- Herbal medicine has long been used to treat infections and viruses such as colds, flu, fever, and even herpes.
- However, one of the biggest problems with using these herbs in the United States is that many herbs and natural remedies are of low quality.
- Certain herbs, if misused, can further boost the immune system and cause a “cytokine storm.””
As scientists around the world race to find effective treatments and cures for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Chinese health officials help people sick with the respiratory infection. They started promoting alternative medicines, namely traditional Chinese medicine.
Using herbs for illnesses is not a new idea. For thousands of years, herbs such as licorice, ginger, and ephedra have been used to treat respiratory infections such as:
Some treatments like forsythia are
Anecdotally, people claim that herbal medicines have kept them healthy or improved their symptoms, but most research on herbs is inconclusive. Medical experts have warned that there is not enough data to support the use of herbal remedies for coronavirus infection.
It may eventually turn out that certain herbs may be effective against the coronavirus, but the science is lacking and right now there are no herbs you can use yourself if you get infected with COVID-19. This is not the time to start experimenting with therapies.
“Everything must be taken with the understanding that there is no data on the coronavirus,” Dr. Felicia Gersh, founder and director of Integrative Medicine Group of Irvine in Irvine, Calif., told Healthline. told. She said, “No one knows what will happen in the future.”
Herbal medicine has long been used to treat infectious diseases and viruses.
Some are thought to strengthen the immune system and put the body in a healthier state to fight infections. Others are thought to be powerful antiviral drugs that block certain viruses from replicating in the body.
However, just because Chinese medicine may have some effect on other illnesses does not mean people should think that herbal medicine will have the same effect on COVID-19.
All viruses differ in their structure and behavior. Herbs that appear to be effective against other viral infections need to be tested to see if they are effective against COVID-19 as well.
“This is a slightly more dangerous virus,” said John, an assistant professor at the Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Viral Therapies at Arizona State University and an associate professor of medical microbiology at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe. says Dr. Jeffrey Langland. .
Historically, there has been a significant lack of evidence regarding natural medicines.
First, it was difficult to secure the funding needed to study the health effects of plants and herbs. The United States is a very pharmaceutical-driven society, so pharmaceuticals have historically been a priority.
There are also some inconsistencies in the research. Plants have so many parts, such as roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, that it is difficult to obtain studies that consistently analyze the same parts of a plant.
Langland has led a team of researchers studying whether and how certain herbs could potentially be used to treat COVID-19.
His team has tested more than 30 herbs, examining each plant’s antiviral and immune-supporting properties.
Professor Langland is hopeful that a cure will be found, but says it will take time to get results and establish the botanical supporting science.
“Even with herbs that we find to be effective, we thoroughly investigate any kind of toxicity or side effects that may be associated with it, confirm the quality of the extract, and make sure that it is used moving forward.” We want to do that,” Langland said.
“We’re not going to just throw this out there for people to start using without considering safety or anything like that,” Langland added. “Just like any other medicine, you can’t rush this.”
Like other medicines, herbal medicines can also cause side effects.
Take licorice, for example, one of the treatments recommended by Chinese authorities for the coronavirus.
According to Gersh, licorice is considered to be:
Applying licorice paste to a herpes sore can prevent the virus from replicating and halt its progression, Gersh says. But it also has major drawbacks.
“It activates a hormone in the body called aldosterone, which causes fluid retention and can actually cause high blood pressure,” Gersh said.
Because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for complications from COVID-19, Dr. Gersh said, “I would be concerned about using licorice, especially in high doses, in people with coronavirus.”
St. John’s wort is a widely available supplement, but it can cause problems if you are taking medication.
“It can interact with other medications that patients are taking, interfering with their absorption in the body and preventing the drugs from working,” Langland said.
Additionally, some people’s immune systems may overreact to COVID-19, causing widespread inflammation that can be even more problematic than the infection itself.
Gersh says that when misused, certain herbs can further boost the immune system, causing a “cytokine storm,” or an overactive immune response that can be deadly.
One of the biggest problems, Langland says, is that many herbs and natural remedies are of low quality.
“The sheer number of herbal medicines that are adulterated means that the product you are purchasing is either adulterated with other botanicals or does not contain the botanicals listed on the bottle. ,” Langland said.
If you’re buying products from your local health store, you likely won’t be getting quality products, he added.
“All herbs cannot be considered safe; they may have some properties that can be potentially harmful,” Gersh said.
If you are considering trying herbal remedies for COVID-19, please keep in mind that we do not fully understand the risks and benefits.
How a plant works in one person’s body may be very different from how it works in another person’s body, depending on that person’s health, age, and symptoms.
“With plants, you want to treat people individually,” Langland said, noting that the type and dosage of the herb will likely vary from person to person.
If you are interested in herbal remedies, it is best to consult a doctor or naturopath who is knowledgeable about different herbs and their properties.
“I don’t support people starting to take all kinds of herbal products without knowing anything,” Gersh says.
Before taking herbal products for potentially life-threatening infections like COVID-19, you want to have data and be aware of potential side effects. I am.
Chinese health authorities have recommended traditional herbal remedies against COVID-19, but many experts believe that understanding how different herbs affect people’s health requires It warns that there is not enough data on the new coronavirus infection.
Herbal remedies may seem harmless, but if misused, they can increase your risk of contracting COVID-19. Although certain herbs may prove effective in preventing and treating COVID-19 in some people, there is currently not enough data on the use of herbal treatments for COVID-19.
