Traditional Herbal Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Cold and Flu in the Autumn of 2020, Overlapped With COVID-19

Abstract

Many herbs and plants included in several traditional systems have promising bioactive compounds for modern drug therapy. The second round of COVID-19 cases will be accompanied by the spread of seasonal influenza in the fall. The combination of the influenza season and the second wave of COVID-19 may lead to more confusion and put more pressure on public health systems. A literature survey was accomplished using multiple databases including PubMed, Science Direct, ISI web of knowledge, and Google Scholar. The most important antiviral herbs for cold and flu are Thymus vulgaris, honeysuckle flowers, Andrographis, yarrow, peppermint leaf and oil, and Calendula. The most important expectorant herbs for flu and cold are tulsi, snake root, licorice root, clove, slippery elm root, marshmallow osha root, and sage leaf. Immunostimulant herbs for these 2 diseases are Echinacea root, Eucalyptus, garlic, ginseng, marshmallow, slippery elm, Isatisroot, Usnea lichen, myrrh resin, and ginger root. In this mini-review, we mention the key role of some of the most important herbal plants and prescriptions against influenza and cold on the basis of traditional Asian medicine.

Improving health benefits with considering traditional and modern health benefits of Peganum harmala

“…Medicinal plants have been used for many years as remedies for both human and animal ailments [1][2][3][4][5]. Aromatic and medicinal plants as the key source of complementary and alternative medicine have been recently bring many hopes in alleviating of symptomatology and curing associated with so many diseases [6][7][8][9]. P. harmala, commonly called Esfand, Wild rue, Syrian rue, African rue, is a plant of the family Nitrariaceae [10].…”

Pharmacological Efficacy of Ginseng against Respiratory Tract Infections

“…The finding showed a significant lessening in the frequency of colds and flu in the treated group over the placebo group, and antibody determinations in response to the vaccination were higher in the treated group than in the placebo group [ 81 ]. Similarly, North American ginseng has been suggested to help prevent and treat viral respiratory illnesses [ 82 ]. The stems and leaves of Panax ginseng showed an adjuvant effect on poultry vaccines [ 83 ].…”

Pharmaceutical Benefits and Multidimensional uses of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)

“…[1][2][3][4] Plants are known as bioreactors and are economically safe for production of antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal agents. [5][6][7][8] Ajowan is also an annual and highly valued medicinally important seed spice which has many native ecotypes in different parts of Iran. 9,10 Trachyspermum ammi L., known as Zenyan or Nankhan in Persian language, belongs to the Apiaceae family.…”