What herbs best fight viruses?
How do herbs boost the immune system?
How safe are herbs?
What’s a virus cocktail?
What are the recommended dosages?
Fortunately, Mother Nature provides an arsenal of medicinal herbs to assist your immune system in its fight against viruses. Echinacea, astragalus, reishi, lomatium, and licorice root head my list of the most powerful viral-fighting herbs. In addition, maitake (and other medicinal mushrooms), elderberry, olive leaf, and Saint-John’s-wort exhibit strong antiviral actions. They also work wonderfully against flu viruses.
These herbs have proven track records for effectiveness and safety. They have been used all over the globe for centuries. The ancient Chinese and Greeks depended on these herbs to treat a host of viral-induced conditions such as colds, the flu, coughs, fevers, and hepatitis. The multi-medicinal benefits of these botanicals continue today. According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of the world’s population relies on herbs as a primary form of medicine. European medical doctors routinely use herbal therapies (known as phytomedicines).1
The best news: These popular herbs have successfully met stringent standards by leading scientists. In the past decade alone, there has been an explosion in the scientific validation of herbal medicines. Echinacea (also known as purple coneflower) is one of the most widely studied herbs. Tests have repeatedly demonstrated that one of its key ingredients, alkylamides, reduce inflammation and fever, and boosts white-cell production. White blood cells, as we mentioned at the beginning of this book, are part of your body’s infantry, surrounding and eating foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Another active ingredient in echinacea, polysaccharides, speeds production of a natural protein called interferon. This special protein is secreted by infected host cells to stop the viral invader from spreading to adjacent cells.
Astragalus, a mighty member of the bean family, has been shown to boost the immune system and inhibit certain viruses, such as the Coxsackie B virus. It has a long history of preventing and treating colds and various other respiratory-related conditions.
If you love mushrooms, reishi offers you an added medicinal bonus. The reddish-orange type is the best choice, because its polysaccharides contain the highest levels of immune-stimulating properties. It can be eaten as a food or taken as a supplement. Studies confirm reishi extract yields good results, especially in treating hepatitis and bronchitis.
Lomatium, a member of the parsley family, is a potent modulator of the immune system. It is a favorite amongst herbalists for treating colds, flus, and other viral infections.
Olive leaf extract has become a favorite to fend off a cold or flu. Different from the olive fruit, which prevents heart disease, olive leaf appears to have potent antiviral activity. I have had many patients report the beneficial effects of taking olive leaf extract for a cold or flu.
Genuine licorice root (not that red or black candy that shares the same name) has been a key ingredient in most Chinese herbal formulas for more than 3,000 years. Research indicates that licorice’s two primary ingredients—glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid—boost production of interferon. They also naturally inhibit the herpes simplex virus. The role of licorice root in treating HIV and AIDS is now being studied.
Primarily known as nature’s answer to depression, Saint-John’s-wort has been used since the days of ancient Greek physician Dioscorides for a variety of ailments. As for the history behind its name, there are many different legends. One version says that the red spots that appear on its leaves symbolize the blood of St. John, who was beheaded. Another tale is that if you tuck a piece of this plant under your pillow on St. John’s Eve (June 24, the recorded birth of St. John the Baptist), the saint will appear to you in a dream, bless you, and prevent you or a loved one from dying in the following year. Regardless of its mythical roots, Saint-John’s-wort has earned praise for its medicinal worth by scientists throughout the world. Two of its active ingredients, hypericin and pseudohypericin, are phytochemicals that display strong antiviral properties—enough to overpower herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, certain flu viruses (influenza A and B), and Epstein-Barr (the virus that causes mononucleosis).
When used properly, medicinal herbs offer specific advantages over pharmaceutical medications. They
• cause few or no side effects,
• treat the cause of an illness, not just the symptoms
• prevent illness,
• can be used for more than one condition because of to their therapeutic effects.2
The beauty of these herbs is that you can take them separately or together. They work in harmony with one another. In blending five specific herbs, I’ve created a “virus cocktail” formula that works on every viral condition from colds to herpes. These herbs supercharge your immune system. When combined with a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, and other natural therapies, these herbs deliver a more powerful viral-fighting punch.
The “virus cocktail” is a potent herbal formula I developed in collaboration with Vlad Slama, a biochemist and noted herbal extraction research scientist from Kelowna, Canada. This cocktail attacks acute and chronic viral infections. It also provides an overall boost to your entire immune system. You can take it to prevent viral infections (especially after being exposed to someone with a cold). This formula—as well as similar formulas—should be available in health food stores. Natural Factors is the brand that was used in our clinical studies and is available comercially. Or, you can grow or purchase these fresh herbs and combine them together to form a homemade “virus cocktail.” Ingredients for my virus cocktail are:
• Echinacea (echinamide)
• Astragalus
• Reishi
• Lomatium
• Licorice root
To make a tincture (also known as a liquid extract) of these herbs, combine 30 drops of the first four herbs and 10 drops of licorice root to a half cup of warm water. Blend this combination. For acute infections, drink up to five viral cocktails daily. For chronic viral infections or for long-term immune system support, drink two cocktails daily. As mentioned, this formula should be available at local health food stores or pharmacies. A capsule form will work well also. A local herbalist or naturopathic doctor can also prepare this formula. (Note: To make a formula that works well against bacterial infections, just add 30 drops of Goldenseal to the virus cocktail.)
How well do these herbs work, separately or together? Let me share with you some success stories of my patients.
Two years ago, Jane was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Blood work indicated that she had a very active Epstein-Barr viral infection. Unfortunately, conventional medicine had little to offer, other than bed rest. Jane had to quit work. She spent most of her time at home resting and wondering if she would ever feel well again. That is, until one of Jane’s friends, who happened to be a patient of mine, convinced her to come to my clinic and try a natural therapeutic approach.
Upon examination and after taking a thorough medical history, it was clear that, although chronic fatigue syndrome has many causes, Jane was definitely infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. Together, we worked on improving her nutritional status. I also prescribed to her my virus cocktail to help “kick” the Epstein-Barr out of her system. Within one week of being on the formula, Jane noticed that she had more energy and generally felt better. After one month of using the formula, she reported a 50-percent improvement. We kept Jane on the formula for four months, and she made a tremendous recovery.
Many of my patients have benefited from the virus cocktail, especially Louis. This 70-year-old came to see me with a bad case of shingles. Shingles is a painful skin outbreak around the nerve pathways near the surface of the skin. It is caused by a reactivation of the dormant chicken pox (varicella) virus. It often occurs in the elderly when their immune systems are down. This condition can be quite debilitating. In addition to vitamin B12 shots, I put Louis on the virus cocktail. Within three days, his pain was dramatically better. Within two weeks, only slight remnants of the vesicles that had formed and blistered on the skin were present. This was a remarkable turnaround, considering that his shingles had been present for two months before he came to my clinic. The virus cocktail and, to some degree, the B12 injections strengthened his immune system enough to overpower the reactivated virus infection.
Jim was a self-admitted type A real-estate agent. He had a high-stress job and was always on the go. He never took the time to eat properly, exercise, or get adequate rest. As a consequence, he was always getting sick with colds and respiratory infections. He came to me for advice on how to build up his immune system.
We talked about the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. Jim admitted that he didn’t take the time to eat properly, exercise regularly, or practice stress-reducing relaxation techniques. He was also candid in stating that at this time in his life, he wasn’t about to change his habits. He asked if he could take any type of supplement to reduce the frequency of his recurring viral infections. I introduced the benefits of echinacea to Jim and told him of the many scientific studies about it. I recommended that Jim take Echinacea daily for four weeks, stop for one week, and then repeat this cycle. This cycling technique prevents the immune system from becoming complacent from the immune-enhancing qualities of echinacea. Jim is still on the go, but he has fewer colds and respiratory infections now.
Sarah, a 53-year-old teacher, developed a serious viral respiratory infection during chemotherapy treatments for her breast cancer. She came to my clinic for some natural help to boost her immune system. I told her that one dangerous side effect of chemotherapy is an increased risk of secondary infections because the immune system becomes so depleted.
The main herb I provided Sarah with was astragalus, which supports white blood cell production and the production of immune cells by the bone marrow. Sarah did very well on astragalus. Her oncologist noted that she developed a higher resistance to infections and avoided them during successive chemotherapy treatments.
Linda, a 44-year-old receptionist, was diagnosed with HIV a few years ago. She came to me for dietary and herbal support after becoming very susceptible to upper respiratory infections. She would often need IV antibiotics to tackle these infections, many of which were a combination of viral and bacterial “bugs.” As a safer, more natural alternative, I recommended that Linda take reishi extract. This herb from the Orient is known for its immune-building qualities. It is especially good for people prone to chronic infections.
Medical experts are divided over whether people with HIV and AIDS should take immunity-enhancing herbs. Some experts believe these herbs may actually stimulate quicker reproduction of the HIV virus (as the virus dwells within the immune system), but to this date, there has been no conclusive scientific study published showing this. Working closely with Linda’s doctor, I had her take reishi extract daily for three weeks and then take one week off before resuming this cycle. Her doctor and I noticed that Linda’s immune system improved and that she had fewer—and less severe—episodes of respiratory infections after taking reishi.
When our son Mark Jr. was fourteen months old, he had a sore throat caused by a viral infection. I treated him with various homeopathic remedies and other natural medicines. On the second day of his illness, however, he developed a high fever that wasn’t subsiding. This continued into the third night. My wife and I were starting to get worried because of the length of the prolonged fever. I finally gave him the virus cocktail. Within an hour of giving him two doses, his fever broke. By the next morning, he was back to normal and playing happily.
For the rest of this chapter, I will provide you with much more detail about each of these healing herbs. Summary charts are included to give you a quick reference. As for guidelines on how to take herbs and in which form, please refer to Appendix 2 in the back of this book. Special attention is given to echinacea because it ranks as one of the chief antiviral herbs.
Pronounced eck-in-AY-sha, this herb has a long green stalk crowned with purple daisy-like petals and a cone-shaped seedy top. Echinacea is a hardy, easy-to-grow ornamental perennial that thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and prefers full sun to light shade. Prairies and open woodlands are its prime growing spots.
Plains Indians were believed to be the first to use echinacea, quickly discovering its medicinal benefits in easing colds and infectious diseases. Early American settlers learned to rely on echinacea as well, including it as an invaluable remedy for poisonous snakebites. By the 1870s, a Nebraska doctor popularized echinacea as a “blood purifier.”
Nowadays, the words “colds” and “echinacea” are often spoken in the same sentence in many households. With the average American suffering two colds per year, it’s easy to see how echinacea has quickly risen in recognition.
Actually, nine species of echinacea have been discovered. But a pair, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea are used primarily for medicinal purposes.
In Germany, physicians and pharmacists prescribed echinacea for the common cold for more than 2.5 million patients in 1994.3 If herbs conducted popularity contests, echinacea would be crowned Herbal Queen. The fourth annual Whole Foods Natural Herbal Sales Survey ranks echinacea as the Number one selling herb, ahead of runner-up Saint-John’s-wort.4
Researchers are still discovering how echinacea works. Evidence indicates that echinacea works in countless ways to support and boost the immune system, reduce inflammations and fevers, and increase white blood cell production. It also helps these cells to surround and destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Noted herbalist and author Christopher Hobbs summarizes some physiological effects of echinacea in his book Echinacea—The Immune Herb.
• Stimulates the leukocytes (white blood cells that help fight infection).
• Increases the “phagocytic power” of the immune cells (enhances the body’s ability to dispose of bacteria, infected and damaged cells, and harmful chemicals).
• Inhibits hyaluronidase (which helps protect cells during infection, and prevents pathogens, bacteria, and viruses from entering in the first place).
• Provides a mild antibiotic effect.
• Stimulates the growth of healthy, new tissue.
• Delivers an antiphlogistic/anti-inflammatory effect (helps to reduce soreness, redness, and other symptoms of infection).
• Stimulates the properdin/complement system (helps the body control and prevent infections).
• Activates increased production of alpha-1 and alpha-2 gamma globulins (these prevent viral and other infections).
• Offers interferon-like action (helps prevent and control viral infections).
• Promotes general cellular immunity.
• Stimulates killer T cells.
• Inhibits tumor growth.
• Fights viruses.
• Fights candida (yeast infections).5
About 400 scientific studies have scrutinized the chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical uses of this herb. Studies show that echinacea also slows the spread of infection to surrounding tissues and assists in flushing toxins out of the body. Several studies demonstrated concentrated compounds derived from echinacea activate macrophages, the germ-gobbling cells.
The majority of research has been done in Germany, where herbal therapy is part of mainstream medical practice. Many of the studies have been done in vitro (test tube) and on animals. Also, many of the published clinical trials have been done with an injectable form of echinacea. However, there is strong historical data on echinacea and some good studies using oral preparations of echinacea. Most of the oral preparation studies looked at the prevention and treatment of colds and the flu.6
Freshly pressed juice from Echinacea purpurea was studied to see if it could prevent reoccurrence of colds in 108 people who had a high susceptibility to colds. People selected had at least three cold-related infections the previous winter. One group received 4 ml (approximately 160 drops) of echinacea twice daily, while the other group received a placebo. Blood tests to measure immune function were taken at the beginning of the study and at two other intervals. The groups were examined after four weeks and eight weeks to see if a cold infection occurred. Clinical results showed that people treated with echinacea had a decreased frequency of infections. They also developed milder infections and had a longer time interval before their first infection (40 days), compared with 25 days for the placebo group. Also, the echinacea group had fewer infections spread to the lower respiratory tract.
After analyzing the data, researchers noticed that those people with weakened T cell (T-4) counts benefited from taking echinacea. Those in the group who had a low T-4 to T-8 ratio (as seen in HIV infection, one of the parameters to measure progression of this disease) had a dramatic reduction in the length of infections from 7.5 to 5.3 days. Even though this is a small sample size, it warrants further investigation into the use of echinacea for those with HIV/AIDS.7
A randomized, double-blind clinical study looked at the effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea tincture for people who had the beginnings of a cold. The 120 people in the study had experienced at least three respiratory infections in the last six months. Half the participants received echinacea. They took 20 drops in a half glass of water every two hours for the first day and then repeated this dose three times a day for 10 days. The other half received placebos. Patients recorded their symptoms and were interviewed by a physician during the course of their colds. Analysis showed that the group taking echinacea had a statistically significant quicker recovery time than people taking placebos.8
This study looked at 180 people who were in the first few days of flu-like symptoms or feverish infection of the upper respiratory tract. One group received a placebo; the second took 90 drops (3 ml) of Echinacea purpurea root, and the third group received 180 drops of the Echinacea purpurea root. Symptoms of all participants were evaluated after three to four days and again after eight to ten days. The results showed that 90 drops of tincture was no more effective than the placebo, but 180 drops showed a noticeable effect, resulting in reduced length and severity of symptoms.9
In a German study, test subjects took 30 drops of echinacea tincture three times daily for five days, while the control group took a placebo. The phagocyte (immune cells) activity was measured in the subjects’ blood at the beginning and at certain intervals during the study. At day three, the phagocyte activity in the echinacea group had increased to 40 percent. By day four, activity climbed by more than 70 percent, and by day five, activity soared to 120 percent! When the dosage of echinacea was stopped, it took three days for the phagocyte measurements to drop and match the levels among participants in the placebo group.10
Sports medicine specialists studied the effect of echinacea on male triathletes. It is known that triathletes are at an increased risk for infection due to exhaustive training. Participants took either a placebo, 43 mg of magnesium, or 8 ml of Echinacea purpurea for 28 days before the triathlon. During training, 3 of the 13 athletes in the magnesium group and 4 of 13 in the placebo group developed colds. Those taking echinacea developed no colds. Those in the magnesium group missed a total of 13 days of training while those in the placebo group missed a total of 24 days of training because of colds.11
Not all studies of echinacea have been positive. An initial press release by Bastyr University on a 16-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the ability of Echinacea purpurea to reduce the frequency and severity of respiratory-tract infections stated there was no benefit to the supplementation to the group of users in the study. I cannot comment on this study since, to date, the data and specifics have not been released.
A study suggested that common herbal supplements, such as Saint. John’s-wort, ginkgo, and echinacea might adversely affect fertility. Researchers took hamster eggs, removed the outer coating, and exposed the eggs to the herbs. They then mixed in human sperm, which will usually penetrate the egg. At higher dosages, the herbs either impaired or prevented the sperm’s ability to penetrate the eggs. High concentrations of Echinacea purpurea interfered with sperm enzymes.12 Based on this, some researchers have prematurely concluded that echinacea may interfere with fertility. The media got a hold of this study and blew it out of proportion. Is this a valid conclusion? No; there are several problems with it. In the body, any herb is first broken down by the digestive system. In this study, the researchers used the whole herb in relatively high concentrations, which would never contact sperm in real life. Also, the experiment was done in a laboratory petri dish. To be valid human studies would have to be done, as there is often no correlation between what happens in a petri dish and what happens in the human body.
I could not stop laughing when I read this study and the portrayed conclusion, which was ridiculous. I have no problem recommending echinacea for short-term use in pregnancy or for those trying to conceive.
A recent study conducted by the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, in conjunction with the Canadian Naturopathic College of Naturopathic Medicine looked at the safety of echinacea and pregnancy. A group of 206 women who used echinacea during pregnancy for upper respiratory tract infections were analyzed along with a control group of 198 pregnant women who had upper respiratory tract infections but never used echinacea. The researchers found no association with the use of echinacea and birth defects. There were also no differences in the rate of live births or spontaneous abortions between the two groups.13
This plant has been used medicinally as a prescription herb and food throughout China for thousands of years. It has become a favorite among western herbalists for its benefit to the immune system.
Although traditional Chinese medicine does not distinguish between viruses and bacteria, herbs are prescribed based on sets of patterns and symptoms. Using the Chinese medicine model, astragalus is used to strengthen the lung and spleen (the organ in Chinese medicine involved in digestion) meridians. It improves symptoms related to a spleen deficiency, such as lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. For lung deficiency syndromes, it is indicated for frequent colds and shortness of breath. Astragalus is said to strengthen the protective qi, which many western practitioners equate to the immune system. It is also effective against bacterial infections.
Many studies demonstrate the immune-enhancing effects of astragalus. Patients with viral myocarditis (viral infection of the heart) showed improvements in immune status when given astragalus extract. Astragalus is also used as an adjunctive herb in the treatment of cancer and to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy drugs.14–19
This antiviral herb is best known among the Chinese as ling zhi and among the Japanese as ling chih. Both cultures have used reishi mushrooms for more than 4,000 years to treat chronic hepatitis, enlarged liver, high blood pressure, arthritis, insomnia, neurasthenia, bronchitis, asthma, and gastric ulcers.
In the famous Chinese natural history book Ben Cao Gang Mu (1578), the authors wrote that “continued use of ling zhi will lighten weight and increase longevity.” Professor Hiroshi Hikino, one of today’s premier authorities on Oriental herbs, classifies reishi as one of the “most important elixirs in the Orient.”
There are six different types of reishi mushrooms, all classified according to color. The red reishi mushroom is considered to deliver the most potent medicinal benefits. Asian studies report that reishi improves conditions among people with hepatitis and bronchitis. One study reported 60 to 90 percent improvement among 2,000 people with bronchitis, within two weeks of taking reishi.
Throughout its long history, there have never been any reports of toxicity or side effects from reishi.20
Herbalists regard this member of the parsley family as one of the most potent antiviral herbs. It is indigenous to the northwestern United States. Lomatium works very well for the flu, common cold, and respiratory tract infections. It is also an herb to consider using for urinary tract infections, herpes, and bacterial and fungal infections. One of the phytochemicals in lomatium, known as furnacoumarin, has been shown to block viral replication.
Ancient Egyptians used olive leaf extract to mummify their pharaohs. Nineteenth-century Britains relied on olive leaf extract to treat tropical diseases such as malaria. Today, scientists are still discovering the health benefits of this herb.
This herb is an excellent source of phytochemicals that provide powerful antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Researchers in the early 1900s were able to isolate a phenolic compound from olive leaves called oleuropein. Scientists determined that oleuropein was the ingredient that kept trees disease-free and resistant to insects. Olive leaf also contains flavonoids (including rutin flavonol, luteolin-7-glucoside flavone and hesperidin flavone) as well as elenolic acid.21
What does this mean? Well, these ingredients are mighty weapons against the common cold, the flu, and other respiratory infections. In addition, individuals who regularly take olive leaf extract report increased energy levels. Although there is not much in the way of human studies of olive leaf, I have had many people report tremendous benefit with its use in viral infections like the common cold and flu.
Olive leaf is available as a supplement in a capsule or tincture.
The most common form of licorice root used in the western world is Glycyrrhiza glabra. In Chinese medicine, the most popular type is Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Licorice root has been used therapeutically for thousands of years. It possesses immune-stimulating effects as well as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
One of its main active constituents, glycyrrhizin, is 100 times sweeter than sucrose. Two of the known active constituents, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, activate interferon in the immune system, which has strong antiviral activity. Licorice root has also been shown to inhibit the growth of many viruses, including herpes simplex type. Topical applications work well in reducing the pain and healing time of both oral and genital herpes, and can be commercially as a cream.22, 23
Licorice root is commonly available in tincture, capsule, or tea.
This shrubby tree with musk-scented wood has enjoyed a reputation as a medicinal herb since the days of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. In seventeenth-century Europe, elderberry was dubbed the “country medicine chest” because of its ability to fight viruses and bacteria.
One legend tells of how the elderberry tree provided protection and warded off evil spirits. For centuries, people have picked its berries and made them into delicious wines, pies, and preserves.
Modern scientific studies report that key active ingredients extracted from elderberry provide the first line of defense against a viral invasion, especially by different flu strains. These ingredients neutralize new viruses released from invaded cells and prevent them from replicating themselves. Research performed in Israel showed that the juice from elderberries stimulates the immune system and inhibits the influenza virus. Patients with the flu have reported significant improvements within 24 to 48 hours, in contrast to those who received placebos and took six days to recovery.24
Not only is elderberry a great preventive against the flu, it also partners well with echinacea in dealing with colds and respiratory infections. Elderberry is available as a supplement in capsule or tincture form.
Larix is an extract from the western larch tree. It is used by herbalists and nutrition-oriented doctors for its immune-enhancing effects. One of the unique properties of larix is that it is very soluble. This makes it quite easy to use as a powder added to liquids such as water or fruit juice. Naturopathic doctors often use it with children for immune system support, as it has a slightly sweet taste and cannot be seen in liquids because of its high solubility.
One of the main active ingredients is a type of polysaccharide (long-branched sugar chain) known as arabinogalactan. Larix is often used for the prevention and treatment of colds, flus, and for ear infections.
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Also known as huang qi, milk-vetch root.
Description: Black roots with a pale yellow core.
History: Used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as an immune tonic.
Parts used: Roots
Known active ingredients: Polysaccharides
Actions: Boosts immune system.
Medicinal benefits: Prevents and treats colds, and infections and provides support during chemotherapy and radiation treatments; treats bone marrow deficiency.
Recommended dose: 20 to 30 drops of tincture or 500–1,000 mg capsule form three times daily.
Cautions: Excessive amounts may cause indigestion.
• Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea)
Also known as purple coneflower, Kansas or Missouri snakeroot.
Description: Purple cone-shaped native American wildflower, member of the daisy family.
History: First used by Native Americans for a variety of medicinal uses.
Parts used: Flowers, leaves, roots of E. purpurea and E. angustifolia.
Known active ingredients: Alkylamides, polysaccharides, flavonoids, essential oils, polyacetylenes. There are nine species, with two used medicinally: Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea.
Actions: Boosts immune system, reduces inflammation and fevers, increases white blood cell production.
Medicinal benefits: Colds, strep throat, staph infections, burns, herpes, skin ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, whooping cough, bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, toothaches, gum and mouth infections, bites, blood and food poisoning, boils, and abscesses.
Recommended dose: 10 to 60 drops of standardized extract tinctures or 500–1000 milligram capsules, three times a day.
Cautions: Generally safe. Avoid if allergic to marigolds or chamomile. Consult a physician trained in herbal medicine if you have an auto-immune condition such as leukosis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, or any collagen disease. Low potential for toxicity (but no reported cases in humans).
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Also known as sweet wood.
Description: Long, cylindrical rootstock.
History: Used for more than 3,000 years by the Chinese.
Parts used: Roots
Known active ingredients: Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids.
Actions: Stimulates interferon production; inhibits herpes simplex virus.
Medicinal benefits: Use for any viral infection or for digestive inflammation.
Recommended dose: 20 drops or 500 mg three times daily, or as part of a formula.
Cautions: High dosages (3,000 mg of powdered root or higher) may cause water retention, potassium loss, or high blood pressure.
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Also known as ling zhi and ling chih.
Description: Reddish-orange mushroom with black body and slender stalk.
History: First used more than 4,000 years ago in Japan and China to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic hepatitis, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
Species: Six, classified by color, with the red possessing the most medicinal potency.
Parts used: Fruiting body
Known active ingredients: Polysaccharides
Actions: Stimulate, immune system.
Medicinal benefits: Used for allergies, coronary heart disease, bronchitis, tumors, inflammation, viral infections, high blood pressure, HIV, and during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Recommended dose: 20 to 30 drops three times daily or eat as a food.
Cautions: Very safe; no side effects.
• Saint-John’s-Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Description: Shrubby perennial plant with bright flowers.
History: First used by Dioscorides and Hippocrates, famous ancient Greek doctors.
Parts used: Flowering tops
Known active ingredients: Hypericin, hyperoforin, pseudo-hypericin, flavones, xanthones, and essential oils.
Actions: Powerful antiviral herb
Medicinal benefits: Fights viral and other infections, cold sores, chronic fatigue, cough, depression and burns.
Recommended dose: 300–900 mg of a standardized 0.3 percent hypericin extract, or 20 to 30 drops of tincture three times daily.
Cautions: Photosensitivity (increase sensitivity to sun). Avoid use with antidepressant prescriptions.
• Lomatium (Lomatium dissectum)
Also known as desert parsley.
Description: Dissected leaves with white to purple flowers.
History: Used by Native Americans and herbalists of the western United States.
Parts used: Root
Actions: Used for infections, particularly viral infections.
Medicinal benefits: Antiviral against RNA and DNA viruses; used for Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, cytomegalovirus, and genital warts; Also good for respiratory infections and candida.
Recommended dosage: 20 to 40 drops, two to three times daily.
Cautions: In rare cases, users will develop a measles-like rash.
Description: Green stems with dissected leaves and white flowers.
History: Treatment of respiratory infections by herbalists.
Parts used: Root
Actions: Antiviral; clears respiratory tract.
Medicinal Benefits: Cold, flu, and respiratory infections.
Recommended dosage: 30 drops, three times daily.
Cautions: Do not use if pregnant.
• Shitake (Lentinus edodes)
Description: Light amber fungi.
History: Renowned in Japan and China as a medicinal food.
Parts Used: Fruiting body
Actions: Immune enhancement; antiviral (contains lentinan and Lentinula Edodes Mycelium—extract, which are strongly antiviral), antitumor, antibacterial and antiparasitic; protects the liver.
Medicinal benefits: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, cancer, candida, and bronchitis.
Recommended dosage: As a food, 6 to 16 g of the whole dried fruiting body or as directed on container.
Cautions: If using mushroom as a food it must be cooked, or digestive upset can occur. It is non-toxic, although rare cases of diarrhea and skin rashes have been reported.
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Also known as “dancing mushroom.”
Description: Fan-shaped caps.
History: Highly regarded in Japan for its medicinal properties. Maitake collectors would keep their harvesting grounds a secret, as it was such a revered food.
Parts used: Fruiting body
Actions: Enhances immune activity: macrophage, natural killer cells, cytotoxic T cells, and has a special polysaccharide called D fraction that stimulates interleukin1 (antiviral and antitumor effect).
Medicinal benefits: Immune deficiency conditions such as cancer prevention and HIV/AIDS, chronic infections, high-blood pressure, and diabetes.
Recommended dosage: Often eaten as a food. Take 3 to 7 grams a day, or take as a capsule as directed on container.
Cautions: None
• Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctora)
Description: Yellow brown root with fibrous stock.
History: Used by herbalists for toxic infections, especially of the throat.
Parts used: Roots and leaves
Actions: Stimulates white blood cell destruction of viruses and bacteria.
Medicinal benefits: Infected wounds, ulcers, lymphatic infections, tonsillitis, and sore throats.
Recommended dosage: Use only under the guidance of an herbalist or a doctor knowledgeable in herbal medicine.
Cautions: Do not use more than the recommended dosage, as larger dosages can be toxic.
• Olive Leaf (Olea Europaea)
Description: Leaf of the olive tree.
History: Used in the nineteenth century for the treatment of fever.
Parts used: Leaf
Known active constituents: Oleopurein
Actions: Contains the chemical oleopurein, which inhibits viral replication and stimulates immune activity.
Medicinal benefits: Common cold, flu, sinusitis, herpes, shingles, and general immune support. May also lower blood pressure and protect the cardiovascular system.
Recommended dosage: 500–1,000 mg, three times daily.
Cautions: None
• Elderberry (Sambuccus nigra)
Description: Elderberry extract.
History: Juice used to treat flus.
Parts used: Berries
Known active constituents: Unknown
Actions: Prevents virus from penetrating cell walls.
Medicinal benefits: Mainly the flu; also the common cold, fever, and cough.
Recommended dosage: As directed on container.
Cautions: None
• Larix (Larix occidentalis)
Description: Light cream-colored powder, after extraction from the western larch tree.
History: Developed in the last decade.
Parts used: Tree bark
Known active ingredients: Arabinogalactan—a type of polysaccharide.
Actions: Enhances immune system activity.
Medicinal benefits: Prevents and treats colds, infections, asthma, candida, and allergies.
Recommended dose: As directed on container.
Cautions: None