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

Aline El Zakhem, May Annie Chalhoub and Maya Bassil
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Aline El Zakhem: Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107, Lebanon
May Annie Chalhoub: Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon
Maya Bassil: Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-13

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.

Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; respiratory infections; Chinese herbal medicine; nutrition; micronutrients (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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