The threat of COVID-19 has prompted a lot of questions regarding over the counter antiviral remedies. I thought I would discuss a few herbs that are thought to possess activity against viruses in general. We do not have specific information regarding COVID-19 because it is too new.
Presently, the only known weapons we have against the spread of COVID-19 are handwashing, social distancing, and wearing masks.
Until a vaccine is available, our options are limited. I take dietary supplements for several reasons. Some of these may help decrease my risk of contracting this virus.
I believe benefit far outweighs the risk in this situation.
I have written about many of these herbs in the past. For more information, click the highlighted link to visit the corresponding blog post.
Green Tea
Green tea (Camelia sinensis) consumption can have significant positive effects on human health.1
Green tea contains catechins, which are polyphenolic compounds. These substances, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have shown broad antiviral effects.2
Green tea extract has the potential to cause liver toxicity. Products that contain the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verification stamp must be labeled with the following:
Due to the potential risk for hepatotoxicity with green tea extracts, products that carry the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verification stamp must include the following text on the label: “Do not take on an empty stomach. Take with food. Do not use if you have a liver problem and discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)”3
Ascorbic Acid ( Vitamin C)
Studies have shown that patients with acute infections have low circulating ascorbic acid levels.4
We also know that vitamin C modulates interferons and cytokines in patients with viral infections.6
Ascorbic acid has also been shown to reduce neuralgia pain associated with the herpes virus.7
There have also been instances where influenza A patients with life-threatening respiratory failure have rapidly improved after receiving ascorbic acid and thiamine.8
Elderberry
Elderberry is a dark purple berry that grows on the European elder tree. There is evidence that elderberry fruit extract taken four times daily can reduce the symptoms and duration of influenza infection if started within 48 hours of symptoms. This extract can reduce the duration of symptoms by 56% on average.9
Another study found that lozenges containing elderberries taken four times daily within 24 hours of influenza onset improved flu-like symptoms compared with placebo 10
Zinc
Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the human body. This element is essential for growth, development, DNA synthesis, and RNA transcription.11
A review article published in 2019 concluded that zinc can stimulate the body’s viral response.12
In vitro studies have also shown zinc may possess antiviral effects. This paper also stated that zinc treatment at therapeutic doses can drastically improve the clearance of acute and chronic viral infections.13
We know that Zinc lozenges can decrease the duration of the common cold by up to 40%.14
Quercetin
Quercetin is a common flavonoid found in many Chinese herbs and fruits, vegetables, and red wine.
Quercetin has been shown to possess anti-influenza activity. This is likely due to its ability to inhibit the entry of the virus into the cell.15
This substance has also exhibited the ability to inhibit virus replication in the initial stages of influenza infections.16
Echinacea
Echinacea is the name given to some flowering plants in the daisy family. This plant has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat many illnesses.
Currently, Echinacea is used primarily as an herbal remedy in the treatment of the common cold and flu.
Echinacea extracts have shown antiviral activity against several different viruses.17
There are also studies claiming Echinacea is an efficacious immunomodulator. There is still insufficient evidence available to make therapeutic recommendations for specific disease states.20
We all want to protect ourselves from infection.
It is much easier to prevent an illness than to treat it. There are some simple steps we can take to stay healthy.
- Eat whole foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid bad habits.
- Get enough sleep.
I also believe herbal products can help us stay healthy. One of the biggest causes of sickness is oxidative stress. Our cells are bombarded with free radicals daily.
Just breathing the air can introduce toxins into the body.
In addition to my products, I take ProtandimTM Tri-Synergizer daily. This not only helps protect my cells from free radical damage but also makes me feel better and improves my energy level. I strongly recommend giving this supplement a try.
With COVID-19 comes uncertainty and fear. Besides staying as healthy as possible, we should also wash our hands often, wear masks when near others, and practice social distancing. Although the products mentioned in this post are not proven to treat, prevent, or cure COVID-19, some have good evidence against other viruses. I think the benefits of taking them far outweigh the risks.
Nutraceuticals have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Large, randomized-controlled studies are not always available to support these agents due to prohibitive costs. This does not mean they are ineffective. It usually means there is not enough profit to be made from them to justify the high costs of the studies.
If you have any questions regarding this post or about medications or nutraceuticals, please send me a message. I would also like to invite you to join our email list to receive our monthly newsletter. Our newsletter will keep you up to date on new products, our influencers, and sales.
Until next week, stay happy, healthy, and safe!
Michael J. Brown, RPh, BCPS, BCPP
Mr. Brown is a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy and psychiatry.
Feel free to send Michael a message using this link.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click on, or make a purchase through a third-party link.
- Review Beneficial effects of green tea--a review. Cabrera C, Artacho R, Giménez R. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006 Apr; 25(2):79-99.
- Xu J, Xu Z, Zheng W. A Review of the Antiviral Role of Green Tea Catechins. Molecules. 2017;22(8):1337. Published 2017 Aug 12. doi:10.3390/molecules22081337
- Oketch-Rabah HA, Roe AL, Rider CV, et al. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) comprehensive review of the hepatotoxicity of green tea extracts. Toxicol Rep. 2020;7:386-402.
- Marik PE. Hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine (HAT therapy) for the treatment of sepsis. Focus on ascorbic acid. Nutrients. 2018;10:1762
- Marik PE. Vitamin C for the treatment of sepsis: the scientific rationale. Pharmacol Therapeut. 2018;189:63–70.
- Kim Y, Kim H, Bae S, et al. Vitamin C Is an Essential Factor on the Anti-viral Immune Responses through the Production of Interferon-α/β at the Initial Stage of Influenza A Virus (H3N2) Infection. Immune Netw. 2013;13(2):70-74.
- Kim MS, Kim DJ, Na CH, et al. A study of intravenous administration of vitamin C in the treatment of acute herpetic pain and postherpetic neuralgia. Ann Dermatol. 2016;28:677–683.
- Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Max Berrill & Paul E. Marik (2020) The antiviral properties of vitamin C, Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 18:2, 99-101, DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1706483
- Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res 2004;32:132-40.
- Kong F. Pilot clinical study on a proprietary elderberry extract: efficacy in addressing influenza symptoms. Online Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics 2009;5:32-43.
- Review Modulating the immune response by oral zinc supplementation: a single approach for multiple diseases. Overbeck S, Rink L, Haase H Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2008 Jan-Feb; 56(1):15-30.
- Read SA, Obeid S, Ahlenstiel C, Ahlenstiel G. The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity. Adv Nutr. 2019;10(4):696-710. doi:10.1093/advances/nmz013
- Read SA, Obeid S, Ahlenstiel C, Ahlenstiel G. The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity. Adv Nutr. 2019;10(4):696-710. doi:10.1093/advances/nmz013
- Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage. JRSM Open. 2017;8(5):2054270417694291. Published 2017 May 2. doi:10.1177/2054270417694291
- Wu W, Li R, Li X, et al. Quercetin as an Antiviral Agent Inhibits Influenza A Virus (IAV) Entry. Viruses. 2015;8(1):6. Published 2015 Dec 25. doi:10.3390/v8010006
- Choi HJ, Song JH, Park KS, Kwon DH. Inhibitory effects of quercetin 3-rhamnoside on influenza A virus replication. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2009;37(3-4):329-333. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2009.03.002
- Pleschka S., Stein M., Schoop R., Hudson J.B. Anti-viral properties and mode of action of standardized Echinacea purpurea extract against highly pathogenic avian Influenza virus (H5N1, H7N7) and swine-origin H1N1 (S-OIV) Virol. J. 2009;6:197. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-6-197.
- Senchina D.S., Martin A.E., Buss J.E., Kohut M.L. Effects of Echinacea extracts on macrophage antiviral activities. Phyther. Res. 2010;24:810–816.
- Vimalanathan S., Schoop R., Hudson J. High-potency anti-influenza therapy by a combination of Echinacea purpurea fresh herb and root tinctures. J. Appl. Pharm. Sci. 2013;3:1–5.
- Melchart D, Linde K, Worku F, Bauer R, Wagner H. Immunomodulation with Echinacea - a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Phytomedicine. 1994;1(3):245-254. doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80072-3
