Canadian company Medicago has developed a plant-based vaccine for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The two-dose vaccine uses virus-like particles (VLP) grown in a tobacco shrub to confer immunity against COVID-19. VLPs are molecules that closely resemble a virus. They are not infectious since they do not contain genetic material. Vaccines that use VLPs train the immune system to recognize a virus and launch … Continue reading Plant-based “vaccine” uses herbs to activate the immune system against the coronavirus, without the blood clot risk
For the men: Thai ginseng improves sexual health, treats erectile dysfunction
Kaempferia parviflora, also known as Thai ginseng, is a medicinal plant that belongs to the ginger (Zingiberaceae) family. It grows in tropical areas in Asia, such as Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Thailand. For centuries, traditional healers have been using the root of Thai ginseng to make natural medicines. Hill tribes in Thailand believe that the herb — … Continue reading For the men: Thai ginseng improves sexual health, treats erectile dysfunction
Researchers launch study to explore connection between irregular menstruations and coronavirus vaccines
Two researchers have launched a study to determine if Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines cause abnormal menstruations after hundreds of women noticed irregularities. The research is being conducted by Dr. Kathryn Clancy, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Katherine Lee, a postdoctoral scholar in the public health sciences division of the Washington University … Continue reading Researchers launch study to explore connection between irregular menstruations and coronavirus vaccines
Eating probiotic foods helps improve bone health in women
In 2001, a group of international scientists working on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to change the definition of probiotics. What they came up with became the most widely accepted definition of probiotics — that is, “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health … Continue reading Eating probiotic foods helps improve bone health in women
South African B1351 coronavirus variant affects vaccinated patients more easily than the unvaccinated, warn Israeli researchers
The South African B1351 variant of the Wuhan coronavirus appears to affected vaccinated people more easily than the unvaccinated. A study done in Israel reported the concerning discovery, adding that vaccinated people are more affected than unvaccinated ones. It elaborated that the B1351 strain impacts immunized people up to eight times more than those who have yet to receive COVID-19 … Continue reading South African B1351 coronavirus variant affects vaccinated patients more easily than the unvaccinated, warn Israeli researchers
Earth may have been a “water world” three billion years ago, new research suggests
Earlier studies have suggested that the Earth was once engulfed by water and had few or no landmasses at all some three billion years ago. A recent analysis of the Earth’s mantle provides evidence in support of that idea. Published in the journal AGU Advances, it suggested that back when the planet was a molten ball of magma, its mantle held far less … Continue reading Earth may have been a “water world” three billion years ago, new research suggests
Combination of an active plant compound and a form of vitamin E shows promise as an anti-cancer treatment
Naturally occurring compounds derived from plants make the best anti-cancer agents. These bioactive chemicals are not only effective at stopping the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, but they also cause very few, if any, side effects. In contrast, synthetic drugs used in chemotherapy cause a variety of unpleasant side effects, such as tiredness, mouth soreness, loss … Continue reading Combination of an active plant compound and a form of vitamin E shows promise as an anti-cancer treatment
Curry plant is a spicy Mediterranean shrub with anti-aging properties
Helichrysum italicum is a flowering shrub that belongs to the large and widespread Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is commonly known as the curry plant because of the strong, curry-like smell of its leaves. Despite this, the curry plant is not typically used for culinary purposes because of its strong bitter flavor. Its flowers, however, are used to make herbal … Continue reading Curry plant is a spicy Mediterranean shrub with anti-aging properties
Chile learns the hard way that Chinese COVID-19 vaccines don’t offer much protection
Scientists in Chile are warning that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Chinese company Sinovac offers “very weak“ protection against the virus until after the second dose. It is an important warning as the vaccine is being used widely in the developing world. Countries like Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia and Turkey are all currently rolling out the Sinovac … Continue reading Chile learns the hard way that Chinese COVID-19 vaccines don’t offer much protection
Pesticide “ghosts” can haunt organic farms for decades
Most commercial crops grown around the world are treated with pesticides. But some farms are now switching to organic practices to avoid the risks that pesticides pose to human and environmental health. However, new research shows that past pesticide use can still “haunt” fields that have long been converted into organic farms. Published recently in Environmental Science and … Continue reading Pesticide “ghosts” can haunt organic farms for decades
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 