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Originally Posted by Mercedes Benzene
Well... I just found an article that I posted in the Medical Science News forum.
Apparently cranberries contain antibiotic tannins...
I know that this is not really an "anti-viral" plant, but you could call it an "antibiotic" plant. Interesting all the same, in my opinion.
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A doctor friend always prescribes cranberry juice for urinary tract and kidney infections.
Re Ecinacea
There is some argument about this among herbalists ( I am sure you can pick it up with google or google scholar). It certainaly helps the body fight off infection so you could call it anti- viral. It is the way it does this that is the bone of contention.
It is said that it stimulates the body's own immune system to fight of infection. Some threfore say that it should not be used where the body's immune system is already attacking itself such as in auto-immune diseases such as arthritis and SLE. Some even say it should not be given to AIDs patients.
Most herbalists say to take it only for a few months in winter to ward off colds and flu. (ie Don't take it all the time)
It is easy to grow and tincture (It is a garden ornamental- a USA native wildflower called Black Eyed Susan the one used herbally is mainly Ecinacea purperea although others (maybe all?) work too). The leaves of the good medicinal plants are supossed to 'tingle' on your tounge when eaten.
I grow it in a largish pot; when it dies down in winter, I wash the potting mix off the roots, chop them up and infuse them in a bottle or two of brandy (depending on how much root I have). I then take a little shot of this every day though winter.
I was the only one in my family not to have flu this winter. I recon the amount of tincture I made would cost about $400.00 if I bought it. It cost me about$30 to make my own that includes buying a plant.
