The Role of Herbal and Nutritional Treatments in the Fight against COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Tract Infections

Abstract

With the growing spread of COVID-19 worldwide, the appeal to alternative and nutritional therapies in conjunction with medical therapies has been heightened. This article aims to review studies assessing the roles of Chinese traditional medicine and nutrition in upper respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Various Chinese herbal protocols have been shown to fight respiratory infections, with several having been tested on the novel coronavirus. Additionally, promising findings have been reported when medical treatments were complemented with nutritional interventions. Supplementation with vitamins C and D, Zinc and Selenium are discussed, in addition to certain phytochemicals and food that also possess immunoregulatory and antiviral properties. Further clinical studies are needed to establish these alternative treatments as part of the management of emerging respiratory infections.

Identifying health research in the era of COVID-19: A scoping review

“…Recent publications described possible treatment options of the disease including vitamins and minerals supplementation especially vitamins C and D, Zinc, and Selenium and concluded that these supplements might possess immunoregulatory and antiviral properties. 38 – 40 Later on and with the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, a new publication from the LAU concluded that organizations should influence leaders to enhance proper behaviors and attitudes to create a healthy, safe, and ethical culture that consequently increases employees’ commitment to COVID-19 vaccination. 41 …”

Discovery of the covalent SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro inhibitors from antiviral herbs via integrating target‐based high‐throughput screening and chemoproteomic approaches

“…41,42 It has been widely employed in the treatment of respiratory infections, and certain herbal components have gained approval as marketed drugs, over-the-counter nutritional supplements, or food additives. 43 Generally, the long-term use of herbal medicines and the availability of marketed herbal products have demonstrated satisfactory safety profiles, making them suitable for extended prophylactic use. Although the emergency phase of the pandemic may have subsided with the emergence of the less pathogenic omicron variant, the incidence of infection remains high among individuals who have received vaccines or have experienced natural infection.…”

“…Herbal medicines offer alternative therapies to address the multiple symptoms and complications associated with COVID‐19 management 41,42 . It has been widely employed in the treatment of respiratory infections, and certain herbal components have gained approval as marketed drugs, over‐the‐counter nutritional supplements, or food additives 43 . Generally, the long‐term use of herbal medicines and the availability of marketed herbal products have demonstrated satisfactory safety profiles, making them suitable for extended prophylactic use.…”

An exhaustive comprehension of the role of herbal medicines in Pre- and Post-COVID manifestations

“…Thus, providing daily vitamin and trace element intakes is imperative for malnourished individuals. ( Ağagündüz et al, 2021 ; El Zakhem et al, 2021 ). There is also a wide prospect of research, and it is the right time to execute translational and operational research on Ayurvedic medicines on COVID- 19 as preventive and curative measures on a large scale.…”