Speaker: Paul Bergner, CN Medicinal plants may affect viral infections in humans in three general ways: direct virucidal or inhibitory effects with topical use; enhancement of host resistance for topical or systemic infection; or reduction of inflammatory damage from viral-induced cytokine secretions. We first review evidence for direct virucidal effects of some medicinal plants for topical herpesvirus infections. We then shift to the claims made during the COVID-19 pandemic that specific herbs or their constituents may have specific virucidal effects against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the human. We review such claims for Glycyrrhiza, Andrographis, and Lomatium. In addition, we review evidence for enhancement of host resistance or reduction of viral-induced inflammation for Allium sativum; Astragalus spp; Echinacea spp; Eleutherococcus senticosus; Eupatorium spp; Ganoderma lucidum; Ligusticum spp; and Melissa Officinalis.
Related product: The PowerPoint for this recording is available here: 2021 Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine: Conference Book Download (PDF)
| Accreditation Board | Credits | Type | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoran University of Health Sciences (SUHS) | 1.5 | General | Naturopathic Doctor (ND) |
| Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine (OBNM) | 1.5 | General | Naturopathic Doctor (ND) |