In this age of navigating challenging health situations,we often feel helpless because of the onslaught of fearful and conflicting information. One amazing gift offered from nature comes coniferous trees, especially the pine tree. It can relieve some of the side effects of the pandemic .  This substance is called Suramin, and it can help to regulate metabolic activity, protect against blood clotting as well as  inhibit out of control DNA replication.It is not a new discovery however. A drug by the same name, inspired by the same biochemical molecule found in pine, thas been known to assist in a variety of illnesses and conditions from cancer to autism for many years. It is not permitted in medical regimes in North America so it remains an esoteric subject in medicine, but current conditions have brought it back into the spotlight.

This little known medicinal pine needle can play a role in reducing these risks associated with unwanted side effects of the pandemic and its treatments. Spike proteins which can interfere with normal metabolic function,  and blood clotting as well can be potentially managed by the use of this medicine. In fact, it can have such an impact on the behaviour of cells it is being shown to down-regulate some of the metabolic challenges assocaited with autism, and how Suramin can calm a system that is awry in cellular activity. Robert K. Naviaux, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, pediatrics and pathology, and co-director of the Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center at UC San Diego School of Medicine is centered on this exciting research- connecting this pine based medicine into a treatment for some of the core symptoms of autism.

This is quite impressive for a folk remedy and native medicine that has been cherished long before any of this research was done. In the earlier eras of medicine, the decoction of pine needle tea was one of the most potent and common ways to fend off scurvy for those learning to survive North American winters. Fast forwarding to present times ,it is noteworthy how some research is touting that “suramin and its derivatives are at least 20-fold more potent than remdesivir, the currently approved nucleotide drug for treatment of our current pandemic.”   

 If you don’t have pine products for purchase, or not sure of the product quality- then you can indeed source some of your own and help your body fortify itself from the undesirable side effects associated with the pandemic. It is important to know that it is to be avoided during pregnancy, and the right types of Pines should not be confused with the Yew tree, a common look-alike. Ponderosa Pine is a species that is also known to contain toxic elements and should be avoided. Eastern White Pine has the highest amount, but other fir and other varieties of pine are safe alternatives. The new green needles can be a good source of suramin through various extraction methods including teas, essential oils and hydrosols. 

These simple and natural herbal medicines can help your body build immunity, prevent blood clots and any unwanted excess DNA activity that isn't in harmony with the body's natural template. These are some of the known effects of the treatments associated with the pandemic, and can effect people that are directly or indirectly exposed to these factors.

References:

Yin, W., Luan, X., Li, Z. et al. Structural basis for inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase by suramin. Nat Struct Mol Biol 28, 319–325 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-021-00570-0