See Herbs with Antiviral Activities
Herbs are natural medicinal lives that were used in ancient times by ancient people to cure and remedy varieties of illnesses and diseases, relieve numerous symptoms, and eliminate various pains. Herbs are still used today in our contemporary world to treat sicknesses and are still as effective as they were in ancient times.
Herbs have different areas of usefulness. Some are used as antibiotics, pain relief, antivirus, among others. According to practitioners of natural medicine, the concentrating of herbs compounds may help them fight viruses.
Amazing Herbs for Great Health
The following are 13 amazing herbs that perform antiviral activities.
Oregano
Being from the family of mint, oregano is used both as a medicine and as a food spice. Its medicinal qualities are top-notch. It contains a number of plant compounds that allow it to function in its capacity in the world of herbs. One of its most active compounds is carvacrol which helps it perform its antiviral activities. When tested on people who have herpes simplex virus type 1, which is one of the major causes of diarrhea in young children and infants, oregano showed promising and positive results. It has also proven to be effective in the treatment and elimination of the syncytial virus, which is a major factor that causes respiratory infection.
Sage
Just like oregano, sage is also from the family of mint. Sage has been in use since the time of primeval to treat viruses that cause infections in different parts of the body. Sage contains herbal compounds that give it the ability to eliminate viruses from the body, one of these compounds is safficinolide, which is found both in the stem and the leaves of the herb.
Research has shown that sage may help combat the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, which is HIV 1, that can migrate into AIDS. Further studies showed that it combats this virus by preventing the virus from entering vulnerable and targeted cells.
Basil
Almost all the types of basils, especially holy and sweet varieties, have proven to be effective in the treatment of viral infections. Basils contain compounds like ursolic acid and apigenin which have exhibited positive results in the treatment of enterovirus, herpes virus, and hepatitis B. This compound is highly concentrated in sweet basil. While tulsi, which is also known as holy basil, has been shown to strengthen and boost immunity, which is one of the best first steps to fight infection and contain its spread.
Fennel
Fennel, according to research, may fight certain viruses. It is a licorice-flavored plant that has proven to be effective in the treatment of certain viral infections. Studies carried out on fennel showed that due to the herbal compounds that it is composed of, it has the ability to treat viral infections like influenza and herpes. One of the most effective herb compounds in fennel is the trans-anethole compound which has shown powerful effects in the elimination of herpes.
Fennel also helps boost and strengthen the immune system, thereby reducing inflammation which can help prevent, manage and control viruses.
Garlic
Garlic is a common medicinal herb and also an amazing cooking spice. Garlic is known for its age-long effectiveness in the remedying of varieties of conditions and the improvement of numerous symptoms.
Studies carried out on 20 young adults who had warts caused by the human papillomavirus showed that they experienced relief and speedy recovery when garlic extract was applied to the affected areas 2 times every day for 2 weeks.
More studies showed that garlic may have antiviral activities against HSV-1, HIV, influenza A and B, rhinovirus, and pneumonia. Garlic can also serve as an immune system boost.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is common in the production of seasoning and herbal teas and is widely known for its herbal prowess. It is the source of certain essential oil, and also, it is a plant or herbal compound that is quite potent and performs antiviral activities. Studies showed that lemon balm can treat viral infections like bird flu, HIV-1, herpes virus, and enterovirus 71, a virus that is capable of causing severe infections in young children and infants.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an herb that is commonly added to the production of herbal teas, tinctures, and extracts. It has great antiviral abilities and qualities. Both its leaves and its oil extract contain compounds such as rosmarinic acid and menthol, both of which possess strong inflammatory and antiviral abilities. Peppermint can help in the treatment of respiratory viruses like syncytial viruses.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a herb that is more famous for its culinary uses than its herbal uses. It was actually discovered over the years that as much as it is great in foods, it also provides medicinal benefits. It contains a plant compound known as oleanolic acid, which performs therapeutic functions.
Oleanolic acid plays an important role in the elimination of viral infections like herpes, influenza, HIV, and hepatitis, a viral infection that affects the liver.
Echinacea
Echinacea is on the list of the most popular ingredients in herbal medicine. This is as a result of its excellent health properties. Almost all parts of the plant, ranging from its leaves to its roots and flowers, are useful and effective in their antiviral activities, and all of them, without exception, are used as natural remedies.
Its flowers are cone-shaped and were used by native Americans to treat various illnesses and infections, including viral infections.
There are various types of echinacea plants, and they include; E. pallida, E. purpurea, and E. Angustifolia, and all of them are known to be effective in combating viral infections like influenza and herpes.
Asides from these, echinacea also has immune system boosting abilities, making it more effective in the treatment of viral infections.
Sambucus
It is a family of plants. This family of plants is also recognized as an elder. Elderberries are processed into different products like pills and elixirs, which are used as natural treatments for viral infections like the flu and common cold. In addition to this, elderberries contain active compounds that suppress the influenza virus and its replication while boosting and strengthening the immune system in the process.
Studies carried out on 100 people who were given elderberry supplements regularly showed reduced risks of upper respiratory symptoms that are majorly caused by viral infections.
Licorice
Licorice is common and popular among the Chinese people. It has been one of their top-notch sources of herbal treatments since ancient times. They used it for centuries as both medicines as well as for other natural practices.
Some of the active compounds in licorice include; liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizin, and glabridin. All of which have proven to be effective antiviral substances.
The root extract of licorice is has shown effectiveness against viral infections like RSV, HIV, herpes viruses, and certain other respiratory infections caused by viruses, one of which is coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which is classified according to medical researchers as a severe type of pneumonia.
Astragalus
Just like licorice, astragalus is also popular and widely known among the Chinese people. Astragalus is a flowering herb that is used as natural and traditional medicine. It contains the astragalus polysaccharide (APS) compound, which has shown promising results in the boosting and strengthening of the immune system and treatment of viral infections like herpes, hepatitis B, and influenza.
Ginger
Ginger is usually used in the production of elixirs, teas, and lozenges. These ginger products are used as natural remedies for various health issues and symptoms. Ginger has also conferred positive results in the treatment of antiviral infections. Its highly concentrated plant compounds make it this effective in the remedying of illnesses caused by viruses.
Ginger extract has proven to perform its antiviral activities effectively on antiviral infections like RSAV, avian influenza, and feline calicivirus (FCV).
The compounds that are most concentrated in ginger include; zingerone and gingerols. They have proven to be effective in the inhibition of viral replication into targeted cells.
In conclusion, a number of herbs have shown promising effectiveness in the treatment of a number of illnesses. Some work as antibiotics, antiviral among others. The antiviral herbs have been tested on humans and have shown positive results in the treatment, combat, management, elimination, and control of antiviral infections. They have also proven to be strong immune system boosters that enhance the immune system and strengthen it well enough to identify and attack foreign harmful and toxic bodies that gain access into the body.
