If you read below you will see how some of the Super Superfood Greens ingredients have an effect on viruses. The abstracts and links take you to explicitly what the findings are. We make no claims for those findings.
Our bodies contains a lot of viruses. Most have little known affect on us. There are viruses in the water, the air and they might number a million or more. Most seems to not harm us.
But there are many many viruses that do hurt us such as measles, HIV, small pox, colds, influenza, to even rabies. It is just being noted here that some plants might aid our species in our immunity to some viruses. These plants are part of our immune system to some degree. We seemed to have evolved that way.
You will not know this, but back in 2018 time was devoted to finding what herbs and spices could help the body inhibit viral attacks. We were then reevaluating which herbs to include in which blend of Himalayan Long Life Botanicals. The below herbs constitute slightly more than 80% of Super Superfood Greens by weight.
At first we wanted herbs to help a person's memory. Then we wanted herbs that could help a body inhibit viral harm. So here is the raw information reassembled.
Turmeric:
In the below article in Frontiers in Microbiology, Anti-infective Properties of the Golden Spice Curcumin, the five scientists and doctors contributing to the article cite that curcumin - turmeric - is active against many viruses that attack the body. They stated the following:
The search for novel anti-infectives is one of the most important challenges in natural product research, as diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi are influencing the human society all over the world. Natural compounds are a continuing source of novel anti-infectives. Accordingly, curcumin, has been used for centuries in Asian traditional medicine to treat various disorders. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin possesses a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, acting, for example, as anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic, while no toxicity is associated with the compound. Recently, curcumin’s antiviral and antibacterial activity was investigated, and it was shown to act against various important human pathogens like the influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV and strains of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas. Despite the potency, curcumin has not yet been approved as a therapeutic antiviral agent. This review summarizes the current knowledge and future perspectives of the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects of curcumin.
We suggest our readers read or browse the article. Should you also wish, you can browse their 178 references.
Turmeric is in all three Himalayan Long Life Botanicals Super Superfoods, though not in big amounts.
In Nepal, it is not unusual to see people infected with a common cold drinking warm water mixed with turmeric.
Cinnamon:
Here is another interesting article by a scientist in Israel researching how cinnamon played a role in inhibiting viruses.
Key to cinnamon anti-viral extract found in the Bible, says Israeli researcher
Below is a US patent. The patent nominates cinnamon as antiviral, along with using their special way to get the ingredients out from the cinnamon. Further below is the Abstract quote from the patent. Then there is the summary.
Antiviral preparations obtained from a natural cinnamon extract
Abstract
The present application provides a natural aqueous extract obtainable from a cinnamon bark (Cinnamon sp.) which has antiviral activity against enveloped viruses including influenza A, Parainfluenza (Sendai) virus and HSV-1 viruses, as well as in vivo activity in inhibition of Influenza A and Parainfluenza viruses. The present application also concerns a method for the extraction of said cinnamon extract and applications thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010]
The present invention is based on the surprising finding that a natural aqueous extract from a cinnamon bark (Cinnamon sp.) has antiviral activity against enveloped viruses including influenza A, Parainfluenza (Sendai) virus and HSV-1 viruses, as well as in vivo activity in inhibition of Influenza A and Parainfluenza viruses in mice.
Here is another cinnamon reference:
Cinnamon and its derivatives as potential ingredient in functional food—A review
ABSTRACT
Cinnamon has been reported to have significant benefits for human health, particularly as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-hypertriglyceridemia agent, mainly due to its phytochemical constituents such as phenolic and volatile compounds. The phytochemicals in cinnamon can be extracted from different parts of plant by distillation and by solvent extraction. The use of cinnamon in food and its ability to prevent oxidation and inhibit microbial growth are covered in this review. Its bioaccessibility, safety, and consumer acceptance are comprehensively discussed. This review also clearly shows a route to the use of cinnamon as an ingredient in functional foods.
Introduction
In the past few decades, consumers have chosen foods not only for their nutritional values but also for their additional health benefits;[1] therefore, functional foods have become increasingly popular. Functional foods are foods that can improve physical or mental health, decrease the risk of some illness, and cure some diseases.[2] Nevertheless, the regulatory definition of functional food varies among regulatory bodies. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “Functional foods defined as whole foods along with fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods that have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis at effective levels.”
Mint:
Peppermint is known to have viral inhibiting qualities and is commonly added to teas, extracts, and tinctures meant to naturally help resist viral infections.
Mint's leaves and essential oils apparently contain active components, including menthol and rosmarinic acid, which resist viral and anti-inflammatory activity. Please see this government medical page. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798 - A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea [Mentha piperita L.].)
In a test-tube study, peppermint-leaf extract exhibited potent viral resistant activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and significantly decreased levels of inflammatory compounds. Please read this link.
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6049716/ - In vitro antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of Mentha piperita L.)
Stinging Nettle:
The following Abstract explains how stinging nettle was found to inhibit SARS CoV in mice.
Inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus replication in a lethal SARS-CoV BALB/c mouse model by stinging nettle lectin, Urtica dioica agglutinin.
In summary, it was found that lectin (carbohydrate protein) from stinging nettle was able to prevent the virus (a SARS corona virus) from attaching itself to the walls of cells in mice.
Licorice Root:
The following Abstract shows how licorice root compound is active in inhibiting the Human Immune Virus.
Effect of glycyrrhizin, an active component of licorice roots, on HIV replication in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-seropositive patients.
Green Tea:
Below are two abstracts about green tea and its inhibiting affect on viruses.
A Review of the Antiviral Role of Green Tea Catechins
Anti-influenza Virus Effects of Catechins: A Molecular and Clinical Review.
Ginger:
Below are studies of how ginger can act against caprine alphaherpesvirus-1.
Virucidal activity of ginger essential oil against caprine alphaherpesvirus-1.
Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines.
Ginger's Antiviral Prowess Proven in Research
The above are not all.
Basil:
Below is an extract from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/antiviral-herbs
Many types of basil, including the sweet and holy varieties, may inhibit certain viral infections.
For example, one test-tube study found that sweet basil extracts, including compounds like apigenin and ursolic acid, exhibited potent effects against herpes viruses, hepatitis B, and enterovirus (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16173941 - Antiviral activities of extracts and selected pure constituents of Ocimum basilicum.).
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, has been shown to increase immunity, which may help your body fight viral infections.
In a 4-week study in 24 healthy adults below, supplementing with 300 mg of holy basil extract significantly increased levels of helper T cells and natural killer cells, both of which are immune cells that are reported to help defend your body from viral infections (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21619917 - Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers.).
And, if you would like to grow, dry, and store your own basil, please, it is on this very informative page here. https://happydiyhome.com/how-to-dry-basil/ The linked article includes their recommendation on how to maintain the best taste for your basil while stored.
Lemongrass:
The following scholarly articles and abstracts support that lemongrass is a viral inhibiting herb.
https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2006.507.510 (Screening for Antiviral Activity of Sweet Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon nardus(L.) Rendle) Fractions)
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/nutrition-research/learning-center/plant-profiler/cymbopogon.html (This study has 138 further scholarly, scientific and medical references. Please follow them down.)
Ashwaganda:
The following articles and abstracts are about the viral inhibiting affects of ashwaganda.
Jumun:
The following articles and abstracts are about the viral inhibiting affects of jumun.
Bhanuprakash V, Hosamani M, Balamurugan V, Singh R K and Swarup D, In vitro antiviral activity of Eugenia jambolana plant extract on buffalopox virus: Conventional and QPCR methods, Int J Trop Med, 2007; 2: 3-9.
Amala:
The following articles and abstracts are about the viral inhibiting affects of amala.
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Our Super Superfood is what can be termed a functional food. It has a function and can bring upon the user a better state of mind and physical health.
NOTE: While these above are fascinating, our super superfoods do not include high volumes of any specific herb.
ALSO NOTE: If you are ill, please go to a physician. If you also want to consume a herb to help you medically, also consult your physician about it. Some herbs can bring about unexpected body responses when eaten using medication. They can. So find out from your doctor - who is trained in defeating illness - and get his or her okay. Sure, eat healthy food to stay healthy. But seek medical help when ill.