Chinese Herbs Clear the Air

[Guest guest]

Hi all

 

Taken from: http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,45568,00.html

 

 

HONG KONG -- Scientists in Taiwan using traditional Chinese herbs recently

developed a high-efficiency particulate air filter that successfully

destroys airborne bacteria.

 

This new use of an ancient herb creates a significant advantage in air

particle filtration.

 

Most filters only capture bacteria, acting like flypaper for the microscopic

organisms. But the new herbal filter would not only snare bacteria but kill

it as well, destroying bacteria trapped on the surface within 18 to 22 hours

of contact.

 

Throughout China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, scientific research is being done in

the field of traditional Chinese herbs and medicines. The popularity of

natural Chinese medicines over synthetic drugs still remains among many

Chinese people.

 

Like many other scientists in the region, Chun-Tao Che, acting director of

the <http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/scm/> Chinese School of Medicine at the Chinese

University of Hong Kong, supports the research being done in Chinese

medicine.

 

Using western methods of scientific authentication to catalog and verify the

effects and benefits of Chinese herbs often provides the evidence necessary

to convince sceptics.

 

" New technologies should be applied to develop the old and traditional

medicines, " Chun-Tao said. " Invention of new products, backed with good,

reliable scientific evidence should be encouraged. "

 

The <http://tis.eh.doe.gov/hepa/> air filters are soaked in the solution

where the herbs bond to the surface and chemical reactions take place with

certain bacteria.

 

Like any air filters, these can be used in household and commercial air

conditioners and heaters, capturing airborne smoke, dust and pollen

particles.

 

According to Dr. Frank Chen, director of the Fiber Technology division of

Union Chemical Laboratories, the development of this filter is the first of

its kind.

 

" Japanese scientists have some antibacterial filters on the market, but they

use green tea extracts, " he said. " Ours is the first to utilize Chinese

herbs. "

 

But like Colonel Sanders' 11 secret herbs and spices, Chen is not divulging

which herb the filter uses. " We would like to keep it confidential at this

stage, " Chen said.

 

The filter effectively destroys the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, commonly

called <http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap3.html> staph bacteria.

 

Staph is often the main cause in cases of food poisoning, the reason for

laws mandating that all employees must wash their hands before leaving

restrooms. In environments like hospitals or laboratories, where cleanliness

and sterility are crucial, the new filter will be an invaluable tool in

fighting the spread of disease and infection.

 

Scientists at UCL, an affiliate of the Industrial Technology Research

Institute ( <http://www.itri.org.tw/eng/index.html> ITRI) of Taiwan released

the new technology in May. The ITRI, a nonprofit research organization,

receives both government and private funding and has research labs in

telecommunications, energy and biomedical engineering among others.

 

ITRI strives to file patents, using them as criteria to evaluate research

achievement. There are some concerns, however, regarding the new filter.

 

The herbs are not patentable but the manufacturing techniques are.

 

" We would like to file patents but we need to think about the strategy, what

can be disclosed and what cannot, " Chen said. " The patent has to be able to

protect and secure our proprietary technology. "

 

UCL is also currently developing another filter in collaboration with a

medical school in Taipei that will combat flu viruses.

 

Chen anticipates that within a year, these filters will be used in air

conditioners in homes, offices and public buildings, places where an

infected carrier can easily spread a cold through the comfortable atmosphere

of recycled air.

 

Because the extraction process of the herbs is relatively simple and

efficient, it's possible this technology could be applied to cottons, nylons

and polyesters.

 

The molecules extracted from the herbs are neutral and non-irritating,

making them safe for contact with skin.

 

" The surface processing technology for permanent bonding is very different

between the filters and other materials, " Chen said. " But the herbs can be

used on clothing. "

 

Kind regards,

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

BSc (Hons) TCM, MATCM

Editor

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