Check out this abstract from an article in the Journal of General Virology, January 2007, vol. 88 (Pt. 1): pp. 275-285.

“Antiviral activity obtained from aqueous extracts of the Chilean soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria Molina).”

Roner MR, Sprayberry J, Spinks M, Dhanji S. Department of Biology, The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.

Natural, aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponaria, the Chilean soapbark tree, contain several physiologically active triterpenoid saponins that display strong adjuvant activity when used in either human or animal vaccines. In this paper, we describe studies that demonstrate a novel antiviral activity of Quillaja extracts against six viruses: vaccinia virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, varicella zoster virus, human mmunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2) and reovirus. We demonstrate that microgram amounts of extract, while exhibiting no cell cytotoxicity or direct virucidal activity, prevent each of the six viruses tested from infecting their host cells. In addition, the presence of residual amoutns of extract continue to block virus infection and render cells resistant to infection for at least 16 hours after the removal of the extract from the cell culture medium. We demonstrate that a Quillaja extract possesses strong antiviral activity at concentrations more than 100-fold lower than concentrations that exhibit cell cytotoxicity. Extract concentrations as high as 100 micrograms per milliliter are not cytotoxic, but concentrations as low as 0.1 micrograms per milliliter are able to block HIV-1and HIV-2 virus attachment and infection.

This is nice work. I’ll be digging into it further and coming with recommendations to get soapbark tree preparations. It is common enough to be available in the U.S. already.

Dr. D

This morning I broadcast my first radio show on Blog Talk Radio. The topic was an overview of shingles and the top natural approaches that I recommend. Just in case you missed it, you can replay this morning’s show here:

I will be broadcasting more often, now that I know how to do so. Topics related to shingles will appear here. The general nature of the show will be commentary on the science behind natural approaches to health, spiced up with news on the latest fiascos in mainstream medicine for you to avoid.

Dr. D.