How to protect yourself from coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) naturally?

Natural health: how to optimize your protection against the coronavirus?

Faced with the increasingly widespread fears of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), you are certainly wondering: what concrete measures could you take right now to prevent infection?

Infections abound. How could we avoid them or shorten their duration?

Strengthening the immune system is one of the best things we can do:

- Observe lockdown measures;

- Get plenty of rest;

- Eat balanced meals;

- Get plenty of exercise;

- Wash your hands often;

- Get some fresh air.

These are just a few of the tips we should follow to keep our bodies healthy and protect our families.

Read our practical guide on the foods and medicinal plants that will allow you to strengthen your immune system. You will thus optimize your protection against the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19).

Finally, you can try all the homemade antiviral oil and drink recipes below to help your immune system be healthy and strong.

What are antiviral plants?

Antiviral plants have the ability to fight viral infections by inhibiting the development of viruses, strengthening your immune system, and functioning as natural remedies against the flu. Furthermore, they possess numerous other health benefits such as cardiovascular, digestive, and anti-inflammatory support.

There is a multitude of antiviral plants to strengthen your immune system, which will allow your body to attack viral pathogens. We will present below the 7 most powerful antiviral plants that allow you to prevent the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

The 7 best antiviral plants:

• Annual mugwort

A bittersweet solution, or how to explore the natural remedies of the past?

Annual mugwort (Artemisia annua), commonly called sweet wormwood, is a plant native to Asian lands. However, because of its healing benefits, it is now cultivated worldwide.

Antiviral medicinal plants have been used in many historical epidemics, for example, the two previous coronavirus outbreaks (SARS-CoV in 2013 and MERS-CoV in 2012), seasonal epidemics caused by influenza viruses, and the dengue virus. Extracts of annual mugwort (Artemisia annua) have shown anti-SARS effects (1).

Furthermore, on February 17, 2020, the Chinese State Council announced that chloroquine phosphate could be used to treat patients with COVID-19.

Chloroquine phosphate belongs to a class of drugs called antimalarials. This antimalarial also has broad-spectrum antiviral activity as well as regulatory effects on the immune system.

Clinical evaluation of chloroquine phosphate in more than ten hospitals across several provinces in China has shown that it alleviates symptoms in most patients and accelerates viral seroconversion.
However, more research is needed to confirm this theory.

Artemisinin is an extract isolated from the annual mugwort plant (Artemisia annua). Recent experiments have shown that artemisinin is the most powerful antimalarial on the market (2).

The current edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China documents the therapeutic use of annual mugwort (Artemisia annua) for the treatment of fever and malaria. The herb is prepared with hot water according to traditional Chinese medicine.

• Echinacea

Echinacea is one of the most powerful natural antivirals against human viruses. This is why it has become one of the best-selling medicinal plants of all time.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the phytochemical compounds in echinacea have the ability to reduce viral infections and tumors.

Echinacea contains a compound called echinacein which prevents bacteria and viruses from entering healthy cells. This significantly reduces the risks of contracting any type of infection when consuming echinacea. Regular use of this plant is therefore particularly beneficial for supporting the immune system and overall health.

Some other benefits of echinacea include its ability to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve skin problems, treat upper respiratory issues, and improve mental health.

• Astragalus root

Astragalus root is our third favorite antiviral plant. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and its primary use is to strengthen the immune system. Scientists have demonstrated that astragalus possesses antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system, suggesting that it may help treat the cold or flu.

It is one of the most effective remedies against HSV. A 2004 study evaluated the effects of astragalus on herpes simplex virus type 1 and found that astragalus root had obvious inhibitory efficacy.

Not only does astragalus root function as a natural treatment against viral infections, but it also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it is used on the skin for wound care. Finally, it is an adaptogenic plant used to reduce cortisol.

 

• Licorice root

Another compound derived from medicinal plants recruited to control COVID-19 is diammonium glycyrrhizinate, an extract of licorice root.
Professor Hong Ding of Wuhan University proposed a combination of diammonium glycyrrhizinate and vitamin C as a COVID-19 therapy.

This approach became popular thanks to social media and reports in publications such as the Health Times (Jiankang Shibao). It has not been officially recommended, but clinical trials have recently been approved (3).

Licorice root is a leading player in the search for treatments and preventions of diseases like hepatitis C, HIV, and the flu.

Indeed, its triterpenoid content has been confirmed as antiviral, making licorice root a strong ally of the immune system.

A study published in Food Chemistry described licorice as having “antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and immunostimulant” properties.
 
Also, licorice root is an excellent respiratory system purifier and is particularly recommended for treating respiratory problems.

Regular intake of licorice root can help the body produce healthy mucus. Increasing phlegm production may seem counterintuitive to a healthy bronchial system. However, the opposite is true. The production of clean, healthy phlegm allows the respiratory system to function without being clogged by old, sticky mucus.

• Cat's claw

Cat's claw is a medicinal plant that grows in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions of Central America. The use of this plant dates back to the Inca civilization.

Cat's claw bark and root have been used for centuries in South America as traditional medicine for many ailments, such as fever, stomach ulcers, digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, leaky gut syndrome, dysentery, cancer, and infections.

Cat's claw also possesses strong antiviral properties. It supports your immune system, which contributes to fighting infections more effectively.

According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, a small study conducted on 27 men found that the consumption of 700 mg of cat's claw extract for 2 months increased their number of white blood cells involved in fighting infections.

Another small study on four men who received a cat's claw extract for six weeks noted the same results.

Its anti-inflammatory properties could be responsible for its immune benefits.

This powerful plant is also antibacterial and antifungal.

• Black cumin oil

Traditionally used in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, black cumin dates back to Ancient Egypt and was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun.

The use of black cumin (Nigella sativa), also called Nigella, dates back 5,000 years as a medicinal staple. Today, more than 200 scientific studies reveal its therapeutic uses.

Its oil is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial remedy. It could be useful for viral diseases as serious as HIV.
As the saying goes: "black cumin cures everything except death!".

Numerous studies demonstrate that this versatile oil strengthens the immune system, promotes healthy blood sugar levels, and exerts anticancer activity.
Its three most studied ingredients for their effects are:

Crystalline Nigellone - well-studied for increasing immune function, especially respiratory health;

Thymoquinone - researched for cancer treatment, a compound that has not yet been detected in any other plant;

Beta-sitosterol - highly sought after for gallstones, urinary/prostate health, cancer, and cholesterol reduction.

• Olive leaf

Olive leaf has antiviral properties, which allows it to treat common and dangerous cold viruses, including meningitis, pneumonia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis B, malaria, gonorrhea, and tuberculosis. It also treats dental, ear, and urinary infections, as well as shingles.

Research has demonstrated that olive leaves effectively fight a number of pathogenic microbes, including certain viruses that cause the flu and other respiratory infections. The powerful compounds found in olive leaves destroy invading organisms and prevent viruses from replicating and then causing an infection.

In fact, olive leaf is so beneficial for our health that treatments with olive leaf extracts reversed many changes associated with HIV-1 infection in a study conducted at the New York University School of Medicine.

How to use antiviral plants to boost the immune system and fight infections?

Here are some DIY immunity-boosting recipes that can help strengthen the immune system:

Homemade turmeric and ginger immunity drink recipe

This recipe contains strong immunostimulant properties that can help you fight the cold, the flu, and boost your energy.

• Ingredients

1 small piece of organic fresh ginger root

1/2 teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup of warm water

1 lemon

1 teaspoon of turmeric

1 small pinch of black pepper

2-3 teaspoons of manuka or other honey

• Preparation

Add warm water to a large glass bowl, then add the honey and mix until dissolved;

Grate the ginger;

Add the grated ginger and the apple cider vinegar to the glass bowl;

Squeeze the lemon juice, add the turmeric and black pepper;

Taste and add more honey if necessary

 

Homemade ginger tonic recipe

Ginger is one of the oldest medicinal foods on the planet. Its therapeutic properties come from gingerols. It is rich in antioxidants and various nutrients that help boost the immune system.

Ginger allows your body to fight free radicals, harmful viruses, fever, sore throats, and stomach aches.

• Ingredients

1 medium piece of organic fresh ginger root, peeled and grated

1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar

1 cup of hot (not boiling) water

1/2 lime (vitamin C!)

1 small pinch of cayenne pepper (increases blood circulation!)

1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

 

• Preparation

Steep the ginger in the cup of hot water for 2 minutes;

Squeeze the juice of half a lime;

Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar;

Add a small pinch of cayenne pepper;

Sweeten (if necessary) with honey;

Consume one cup every morning.

Homemade garlic and honey syrup recipe

Raw garlic is a powerful immune booster and is used worldwide to cure all ailments, from the cold to cancer. Its active compound called allicin possesses antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

Moreover, garlic is an important source of antioxidants. These allow for the destruction of free radicals (oxygen molecules that destroy our healthy cells) and support our immune system. This is why it is recommended for people who suffer from autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.

On the other hand, honey is packed with vitamins, enzymes, and essential nutrients as well as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties - killer ingredients for fighting the flu and the cold.

The combination of these two medicines can provide a powerful natural remedy to prevent infections as well as to boost your immune system.

 

• Ingredients

1 clove of organic garlic

1/2 tablespoon of organic honey

 

• Preparation

Peel and separate a clove of garlic, then cut, mince, chop, press, or slice into small pieces;

Let the garlic sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the enzymes to activate;

Sprinkle the entire chopped garlic clove onto the spoonful of honey;

Consume and repeat this process every 3 hours throughout the day.

 

Homemade garlic oil infusion recipe

Besides allicin, garlic is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as antioxidants, calcium, potassium, zinc, and selenium. Experiments have shown that garlic or its specific chemical compounds are highly effective at killing countless microorganisms responsible for many infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, thrush, or herpes, etc...

In addition to being one of the best antiviral plants for herpes, garlic is also beneficial in treating eye infections. It is also commonly used as a natural remedy for ear infections.

We can add that garlic also helps reduce the risk of cancer, control hypertension, improve cardiovascular health, and fight against hair loss.

• Ingredients

5-7 organic garlic cloves

Olive oil

• Preparation

To make your garlic oil infusion at home, crush 5 to 7 cloves of garlic and add them to a carrier oil (such as olive oil). Let the mixture sit for about five hours, then strain out the garlic pieces and store the oil in a glass jar with an airtight lid.

Consume one teaspoon of this garlic oil twice a day.

This infusion can also be used as an antiviral oil for cold sores when applied topically.