The Antiviral Materia Medica
Paul Bergner 2020
90 minutes 1.5 CEU credits
Medicinal plants may affect viral infections in humans in three general ways: direct virucidal or inhibitory effects with topical use, enhancement of host resistance for topical or systemic infection, or reduction of inflammatory damage from viral-induced cytokine secretions. We will review evidence for direct virucidal effects of some medicinal plants for topical herpes virus infections. The COVID-19 pandemic has elicited claims that specific herbs or their constituents may have specific virucidal effects against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the human based on extrapolation of the effects in lab dish studies. We will review such claims for Glycyrrhiza, Andrographis, and Lomatium. In addition we will review evidence for enhancement of host resistance or reduction of viral-induced inflammation for Allium sativum; Astragalus spp; Echinacea spp; Eleutherococcus senticosus; Eupatorium spp; Ganoderma lucidum; Ligusticum; and Melissa officinalis
Materials
-
The audio lecture
-
Lecture slides
Related Continuing Education lectures
Related courses
This lecture is offered as Continuing Education by the NAIMH, but has not been pre-approved for CE credits by any professional board.