Herbs with Antiviral Properties

A virus is entirely different than bacteria. Many people are much more fearful of viruses since antibiotics haven’t any impact on them. The interesting and helpful factor is that certain herbs do have antiviral action, and several of them are widely available. Below are a few of them.

Lemon Balm

Throughout Germany, the antiviral effects of lemon balm are well-documented, and products made from the herb are given for herpes virus outbreaks and cold sores. Lemon balm is very simple to cultivate in a garden – a little too simple, actually, as it tends to take over when not contained.

Lemon balm will make a very good tea, and can be consumed to combat all sorts of viral infections, such as colds and flu. The tea or even a cream can be applied on cold sores or other viral lesions, for example shingles or chicken pox.

Astragalus

An immune boosting herb referred to as huang qi in Chinese medicine is not as popular in other countries. The root is sweet, similar to licorice, to which it is related. It’s been shown to be an effective antiviral herb, especially in the prevention of the common cold and flu virus, and may even perform well against the Coxsackie B virus (this virus can lead to an inflammation of the heart).

You can simmer slices of the root in water to make a therapeutic drink, or use the commercially available tincture. It is generally agreed that astragalus should be taken as a deterrent instead of once the illness is under way, so if you feel you’ve been subjected, or perhaps you experience the initial twinges of sickness, you can start using astragalus.

Garlic

No discussion of antiviral herbs could be complete without talking about garlic, an organic herb that is antiviral, antibacterial, as well as antifungal. It isn’t costly, and you may use the entire herb or use capsules. However, a great number of experts agree that “deodorized” garlic is probably not as effective as the unaltered natural herb.

You could simmer chopped garlic in chicken broth and drink it to stave off the common cold and flu virus. Raw, minced garlic can be sprinkled over salads and eaten with pastas. Be cautious with consuming too much of it raw, however, since it could trigger serious nausea or vomiting when used in this manner.

Ginger

In the past, ginger was regarded as a “warming” herb that could hinder queasiness from a “chilled stomach,” which was said to take place any time large amounts of cold water were consumed in warm weather. Now that we know that ginger has highly effective anti-nausea action, and it is also anti-viral.

Teas created from fresh ginger are tasty and spicy. You could sweeten them with raw honey for added germ-fighting benefits and taste. Whenever you notice the very first stages of a cold or flu virus, try sipping some of this tea several times daily. You can even drink it as a deterrent if you feel you may have been in contact with any viruses. Ginger is considered very safe; however, it is not appropriate for women who are pregnant.

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