Top 12 Antiviral Herbs and Supplements for Immune Support and Wellness
Your body makes N-acetylcysteine. Glutathione is made from this amino acid. NAC kills viruses and reduces inflammation. This treatment thins upper respiratory mucus and may treat COVID-19. Research shows NAC treatment stopped SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) from spreading.
NAC
1
Mint family member Melissa officinalis is lemon balm.
This product has antioxidant, antihistamine, anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties.
Lemon balm
2
Garlic has been used in food and medicine for centuries. Garlic can treat human, animal, and plant viruses. Garlic has been shown to treat colds, flu, viral hepatitis, and warts in randomized trials.
Garlic
3
Asian astragalus root is antiviral and medicinal. For instance, astragalus root extract treats avian influenza H9.
Astragalus
4
Licorice, or "sweet grass," is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The plant's antiviral and antibacterial properties come from its root. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is used to treat Hepatitis C. Additionally, licorice root GA fights MRSA.
Licorice
5
Zinc boosts immunity. The body needs zinc, the second most abundant mineral after iron, for growth and development. Zinc protects against HPV, HIV, Picornavirus, Togavirus, flu, Coronavirus, and Herpes.
Zinc
6
Antioxidants in ginger boost the immune system. Ginger is antimicrobial and can fight viruses like HRSV.
Fresh ginger
7
Europeans have long used black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) as a medicine. Black elderberry supplements boost immunity and contain antioxidants. Black elderberry has been shown to slow influenza A and B and some bacterial lung infections in the lab.
Black Elderberry
8
Curry powder requires turmeric. Curcumin, a turmeric component, kills bacteria and viruses. Studies show turmeric slows cancer cell growth.
Turmeric
9
People with skin diseases may benefit from holy basil (Ocimum sanctum). Holy basil fights viruses:
• Herpes simplex virus, HIV/AIDS, Flu A subtype of H9N2, Newcastle disease
The Holy Basil
10
Reishi mushroom Ganoderma lucidum has been used as medicine for over 2,000 years. This mushroom outperforms some antibiotics against S. aureus and E. coli. Vesicular stomatitis virus and herpes simplex virus were inhibited by reishi mushroom extract.
Mushroom Reishi
11
Popular mint-family herb oregano. It is useful as a spice and medicine. For instance, oregano oil can treat wounds. A study on oregano oil's main active component found antiviral properties that could treat murine norovirus.