date. In folk medicine, papaya latex is used to cure dyspepsia, external burns and scalds, while its seeds and fruits have excellent antihelminthic and antiamebic activities. However, Chinnappan et al. (2016) have found that the leaf extract of papaya could possess a dengue-specific neutralizing effect on dengue virus-infected plasma that may exert a protective role on platelets. Luteolin, a bioflavonoid isolated from several dietary and medicinal plants, has been shown to have activity against HSV-1 (Ojha et al., 2015), dengue (Peng et al., 2017), Epstein–Barr virus (Wu et al., 2016), Japanese Encephalitis (JE) (Fan et al., 2016), and Chikungunya (Murali et al., 2015). Ginseng, a well-known medicinal herb, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and was found to be effective for treating influenza (Yoo et al., 2012) and HIV (Park et al., 2014); while in a clinical trial, Ginseng was found to help in curing HBV infection (Choi et al., 2016). Ethnopharmacological use of essential oil extract of three traditional Cretan aromatic plants in Eastern Mediterranean region and Near East claimed to be effective in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections of bacterial and viral etiology (Duijker et al., 2015). While an Egyptian plant Nigella sativa extract tested against influenza patients showed better activity in people who cannot be treated with interferon-alpha (Barakat et al., 2013). A great deal of scientific research is being conducted to understand the mechanisms by which plant products exert their antiviral effects. Usually, plant-derived compounds exert antiviral effects through diverse mode and mechanism including (1) inhibition by autophagy, (2) generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), (3) change in viral gene expression, (4) inhibition of viral entry to host cell including attachment and penetration, (5) inhibition of different steps of replication, (6) inhibition of viral release, as well as modulating the host immune parameters, which are briefly presented in Fig. 3.1.
As many viruses remain without preventive vaccines and effective antiviral treatments, eradicating these viral diseases appears difficult. Nonetheless, natural products serve as an excellent source of biodiversity for discovering novel antivirals, revealing new structure–activity relationships, and developing effective protective/therapeutic strategies against viral infections. Many natural products and herbal ingredients are observed to possess robust antiviral activity and their discoveries can further help develop derivatives and therapeutic leads (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives as novel anti-HBV agents, acetoxime derivative from the Mediterranean mollusk Hexaplex trunculus as inhibitor against HSV-1, and caffeic acid derivatives as a new type of influenza NA antagonist).[155,156,157]
Most relevant references.
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Phytotherapy Research. Volume22, Issue2. February 2008. Pages 141-148
Historical sources for the use of Glycyrrhiza species include ancient manuscripts from China, India and Greece. They all mention its use for symptoms of viral respiratory tract infections and hepatitis. Randomized controlled trials confirmed that the Glycyrrhiza glabra derived compound glycyrrhizin and its derivatives reduced hepatocellular damage in chronic hepatitis B and C. In hepatitis C virus‐induced cirrhosis the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma was reduced. Animal studies demonstrated a reduction of mortality and viral activity in herpes simplex virus encephalitis and influenza A virus pneumonia. In vitro studies revealed antiviral activity against HIV‐1, SARS related coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, arboviruses, vaccinia virus and vesicular stomatitis virus.
Mechanisms for antiviral activity of Glycyrrhiza spp. include reduced transport to the membrane and sialylation of hepatitis B virus surface antigen, reduction of membrane fluidity leading to inhibition of fusion of the viral membrane of HIV‐1 with the cell, induction of interferon-gamma in T‐cells, inhibition of phosphorylating enzymes in vesicular stomatitis virus infection and reduction of viral latency.
Future research needs to explore the potency of compounds derived from licorice in the prevention and treatment of influenza A virus pneumonia and as an adjuvant treatment in patients infected with HIV resistant to antiretroviral drugs.
Upper respiratory symptoms are often treated with over the counter drugs, antibiotics, and antiviral medications. Due to concerns about safety and efficacy, there is a demand for an alternative solution. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been used to treat cold and flu symptoms, but there are no large-scale studies or meta-analyses. This meta-analysis quantifies the effects of elderberry supplementation and evaluates moderators including vaccination status and the underlying pathology. This analysis included a total of 180 participants and evaluates moderators such as vaccination status and cause of the upper respiratory symptoms. Supplementation with elderberry was found to substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms. The quantitative synthesis of the effects yielded a large mean effect size. These findings present an alternative to antibiotic misuse for upper respiratory symptoms due to viral infections, and a potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.
Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses.
Black elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) are well known as supportive agents against common cold and influenza. It is further known that bacterial super-infection during an influenza virus (IV) infection can lead to severe pneumonia. We have analyzed a standardized elderberry extract (Rubini, BerryPharma AG) for its antimicrobial and antiviral activity using the microtitre broth micro-dilution assay against three Gram-positive bacteria and one Gram-negative bacteria responsible for infections of the upper respiratory tract, as well as cell culture experiments for two different strains of influenza virus.
METHODS:
The antimicrobial activity of the elderberry extract was determined by bacterial growth experiments in liquid cultures using the extract at concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The inhibitory effects were determined by plating the bacteria on agar plates. In addition, the inhibitory potential of the extract on the propagation of human pathogenic H5N1-type influenza A virus isolated from a patient and an influenza B virus strain was investigated using MTT and focus assays.
RESULTS:
For the first time, it was shown that a standardized elderberry liquid extract possesses antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes and group C and G Streptococci, and the Gram-negative bacterium Branhamella catarrhalis in liquid cultures. The liquid extract also displays an inhibitory effect on the propagation of human pathogenic influenza viruses.
CONCLUSION:
Rubini elderberry liquid extract is active against human pathogenic bacteria as well as influenza viruses. The activities shown suggest that additional and alternative approaches to combat infections might be provided by this natural product.
Phytother Res. 2017 Apr;31(4):533-554. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5782. Epub 2017 Feb 15.
A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products.
Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) has a long ethnobotanical history across many disparate cultures as a treatment for viral infection and is currently one of the most-used medicinal plants worldwide. Until recently, however, substantial scientific research concerning its antiviral properties has been lacking. Here, we evaluate the state of current scientific research concerning the use of elderberry extract and related products as antivirals, particularly in the treatment of influenza, as well as their safety and health impacts as dietary supplements. While the extent of black elder’s antiviral effects are not well known, antiviral and antimicrobial properties have been demonstrated in these extracts, and the safety of black elder is reflected by the United States Food and Drug Administration approval as generally recognized as safe. A deficit of studies comparing these S. nigra products and standard antiviral medications makes informed and detailed recommendations for use of S. nigra extracts in medical applications currently impractical.
Influenza and the common cold are acute infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. Influenza is a severe disease that is highly infectious and can progress to life-threating diseases such as pneumonia or encephalitis when aggravated. Due to the fact that influenza infections and common colds spread easily via droplets and contact, public prevention measures, such as hand washing and facial masks, are recommended for influenza prophylaxis. Experimental studies have reported that tea catechins inhibited influenza viral adsorption and suppressed replication and neuraminidase activity. They were also effective against some cold viruses. In addition, tea catechins enhance immunity against viral infection. Although the antiviral activity of tea catechins has been demonstrated, the clinical evidence to support their utility remains inconclusive. Since the late 1990s, several epidemiological studies have suggested that the regular consumption of green tea decreases influenza infection rates and some cold symptoms, and that gargling with tea catechin may protect against the development of influenza infection. This review briefly summarizes the effect of tea catechins on influenza infection and the common cold with a focus on epidemiological/clinical studies, and clarifies the need for further studies to confirm their clinical efficacy.
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Phytomedicine. 2011 Dec 15;19(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.10.010. Epub 2011 Nov 22.
Antiviral activity in vitro of two preparations of the herbal medicinal product Sinupret® against viruses causing respiratory infections.
Sinupret(®), a herbal medicinal product made from Gentian root, Primula flower, Elder flower, Sorrel herb, and Verbena herb is frequently used in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and respiratory viral infections such as common cold. To date little is known about its potential antiviral activity. Therefore experiments have been performed to measure the antiviral activity of Sinupret(®) oral drops (hereinafter referred to as “oral drops”) and Sinupret(®) dry extract (hereinafter referred to as “dry extract”), in vitro against a broad panel of both enveloped and non-enveloped human pathogenic RNA and DNA viruses known to cause infections of the upper respiratory tract: influenza A, Chile 1/83 (H1N1) virus (FluA), Porcine Influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) virus (pFluA), parainfluenza type 3 virus (Para 3), respiratory syncytial virus, strain Long (RSV), human rhinovirus B subtype 14 (HRV 14), coxsackievirus subtype A9 (CA9), and adenovirus C subtype 5 (Adeno 5). Concentration-dependent antiviral activity (EC(50) between 13.8 and 124.8 μg/ml) of Sinupret(®) was observed against RNA as well as DNA viruses independent of a viral envelope. Remarkable antiviral activity was shown against Adeno 5, HRV 14 and RSV in which dry extract was significantly superior to oral drops. This could be ascertained with different assays as plaque-reduction assays in plaque forming units (PFU), the analyses of a cytopathogenic effect (CPE) and with enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) to determine the amount of newly synthesised virus. Our results demonstrate that Sinupret(®) shows a broad spectrum of antiviral activity in vitro against viruses commonly known to cause respiratory infections.
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