Botanical Drugs and Supplements Affecting the Immune Response in the
Time of COVID-19: Implications for Research and Clinical Practice
- Thomas Brendler,
- Ahmed Al-Harrasi,
- Rudolf Bauer,
- Stefan Gafner,
- Mary Hardy,
- Michael Heinrich,
- Hossein Hosseinzadeh,
- Angelo Izzo,
- Martin Michaelis,
- Marjan Nassiri-Asl,
- Alexander Panossian,
- Solomon Wasser,
- Elizabeth Williamson
Mary Hardy
Association of Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Author ProfileHossein Hosseinzadeh
School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
Author ProfileMarjan Nassiri-Asl
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Author ProfileElizabeth Williamson
University of Reading - Whiteknights Campus
Author ProfileAbstract
In times of health crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, the
potential benefit of botanical drugs and supplements emerges as a focus
of attention, although controversial efficacy claims are rightly a
concern. Phytotherapy has an established role in everyday selfcare and
health care, and since botanical preparations contain many chemical
constituents rather than single compounds, challenges arise in
demonstrating efficacy and safety. However, there is ample traditional,
empirical and clinical evidence that botanicals can offer some
protection and alleviation of disease symptoms as well as promoting
general well-being. Newly emerging viral infections, specifically
COVID-19, represent a unique challenge in their novelty and absence of
established antiviral treatment or immunization. We discuss here the
roles and limitations of phytotherapy in helping to prevent and address
viral infections, and specifically regarding their effects on immune
response. Botanicals with a documented immunomodulatory,
immunostimulatory, and anti-inflammatory effect include adaptogens,
Boswellia spp., Curcuma longa, Echinacea spp., Glycyrrhiza spp.,
medicinal fungi, Pelargonium sidoides, salicylate-yielding herbs, and
Sambucus spp. We further provide a clinical perspective on applications
and safety of these herbs in prevention, onset, progression, and
convalescence from respiratory viral infections.