We have heard one third of all new medication has its roots in traditional medicine. Discovering a traditional herb could calm a cytokine storm in late stages of severe COVID-19, therefore did not come as a great surprise. A cytokine storm is a medical condition where the human immune system runs out of control. And furthermore it may lead to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
A Brief Introduction to the Garcinia Kola Small Tree
The Garcinia Kola is a small flowering tree growing in subtropical, or tropical moist lowland forests. It is native to Benin, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast, Mali, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. People have used it for centuries there to treat liver disorders, bronchitis, throat infections, head or chest colds, and coughs.
Medical Life Sciences reports researchers in UK and Nigeria have investigated the therapeutic benefits of Garcinia Kola (see link below). And they have traced the active ingredient to seed extract and garcinoic acid. Moreover, they have confirmed the traditional herb could help calm a cytokine storm.
How a Traditional Herb Plant Helps Calm a Cytokine Storm
We now know that COVID cytokine storms are induced by viral spike proteins. And also that these bind to the host cell receptors, angiotensin-converting enzymes ACE2. Moreover, we understand the Garcinia Kola active ingredient suppresses this process. Although that’s as far up the building as our elevator goes.
UNESCO says African traditional medicine has capacity to provide affordable traditional therapies for many applications. It is now exploring oral recipes passed hand-to-hand down successive generations.
Many simple herbs, like the Garcinia Kola may also have other therapeutic benefits beyond current uses. We should therefore not overlook their role in treating COVID-19, especially in far-flung rural places. The symptoms of COVID are similar to other common cold diseases. Therefore, UNESCO says, Garcinia should be able to help prevent COVID spread too.
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Preview Image: Garcinia Kola Sticks and Seeds
