本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Dr Stephen Rennard is a researcher at the University of Nebraska in the US where he studies the defence mechanisms of the lung. One day, while enjoying his wife's homemade chicken soup, he wondered if something in the soup might have an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory viral infections responsible for colds and the flu...
Ben Maimon was a 12th century Jewish philosopher and physician who recommend this remedy for influenza and colds: chicken soup. As the story goes, Moshe drew on classical Greek medicine to support his recommendation, but I bet he actually picked it from his mum.
I was reminded of Moshe's soup flu remedy when I came across an Associated Press item about a flu vaccine clinic offered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Because of the nationwide vaccine shortage in the US, the clinic received no supply of the vaccine at all. So when people came by to get a flu shot, they were given a can of chicken soup and a box of tissues instead.
When Kris Ehresmann, the head of Minnesota's immunisation programme, heard about the soup flu remedy giveaway, with some amusement she told the AP that it was, 'better than nothing.'
Better than nothing, indeed. In fact, according to one study, chicken soup is full of good nutrition and even has natural anti-inflammatory properties. That's much more than I can say for the flu vaccine.
Grandma's penicillin
Dr Stephen Rennard is a researcher at the University of Nebraska in the US where he studies the defence mechanisms of the lung. One day, while enjoying his wife's homemade chicken soup, he wondered if something in the soup might have an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory viral infections responsible for colds and the flu.
From a recipe called 'Grandma's Soup,' Dr. Rennard had his wife prepare several batches for laboratory tests to examine the soup's effect on neutrophils; white blood cells that stimulate mucous release. As reported in a 2000 issue of the medical journal Chest, Dr. Rennard and his team found that the ingredients of the soup clearly inhibited the movement of neutrophils.
In other words, chicken soup may actually trigger a cold and flu-fighting reaction in the body. But it doesn't end with neutrophils inhibition.
Many chicken soup recipes call for exactly what a sick person needs: ingredients that are nutrient-rich, such as onions, carrots, celery, parsley, sweet potatoes, parsnips and turnips (all of which were included in Grandma's Soup).
In an interview with Reuters, Dr. Rennard also acknowledged that the steam from the warm soup may help soothe inflamed sinuses. And when someone lovingly prepares the soup for you - a doting Grandma, for instance - the care itself may provide a therapeutic psychological boost that promotes healing.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
Ben Maimon was a 12th century Jewish philosopher and physician who recommend this remedy for influenza and colds: chicken soup. As the story goes, Moshe drew on classical Greek medicine to support his recommendation, but I bet he actually picked it from his mum.
I was reminded of Moshe's soup flu remedy when I came across an Associated Press item about a flu vaccine clinic offered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Because of the nationwide vaccine shortage in the US, the clinic received no supply of the vaccine at all. So when people came by to get a flu shot, they were given a can of chicken soup and a box of tissues instead.
When Kris Ehresmann, the head of Minnesota's immunisation programme, heard about the soup flu remedy giveaway, with some amusement she told the AP that it was, 'better than nothing.'
Better than nothing, indeed. In fact, according to one study, chicken soup is full of good nutrition and even has natural anti-inflammatory properties. That's much more than I can say for the flu vaccine.
Grandma's penicillin
Dr Stephen Rennard is a researcher at the University of Nebraska in the US where he studies the defence mechanisms of the lung. One day, while enjoying his wife's homemade chicken soup, he wondered if something in the soup might have an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory viral infections responsible for colds and the flu.
From a recipe called 'Grandma's Soup,' Dr. Rennard had his wife prepare several batches for laboratory tests to examine the soup's effect on neutrophils; white blood cells that stimulate mucous release. As reported in a 2000 issue of the medical journal Chest, Dr. Rennard and his team found that the ingredients of the soup clearly inhibited the movement of neutrophils.
In other words, chicken soup may actually trigger a cold and flu-fighting reaction in the body. But it doesn't end with neutrophils inhibition.
Many chicken soup recipes call for exactly what a sick person needs: ingredients that are nutrient-rich, such as onions, carrots, celery, parsley, sweet potatoes, parsnips and turnips (all of which were included in Grandma's Soup).
In an interview with Reuters, Dr. Rennard also acknowledged that the steam from the warm soup may help soothe inflamed sinuses. And when someone lovingly prepares the soup for you - a doting Grandma, for instance - the care itself may provide a therapeutic psychological boost that promotes healing.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net