Medicinal plants that act on the immune system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30827/ars.v63i1.22187Keywords:
Echinacea purpurea, Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Pelargonium sidoides, immune systemAbstract
Introduction: The immune system can be affected by different factors, so sometimes the use of medicinal plants is an effective remedy to stimulate the defenses and prevent colds. With the arrival of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for these herbal medicines has increased significantly, making it necessary for community pharmacists and other health professionals to be aware of them.
Method: A bibliographic review has been carried out on different plants that act at the level of the immune system in different databases, specialized journals and books.
Results: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Eleutherococcus senticosus Rupr. y Maxim. and Pelargonium sidoides DC. have demonstrated their immunostimulating activity, indicated for the prevention of mild respiratory diseases. On the other hand, different plants possessing vitamins and minerals that can exert immunomodulatory effects are distinguished, as well as different recent studies on possible preventives against SARS-CoV-2 by some plant drugs such as the bulb of Allium sativum L. (garlic), the bulb of Allium cepa L. (onion), the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. or the bark of Uncaria tomentosa (Will.) DC.
Conclusions: Although some plants have demonstrated their action on the immune system, more research is still needed to learn more about the different properties and mechanisms involved in acting on the immune system.
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