June 23, 2009
Bangkok (ASTV Manager Online) – An in-dept study of a Thai herb will be conducted in a hope to fight against the influenza A (H1N1) which is spreading more widely.
Fermented Pak Kao Tong could effectively act against the viruses and bacteria. It could also build the immune system against diseases.
The Traditional Thai and Alternative Medicine Development Department and Chiang Mai University will work together in a joint study on such herb.
Bacteria found in the herb will be researched and developed as a vaccine against the influenza 2009.
Mr. Nara Nakvattananukul, the department’s director general, said that Science Ministry’s National Innovation Office is studying the medical herbs to cure diseases caused by viruses including flu.
Kao Tong or Phu Kao is a traditional Thai herb and is in the betel family. It is mostly found in the northern Thailand.
This kind of herb is specially useful for treating infection and wound.
So far, the number of influenza 2009 patients has reached 310 on June 16. No death has been reported yet.
Infants and people aged not more than 18 years can easily get infected by the influenza 2009 whereas people aged 60 years have the lowest risk.
It is suggested that the use of oseltamivir should be limited to only some groups of people such as infants, less than five-year children, people aged more than 65 years, pregnant women as well as patients with chronical diseases.
