HERBAL ADVISOR

antiviral herbs

Key botanicals for optimum immune health.

The best approach to health, always, is to avoid getting sick. In case that sounds sassy, what I mean is that health is a force that requires tending. So making more informed choices now can help restore, and preserve, your precious health.

For one thing, make sure that you’re getting adequate sleep, which can increase your resistance to all infections. Less than seven hours of sleep a night over time will inhibit your product of natural killer (NK) cells— potent white blood cells that fi ght disease. Sleep also allows melatonin to be into the body, which supports immune function and helps control the infl ammation in viral infections via its antioxidant properties.

Helpful Herbs

Covid-19 risk and severity. Because it’s microbiome and improve its overall pretty bitter raw, you can bake peeled ability to fi ght viruses. Flavonoids garlic with a bunch of other robust (natural pigments found in brightly roasting veggies, or pop cloves in the colored produce) reduce infl ammation Studies conducted during the Covid-19 microwave for a few minutes, then peel and inhibit the viral enzyme, 3CL pandemic have given us much useful and enjoy. Cooked garlic can be dipped protease, which slows viral replication. information about preventing and in a bit of honey for children. Other natural antivirals include: containing viral outbreaks in general. Suppose, for instance, we could kill the virus in the nose and throat before it More Natural Immune Boosters Given the lack of proven therapies * Propolis, a substance produced by honeybees to seal gaps in their hives. became established? Maybe we can. for many viral illnesses, lifestyle and Along with its high fl avonoid content, Consider making an antiviral nose and nutritional considerations are espe- it also helps viral clearance by throat spray using well-established cially vital. Getting outdoors, for increasing apoptosis (death of cells herbs that have anti-viral example, is very helpful for a that are sick). activity: astragalus, licorice, elderberry, and eupatorium. Mixing one or a few of these tinctures with a Did You Know? Our bodies have a built-in natural antiviral mechanism. It’s called fever. In healthy immune response, in part because sun exposure promotes vitamin D3 synthesis, another innate * Astragalus reduces infl ammation, is a proven antiviral, and inhibits production of infl ammatory cytokines. saline or xylitol spray is a general, a mild fever for a few days is the perfect immune enhancer. It is well * Berberine, the active constituent convenient way to keep viruses from becoming solution for burning out a virus. documented that patients who were exposed to direct in both goldenseal and Oregon grape root, is toxic to viruses and bacteria. established in your body. Or you sunlight and plenty of fresh air It has been shown to be eff ective in could enjoy steam inhalation with during the 1918 infl uenza pandemic had treating secondary pneumonias that antimicrobial essential oils such as much lower rates of infection and less can accompany viral infections. thyme, oregano, or eucalyptus. severity of infection. * Elderberry has been shown to be

Garlic is renowned for its antiviral Fruits and vegetables are naturally eff ective against many coronaviruses properties, and has been shown in high in fi ber and biofl avonoids. Fiber by blocking both viral uptake and the several international studies to lessen and fermented foods enhance the gut viruses’ ability to infect host cells.