Herbs that can be used As an antiviral

What is antiviral?

Antiviral is an action that targets the development of viral infections. It helps the body in fighting against pathogenic viruses that reduce the severity of symptoms and shortens the time duration of the infection. Viruses are intracellular pathogens that make use of their host’s cellular machinery to replicate and kick-start the infection. Therefore, designing synthetic antiviral drugs is a tedious job because it is difficult to find targets that would only interfere with the virus without inflicting harm to the host’s cells.

Azidothymidine (AZT) is the very first antiviral drug that is licensed for clinical use to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. Currently, about 50 antiviral drugs are approved for human use.

What are the herbal benefits of antivirals? 

Antivirals work pragmatically to help with:

  • Fever and flu symptoms
  • Shorten the duration of malady
  • Reduce the risk of complications, such as respiratory issues, ear infections in children, and hospitalization
  • Reducing the chances of contracting and spreading viral infections (such as herpes and HIV)
  • Lowering the chances of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant patients
  • Preventing further infections in immunocompromised patients
  • Chickenpox
  • Keratitis
  • Mucocutaneous infections

3 Herbs Recommended as antivirals

Birch Polypore

Birch Polypore

Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) is a clever fungus that appears on dead birch logs, and sometimes on alive ones too. It is around for more than 5000 years and people have been gaining its endless benefits due to its multiplicity of actions. Use Birch Polypore Tincture at least 3 times a day to seek its divine antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects. 

Echinacea

Echinacea

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is an immune-stimulating herbal remedy that is employed to prevent and mitigate the symptoms of viral infection, especially influenza.

It's tinctures and teas serve as time-honored remedies that have been traditionally for centuries to gain control over the symptoms of cold, flu, rhinovirus, pox, herpes, and recurrent vaginal yeast infections.

St. Johns Wort

St. Johns Wort

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) contains hypericin that offers broad-spectrum antiviral (against HIV, herpes, infectious bronchitis virus, and influenza) and antibacterial (against E.coli, Staph. Aureus, and Strep.).

A German study claims that St. John’s Wort is a potent therapy for the treatment of SARS- CoV2 infection. 

 

Other Medicinal Plants that Support antiviral properties