03/12/2020 – 10:00
CGC Cramer-Gesundheits-Consulting GmbH
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Eschborn (ots)
Both the acute respiratory infections that occur frequently in the cold season and the current spread of the new coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 make it clear: The need for active ingredients that can help against viruses and in the best case not lead to resistance is very high. It is known that antibiotics do not work against viruses, but only against bacteria. One of the reasons why viruses are so difficult to fight is because they can change their genetic information in a very short time. Therefore, for example, the flu vaccination must be repeated every year. In the case of the novel lung disease COVID-19, a vaccine is not expected until the summer of 2021 at the earliest[1]. “When looking for effective alternative treatment approaches, it is worth taking a look at nature,” says Dr. Dr. Erwin Häringer, doctor for naturopathy and general medicine, Munich. Because various plant substances, such as tannins, essential oils or mustard oils, showed a pronounced antiviral effect in laboratory tests. Mustard oils in particular are among the very well investigated medicinally active plant substances. Studies on lung cells at the University of Gießen show that vegetable mustard oils from nasturtium and horseradish, for example, can almost completely inhibit the multiplication of the H1N1 flu virus in human lung cell cultures[2]. In addition, the plant substances also fight the most common cold viruses. “Therefore, treatment with mustard oils is always worth trying for seasonal viral infections of the respiratory tract,” says Häringer.
The current spread of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the associated uncertainty among the population has prompted the WHO to dispel myths about the new lung disease COVID-19. For example, the rumor is rebutted that a flu shot also protects against the new corona virus[3]. Due to their great versatility, viruses can adapt to new environmental conditions in a very short time and, for example, develop resistance to possible new therapies very quickly. The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) also points out that the development of new antivirals is difficult to plan anyway, since it cannot be predicted which virus will appear next and which will pose a risk to humans[4].
Mustard oils have a triple effect – against viruses, bacteria and anti-inflammatory
Different plants produce substances with which they defend themselves effectively against viruses, bacteria and fungi. These substances include mustard oils from nasturtium and horseradish. Mustard oils have been used in natural medicine for centuries to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections. With regard to their activity against viruses, scientific studies in the 1950s already showed that mustard oils from nasturtium and horseradish can effectively inhibit the multiplication of influenza viruses[5,6].
In addition to the flu virus (H1N1) as the cause of the real virus flu, about 200 different types of virus are known that can cause colds. These include corona viruses or rhinoviruses. In the case of rhinoviruses, the Giessen scientists were also able to show in laboratory tests that the mustard oil combination can inhibit the multiplication of the pathogens tested[2]. The mustard oils not only fight viruses, they are also antibacterial[7-13] and anti-inflammatory[14-22]. This triple effect of the plant substances – antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory – quickly relieves unpleasant cold symptoms and counteracts possible bacterial super-infections.
“Due to the extensive mechanism of action of the mustard oils, the development of possible resistance mechanisms against these plant substances is made significantly more difficult for viruses and bacteria. Further investigations are therefore of great interest and have already been started,” explains Häringer.
“Don’t get infected” – what else can you do?
Many people are currently concerned about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. How do I behave in everyday life to avoid virus transmission? The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) provides appropriate advice on the website www.infektionsschutz.de. In general, we recommend the measures that are generally advisable for all infectious diseases, such as influenza and other respiratory diseases. These include adhering to the cough and sneeze etiquette (coughing and sneezing in a handkerchief or crook), good hand hygiene (soap your hands thoroughly several times a day and wash them off, each for about 20-30 seconds) and keep your distance from the sick ( about 1 to 2 meters). When greeting people, shaking hands should also be avoided. Acute sufferers should stay at home to recover if possible so that the virus is not spread further.
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Frank Etzel
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Original content from: CGC Cramer-Gesundheits-Consulting GmbH, transmitted by news aktuell
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