Throughout history, various herbs and foods have been used to fight against many different forms of sickness, including viral infections. There are many different herbs and foods that have strong antiviral properties, which makes them incredibly useful in eliminating viral infections, as well as other forms of sickness.
In this guide, we’re going to define what an antiviral herb/food is, exactly. Then, we’re going to look at some of the most well-known antiviral herbs and foods that you can take, to fight against viral infections.
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What Are Antiviral Herbs And/Or Foods?
In essence, an antiviral herb is an herb that has strong antiviral properties. These antiviral properties come from the plant compounds that comprise the herbs. Every herb is composed of different plant compounds, and some of these plant compounds have strong medicinal qualities, which makes them very useful in fighting against viral infections.
Antiviral foods are nearly the same exact thing. But, the major difference is that antiviral foods consist of numerous ingredients – herbs can be one set of ingredients – and as such, they are more complex than a single herb.
What Are Some Of The Best Antiviral Herbs?
Sage
Sage has been a part of traditional medicine for many, many years. This is due to the fact that sage is composed of compounds like sage one and safficinolide. Those two compounds, in particular, are very effective in fighting against HIV.
Rosemary
Rosemary is often used in cooking, and while many of the foods that rosemary is used in aren’t thought of as having antiviral properties, rosemary itself does have those properties.
This is due to the plant compounds it uses, such as oleanolic acid, which has been shown to be effective in fighting against things like herpes and HIV.
Ginger
Some of the most popular ginger products – teas, for example – are widely considered to have medicinal properties. This is because ginger consists of various plant compounds that have been shown to be very effective in fighting against specific kinds of viral infections.
Viral infections such as those caused by influenza and feline calicivirus, to name two examples.
What Are Some Of The Best Antiviral Foods?
Mushrooms
Mushrooms often contain beta-glucans, which have strong antibacterial properties and strong antiviral properties. When eaten – either as a dish or with something else – they kickstart your immune system and make the fight against a viral infection much easier.
Yogurt
Most yogurt contains large quantities of probiotics. These probiotics go into your gut biome, strengthening your gut’s immune system, and making it easier to fight against gut-related viral infections.
Green Tea
Technically, green tea isn’t actually a food, but it can be eaten with meals and it contains strong antiviral properties.
The antiviral properties of green tea come from its abundance of epigallocatechin gallate. Epigallocatechin gallate is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight against influenza, as well as various other viruses.
Conclusion
If you are currently dealing with a viral infection, keep taking your medicine, and add some antiviral herbs and foods to your diet. It will make the fight against that infection much easier!
