Herbal medicine as an alternative method to treat and prevent COVID-19

Abstract

The current outbreak of serious respiratory syndrome (aka COVID-19) has resulted from a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This infectious disease was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) because it threatens public health and life worldwide. Recently, restrictions in many countries are applied to detect the infected individuals, isolate them, and attempt to find appropriate treatments that can help decrease the disease’s severe symptoms. Regardless of the conducted efforts, the number of reported cases of coronavirus infections is still growing up. Yet, no medication or vaccine was approved to prevent and treat people from this coronavirus, though many research and medication companies are still developing medicines. This review aims to summarize the possible herbs and plants as natural herbal medicine along with western medicine, which could assist treat or protect people from COVID-19. Compounds of andrographolide, quercetin, baicalin, curcumin, glycyrrhizic acid, emodin, patchouli alcohol, luteolin, and myricetin are found in different plants and were found to be good health remedies. Understanding the infection rules, clarifying the pathogenic mechanisms, and detecting the appropriate medication treatment could improve the development of the essential treatment and prevention methods. Since the finally-approved drug for this virus is still absent, and a sharp increase in infection numbers is taking place, it becomes urgent to present possible alternatives, such as the Chinese herbal medicines, in an attempt to cure SARS-CoV-2.