Many plants used in herbal medicine contain antiviral properties. And herbal remedies have been used successfully to treat viruses for thousands of years. Perhaps even coronaviruses. These have always been around in one form or another. This page discusses: can herbs be used against the Coronavirus?
The immune-supporting properties, nutritional components, and proven activity against other viruses and respiratory infections make a powerful argument for using plant remedies. To provide support for the body against this type of infection, at the very least. The more nourished your body is, the better it can fight off disease.
A GreenMedInfo article says there are a number of plants scientifically tested against the SARS coronavirus (a related virus) that were proven to be somewhat effective. Here is the article.
The GreenMedInfo article listed extensive research that proves that certain plant medicines can fight viruses similar to the Wuhan Coronavirus. These include SARS, MERS, and Ebola. Research conducted over the past two decades.
We discussed Red Algae and Licorice Root in a previous page, but there were 33 other plants researched specifically for their potential value against coronaviruses SARS and MERS.
And, of the 33 plants, 15 inhibited replication of both coronaviruses. I think this is huge. It means we have ways to protect ourselves, even without a commercial answer.
The coronavirus-inhibiting plants include Amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybrid), Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), Red spider lily (Lycoris radiate), and Leek (Allium porrum). Some others are Ramsons (Allium ursinum), Taro (Colocasia esculenta), Cymbidium orchid (Cymbidium hybrid), and Twayblade (Listera ovata), as well as Broad-leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), Tulip (Tulipa hybrid), Black mulberry tree (Morus Nigra), Tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum), and Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica).
Yes, you read correctly. Tobacco can inhibit viruses. No one is advocating you smoke or chew, but if there were a major spread of cases, I wouldn’t turn my nose up at anything that could help!
for more detailed specifics of the research, read the GreenMedInfo article. That is beyond the scope of this article. Although it is very interesting!
While properties of these plants may be well-known to herbalists, to the rest of us their names may evoke flowers. Or may not be familiar at all.
Here, we will discuss three of these plants.
Leek (Allium porrum)
Leek is well-known as a culinary herb. But it is also a powerful medicine. We all know that chicken soup with lots of onion and garlic can help improve viral symptoms when we have a cold or flu.
Add Leek to up the infection-fighting properties (and the yum factor!) of your favorite soup or stew. Leeks contain many sulfur compounds that support our antioxidant and detoxing systems. And helps the formation of the body’s connective tissue. Just like onion and garlic. They are related.
They are a good source of polyphenols, including the flavonoid kaempferol. Vitamins K, B6, C, E, A, as well as manganese, copper, iron, folate, magnesium, calcium, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids are all in this plant. Use Leeks to guard against infections! This includes viruses such as cold and flu.
It soothes gastrointestinal symptoms and relieves chest complaints. Leeks support the respiratory system. Leeks are considered cardioprotective. Therefore, they can lower cholesterol, improve blood clotting, lower oxidative stress, and reduce chronic low-grade inflammation.
Leeks also support the urinary system and are effective against kidney stones. Other health problems that leeks may help with include atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergic airway inflammation.
It may also provide protection against several different types of cancer. Including colorectal cancer, most likely. And now it was proven to inhibit the coronovirus. Therefore, it is definitely worth the cost at the grocery store. Or grow them in your garden!
Bear Garlic (Allium ursinum), or Ramsons, is another relative of garlic. It can be used in our kitchen the same way. They also have similar medicinal properties. However, it is better tolerated by people who are sensitive to garlic or onions.
Ramsons
Ramsons has been used in Europe as folk medicine since the ancient Greeks. They first used it as a cleansing tonic. It is effective at healing and removing infections, balancing the gut flora and healing the digestive tract.
It is beneficial for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic gastroenteritis, colic, and flatulence. Like garlic, it can reduce cholesterol and help keep the heart and circulatory system healthy. Its tonic effects clear the skin, improve memory, and aid healthy eyesight. And it is beneficial in improving overall health.
Ransoms is a good antibacterial and antifungal agent. It can be used as a poultice for boils, cuts, and infections. And, like garlic, it is good to eat! And now Ramsons is on the list of plants whose lectins have been proven to inhibit the coronavirus.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Don’t let the name fool you! Stinging nettle is a medicinal powerhouse. Indeed. Yes, you may have met up with its stinging leaves on a hike. I know I sure did! Or maybe you were told to stay away from it because it stings. (I got that warning too late!)
But once dried or cooked, the stings lose their power. And stinging nettle is a nutritional and medicinal herb that can be eaten like spinach or other fresh greens. Or turned into a tea or tonic that is effective against numerous ailments.
Nettles are rich in minerals, including calcium and iron. They have chlorophyll, too. Nettles strengthen and detoxify the body, and enhance natural immunity. This protects against infections. Nettle tea is helpful in feverish conditions and is particularly effective in strengthening the respiratory system. Since it is a natural plant, there is no worry about side effects. In fact, since it helps detoxify the body, it is safer for your liver than a lot of pills are!
Nettle leaves, seeds and roots treat a wide range of ailments. These include bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. They are good for asthma, allergies and hay fever, also. Not to mention anemia, arthritis, rheumatism, and gout. Did I mention inflammations, kidney stones and urinary problems?
And the list goes on: prostate problems and eczema, PMS, menstrual and fertility difficulties, and menopause. Nettle is astringent, diuretic, and hypotensive.
“When in doubt, use nettle.” The renowned herbalist David Hoffman was quoted thus.
Oh, and those stings??? The formic acid contained in the stings is beneficial in the treatment of arthritic pain. Without the side effects of modern drugs! Some people harvest nettles with bare hands (we recommend gloves) to reap the (somewhat painful) benefits for their arthritic fingers.
In a process called urtification, fresh stinging nettle is applied to the skin around arthritic joints as a counter-irritant. Therefore, it relieves pain and inflammation from arthritis. This procedure has been used since Roman times. Nettle is one of plants that contains lectins proven to inhibit the coronovirus.
I edited the original article compiled by L.H.R. to fit the format for this article, so any errors are mine.
And for more on Herbs as medicine, check out this page in our Health and Fitness category.
If you are interested in ways to use herbs, I definitely recommend this book! It is a great one to add to your library! It is on sale right now with a bundle of two other books that are quite worthwhile. You can get Kindle versions, but I like having the real thing, in case I want to look when the power is out, lol!
Response Magic