Many, if not most or all of us, have learned the value of being vigilant and prepared year-round to guard against viral illnesses such as colds, influenza, and even the 24-hour gastrointestinal bug. You never know when one will come knocking at your door.
As most of us know by now, such viral afflictions aren’t contained only to particular times of the year, such as the proverbial “flu and cold” season that typically stretches from late autumn to early spring. Just ask anyone who has been targeted by a massive head cold in the middle of June or been bedridden by a bout of influenza headed into the Labor Day weekend.
Of course, there is no preventing a case of the flu or a cold once it hits, but we have compiled a handy list of a dandy dozen natural remedies suited to either ward off viral illnesses or perhaps in some cases reduce the durations of their uninvited stay. Note: We did not include seasonal allergies (i.e. rhinitis, or “hay fever”) on this list because rhinitis is not directly caused by a virus. However, we recently published a blog about how to deal with spring allergies which you can link to here: 3 Natural Remedies to Reduce Spring Allergy Symptoms
12 Antivirals to Keep on Hand for Whenever Feasible
There is no need -- and it wouldn’t be sensible – to go out and buy a supply of all 12 antivirals shown below; the idea is to pick and choose, maybe limiting it to two or three, if that. Along with that, be sure to discuss your possible use of any of these with your personal physician or other licensed healthcare professional.
In alphabetical order:
Astragalus. This flowering herb dates back centuries to use as a natural remedy staple, its main active ingredient being Astragalus polysaccharide, known for its robust immune-bolstering and antiviral properties.
Berberine. Found in an array of types of plants, including goldenseal and Oregon grape, berberine is a natural compound boasting antiviral and anti-inflammatory traits.
Vitamin C. Not only can this popular nutrient put the kibosh on invading viruses and bacteria, it can also reduce the duration of colds and act as a natural antihistamine.
Vitamin D. This immune-bolstering nutrient, taken regularly and known as the “sunshine vitamin,” can act as a year-round shield against colds and flu.
Echinacea. This herb has steadily grown in popularity in recent decades. Several parts of the plant – such as its flowers, leaves, and roots – have been singled out as effective natural remedies, to include taking the fight to viruses.
Garlic. This is not a misprint. Although garlic’s natural health-inducing activity is usually most closely associated with healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, it contains two constituents -- allicin and ajoene – linked to antiviral activity.
Ginseng. Clinical trials have shown ginseng to have the capacity to help ward off upper-respiratory tract infections, such as colds and flu.
Holy Basil. This is among a variety of types of basil. Also referred to as tulsi, holy basil not only has the potential to stave off viral infections but also to tamp down symptoms associated with pneumonia among other lung infections.
NAC (N-acetylcysteine). Various studies have identified an assortment of health benefits related to NAC, an amino acid. Once metabolized it is converted to glutathione, an antioxidant that can help neutralize viruses as well as decrease inflammation and even thin mucus accumulated in the lungs of respiratory illness patients.
Probiotics. Their abundance of live microorganisms act primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, enhancing immune function in a number of ways, to include bolstering gut barrier function, ramping up immunoglobulin production, and limiting viral replication.
Selenium. This antioxidant assists in immune function and can reinforce your body’s defenses against bacteria and viruses.
Zinc. Last on most alphabetized lists of antivirals, zinc zips to the leaderboard of antivirals and is best known for boosting the immune system. It’s also known for its many antiviral attributes, effective against flu and the coronavirus.
You have just been presented summaries of a dozen of the best-known antivirals on the market – there are others as well. Your next move, should you be interested in making use of them, is to confer with your personal physician or other healthcare professional about their proper use related to your own health condition.