The document discusses several plants and herbs that have anti-viral properties based on studies, including traditional uses and recent research. Some herbs that were mentioned as having activity against viruses like HIV, influenza, and herpes are asafoetida, coriolus mushroom, chrysin, hyssop, schizandra, mullein, green tea, licorice, olive leaf extract, rooibos tea, echinacea, ginseng, catuaba, marigold, St. John's wort, and pau d'arco. Many of these herbs contain compounds like polysaccharides, flavonoids, and quinoids that research has found can inhibit viral replication in vitro and
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Natural Phyto-Chemical sources and properties that fight against retro viral infections
The document discusses several plants and herbs that have anti-viral properties based on studies, including traditional uses and recent research. Some herbs that were mentioned as having activity against viruses like HIV, influenza, and herpes are asafoetida, coriolus mushroom, chrysin, hyssop, schizandra, mullein, green tea, licorice, olive leaf extract, rooibos tea, echinacea, ginseng, catuaba, marigold, St. John's wort, and pau d'arco. Many of these herbs contain compounds like polysaccharides, flavonoids, and quinoids that research has found can inhibit viral replication in vitro and
The document discusses several plants and herbs that have anti-viral properties based on studies, including traditional uses and recent research. Some herbs that were mentioned as having activity against viruses like HIV, influenza, and herpes are asafoetida, coriolus mushroom, chrysin, hyssop, schizandra, mullein, green tea, licorice, olive leaf extract, rooibos tea, echinacea, ginseng, catuaba, marigold, St. John's wort, and pau d'arco. Many of these herbs contain compounds like polysaccharides, flavonoids, and quinoids that research has found can inhibit viral replication in vitro and
Rubiaceae Medicinal Rubiaceae is a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the coffee, madder, or bedstraw family. The family contains about 13,000 species in 611 genera. Ophiorrhiza rugosa var. prostrata (Mongoose plant, Indian snakeroot, sarpagandha). containing camptothecin (CPT), an alkaloid used in the treatment of cancer & has been found comparable to the CPT in 'Mappia foetida', a tree known for its anti-cancer properties. Cancer chemo-preventive potential of Luteolin-7-O-Glucoside isolated from Ophiorrhiza mungos Linn. Borreira and Spermacoce (False Buttonweed) are genera of Rubiaceae. Some biological activities of some isolated compounds and extracts of both genera. Ethnomedicinal and phytochemistry uses include the treatment of malaria, diarrheal and other digestive problems, skin diseases, fever, hemorrhage, urinary and respiratory infections, headache, inflammation of eye, and gums. To date, more than 60 compounds have been reported from Borreria and Spermacoce species including alkaloids, iridoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other compounds. Studies have confirmed that extracts from Borreria and Spermacoce species as well as their isolated compounds possess diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, larvicidal, antioxidant, gastrointestinal, anti- ulcer, and hepatoprotective, with alkaloids and iridoids as the major active principles.
The bark of trees in the genus Cinchona is the source of a variety of alkaloids, the most familiar of which is quinine, one of the first agents effective in treating malaria. Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a small herbaceous perennial that contains coumarina natural precursor of warfarinand the South American plant Carapichea ipecacuanha is the source of the emetic ipecac. Psychotria viridis is frequently used as a source ofdimethyltryptamine in the preparation of ayahuasca, a psychoactive decoction.
Asafoetida Asafoetida was used in 1918 to fight the Spanish influenza pandemic. In 2009, researchers reported that the roots of Asafoetida produce natural antiviral drug compounds that demonstrated potency against the H1N1 virus in vitro and concluded that "sesquiterpene coumarins from F. assa- foetida may serve as promising lead compounds for new drug development against influenza A (H1N1) viral infection" Medicinal mushrooms Ganoderma lucidum and Coriolus vesicular, contain - glucans and it has been suggested that these active compounds may have the immunomodulatory effects contributing to the overall anti-cancer property. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3), which originated from traditional medicines as a single agent and has emerged as an effective adjunct therapy in a few hematological malignancies.
CORIOLUS MUSHROOM (MAITAKE) OVERVIEW INFORMATION Coriolus mushroom is a fungus. People have used the fruiting body and other parts as folk medicine for a long time. Recently, researchers have started to isolate and identify substances in coriolus that might act like pharmaceutical drugs. Two of these substances are polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK). Scientists think these chemicals might be able to fight cancer and boost the immune system.
Coriolus mushroom, PSP, and PSK are used for stimulating the immune system; treating herpes, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hepatitis, and pulmonary disorders; reducing phlegm; improving bodybuilding results; increasing energy; curingringworm and a skin condition called impetigo; treating upper respiratory, urinary, and digestive tract infections; curing liver disorders including hepatitis; reducing the toxic effects and pain of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy; prolonging life and raising the quality of life of cancer patients; and increasing appetite. How does it work? Coriolus contains polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK, krestin), which may be able to fight tumor growth as well as boost the immune system.
CHRYSIN OVERVIEW INFORMATION Chrysin belongs to a class of chemicals called flavonoids. It occurs naturally in plants such as the passionflower, silver linden, and some geranium species; and in honey and bee propolis (glue).
Chrysin is used for bodybuilding; for treating anxiety, inflammation, gout, HIV/AIDS,erectile dysfunction (ED), and baldness; and for preventing cancer. How does it work? Athletes are interested in chrysin for bodybuilding because laboratory research suggested that chrysin might increase the male hormone called testosterone and improve bodybuilding results. But research in humans hasn't found any effect on testosterone levels. The amount of chrysin that is absorbed from the intestine may be very small, which would make treatment effects unlikely. Hyssop has antiviral activity against herpes simplex and HIV-1. .... The Chinese herbs are yingchen, huangqi and ganchao with pluak rak mon (mulberry root bark) Schizandra Schizandra is commonly found in traditional Chinese medicine. It is highly antiviral and has been used successfully against viral hepatitis. Capsules are the most commonly found form of schizandra, but some herb markets may carry the dried berries. Mullein A lot of health benefits can be derived from the mullein plant. It provides antiviral, anti- inflammatory, calming, expectorant, antihistamine, and emollient properties. For viruses that come with congestion, it is an excellent choice. Mullein is available as a tea, syrup, infusion, tincture, and decoction. Antioxidant -- There is evidence suggesting that patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus are under chronic oxidative stress and thus may benefit from antioxidant vitamins. Vitamin D - HIV carriers with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to die than those with sufficient vitamin D in the blood. Multivitamins - Research from Africa suggests that basic multivitamin and selenium supplements lower the risk that untreated people with the AIDS virus will get sicker over a two-year period. Nov. 27, 2013, Journal of the American Medical Association. Green Tea -- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the components of green tea has been suggested to have antiviral activity. To determine the effects of EGCG on HIV infection, peripheral blood lymphocytes infected with HIV were incubated with increasing concentrations of EGCG. EGCG strongly inhibited the replication of the HIV virus. Glutamine, the amino acid, could be helpful for those on anti-HIV medicines. Glutamine-antioxidant nutrient supplementation can increase body weight, body cell mass, and intracellular water when compared with placebo in HIV patients. Mangosteen is sold online on the internet at a reliable shopping site Physician Formulas. Hyssop has antiviral activity against herpes simplex and HIV-1. Licorice may be helpful. Olive Leaf extract has anti-HIV activity Rooibos tea has anti-HIV activity. Echinacea herb may be of some benefit. Ginseng CD4+ T cell counts in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patients are maintained or even increased when treated with Korean red ginseng. High doses of ginseng can be overly stimulating and cause insomnia. Catuaba, an Amazonian plant, has anti-HIV activity. Bovine Colostrum may reduce the severity of diarrhea in HIV patients. Marigold herb Fish Oils - Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) diet supplements appear to be an effective way to lower high triglyceride levels that are associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients. HIV therapies and HIV itself can cause concerning increased in triglycerides, which may place the individual at risk for cardiovascular disease. Fish oil has been found in people without HIV infection to reduce triglycerides and also to prevent cardiovascular disease. It's probably best not to exceed 3 capsules a day. Zinc for children with HIV DHEA in low dosage is useful to treat mild depression in those with HIV.
There is very little information on how these herbs interact with antiviral medicines used to treat HIV or AIDS. Zinc, HIV and Children Zinc supplements could be a simple and safe way to reduce illnesses such as diarrhea in children infected with HIV. ST JOHNS WORT St Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a well-known herbal remedy for depression and is used traditionally to help wound healing and to ease the pain of neuralgia, fibrositis and sciatica. Laboratory studies have revealed that it also has antiviral activity against influenza, herpes simplex and HIV. Hypericin and pseudohypericin, chemicals found in St Johns wort, are active against enveloped viruses. These are viruses that tear off a piece of cell membrane when they leave an infected cell and wrap themselves in it, as a way of fooling the bodys immune system. Herpes viruses, HIV and hepatitis C are all enveloped viruses. Hypericin and pseudohypericin appear to attack these fragments of cell membrane (but dont attack the membranes of living cells). There are as yet no data on clinical trials against viral diseases. PAU DARCO Pau darco (Tabebuia impetiginosa), also known as lapacho or ipe roxo, is a huge canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest. It is known as the divine tree by indigenous people in Brazil and has long been used in folk medicine to treat a wide range of illnesses, including colds, influenza, herpes and viral stomatitis. The inner bark contains a high proportion of chemicals called quinoids. One of the most studied of these compounds is lapachol, which has been found in laboratory tests to be active against various viruses, including herpes simplex types I and II (responsi-ble for oral and genital herpes), influenza, polio virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. The mechanism of action of pau darco, like that of olive leaf and green tea, is thought to be through inhibition of DNA and RNA polymerase and retrovirus reverse transcriptase. It is reported that lapachol decreases the replication of viruses in human subjects, but no clinical data are available. LIQUORICE The SARS epidemic last year spurred the search for active antiviral compounds to treat the disease. Researchers at the Institute of Medical Virology at Frankfurt tested four pharmaceutical drugs (including ribavirin, the recommended treatment) and glycyrrhizin, a compound found in the root of the liquorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra), against samples of coronavirus from SARS patients. The results, published in The Lancet, showed that glycyrrhizin out-performed all four drugs in inhibiting the virus. Unlike ribavirin, it was also non-toxic to virus-infected cells. Glycyrrhizin was found to reduce replication of the virus and to inhibit both the absorption of viruses on the outside of cells and their ability to penetrate cells. Liquorice has also shown an ability to inhibit reproduction of HIV in laboratory studies. Clinical trials have shown that injections of glycyrrhizin may have a beneficial effect on AIDS and there is preliminary evidence that orally administered liquorice also may be safe and effective for long-term treatment of HIV infection. A preliminary trial involving people with acute and chronic viral hepatitis found that taking 2.5 grams liquorice three times per day (providing 750 mg glycyrrhizin) was superior to the antiviral drug inosine poly-IC. Entire liquorice extract (not de- glycyrrhizinated liquorice or DGL) may well be an effective treatment for other viral illnesses. ELDERBERRY The common black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has long been used as a food and is also one of natures oldest remedies. It appears to be particularly effective against the influenza virus. In a double-blind clinical trial, more than 90 per cent of the 15 patients taking elderberry extract (60 ml a day for adults and 30 ml a day for children) showed a significant reduction in influenza symptoms after two days and complete recovery after three days. However, in the control group it took six days before 90 per cent of patients showed an improvement. The group taking elderberry extract also had higher levels of influenza antibodies in their blood than the control group, indicating an enhanced immune response. In an independent study conducted in Norway, elderberry extract was shown to significantly reduce the duration of influenza symptoms by approximately four days. The use of other medication (pain relievers, etc.) was significantly less in the group receiving elderberry extract than in the placebo group. Elderberry extract is believed to act by binding to, and so disarming, the tiny protein spikes on the surface of the virus, by which it penetrates living cells. Flavonoids, including quercetin, may also be involved in the therapeutic actions of elderberry according to other studies. These flavonoids include anthocyans that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage. The activity of elderberry against other viral infections, including HIV and herpes, has also been studied. It was found to significantly reduce the infectivity of HIV strains in laboratory tests and to completely inhibit the replication of four strains of herpes simplex virus, including two strains resistant to the drug acyclovir (Zovirax). COLLOIDAL SILVER Silver has been utilised medicinally since ancient times and from 1900 until 1940 various forms of silver were in mainstream use to treat hundreds of ailments. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the use of colloidal silver. A colloid is a suspension of ultra-fine particles that neither dissolve nor settle out, even with changes in concentration. The colloidal silver used in modern supplements is a suspension of pure metallic silver in water. It is thought to work by interfering with the enzymes that enable viruses, bacteria and fungi to utilise oxygen to put it simply, it suffocates them. Although clinical trials have yet to be conducted with oral administration of colloidal silver, initial case studies have indicated that injections of a silver-protein compound dramatically reduce the activity of the HIV virus in AIDS patients. There are also numerous anecdotal accounts of colloidal silvers efficacy against the hepatitis C virus.
Echinacea (also known as purple coneflower) is one of the most widely studied herbs. Tests have repeatedly demonstrated that one of its key ingredients, alkylamides, reduces inflammation and fevers plus boosts white cell production. White blood cells, as we mentioned in the beginning of this book, are part of your bodys infantry that surround and eat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Another active ingredient in echinaceapolysaccharidesspeeds production of a natural protein called interferon. This special protein is secreted by infected host cells to stop the viral invader from spreading to adjacent cells.
Astragalus, a mighty member of the bean family, has been shown to boost the immune system and inhibit certain viruses, such as the Cocksackie B virus. It enjoys a long history of preventing and treating colds and various other respiratory-related conditions.
reishi mushrooms offer an added medicinal bonus. The reddish-orange type is the best choice because its polysaccharides contain the highest levels of immune-stimulating properties. Studies confirm reishis good results, especially in treating hepatitis and bronchitis.
Lomatium, a member of the parsley family, is a potent modulator of the immune system. It is a favorite amongst herbalists for colds, flus, and other viral infections.
Genuine licorice root, not that red candy that shares the same name, has been a key ingredient in most Chinese herbal formulas for more than 3,000 years. Research indicates that licorices two primary ingredients-glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acidboost production of interferon. Active ingredients- hypericin and pseudohypericin, are phytochemicals that display strong antiviral properties enough to overpower herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, certain flu viruses (influenza A and B), and EBV.
Boswellia (Boswellic Acids)
Summary Boswellia is an herbal extract available widely and inexpensively which may provide important therapeutic benefits for brain tumor patients in a variety of areas, including the control of edema, tumor growth and proliferation. Discussion Extracts of the Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carterii plants, both in the frankincense family, have been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as bowel disease and joint pain. For brain tumor patients, especially those using corticosteroids like dexamethasone (Decadron) to control peritumoral edema, boswellia is an important substance to discuss. Unfortunately, boswellia is virtually unknown amongst mainstream North American doctors, however it has been designated an orphan drug by the European Commission for the treatment of peritumoral edema resulting from brain tumors. 11
The effects of Boswellic Acids are very complex and the ideal dosage is a topic of great debate, with the range of possibilities rather dramatic. There is evidence that Boswellic Acids can cross the blood-brain barrier based on in vivo animal studies 7 , and it has been shown to have significant effects on the invasiveness of GBM cells in vitro. 8
From a wide variety of studies, boswellic acids have been shown to: Inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis Inhibit 5-lipoxygenase Inhibit topoisomerase I Inhibit topoisomerase IIalpha Induce apoptosis in glioma cells Inhibit NF-kappaB Reduce diarrhea Further research into the constituent components of boswellia indicate that it is also directly cytotoxic to brain tumor cancer cells. Boswellia extracts have been shown to be both cytotoxic to glioma cells and anti-proliferative in a dose-dependent manner during studies with rats 10 . Clinical trials have demonstrated promising benefits from boswellic acids in rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and bronchial asthma, in addition to benefits for brain tumor patients 3 . Burning boswellia resin has also been shown to have anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects 8 . Boswellia extracts are usually made from the tree's resin or gum and extracts from the Boswellia carteri tree contain at least 15 triterpene acids 6 . The most potent anti- inflammatory boswellic acids are acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) and 11- keto-beta-boswellic acid (KBA). Boswellic acids have a variety of molecular targets in addition to 5-lipoxygenase (5- Lox), the primary enzyme in leukotriene biosynthesis. Other potentially therapeutic targets of boswellic acids include topoisomerases, angiogenesis, and cytochrome p450 enzymes 15 . In addition, boswellic acids may stimulate or inhibit mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), especially p38, depending on the type of cell affected 16 . Perhaps one of the most important studies of boswellia aside from all the anti- inflammatory, anti-edema research, is a German study of boswellia's effects against topoisomerases I and IIalpha 4 . Amazingly, the authors showed that the aceytl- boswellic acids are "more potent inhibitors of human topoisomerases I and IIalpha than camptothecin, and amsacrine or etoposide, respectively." Camptothecin is the organic alktylator from which CPT-11 (irinotecan) is derived. Both CPT-11 and VP- 16 (etoposide) are common chemo agents in brain tumor therapies. Human topoisomerases I and IIalpha bind directly to an immobilized derivative of acetyl- boswellic acids. One of the authors of this study, Prof. Thomas Simmet, has reportedly suggested that patients using pharmaceutical topoisomerase inhibitors such as CPT-11 should not concomitantly use boswellia extracts, but there is no independent confirmation of this statement to date. Another study demonstrated that boswellia extract contains at least 2 other constituent substances with therapeutic potential, incensole and incensole acetate, which inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) 9 . NF-kappaB can transcriptionally activate genes leading to the synthesis of anti-apoptotic, chemoresistant, growth promoting, and angiogenic proteins in gliomas, in which NF-kappaB has been shown to be activated 17 . Boswellic acids are known to inhibit several important cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes, including CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. To what extent the P450 inhibition may affect the metabolizing of other substances and drugs is unknown. Such inhibition can be either positive or detrimental to other therapies. In one study, boswellic acids were identified as "moderate to potent inhibitors" of several P450 enzymes, however they were found to not be the principle inhibitory constituents of whole boswellia extract 18 . Historically, boswellia is known for its lack of contraindications with other substances and appears to be a safe adjuvantsubstance, however clearly more research needs to be done in this area. The boswellic acids with a keto group have been shown in vitro to inhibit Pgp, or P- glycoprotein, however this inhibition probably does not inhibit availability through the blood brain barrier of other Pgp substrates, however it remains to be tested whether these boswellic acids create drug interactions at the gastrointestinal level 2 . Another potential benefit to cancer patients taking boswellia may be diarrhea control. Boswellia extract has been shown to reduce diarrhea in vivo in rats without slowing intestinal motility in healthy animals, both in the small and in the large intestine. The mechanism behind this effect may be due primarily to 3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) 13 . Interestingly, the calcium-channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine may inhibit this effect. The mechanisms of boswellic acids are not completely understood, however their chemical similarity to steroids is the subject of much research. Boswellic acids (all?) are pentacyclic triterpenic acids, like the chemical squalene. In humans, squalene is processed biosynthetically into lanosterol, the structural precursor of all human steroids. Many pentacyclic triterpenes have antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against different tumor types. 12
The elimination half-life of 11-Keto beta-boswellic acid (KBA), one of the two primary anti-inflammatory boswellic acids identified, is about 6 hours. This suggests that boswellic acids should ideally be given orally every 6 hours to maintain maximum plasma levels 1 . Administration with a high-fat meal has been shown to increase plasma levels by several fold 5 . KBA has been found to be extensively metabolized in the liver via oxidation to hydroxylated metabolites, however no metabolites of AKBA have been discovered 7 . This reinforces the need to improve the bioavailability of AKBA, especially since it is the most potent anti-inflammatory boswellic acid. Determining effective boswellia dosages is a largely unexplored area, with very few human dosing schedules described in published literature. One Swiss study used a maximum dose of 126 mg/kg/day (126 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) in children for 9 months without any side-effects. 14 This study used a German brand of boswellia called H15, which is thus far very difficult to get outside Europe. Such a dosage would translate to about 10 grams (10,000 mg) per day for a 180-pound adult. One popular AKBA standardized extract is the branded product called 5-Loxin. This standardized extract is intended to provide a significantly higher concentration of AKBA compared to other standardized, "whole" boswellia extacts. 5-Loxin was developed at the Laila Research Center in Vijayawada, India, as a partnership between the Laila Group and PL Thomas. The manufacturer claims 5-Loxin provides a standardized 30% AKBA, which is approximately 10 times the concentration of AKBA in other boswellia extracts. Since it is a standardized extract, 5-Loxin should be identical in all manufactured products. Taking the manufacturer's concentration claims into consideration, when you are calculating an overall boswellia dosage, mulitply the standardized amount of 5-Loxin by 10 first, and then add that quantity to the quantity of other standardized boswellia in the dosage. Based on the available benefits of various boswellia constituents, the ideal boswellia protocol might include both standardized whole extracts in combination with 5-Loxin products. Most whole boswellia extracts contain standardized concentrations of 65% or 70%. The results of independent, private lab research indicates that standardized concentrations higher than this should be considered only with extra scrutiny. Bioavailability is a critical issue for patients taking boswellia because studies have shown very low plasma blood levels after oral consumption. Sterk, et al, showed in 2004 that "food intake profoundly affects the kinetic profile of BA plasma levels, as high-fat meal strongly increases the plasma concentrations of various boswellic acids as compared to the fasted state." This included both KBA and AKBA. 5
Dr. Mona Tawab, Head of Research and Development at the Central Laboratory of German Pharmacists, confirmed this in a 2008 study of the pharmacokinetics of boswellia. In private discussions, Dr. Tawab noted that "the concentrations of KBA and AKBA achieved in plasma after the intake of a fat rich meal is still below the identified in vitro concentrations relevant for therapeutic activity." Her teams studies found that the low bioavailability of AKBA and KBA were due to separate mechanisms. Low AKBA bioavailability is primarily due to poor absorption in the GI tract, while extensive hepatic metabolism is responsible for KBA's poor bioavailability 7 . Unfortunately, the specific hepatic enzymes responsible for metabolizing KBA are still unknown, however this research is underway. The combination of low bioavailability for AKBA and KBA, the very low rate of adverse side-effects, and the dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against cancerous cells, all lead to the possibility that relatively high doses of boswellia are necessary to gain therapeutic benefit. Boswellia extracts have been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine with few or no adverse side-effects. Most brain tumor patients experience no side-effects from boswellia, however several areas of potential problems should be noted. There is some research indicating that boswellia extracts may have the potential to increase blood clotting. In one limited, in vitro study, beta boswellic acids were reported to "strongly stimulate the platelet-induced generation of thrombin", which thus results in platelet aggregation and increased risk of clotting 19 . Interestingly, the authors did not find the same for boswellic acids with a keto group, such as acetyl-11- keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA). The authors wrote that keto boswellic acids such as AKBA "do not cause aggregation or significant generation of thrombin." Thrombin is the enzyme generated by blood platelets to initiate blood clotting. Beta boswellic acids may also help release arachidonic acid, which can also increase platelet aggregation. In addition, there is evidence from pharmaceuticals which inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5- Lox), that 5-Lox inhibition can increase thromboxanes and thus increased clotting. Anti-inflammatory substances such as boswellia suppress the body's natural reaction to many types of disease, and although most research has shown benefits to suppressing inflammation, some theoretical scenarios exist in which this may not be beneficial. Several studies link blocking 5-Lox with increased pathogen burdens in various infections ranging from tuberculosis to HIV 20,21 . Inhibiting leukotriene biosynthesis through 5-Lox is thought to inhibit the ability of white blood cells to release anti-microbial peptides called cathelicidins (or LL-37) 22 . How and whether this affects brain tumor patients in practice is completely unknown, but anecdotal and historical evidence from thousands of patients would seem to indicate that the infection potential is not significantly increased by taking anti-inflammatories. However, this is certainly an area deserving significant research, especially in patients with natural or chemo-suppressed immune systems. Other potential problems with boswellia include attempts to ingest the resin powder directly (not in capsule form), which may burn the esophagus. Some patients have also reported mild upset stomach with boswellia. In general, whenever a new herbal supplement is introduced into a patient's protocol, it is wise to begin with small doses and then work up to the target dose gradually. Conversely, suddenly stopping a long- term, high dose regimen of boswellia could potentially result in a rebound effect, exacerbating the potential for peritumoral edema. For brain tumor patients, boswellia appears to be an ideal over-the-counter supplement providing therapeutic benefits for several symptoms. The combination of an anti-edema drug with cytotoxic activity against the tumor, combined with boswellia's extremely low toxicity, makes boswellia a key supplement for brain tumor patients.