Information about the contents of the @polycultured antiviral blend!

The blend has seven ingredients

- Chinese Skullcap Root
- Licorice Root
- Astragalus Root
- Olive Leaf
- Cinnamon Bark
- Kudzu Root
- Bidens

Here's a bit about why I chose these, though there are ~30 herbs to choose from which fight coronaviruses

Chinese Skullcap Root [scutellaria baicalensis]

- the most studied and the most medicinal of the various skullcap species
- a synergist plant and strong antiviral
- side effects from skullcap are rare, type 1 diabetics or those using pharmaceuticals should exercise caution

- works through two different mechanisms to increase drug or herb uptake in the body
- it's a broad spectrum antiviral, inhibiting viral replication, suppressing viral gene expression, reduces viral RNA in infected cells
- protects cell membranes from virus-initiated cytokines

- reduces the expression of the viral matrix protein gene
- interferes with viral entry
- regulates antiviral immunity of the host by modulating cytokine production
- inhibits viral release from infected cells
- increases apoptosis in infected cells

- lowers host cell membrane fluidity stopping viral entry
- stimulates innate resistance to viral infection
- is directly virucidal

Licorice Root [glycyrrhiza glabra]

- potently antiviral and synergist
- is non-toxic when used with other herbs and for short time periods (this is why refills of the antiviral blend come without the Licorice included)

- it shouldn't be used with estrogenic pharmaceuticals, hypertensive drugs, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, spironolactone, amiloride, corticosteroids, or hydrocortisone.

- it's a broad spectrum antiviral, preventing viral replication across a wide range of viruses
- inhibits viral growth and uptake
- inactivates virus particles
- strongly inhibits viral cytokine cascades
- lowers lipid bilayer membrane fluidity to stop viral entry

- specifically useful for enveloped viruses by inhibiting ability for the virus to fuse with host cells, create pores in host cell membranes and enter them
- it's main constituent glycyrrhizin causes the cell membrane to become more rigid to reduce movement of compounds

- the amount of glycyrrhizin in human plasma increases if taken with Chinese skullcap
- in vitro glycyrrhizin has been studied to be more active against SARS-coronaviruses than ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin, and mycophenolic acid
- increases antiinflammatory IL-10 cytokine

Astragalus Root [astragalus membranaceus]

- contains potent polysaccharides
- is non-toxic and has no side effects but may be contraindicated for those with Lyme disease
- increases effects of interferon drug treatments
- synergistic with licorice in stimulating immune function

- is an antiviral, immune potentiator, modulator, and restorative
- regulates interferon-gamma and IL-2 levels
- enhances function of the lungs, spleen, GI tract, and thymus
- used to prevent viral infection and illness
- anti-inflammatory

Olive Leaf/Oil [olea europaea]

- specific to protecting lung cilia, which coronaviruses target for replication (destroying those cells and their ability to move mucus out of the lungs)
- protects neural cells and neural mitochondria

Cinnamon Bark [cinnamomum verum]

- blocks attachment to ACE-2 on the surface of lung, lymph, and spleen epithelial cells
- is high in procyanidins and lectins

Kudzu Root [pueraria montana]

- inhibits cytokine based inflammation from TNF-a & IL-1b cytokines, alleviating symptoms and preventing viral spread
- also inhibits NF-kB, IL-6, and the ERK pathway
- protects ACE-2 expression and activity
- lowers angiotensin II levels

- is an ACE inhibitor, increasing the presence of ACE-2 and protecting the lungs from injury
- specific for coronaviruses
- protects brain and CNS, neural cells and neural mitochondria

Bidens [pilosa or alba]

- specific for healing and protecting mucus membranes including lung cilia
- is also antimicrobial and a prostaglandin inhibitor

Thanks for reading! It's been an honor to work with earth medicine at this time.

If you want to browse all of the herbal antiviral resources including my podcast or foraging guide, or wish to order the antiviral blend please visit: http://www.polycultured.com/herbalantivirals