All plants contain antiviral compounds but few foods have been thoroughly tested to confirm how many of these compounds exist in each plant and which viruses they kill. At this time we do not know how the viruses get blocked or killed but in general, we have laboratory study evidence, as well as immune enhancing effects in humans. These foods are also rich in essential nutrients needed for a strong immune system and a healthy liver.
Historical usage also counts; for instance, lemon has long been a cold and flu remedy, and citrus fruits contain 15 different antiviral compounds; lemon leaf having the highest known concentration of antiviral compounds of any plant.
More than 350 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B virus, which kills more than a million people each year due to acute and chronic hepatitis, and liver cancer. The hepatitis B virus, which attacks the liver, is spread through infected blood transfusions, needle sharing by intravenous drug abusers and sexual contact. Hepatitis B is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world.
Given the very different nature of the foods in the table this suggests that a diet rich in varied types of plant foods is basically an antiviral diet.
All these foods have been identified as containing antiviral activity and many have been shown to improve immune and liver function.
Some of my recommended foods, notably medicinal mushrooms and sea vegetables, are an acquired taste and I hope you will gradually get to enjoy them!
I am convinced that eating a wide range of plant foods and herbs, in as natural a state as possible, will help to reduce the severity of chronic infections with the hepatitis B and C viruses.
I am not recommending that eating only one antiviral food each day will help treat viral hepatitis, so dont eat enormous quantities of any one food.
Anti-viral foods in your diet
Garlic
It is a powerful anti-viral. It can be eaten raw, mashed or can be added to soups. Mix chopped raw garlic with a tablespoon of unpasteurised, raw honey and consume a clove every day after two to three days. It's a fantastic way to boost your immune system , mentioned Coutinho.
Star anise
The flower-shaped spice contains shikimic acid that is used as a base material for the production of Tamiflu, which is used for influenza virus. It is super powerful as an anti-viral. Take star anise and boil it in water and add it to your teas like green tea or black tea.
Ginger
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Take mashed ginger and star anise, and make a concoction by adding little raw, unpasteurised honey.
Coconut oil
You can cook your food in pure cold-pressed coconut oil or even have it raw. Lauric acid and caprylic acid present in it are essential for boosting the immune system against virals.
Resveratrol
Foods rich in resveratrol such as peanuts, pistachios, grapes, red, white wine, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and even cocoa and dark chocolate are helpful to fight fungal infection, ultraviolet radiation, stress, and injury.
Vitamin-C rich foods
Vitamin-C rich foods such as amla, red peppers, yellow peppers, Vitamin C supplements are a must-have.
An essential recipe for good immunity, according to him, is this immunity-boosting soup.
Ingredients
1 no - Sweet potato
1 no - Garlic
Some - Spring onions
Few - Parsley
Few - Rosemary
Method
*Mix all the ingredients together and make it into a soup.
He mentioned that the soup helps boost the immune system against cold, flu and virals.
Anti-viral herbs
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*Anti-viral herbs such as oregano, tulsi, dried thyme are great for immunity, and can be used in teas or curries for respiratory health including mucous problems which can become a "breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens".
*Mix ginger, garlic along with a tablespoon of thyme, oregano and make tea.
*Inhale essential oils like thyme, oregano, eucalyptus or star anise. One can also use a diffuser in the room.
almonds, why you should consume almondsAlmonds are also a healthy way to keep hunger pangs away!
Other essentials
*Maint
ecause low levels of Vitamin D3 means low immunity
*You need a good pre-biotic or pro-biotic to keep your gut healthy. The healthier your gut, the stronger is your immune system. One can also have rice or beetroot kanji .
*It's important to stay away from white sugar.
*Minerals like zinc and selenium should be included. They can be found in almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, unsalted cashew nuts and unsalted pistachios.
All these dietary changes should also be coupled with good exercise and proper sleep.
16 Foods That Boost and Improve Your Immune System
For most viral infections, such as COVID-19, medicine can only help with symptoms while the immune system fights off the virus. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. The best way to fight viruses such as the novel coronavirus is to build up your immune system.