St. John’s wort flowers (Hypericum perforatum)*

Contains dianthrones and flavonoids which have antiviral activity against a broad spectrum of viruses including HIV (in vitro). This herb's amphoteric effect on the nervous sytem makes it useful both as an antidepressant and for anxiety. St. John’s wort is used locally and internally for nerve and spinal injuries, nerve pain, sciatica and shingles.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)*

Elderberries contain vitamin C, proanthocyanadin flavonoids and antiviral proteins. Elderberry syrup, extract or glycerite is very useful for treating colds, influenza and other viral respiratory disorders. The flavonoids help to strengthen capillary integrity especially in the eyes and reduce histamine production by the sinus mast cells. This reduces allergic symptoms and sinus irritation.

Japanese Honeysuckle flowers (Lonicera japonica)*

A common weedy plant with fragrant flowers. As a child you may have sucked the sweet nectar from these blossoms. In Chinese medicine the unopened flowers are used as a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent. They are effective in treating influenza, sore throat, colds, urinary and intestinal infections, painful mastitis, damp heat dysentary, and conjunctivitis. Barefoot Doctor’s combined Lonicera with Coptis to make “a poor man’s penicillin”.

Lomatium root (Lomatium dissectum)*

Has been used extensively by native peoples of the Northwestern US but remains little-known to the general herb community. A powerful antiviral/bacterial agent, it is being used to reduce viral load in chronic conditions such as EBV, CMV, HPV, HIV and herpes.  It is an active urinary and pulmonary antiseptic and is effective for treating colds and flu. Long term use may induce a wide spread rash and a low grade fever.

Hyssop fresh flowering herb (Hyssopus officinalis)*

A valuable, if underutilized, herb with many uses. It is an anti-viral agent especially effective for inhibiting Herpes and Influenza viruses. This fragrant herb is a useful carminative, emmenagogue and diaphoretic. It is appropriate for intestinal viruses, colds, flu, nausea, flatulence and delayed menses.

Lemon Balm fresh herb (Melissa officinalis)*

A mild, flavorful remedy appropriate for children's colds, stomachaches and headaches. Lemon balm is useful for mild depression, mild hypertension, herpes and hyperthyroidism.

Chinese Isatis root (Isatis tinctoria, I. indigotica, Baphicacanthus cusia)*

Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to clear "pathogenic heat" from the blood.  In Western terms, Isatis is used for erysipelas, acute conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, infectious and acute hepatitis, Herpes simplex and H. zoster (orally and topically) and pityriasis rosea.

Bibliography:

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia  St. John’s wort - Hypericum perforatum, Binghamton, NY, 1997

Bone, K.  The Herbal Treatment of Viral Infections, European Journal of Herbal Medicine, Vol. 1 #1, 1994, pp. 23-28

Chen, J.&T., Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, City of Industry, CA, 2004

Kuhn, M., Winston, D., Herbal Therapy & Supplements: A Scientific & Traditional Approach, Philadelphia, 2001

Leung, A. and Foster, S.  Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, New York, 1996

Zhou, J.  Recent Advances in Chinese Herbal Drugs, Beijing, 1991