A spice being used to ward off bird flu
Star anise, a common spice, is being studied for possible use in fighting the bird flu:
"With the spread of bird flu prompting fears of an epidemic or even pandemic that could kill humans by the million, a Chinese spice hitherto associated with the pleasures of aperitifs has suddenly assumed key medical significance.For the fruit known as star anise has an ingredient vital to a drug to fight the strain of avian flu that has already killed more than 60 people in Asia.Harvested in China and Vietnam and used as a spice, it provides flavouring for candies, pastis drinks and tobacco.But it also has a key pharmaceutical asset - shikimic acid, described by experts as the world's only weapon against bird flu."
"With the spread of bird flu prompting fears of an epidemic or even pandemic that could kill humans by the million, a Chinese spice hitherto associated with the pleasures of aperitifs has suddenly assumed key medical significance.For the fruit known as star anise has an ingredient vital to a drug to fight the strain of avian flu that has already killed more than 60 people in Asia.Harvested in China and Vietnam and used as a spice, it provides flavouring for candies, pastis drinks and tobacco.But it also has a key pharmaceutical asset - shikimic acid, described by experts as the world's only weapon against bird flu."
0 Comments:
