Over the years and still counting, traditional antiviral herbs and spices have been a go-to remedy for treating any ailment, including viral infections such as the flu, common cold, smallpox, blisters, and so on.
Many herbs aid in the fight against viruses and are favored by those who practice natural medicine due to their concentration of potent plant compounds.
Nevertheless, there isn’t much human research to back up the claims about some herbs’ health benefits, so you should proceed with caution.
In this article, we will highlight the top 10 Traditional Antiviral Herbs we can easily access in our kitchen or our local stores around us.
10 Traditional Antiviral Herbs
1. The Oregano herbs
The common mint family herb oregano is well-known for its potent therapeutic properties. Carvacrol is one of its plant-based chemicals, which has antiviral capabilities.
Within 15 minutes of exposure, murine norovirus (MNV) activity was decreased in test-tube research using isolated carvacrol and oregano oil. [1]
2. Basil Leave
Do you know that lots of basil species, including the sweet and holy varieties, can help fend off specific viral infections?
For instance, test-tube research [2] discovered that sweet basil extracts, which include substances like apigenin and ursolic acid, had powerful effects against herpes viruses, hepatitis B viruses, and enteroviruses.
Furthermore, a 4-week research in 24 healthy people found that supplementing with 300 mg of holy basil extract dramatically improved numbers of helper T cells and natural killer cells, both of which are immune cells that help guard and defend your body against viral infections.
3. Fennel Seeds
Fennel is a herb with a licorice taste that may help fight infections.
In an experiment investigation, fennel extract showed;/ potent antiviral activity against herpes viruses and parainfluenza type-3 (PI-3), which causes respiratory illnesses in cattle.
Furthermore, the major component of fennel essential oil, trans-anethole, has significant antiviral properties against herpes viruses.
According to animal studies [3], fennel may also strengthen your immune system and reduce inflammation, which may aid in the fight against viral infections.
4. Lemon Grass
Lemongrass is a lemony shrub that is widely used in teas and spices. It’s also revered for its therapeutic properties.
Lemongrass extract is a rich source of antiviral essential oils and plant components.
In vitro studies have revealed that it possesses antiviral properties against avian influenza (bird flu), herpes viruses, HIV-1, and enterovirus 71, which can cause serious illnesses in babies and children [4].
5. Garlic
Garlic is a well-known natural cure for a variety of ailments, particularly viral infections.
In a research of 23 people with human papillomavirus (HPV) warts, applying garlic extract to afflicted regions twice daily for 1-2 weeks removed warts in all of them.
Garlic may also have an antiviral effect against influenza A and B, HIV, HSV-1, viral pneumonia, and rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, according to previous test-tube research. However, the present research is unsatisfactory.
Garlic appears to boost immune system response by boosting protective immune cells, which may protect against viral infection in animal and test-tube experiments.
6. Peppermints
Peppermint possesses a very powerful antiviral property and is commonly used in teas, extracts, and potions to treat viral infections traditionally.
Its leaves and essential oils include active ingredients such as menthol and rosmarinic acid, both of which have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
In a test-tube investigation, peppermint-leaf extract demonstrated substantial antiviral action against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as dramatically lower levels of inflammatory chemicals [5].
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is commonly used in cooking, but it also has many medicinal benefits due to its various plant components, notably oleanolic acid.
In animal and test-tube experiments, oleanolic acid showed antiviral action against herpes viruses, HIV, influenza, and hepatitis.
Furthermore, rosemary extract has been shown to have antiviral properties against herpes viruses and hepatitis A, which damage the liver [6].
8. Ginger
I do not think the list would be complete without the addition of ginger root! For so many amazing reasons, ginger extracts are included in products such as elixirs, teas, and lozenges are popular natural cures. Because of its high concentration of potent plant components, ginger has been found to have significant antiviral action.
In vitro studies show that ginger extract has antiviral properties against avian influenza, RSV, and feline calicivirus (FCV), which are equivalent to human norovirus.
Furthermore, several ginger chemicals, such as gingerols and zingerone, have been proven to block viral replication and prevent viruses from accessing host cells.
9. The Ginseng root
Ginseng is the root of plants in the Panax family and is readily accessible in Korean and American varieties. It has centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and has been proven to be particularly efficient against viruses.
Korean red ginseng extract has been shown in animal and test-tube experiments to be effective against RSV, herpes viruses, and hepatitis A.
Furthermore, ginsenosides in ginseng have antiviral properties against hepatitis B, norovirus, and coxsackieviruses, which are linked to several severe disorders, including meningoencephalitis, a brain infection.
10. Licorice root
For ages, people have consumed licorice in traditional Chinese medicine and other herbal treatments.
Glycyrrhizin, liquiritigenin, and glabridin are only a few of the antiviral active ingredients in licorice.
In vitro studies show that licorice root extract is effective against HIV, RSV, herpes viruses, and SARS-CoV, which causes a severe form of pneumonia [7].
Disclaimer: The above information published in this article is solely for informational and educational purposes only. The article written/published does not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease and should not be treated as medical advice. Seek the direction of your doctor before any consumption!
References:
“Research and study“. The National Library of Medicine. PubMed Central
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