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Antiviral Plants

Plants have been used in traditional medicines for treating bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Some have shown potential to prevent and treat viral infections by activating the immune system to target virally infected cells. However, always consult a health-care provider before self-medicating with herbal supplements as they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  1. Allium sativum and Allium cepa

    • Garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) can be eaten raw or partially cooked as a preventative measure against viral infections. The biologically active ingredient, allicin, degrades into its constituent parts, which improves the host's response to viral pathogens. A research study published in the December 2010 issue of "Animal Science Journal" documented the effects of garlic and onion on the immune functions of chickens. The researchers found that dosages of Alliums at 10 g per kg body weight increased antibody production and immune cell proliferation against several viral pathogens specific to birds.

    Eupatorium perfoliatum

    • A common remedy used in the Spanish influenza outbreak of 1918 contained boneset --- Eupatorium perfoliatum --- to treat the upper respiratory effects caused by the virus. A November 2003 article appearing in "Phytotherapy Research" investigated the effects of boneset against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Junin virus (JUNV) and dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2). The study's authors found that boneset was effective against HSV-1 at a dosage of 65 to 125 ppm but had no discernible effect against JUNV or DEN-2.

    Andrographis paniculata

    • Andrographis paniculata is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chronic inflammation and multiple sclerosis caused by viral infections. The September 2006 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" documented a study designed to investigate the efficacy of this plant to combat the influenza A virus (H1N1) using human bronchial cells. The study concluded that this medicinal plant has great potential for an alternative treatment for the flu virus as indicated by its ability to increase antibody production.

    Lomatium dissectum

    • Lomatium dissectum is a plant species traditionally used by American Indians to treat upper respiratory viral infections through the inhalation of steam from boiling the plant in water. A clinical trial described in the December 1995 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" showed that an extract of Lomatium was effective in combating strains of rotavirus although ineffective against six other strains of virus that were tested in the study. The authors concluded that an expectorant produced from the plant stimulates the antibodies in mucous towards select viral strains.

    Eleutherococcus senticosus

    • Siberian ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, has been shown to promote immune system function toward RNA-type viral infections. A June 2001 study published in "Antiviral Research" investigated the efficacy of an extract of the plant's roots against several RNA-type viruses, including the human rhino virus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the influenza A virus (IAV). The researchers found that the extract was effective in preventing the replication of every RNA-type virus tested, but it was ineffective toward DNA-type viruses, including adenovirus and HSV-1.

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