Posted by Joseph Piet on October 19, 2008 at 19:03:36:
In Reply to: Re: Eggs and Immune System posted by Pande Pire on October 15, 2008 at 21:42:18:
The ancients strengthened their immune systems, maybe inadvertently, through the use of medicinal saliva. They treated wounds, sores and the like with saliva, consumed it with food or used it to premasticate other herbs or foods. Saliva also contains immunoglobulin especially after chewing. Saliva forms a first line of defense against airborne pathogens like the influenza virus. Also it often contains dead or weakened pathogens and thus has vaccinating properties.
However, when an individual is already infected, saliva can help spread certain diseases. Therefore the pathogens must be killed or weakened before usage by heating or fermenting. Peoples as diverse as Muslims, Africans, Papuans, Polynesians and Central and South Americans used saliva as medicine. Among the Muslims the saliva, or baraka (blessing) of holy persons was considered particularly potent. Kava, manioc and cassava are types of foods/herbs that are chewed and then spit out to make a fermenting beverage.