The US Government spent $ 200 million to buy the Roche antiviral drug Tamiflu and an additional $ 51 million in April, for the similar drug Relenza from GlaxoSmithKline to stockpile defense for the swine flu virus treatment.
Although these drugs do not prevent the onset of the disease and are of no immune system protection value, the public is made to believe that these drugs are the only effective remedy for the patient.
But as we know, drugs don't effectively prevent disease nor do they make you healthy, all they do is reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
However, Nature provided mankind with a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables that have been proven effective for thousands of years, such as the Okinawa Goyah (Bitter Melon), or the Japanese Shiso (Perilla Leaf or Seed) .
Both are widely used in Asian cuisine and their anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties are well known.
The Shiso leaves are staple at every Sushi Bar, Americans' think they are for decoration, while they are purposely used for keeping raw fish safe.
Sea vegetables, namely brown seaweed (kelp) is a rich source of Fucoidan, a substance which is effective in halting cancer cells from proliferation.
There are even home grown familiar produce with anti-viral properties, including plums, red grapes, apples, cranberries, ginger, garlic, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, dandelion, onion and many more.
The needles of the Pacific Yew pine tree (Alaska to Northern California) are highly effective in treating tumors and respiratory disease, seems like natures answer to swine flu virus fears.
Interestingly but not surprising is the fact that the active ingredient in Tamiflu is derived from shikimic acid, a compound naturally occurring in the Chinese herb star anise and ginkgo, but Tamiflu is synthetic and laced with cancer causing excipients such as saccharin and sodium benzoate, and the drugs side effects include bizarre behavior.
It follows that the best protection for any viral infection is healthy eating, that is a diet including clean, fresh, live produce, instead of ingesting dead food calories and then rely on the governments Tamiflu or Relenza stockpiles.