'Home remedies' for A (H1N1)

Instead of buying Vitamin C pills and other "anti-swine flu" potions, why not eat "camote" instead?

To protect oneself amid the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, herbalist Dr. Galvez Tan said there is no need to spend on costly medicines or face masks when there are equally potent - but cheaper - alternative medicines available right in your own backyard or kitchen.

"In truth, there are many ingredients that we use every day in our kitchens that can already provide a lot of protection for our bodies. It's just that, there's a lack of awareness about these things," he said in Filipino. 

Tan explained that ingredients commonly used for sautéed dishes like ginger, garlic, and onions have excellent phytochemicals that can kill microbes and bacteria. These ingredients can be fried along with vegetables or chopped raw for "ensalada." 

"In fact, our ancestors used to recommend onion soup or traditional "salabat" (ginger brew) as colds medicine," he said. 

Yellow ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that are good for sore throat or itchy nasal cavities. Meanwhile, green leafy vegetables like camote tops, chili leaves, "saluyot", "kangkong" (water spinach), meanwhile, are "powerful" because they contain lots of antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, and E) and Zinc, Selenium, Folic acid. These should be served uncooked or unheated, lest they lose 70% of their nutrients. 

Fruits like bananas, pineapple, papaya, and mango are rich sources of vitamins. Coconut and extra virgin coconut oil has lauric acid, which is a good anti-viral property. Other good immune system boosters are sweet potato, boiled corn, "ube" and muscovado. These strengthen resistance and are fiber-rich to boot.

"The beauty of it all is that these are non-toxic, non-fatal, and you won't get overdosed because thousands of years of usage around the world have proven this," Tan said.

The self-confessed alternative medicine expert believes that most Filipinos already have an innate capacity to ward off "swine flu" because their diet is rich in these ingredients. "I think what we have is a wild case of swine flu because of the things we eat. We shouldn't panic, but we should stick to a healthy lifestyle every day," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lyndon Leesuy, program director of the Department of Health (DOH) National Dengue and Emerging Infectious Diseases, said the general public should employ all means to protect themselves by keeping their hands clean and bodies healthy.

He also clarified that there is no need to buy surgical masks at the moment, unless you are an A(H1N1) victim or if you are taking care of an infected patient. He said the "swine flu" virus only remains outside the body for 6 to 8 hours and it is unlikely that it will spread if the infected person was immediately isolated or quarantined. Report from Sol Aragones, ABS-CBN News.