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Plants such as lemon balm have compounds with antiviral action and can contribute to your health

An antiviral is a medication used specifically to treat infections caused by viruses. Most available antivirals - each with their own specific properties - act against HIV, herpes viruses, hepatitis B and C and influenza A and B.

However, in addition to conventional medicines, herbal medicine serves to prevent or cure certain viral diseases - such as colds and sore throat - efficiently. The main herbal remedies are medicinal plants, which are able to perform functions similar to industrialized remedies with antiviral action.

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Take a look at the antiviral properties of some plants and enjoy these natural antiviral remedies. If symptoms persist, seek medical help.

1. Astragalus

This little-known herb improves the immune system and is popularly called huang qi in Chinese medicine. The root is sweet, not unlike licorice. It has been shown to be a very effective antiviral herb, particularly for preventing colds and flu, and may even be effective against the virus. Coxsackie B (which can cause inflammation of the heart). You can boil slices of root in water to make a curing decoction, or you can use commercially available tincture. It is generally recommended that astragalus be taken as a preventive measure.

2. Lemon balm

Lemon balm, scientifically known as Melissa officinalis L., is a plant native to the region surrounding the Mediterranean and Asia. One study examined the antiviral property of the aqueous extract of lemon balm and concluded that it significantly combats transitional skin and mucosal herpes in 16 patients.

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You can apply the aqueous extract of lemon balm directly to the herpes affected site to enjoy its antiviral effect.

3. Garlic

An herb that is antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. It's not expensive, and you can use the whole herb or take capsules. However, many experts agree that "deodorized" garlic may not be as effective as the unaltered plant. To enjoy its antiviral powers, you can boil chopped garlic in soups and savor it to ward off colds and flu. Raw, the garlic must be chopped and can be sprinkled over salads and other savory dishes. Just be careful with excessive consumption of raw garlic, as it can cause nausea when eaten this way.

Garlic capsule supplementation is known to improve immune system function. A 12-week study found that a daily supplement with garlic capsules reduced the number of colds by 63 percent compared to placebo. The mean duration of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from five days in the placebo to just one and a half days in the garlic capsule group.

Another study found that a high dose of garlic extract (2.56 grams per day) can reduce the number of days of cold or flu by 61%. If you often have colds, adding raw garlic to your diet can be a good way to get the antiviral properties of garlic against colds and flu.

To learn more about garlic's health benefits, take a look at the articles: "Ten health benefits of garlic" and "Garlic oil: what it is for and benefits".

4. Ginger

In addition to having a powerful anti-nausea action, ginger is also antiviral and relieves joint pain. Teas made from fresh herb are flavorful and spicy. But you can sweeten it with maple syrup.

One study has shown that ginger has antiviral action against respiratory syncytial virus (a virus responsible for most cases of lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in infants.

It is recommended that when the first symptoms of a cold, flu or respiratory tract discomfort appear, try drinking ginger tea several times a day or consuming it chopped with meals. Drink as a preventative or if you think you may have been exposed to any type of virus. It is an herb that is considered safe, but it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Learn more about ginger in the articles: "Benefits of ginger and its tea" and "Ginger tea: how to make it".

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5. Melon-de-São-Caetano

The melon-de-Saint-Caetano, originating in India and China, is a vine with fruits and leaves with a bitter taste. The fruit is known to have properties that treat diabetes and wounds, both external and internal, as well as other various medicinal activities such as antibiotic, antioxidant, antiviral and tonic.

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In cases of vomiting and sexually transmitted diseases, consume cooked caetano melon. You can also make juice from its leaves to treat these problems and others like biliary ailments. This juice also helps fight skin infections and can be used to wash wounds and other skin problems such as scabies (in which case the pure juice of the leaves and fruit can also be ingested), insect bites, malaria, itching and malignant ulcers .

To learn more about the melon-de-São-Caetano, take a look at the article: "Melon-de-São-Caetano: plant has pharmaceutical potential".

6. Tea tree essential oil

Melaleuca belongs to the botanical family Myrtaceae (same as jabuticaba) and among its best known and most studied species is the Melaleuca alternifolia, culturally valued due to the medicinal potential of the oil removed from its leaves, known to be antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Popularly called TTO (from English tea tree oil), has a light yellow color and a strong woody aroma, widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics due to its properties.

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The antiviral potential of tea tree essential oil has been shown in virus studies, and the results are positive. There is inhibition of the growth of the HSV1 and HSV2 viruses, which cause herpes in humans, and the rate of effectiveness depends on the phase of the replicative cycle of the virus at the time the oil is applied. There was also a decrease in the growth of protozoa, such as Leishmania major (causer of leishmaniasis) and trypanosoma brucei (causer of “sleeping sickness”).

Within these characteristics, there are numerous applications for the essential oil that can be very useful on a daily basis. Remembering that its oral ingestion is not recommended, but its topical application (in place). It is important that it is not ingested, as some people may be allergic to the active eucalyptol. Pets must not eat either.

For people with sensitive skin, it is good to dilute the oil in olive oil, grape seed oil or even coconut oil.

Dilute use suggestions refer to solutions of a maximum of 5%, that is, one drop of tea tree essential oil for each ml of oil or water. In cases of herpes, the best way to take advantage of the antiviral property of tea tree essential oil is to apply it directly to the wounds, every day, three times a day, for a week.

To know other properties of this oil and how to use it, take a look at the article: "Tea tree oil: what is it for?".

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7. Turmeric

Turmeric, also known as turmeric, turmeric or turmeric, is a herbaceous plant originating in India and Southeast Asia, with a scientific name long curcuma. Its beautiful white flowers are similar to those of a bromeliad, but the most used part is its tuberous root, from which turmeric used as a spice is extracted. Among the benefits of turmeric are its digestive action, inhibiting intestinal gas, anti-inflammatory, healing, antiviral action, among others. There are several studies that show that curcumin - the bioactive substance in turmeric responsible for the yellow color of the root - has antiviral properties, acting as an inhibitor of HIV replication.

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However, it is noteworthy that these properties have been demonstrated in controlled studies. You can consume turmeric as a spice to improve the immune system and prevent disease, but to use it as an antiviral treatment for HIV more studies are needed to prove the amounts and ways of using it that are effective. To learn about other properties and ways of using this plant, take a look at the article: "Learn about the benefits of turmeric, turmeric".

8. Clove

The clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the most valuable spices that has been used for centuries as a food preservative and for many medicinal purposes. Clove is native to Indonesia, but it is cultivated in several parts of the world, including Brazil, in the state of Bahia. This plant represents one of the richest sources of phenolic compounds, such as eugenol, eugenol acetate and gallic acid, and has great potential for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and agricultural applications.

An application of cloves as a larvicide agent is an interesting strategy to combat dengue, which is a serious health problem in Brazil and other tropical countries.

In addition, it has antiviral action against the herpes virus, according to a study published by the platform PubMed.

One way to enjoy its antiviral properties is through the essential oil of cloves. But, as it is very strong, it is necessary to dilute it in some carrier oil, such as coconut oil. To do this, dilute about three drops of clove essential oil in a tablespoon of coconut oil or another carrier oil such as grape seed oil.

To learn more about clove benefits, take a look at the article: "17 amazing clove benefits".

9. Quinoa

Two flavonoids whose benefits have been well studied are quercetin and kaempferol, both found in high amounts in quinoa.

These flavonoids have significant anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer and antidepressant effects. So, if you want to optimize your body's defense system, it might be a good idea to add quinoa to your meals. Learn more about this Andean grain in the article: "Quinoa: benefits, how to make it and what it's for".