I think one of the most relative and current issue facing the American “sickcare” system, is the use of herbs and/or pharmaceuticals, and their relative efficacy of various products used as treatment for Covid-19. From my research, most of the available studies on Covid-19 treatments coming from the US are regarding vaccines and other pharmaceuticals and not so much for herbs or products with natural ingredients. However, I have found several studies from countries other than the US regarding the usage of herbs to prevent or treat Covid-19.
An article posted in June of 2021 from Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences G. Microbiolog, details research of invertebrates such as earthworms and many marine natural products (MNPs) and subcategories of mollusks and crustaceans all having various medicinal advantages for improving human health. Invertebrate-isolated MNPs have demonstrated therapeutic properties anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, immune modulator, antihypertensive, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and other health benefits. Other ancient herbs such as curcumin, licorice and Andrographis are antiviral agents used for prevention and treatment of viral infections including respiratory viral infections. Covid-19 management is based upon enhancement of the immune system to control viral replication or reduce the harmfulness (virulence) of the virus and reduce relative symptoms. This article reinforces the use of natural extracts as available options to produce new therapeutic drugs against COVID-19 (Abd El-Aziz et al., 2021).
Another article of July 2020 from the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine reviewed 43 papers through a PubMed search, relative to the use of herbs and natural compounds to treat or prevent SARS-COV and related viruses. Roughly more than 450 herbs and natural compounds reviewed demonstrated their activity as antiviral substances against SARS-CoV and related viruses with numerous ones showing the ability to inhibit the coronavirus-host protein pathways and disrupt the different stages of the coronavirus life cycle. Data encourages hope that these herbs and natural compounds may play a bigger role in potential therapeutic treatment options supporting future SARS-CoV treatment protocols (Fuzimoto & Isidoro, 2020)
Results from a 2021 study reported that here are numerous herbs used in the decoction of “Ma Xing Shi Gan” which include Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizome, Ephedrae herba, Armeniacae semen amarum, and Gypsum fibrosum, which demonstrated potential activity in every stage of the Covid-19 cycle (Ang et al., 2021).
Pfizer pharmaceuticals recently reported record profits from this 1st quarter of 2022 of $25.7 billion, an increase of 61% from past expectations (Pfizer, 2022) One might inquire as to why other less costly or controversial alternatives to Covid-19 prevention or treatment are not being researched? Or if relative data is available, being made accessible for public review? Is the US medical industry even looking into other options? It is fairly common knowledge that the profit from the pharmaceutical companies dwarfs that of herbal companies and are often bought out by big pharma companies. For example, German owned Bayer purchased Germany’s Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk in 2013, a privately held company specializing in herbal medicines (Ladda, 2013) and Australia’s Creso-pharma having bought out Colorado-based Sierra Sage Herbs in 2022 (Herbs, 2022).
While the global herbal medicine market looks to possibly become a $550 billion industry by 2030 (insightSLICE, 2021), my concern is that these herbs and other natural compounds will be researched, studied and promoted for use based upon profit forecasts of corporations rather than actual implementation of such herbs to help the world population. I have not heard much through mainstream media or other resources, regarding the use of herbs in the US over the last 2 years as preventative nor post-infection of Covid-19.
References:
Abd El-Aziz, F. E.-Z. A., Mustafa Kasem, S., Ali, M. F., Mohamed, S. M., & El Shehaby, D. M. (2021). Rational of Invertebrates and Herbs Extracts for Protection and Management of Coronavirus (COVID 19). Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, G, Microbiology, 13(1), 29–47. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.21608/EAJBSG.2021.172883
Pfizer. (2022, May). PFIZER REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 2022 RESULTS. https://s28.q4cdn.com/781576035/files/doc_financials/2022/q1/Q1-2022-PFE-Earnings-Release.pdf
Ladda, N. (2013, May 19). Bayer acquires herbal medicines manufacturer. Pharmaceutical Technology. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/uncategorised/newsbayer-acquires-herbal-medicines-manufacturer/
Herbs, S. S. (2022, February 7). Sierra Sage Herbs Acquired By Creso Pharma. PR Newwire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sierra-sage-herbs-acquired-by-creso-pharma-301475970.html
Fuzimoto, A. D., & Isidoro, C. (2020). The antiviral and coronavirus-host protein pathways inhibiting properties of herbs and natural compounds – Additional weapons in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic?. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 10(4), 405–419. https://doi-org.northernvermont.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.05.003
Ang, L., Lee, H. W., Kim, A., Choi, J.-Y., & Lee, M. S. (2021). Network Analysis of Herbs Recommended for the Treatment of COVID-19. Infection and Drug Resistance, 14, 1833+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A673853575/AONE?u=vol_l99n&sid=ebsco&xid=0b0d5d20
insightSLICE. (2021, February 16). Herbal Medicine Market Global Sales Are Expected To Reach US$ 550 Billion by 2030, as stated by insightSLICE. GlobeNewswire News Room. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/16/2176036/0/en/Herbal-Medicine-Market-Global-Sales-Are-Expected-To-Reach-US-550-Billion-by-2030-as-stated-by-insightSLICE.html
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