Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) Treatment: Herbs

A number of herbs and other plant-based remedies have shown promise for helping to prevent and/or treat colds and flus:

• Echinacea can help ease symptoms and shorten the duration of an illness; it might also help stop and infection in its tracks, before major symptoms develop
• Ginseng, garlic, Sambucol and green tea extract might help prevent an illness
• Andrographis may help ease symptoms, and possibly prevent an illness
• Essential oil monoterpenes can help treat symptoms

Various herbs are said to enhance immunity over the long term, including ashwagandha, astragalus, maitake, reishi, and suma. Several other herbs, including ginger, kudzu, osha, and yarrow, are said to help avert colds when taken at the first sign of infection. However, there is not yet any meaningful research evidence that they work.

Other herbs and botanicals that are sometimes recommended for the prevention and treatment of colds and flus include: hyssop, ivy leaf, linden, marshmallow, mistletoe, mullein, oregano, peppermint, sea buckthorn,¹⁶¹ rice bran (extract),¹³³ sage (throat spray),¹³⁵ and kelp.⁸⁷

Although homeopathic remedies are not herbs per se, they are another category of gentle alternatives for treating the flu and, possibly, colds.

• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Echinacea
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Andrographis
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Ginseng
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Aromatherapy
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Essential Oil Monoterpenes
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Garlic
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Green Tea
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Sambucol
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Homeopathy

Echinacea is generally thought to work by temporarily stimulating the immune system, although most (but not all) recent evidence has tended to cast doubt on this belief.^{104-105, 145-146} Contrary to...

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Although we don't know how andrographis might work for colds and flu, some evidence suggests that it might stimulate immunity.³⁷ Interestingly, the ingredient of andrographis used for...

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The exact effect of ginseng on colds and flu is not clear, but it probably helps prevent these illnesses by supporting the immune system's overall function.

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Essential oil monoterpenes are thought to help by thinning mucus.

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Garlic may have a number of properties that help with colds and flu. For instance, we know that garlic contains compounds that help the plant defend itself from microbes, and these anti-microbial...

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Green tea contains high levels of substances called catechin polyphenols, known to possess strong antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antitumorigenic, and even antibiotic properties.¹

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Weak evidence suggests that this mixture may stimulate the immune system and also inhibit viral growth.⁷⁵

Read more about Viral Upper Respiratory Infections (Colds and Influenza) and Sambucol.

Homeopathic remedies do not work in a direct or obvious way. Homeopathic theory has some relationship to ancient healing traditions, but in many ways stands uniquely on its own ground, unrelated to...

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87. Kathan RH. Kelp extracts as antiviral substances. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1965;130:390-397.
133. Maeda H, Ichihashi K, Fujii T, et al. Oral administration of hydrolyzed rice bran prevents the common cold syndrome in the elderly based on its immunomodulatory action. Biofactors. 2005;21:185-187.
135. Hubbert M, Sievers H, Lehnfeld R, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a spray with Salvia officinalis in the treatment of acute pharyngitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with adaptive design and interim analysis. Eur J Med Res. 2006;11:20-26.
161. Larmo P, Alin J, Salminen E, et al. Effects of sea buckthorn berries on infections and inflammation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print]