Immunomodulatory effect and supportive role of traditional herbs, spices and nutrients in management of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus that causes respiratory illnesses with a start of flu like symptoms. This disease can be fatal and is already spread all over the world, making World Health Organization to declare it as a pandemic. Researchers from across globe are working tirelessly around the clock to find vaccine or a cure. In the view of the pandemic many treatments are being tried on the patients and various treatment modalities are being followed including traditional medicine which has shown promising results in managing this disease. The traditional medicines include the use of herbs, nutrition and spices that are widely available and used in day to day life by majority of Asian population. In this paper the role of various herbs and spices such as Oregano, Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Basil, Sage, Curcumin, Fenugreek, Ginger and Garlic in building immunity against pathogenic invasions based on researches based evidence has been compiled and reviewed. Since there is no cure available for COVID-19 till now, supportive therapy is playing a major role in managing this pandemic. The AYUSH ministry has also promoted the use of above herbs for a patient suffering from COVID-19. The corona virus is present in respiratory system as shown by different studies and it has different strains. The guidelines laid by the ICMR and WHO shows that use of herbs, spices and nutrients can be helpful to manage this virus by increasing the immunity in patients. Note that we are not claiming any cures but the herbs and spices used in day to day life are very much effective in management of COVID-19. World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the use of alternative and traditional medicine in the management of COVID-19 but the herbs should be used in prescribed amounts and overdose of them can be harmful for health. Therefore the present article will enlighten the readers about the role of herbs, spices and nutrients in managing COVID-19