Antiviral Herbs For Viruses

Oregano

Oregano is a powerful antiviral agent. Oregano is a popular herb in the mint family that’s known for its impressive medicinal qualities. Its plant compounds, which include carvacrol, offer antiviral properties. You can cook with oregano or add it to herbal tea blends, but the best way to use it is Oregano oil.

Sage

Also a member of the mint family, sage is an aromatic herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat viral infections. The antiviral properties are mostly attributed to compounds called safficinolide, which are found in the leaves and stem of the plant. You can cook with Sage, make a tea for drinking or throat gargle, or blend it in herbal teas.

Basil

Many types of basil, including the sweet and holy varieties, may fight certain viral infections. You can cook with Sage, make a tea for drinking, or blend it in herbal teas. One of the best ways to enjoy it is fresh in pesto in which there are many recipes. Fresh shredded leaves are delicious on salads or in stir fry recipes.

Fennel

Fennel is a licorice-flavored plant that may fight certain viruses. You can cook with Fennel seeds or leaves, make a tea for drinking, or blend it in herbal teas. One of the best ways to enjoy the fresh bulb is in a stir fry. Fresh shredded leaves are delicious on salads. Seeds are great in breads.

Garlic

Garlic is a popular natural remedy for a wide array of conditions, including viral infections. The fresh or dried cloves are delicious in stir fry, and roasted meats. They can be added to smoothies. Fresh chopped leaves can be used in salads, stews, or eggs. A favorite way to take Garlic is a cough syrup you can make at home. It’s called Garlic, Onion, and Honey Syrup. Free recipe HERE.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a lemony plant that’s commonly used in teas and seasonings. It’s also celebrated for its medicinal qualities. Lemon balm extract is a concentrated source of potent essential oils and plant compounds that have antiviral activity. It’s useful for the herpes viruses, and other viruses. Another way to enjoy it is place in the warm bath.

Peppermint

Peppermint is known to have powerful antiviral qualities and commonly added to teas, extracts, and tinctures meant to naturally treat viral infections. Its leaves and essential oils contain active components, including menthol and rosmarinic acid, which have antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity.

Rosemary

Rosemary is frequently has therapeutic applications due to its numerous plant compounds, including oleanolic acid, which has displayed antiviral activity against many viruses. Use Rosemary in cooking and roasting, herbal tea blends, salves, soaps, and tinctures. Cut the long stems and lay them around your house to release a fresh pine fragrance.

Enchinacea

Echinacea is one of the most powerful natural antivirals against human viruses. It contains a compound called echinacein that inhibits bacteria and viruses from penetrating healthy cells. This greatly reduces the chances of contracting any type of infection while consuming echinacea. Therefore, it is best used at the onset of the sickness for only 4 weeks. Use flowers, leaves, and roots in teas, infusions, and tinctures.

Elderberry

Elderberry is found to substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms caused by viral infections. It fights infections including influenza, herpes, viral infections and bacterial infections. But is best used as a preventive herb, but helpful during the illness. Use flowers and berries in teas, infusions, tinctures, and syrup. Our free recipe for syrup HERE

Licorice Root

Licorice has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and other natural practices for centuries. Glycyrrhizin, liquiritigenin, and glabridin are just some of the active substances in Licorice that have powerful antiviral properties. Licorice root is commonly added to store brought herbal blends. Be careful with this root if you have high blood pressure.

Astragalus Root

Astragalus root, another powerful antiviral herb, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and its main use is to boost the body’s immune system. Scientific studies have shown that Astragalus has antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system. Use this root in soups, teas, and tinctures.

Ginger Root

Ginger products, such as elixirs, teas, and lozenges, are popular natural remedies — and for good reason.  Ginger has been shown to have impressive antiviral activity thanks to its high concentration of potent plant compounds. Use this root in soups, tinctures, baking, and stir fry too.

Ginseng

Ginseng, which can be found in Korean and American varieties, is the root of plants in the Panax family. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, it has been shown to be particularly effective at fighting viruses. Use in tea, tincture, or capsules.

Dandelion

Dandelions are widely regarded as weeds but have been studied for multiple medicinal properties, including potential antiviral effects. The whole plant from root to flowers can be used. Use in tea, tincture, or capsules.

Calendula

The flower petals of this antiviral herb has high amounts of flavonoids, which are plant-based antioxidants that protect cells from being damaged by free radicals; it also fights viruses, inflammation and bacteria. The dried petals of the plant are used in tinctures, ointments and washes to treat infections, burns, wounds and cuts.

Cat’s Claw

The bark and root of Cat’s Claw has antiviral properties. This powerful herb is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. The best way to consume cat’s claw regularly is by making an herbal tea with a tablespoon of the herb in eight ounces of water.

Olive Leaf

The Olive leaf has antiviral properties, giving it the ability to treat the common cold and dangerous viruses. Research shows that olive leaf extracts effectively fight against a number of disease-causing microbes, including some viruses that cause influenza and other respiratory infections. Use Olive leaf as a extract.