Top Antiviral Herbs You Need to Protect Your Health Naturally
Many people fall ill during changing weather, as viruses tend to thrive on almost everything.
People often have colds, coughs, flu, fevers, irritations, runny noses, and other issues. To solve these problems, people tend to take over-the-counter medications and antibiotics.
However, you might have noticed that most antibiotics don’t effectively impact your condition, and flu (or another ailment) just doesn’t disappear. Well, this is because there is a major difference between viruses and bacteria.
Bacteria can survive independently, whereas viruses require a host body, preferably a human cell, to survive. The thing is that you can destroy bacteria without inflicting any harm on human cells.
However, destroying a virus can be trickier since you don’t want to damage the cell but want to destroy the microorganism. There are anti-viral medications available, but they can also cause a person to suffer from side effects.
This is where antiviral herbs come in handy. These herbs are the only ones that can affect viruses without causing side effects.
Using herbs is a safer method of tackling these viruses. You can treat a variety of viral infections with these herbs and can use them as a precautionary measure as well. However, you must use these herbs in the correct way if you wish to attain good results.
These herbs can be easily found; most of them are even present in your kitchen!
Some antiviral herbs you should know of and how to use them:
Ginger
For a long time, ginger was considered a great herb for warming the body and preventing the stomach’s temperature from dropping and causing discomfort.
It also helps prevent nausea. Many people continue to drink cold water even during winter.
If you consume a lot of cold water during water, it could cause chilling of the stomach. Therefore, ginger can used to treat such a condition.
Over the years, researchers have noticed that ginger is an herb that can also be used as an antiviral remedy.
Ginger has antiviral properties that can be used for treating different infections, including strep throat, colds, and coughs! Plus, ginger is very easy to use. You can make yourself some ginger tea.
Boil some ginger in hot water, and then add some honey. This will mellow down the tanginess. Since honey is also good at fighting germs, these two ingredients have dual benefits.
Ginger tea is great for treating coughs and colds. You can even suck on some pieces of ginger. If the tanginess is too much for you, then boil some pieces in sugar syrup and let it dry.
Once dried, you’ll have ginger candies, which you can easily carry around to help ward off viral infections.
Garlic
Another great antiviral herb that is most likely to be present in your kitchen is garlic. This herb has many benefits and can be used both internally and externally. It has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
You can consume a garlic clove early in the morning when you wake up. This is very beneficial as it provides a lot of healing properties.
Chewing on a garlic clove is also great for oral health problems and viruses. Include garlic in your everyday meals, especially if you plan on making chicken soup. Garlic and chicken soup are perfect for fighting the flu or cold.
Elderberry
Elderberry, also known as the Sambucus nigra, is a black-colored antiviral herb that is usually used for treating influenza virus. The best part about this herb is that it has properties that spread through living cells and help recover faster.
Elderberry is said to contain flavonoids that include quercetin, and these tend to have therapeutic properties.
Elderberry is filled with some of the most powerful antioxidants, which protect cells from further damage and help fight viruses and HIV.
You can consume elderberry by making its herbal tea or using a concoction. This herb is safe to use. You can plant it in your backyard and use it to make tea whenever you feel like it.
However, make sure to take only the black ripe berries and boil them in a couple of cups of water. You can even add some honey, along with some basil and ginger, to give it a good taste and make it more potent.
Elderberry supplements are also available, but most people prefer to use elderberry in its natural form to obtain more benefits.
Green Tea
Green tea, also known as Camellia sinensis, is considered one of the best herbs for treating various diseases. It provides various benefits, such as weight loss, an improved immune system, and anti-aging properties, and it helps fight off different viruses.
Green tea contains flavonoids called catechins. These catechins combine with the haemagglutinin present in the body to prevent viruses from entering the cells.
Green tea extracts are great for preventing and treating different viruses. Researchers have used them in their treatments for HIV and hepatitis B. Drinking green tea is beneficial for your health.
It will also help you stay calm. You can use it in the form of tea bags or even the leaves. Boil it in a cup of water and drink it without adding any sugar. You can even drink it cold.
Using antiviral herbs is a great way of treating your illness without having to do much. These top antiviral herbs are readily available and are easy to consume. You can reap many benefits from these herbs and easily maintain your health.