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According to the Centers For Disease Control, there is currently no cure for coronavirus. The deadly COVID-19 has sickened more than 82,000 people globally, with the death toll reaching 2,800. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, but a promising new drug, remdesivir, which is effective against multiple other viruses, is presently in two late-stage studies to test if the drug is effective against COVID-19. Developed by Gilead Sciences, remdesivir is being tested at medical centers in the U.S., China, and other nations with a high number of diagnosed cases.
Experts say that other antiviral drugs are only effective against specific viruses and unlikely to work against the coronavirus. The National Center For Complementary and Integrative Health warned people to beware of "alternative" treatments touted as cures for coronavirus. However, Glycyrrhizin, a component of Licorice Root, was studied for effectiveness against SARS - an associated coronavirus infection. Reported in the Lancet in 2003, researchers assessed the antiviral potential of ribavirin, 6-azauridine, pyrazofurin, mycophenolic acid, and glycyrrhizin against two clinical isolates of coronavirus (FFM-1 and FFM-2) from patients with SARS admitted to the clinical centre of Frankfurt University, Germany. Of all the compounds, glycyrrhizin was the most active in inhibiting replication of the SARS-associated virus. Glycrrhizin inhibits virus replication and also adsorption and penetration in early stages of the replicative cycle. Researchers reported the following: The figure shows the effectiveness of glycrrhizin on replication of SARS-CV in Vero cells. Expression of viral antigens was much lower in cultures treated with 1000 mg/L of glycyrrhizin than in any other culture and high concentrations of glycyrrhizin (4000 mg/L) completely blocked replication of the virus. The Researchers reported that "infrequent side-effects such as raised blood pressure and hypokalaemia were reported in some patients after prolonged usage (several months). Although high doses of glycyrrhizin have been used in clinical trials, this compound had few toxic effects compared with the other regimens, and the drug was reported to be clinically effective." Perhaps licorice is a compound worth another look by current researchers, to see if it's effective against COVID-19. Until then, each consumer has to make their own decision as to whether or not they want to purchase it to keep in their arsenal. Considering the other benefits of licorice, it may not be a bad idea. Other benefits of licorice root have been noted: 1. Fights inflammation 2. Leaky gut 3. Heartburn and Acid Reflux 4. Immunity 5. Respiratory problems 6. Breast and prostate cancer 7. Improve mobility and movement of joints 5. Weight loss 3. Adrenal Fatigue It's important to note that not all licorice products contain glycyrrhizin, the compound used in this study. You have to look for a brand with standardized glycyrrhizin.
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Perhaps you’ve had the same dream as I have: Outside, there’s snow on the ground and a windchill of negative it-doesn’t-even-matter-anymore, but inside the kitchen is redolent with the scent of fresh aromatics from your home garden. Bright, peppery basil is perched on the windowsill, while lavender wafts from its planter. Juicy, ripe tomatoes hang languidly from the vine on the counter, and the citrus tree has just bloomed. Oh, if only that were true. Sadly, more often than not, a plant’s native environment just can’t be recreated indoors. There are, however, some exceptions to the rule. It is possible to grow herbs indoors, even during winter, without the delicate leaves flickering and fading into a wilted little tendril with the first blush of cold. It’s all a matter of selection — knowing which herbs to reach for to keep your kitchen fragrant and flavorful — and what to do to keep them that way. Tender-leaved herbs like basil, chervil, or cilantro may be too fussy to sustain the challenges of indoor heating and cooling, variable daylight hours, and lack of humidity. Instead of the lacy filigree of these leaves, opt for robust and sturdy plants that are more structural and can withstand fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and sunlight. Here are some rules of (green) thumb for growing herbs indoors, and four hardy herbs to get you started. How to Grow Herbs Indoors Growing your indoor herb garden can be a snap, as long as you keep three key factors in mind: light, temperature, and moisture. Let There Be Light As we all know, plants depend on light to survive. They also depend on light to create flavor. A lack of adequate sunlight will dramatically reduce the flavor of your herbs. For novice gardeners out there, you may taste that your plant isn’t doing well before you see it. Ideally, you want to place herbs in a window that will receive at least six hours of sunlight a day. If that’s not possible in your space, consider adding a grow light or placing the herbs next to a fluorescent bulb to boost light exposure. Keep Your Plants Warm Next, make sure the area where your herbs will be living will stay within the temperature range of 65°F to 75°F. If you live in a Northern climate, remember that placement near windows can be quite a bit colder than the cozy 72°F thermostat in high winter. Make sure to place your leafy friends where they will be warm enough. Don’t Overwater Finally, and probably most importantly, is the issue of moisture. The majority of herbs will need to become adequately dry (but not dry out!) between waterings to avoid root rot. Start by selecting a pot that has appropriate drainage holes (at least one large hole) on the bottom. I like using unglazed clay pots for herbs, as they will also help to ensure moisture doesn’t get trapped in the container. In general, you want to water your herb when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch (but if you pressed down into the soil you would feel moisture). Mist your herbs once a week if your air is dry, but also make sure your herbs receive plenty of air circulation so that the moisture doesn’t turn into powdery mildew or rot. 4 Hardy Herbs to Grow Indoors 1. Rosemary Hailing from the Mediterranean, Rosemary gets its name from the Latin for “dew of the sea.” And while you need not live in Santorini in order to grow your own Rosemary, it’s wise to consider its native provenance when recreating its living conditions. Rosemary likes lots of sunlight (six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day), and it likes to be watered, but not wet. Make sure to water your plant only when the top soil surface is dry, and allow for plenty of drainage in your pot to avoid root rot. Sunlight: Bright, direct; six to eight hours a day. Water: When the top of the soil is dry to the touch; do not overwater. Watch for: Powdery mildew, root rot, indoor pests. 2. Thyme One of the easiest herbs to grow, this hardy evergreen has been cultivated since the ancient Greeks used its sweet-smelling leaves in bathing rituals. In the culinary world, it is a central ingredient to both herbs de Provence and za’atar. When growing thyme, it is most important to keep drainage in mind. Thyme is more drought-resistant than most herbs, so as a result is extra sensitive to overwatering. Sunlight: Bright, direct; six hours a day. Water: When the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Watch for: Whiteflies, mealy bugs. 3. Chives A culinary wunderkind, chives add grassy brightness to almost any dish — like garlic, but sweeter, or like onions but greener. And they happen to be fantastically simple to grow, too. Chives prefer a moist environment; water twice a week. When trimming chives for cooking, make sure to leave at least two inches above the root. Sunlight: Bright sun; at least four hours a day. Water: Twice a week. Watch for: Yellow tips mean inadequate light. 4. Mint Perhaps you’ve had the same dream as I have: Outside, there’s snow on the ground and a windchill of negative it-doesn’t-even-matter-anymore, but inside the kitchen is redolent with the scent of fresh aromatics from your home garden. Bright, peppery basil is perched on the windowsill, while lavender wafts from its planter. Juicy, ripe tomatoes hang languidly from the vine on the counter, and the citrus tree has just bloomed. Oh, if only that were true. Sadly, more often than not, a plant’s native environment just can’t be recreated indoors. There are, however, some exceptions to the rule. It is possible to grow herbs indoors, even during winter, without the delicate leaves flickering and fading into a wilted little tendril with the first blush of cold. It’s all a matter of selection — knowing which herbs to reach for to keep your kitchen fragrant and flavorful — and what to do to keep them that way. Tender-leaved herbs like basil, chervil, or cilantro may be too fussy to sustain the challenges of indoor heating and cooling, variable daylight hours, and lack of humidity. Instead of the lacy filigree of these leaves, opt for robust and sturdy plants that are more structural and can withstand fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and sunlight. Here are some rules of (green) thumb for growing herbs indoors, and four hardy herbs to get you started. View my favorite indoor herbal garden starter kit here: Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit Have some more ideas? Drop a comment below!   
~~~ America is not what it used to be. It’s obvious to even the most non-observant that the country is changing rapidly; not for the better. It appears as if our very foundations are being rocked, and speculation has come from diverse experts that an economic collapse is on the horizon. Even the most stalwart naysayer and conspiracy-theorist basher can't deny that what is happening in America seems as if someone is plotting its demise. Manufacturing has been sent out of the country, leaving hollowed out communities in its wake, that has spawned an illegal drug epidemic, with the resultant crime, and tragic loss of life. Prices on everything has gone up as wages have remained flat, contributing to stress and the shrinking middle class. Many Americans are said to be one paycheck away from homelessness. Shifting social standards has left several generations of confused youth and adults alike. We live in an era of shows where one’s peers callously vote someone off the island, and the term "being voted off the island" is even in the urban slang dictionary. Television is a molder of public opinion, and this generation appears to be deliberately conditioned to be cruel, if not confused. Almost nonexistent border security has left many Americans fearful of another attack, yet our borders remain dangerously vulnerable, with no sensible or sane fix in sight. Washington continues on an uncontrolled spend-fest that boggles the mind. Here are a few jaw droppers: 1. $16 - $20 million dollars helping students from Indonesia get master’s degrees. (Where is the help for American students, drowning in student debt?) 2. $175,587 to determine if cocaine makes Japanese quail engage in sexually risky behavior. (Quail.Really?) 3. The Department of Health and Human Services spent $500 million on a program to solve the problem of 5-year old children who can’t sit still in a kindergarten classroom. (Fidgeting children is now apparently an anomaly to be “cured”. Soon a grim-faced psychologist will label these social misfits with: “oppositional fidgeting disorder” with the diagnosis placed in their file to follow them throughout life.) 4. $2.6 million to train Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly. (And why are we paying for this?) 5. The U.S. Postal Service spent $13,500 on a single dinner at a Steakhouse. (Five-star restaurant dinners at taxpayers expense is sure to be widespread, even as children in America and elsewhere go to bed hungry.) 6. For more than 20 years, Northwestern University researchers received National Institutes of Health money to watch hamster fights. The University received more than $3 million over the course of the project. 7. The National Science Foundation received a million dollars to see if Mountain Lions could be taught to ride a treadmill. These are just a few modest examples of wasteful spending of taxes extracted from American citizens. Think about that the next time your alarm rings at 5:00 a.m. and you have to drag yourself to work or can't afford a prescription or trip to the doctor. Special interest groups go after that Federal money, and it seems that no one responsible is overseeing it. That money could rebuild our infrastructure, create jobs, care for our Veterans, and invest in our youth. The waste is unforgivable. Vitriolic political discussions have displaced decorum, leaving real problems unaddressed. There is an ever-widening income gap between the have and the have-nots, and 49% of people in America are on some form of assistance. Morals have plummeted, and there seems to be a pervasive sense of unease. An overall sense of hope is gone and many have compared America’s decline to the collapse of Rome. Rome reached its peak of power in the 2nd century. Stretching from England to Syria, it was the largest empire of the ancient world. Once a global superpower, it collapsed from within. Although there is an ongoing debate about the specifics of what caused the fall of Rome, some historians attribute it to the following:
"Then there is the constant, pervasive atmosphere of cruelty that defines America — just as it did Rome. Rome had its coliseums and its gladiators and, America has reality TV and no-holds-barred sports. These, too, tell us something about a nation’s ideals, its values. Rome lionized the strong, and scorned the weak, to an extreme degree — just as America does.” Perhaps it's time for America to unplug. It would make for an interesting study to see what would happen - it would be a wiser use of our tax dollars. But there is a lot that we can do individually in the time that we're on this earth; we can do our part to spread good, and we ourselves can be good. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." We each can do something every day to spread kindness and goodness in whatever way is made available to us. Maybe a balance sheet really does exist that records our every deed and we reap what we sow. And just maybe we can recreate a little bit of Mayberry. Something else that we can do is prepare for a variety of eventualities. If something happens, and we're prepared for it, it will take enormous stress off of us. Don't be caught off-guard. Get prepared today: Purchase an emergency food supply, for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you're prepared |
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