Reconsidering Traditional Medicinal Plants to Combat COVID-19

Namrata Prashant Gangal; Vinod Nagle; Yogesh Rohidas Pawar; Mahadev Gaikwad; Santanu Dasgupta

Abstract

COVID-19 is a deadly disease, caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that is rapidly spreading across the globe and causing many fatalities. Currently the disease has no treatment available in the form of medicine or vaccine. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, being practiced in India for nearly 5000 years and relies majorly on plants for its formulations. These herbal formulations and immunity boosters may show us the path to come up with broad-spectrum antiviral products, which is the need of the hour. In this review, we have selected plants like Phyllanthus sp., Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Withania somnifera with reported antiviral properties. While others like Tinospora cordifolia and Emblica officinalis have immunity boosting properties. Adhatoda vasica and Ocimum sanctum are selected based on their traditional use in relieving respiratory illnesses.

Abstract

Keywords