Viruses and antiviral medications are one area in which modern Western medicine falls sadly short. Colds, flu virus, and herpes virus, among so many others, continue to run rampant. The best they can offer for the most part is a vaccine, that is only effective if the virus doesn't mutate too quickly. Luckily, natural medicine offers a much wider variety of options.
The Importance of Vitamins for Fighting Viral Infections
One of the most important aspects of trying to prevent or combat viruses is to make sure the body has all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function properly. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are all very important to keep the immune system healthy. In addition, there is some evidence that vitamin D3 is of particular importance in fighting viruses; enough so to be worthwhile taking a supplement during cold and flu season, even though vitamin D does not normally require supplementation.
Herbal Remedies to Prevent and Fight Viruses
There is a very wide variety of herbs and plants that offer protection from viruses, and help fight off their effects.
Among them, three herbs stand out at the top of nearly every herbalist's list. These three are garlic, lemon balm, and, surprisingly, St. John's wort.
Garlic has long been lauded as a wonderful immune system booster. In addition to generally increasing immune system health, it has "notable antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties," according to the National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine, by Steven Foster and Rebecca L. Johnson. This is largely due to a substance called allicin. Allicin is very volatile, however, and breaks down easily with heat, so for the medicinal benefit, one to three cloves of garlic should be consumed a day, either raw or added to cooked food just before being removed from the stove.
Lemon balm, also known as Melissa, "fights a host of bacteria and viruses, including parainfluenza virus," and "inhibits the spread of a variety of viruses, including the herpes simplex virus," according to The Herbal Drugstore, by Linda B White, MD, and Steven Foster. Interestingly, however, according to the Desk Reference, "its antiviral action is not known, but it is thought that lemon balm inhibits protein synthesis and blocks virus receptors on host cells." Regardless of how it does it, everyone seems to agree that it does it very well. It can be taken as a supplement, a tea, or as an essential oil via aromatherapy.
St. John's wort is well known due to its antidepressant qualities, but it is also an effective antiviral and immune system booster. It contains a compound called hypericin, which according to the Desk Reference, "exhibits pronounced antiviral activity against herpes, hepatitis, and HIV," as well as cold and flu viruses.
There are plenty of other popular antiviral herbs, as well. Among them are:
- Licorice - In studies, licorice has been shown to inactivate certain viruses, and is a potent anti-inflammatory which boosts the immune system.
- Mullein - Laboratory studies have shown that this plant helps fight herpes and other viruses, and soothes irritation.
- Echinacea - According to The Herbal Drugstore, Echinacea is the "single best researched herb for helping the body fight [viruses] once they've begun to invade. It stimulates white blood cell activity, increases the body's production of antiviral substances such as interferon, and enhances the ability of immune cells to engulf and destroy invading microbes."
- Clove - This is a potent antiviral, and scientific studies have shown unequivocally that a combination of clove and an antiviral medication performs much better than either one alone, according to the Herbal Drugstore.
- Shiitake and other medicinal mushrooms - according to the Herbal Drugstore, these mushrooms "possess substances called polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system. Shiitake also increases the body's production of the antiviral substance interferon. Although human trials haven't yet taken place, studies in animals show that shiitake likely offers some protection against influenza."
- Astragalus - This herb has immune system boosting and antiviral properties. It is safe to take long-term, and useful for those with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Elderberry/European Elder - Contains compounds that inhibit the enzyme some viruses use to penetrate the membranes of cells. According to the Desk Reference, "Clinical trials have been conducted to test elder's efficacy in treating influenza. In these studies, patients receiving elderberry extract recovered from the flu several days earlier than control groups; their symptoms were also less severe. The extract also stimulated antibody production."
- Baikal or Chinese Skullcap - not to be confused with American skullcap. According to Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, "[Skullcap] shuts down the replication process in influenza viruses A and B, as long as it is administered between eighteen and fifty-four hours before infection. . . . It does not stimulate the immune system, but instead acts against the viruses themselves. This makes [Skullcap] an especially appropriate choice for people who have autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis".
- Siberian Ginseng - widely studied in Russia, according to Herbal Healing, "Russian studies involving tens of thousands of participants found that taking Siberian ginseng for eight to ten weeks before the beginning of the cold and flu season reduces the incidence of these diseases by more than 95%."
Aromatherapy to Combat Viral Infection and Spreading
Many essential oils provide protection or added ability to fight viruses. Lavender and tea tree are among the top of these lists, as they do both. Also useful are:
- Melissa (Lemon Balm)
- Thyme
- Eucalyptus
- Lemon and other citrus oils
- Geranium
- Clove
- Rosemary
- Juniper
- Niaoulli
- Cinnamon (bark)
- Anise
- Clary Sage
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
- Rose
- Sandalwood
- Myrtle
- Cypress
- Rose
See also: Natural Immune System Boosters for an overall look at immune system boosting foods, herbs, and aromatherapy, or focus in on the Top Ten Overall Immune System Booster Foods or Top Five Herbs for Immune System Health.
Genevieve Kiger - Genevieve is passionate about all manner of natural subjects; herbs, herbalism, aromatherapy, and general natural health and body care.
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