Scientific institutes from Mexico and China have announced they will collaborate to explore a potential role of medicinal plants in the treatment of the H1N1 flu.
According to Xinhua News Agency, The partnership will involve Mexicos National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and Beijing-based China Medical University, and the agreement is expected to be signed in July.
“We are seeking in the two herbal traditions plants that serve as anti-virals,” said Guillermo Perez Ishiwara, the IPNs head of postgraduate studies and research, quoted by the agency.
“Some of the components of herbal formulas may stimulate the immune response, which means they could become an alternative in preventing any outbreak that may come in winter,” he added.
Meanwhile, Javier Grandini Gonzalez, director of the IPNs National Medicine and Homeopathy School, has praised both countries record in herbal medicine study. In particular, herbal therapies, along with acupuncture, energy developing exercise Qi Gong and massage have been the cornerstones of Chinese medicine, he was quoted as saying.
A global outbreak of the H1N1 influenza, also known as the swine flu, originated in Mexico in early April, killed more than 100 while infecting some 4,500 people in the country.
For those who would like to boost their immunity, nutritional supplements containing ginseng or Echinacea may be an option. 