Astragalus – Huang Qi
Tonifies wei (defensive) qi, consolidates the exterior
Promotes the discharge of pus and generates flesh
Immune potentiator and modulator
Relieves numbness and pain
Enhances function of spleen and thymus
Immunostimulant:
Administration of Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) is associated with promotion of T cells.
The polysaccharides from Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) have been shown to activate B cells.
Qu LL, et al. Astragalus membranaceus injection delayed allograft survival related with CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. Transplant Proc. 2010 Nov;42(9):3793-7. Shao BM, et al. A study on the immune receptors for polysaccharides from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Aug 6;320(4):1103-11.
Atractylodes (Bai Zhu – Chao)
Tonify & Strengthen Spleen
Stabilize the exterior
Support healthy Qi
Promotes Body Fluid metabolism (inhibits formation of Phlegm)
Strengthens Immune system
Siler Root (Fang Feng)
Releases the exterior & expels wind
Enhances the phagocytosis of macrophages
Improves immune function
Japanese Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua)
Clears heat
Clears heat and eliminates toxins
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Inhibits SARS-CoV replication at non-toxic concentration
Houttuynia (Yu Xing Cao)
Clears heat, eliminates toxins and drains pus
Promotes normal urination
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antiviral
Anti-inflammatory
Virucidal Properties
The water extract of Yu Xing Cao also demonstrates antiviral effect to treat coronavirus in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Yu Xing Cao exhibits significant inhibitory effects on the virus and increases the proliferation of lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner.
Lau KM, et al. Immunomodulatory and anti-SARS activities of Houttuynia cordata. Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jun 19;118(1):79-85.
Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao)
Clears heat and toxins
Expels wind heat conditions
Antiviral
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Coix (Yi Yi Ren)
Strengthens Spleen
Clears heat in lungs
Elderberries
Reduce inflammation
Boost immune system
Antiviral
Inhibits viral replication
Protects against viral infection if taken prophylactically.
Isatis Root (Ban Lan Gen)
Antiviral (broad)
Anti-inflammatory
Antipyretic
Clears heat, eliminates toxins, cools blood and benefits the throat
Antibacterial
Benefits the throat and Lung
Drains heat
Shows direct effect to inhibit the enzyme activity of SARS coronavirus.
Lin CW, Tsai FJ, Tsai CH, Lai CC, Wan L, Ho TY, et al. AntiSARS coronavirus 3C-like protease effects of Isatis indigotica root and plant-derived phenolic compounds. Antiviral Res 2005; 68: 36-42.
Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Shi)
Breaks up stagnant Qi
Tonifies Qi
Supports Spleen & Digestion
Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Fortifies the Yang
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Encourages generation of Qi and Blood
Antifungal
Antiviral
Chinese Gallnut (Wu Bei Zi)
Contains leakage of lung qi, clears deficiency fire
Binds the intestines
Consolidates kidney jing (essence)
Eliminates toxins and reduces swelling
Antiviral: Administration of moronic acid from Wu Bei Zi is associated with antiviral effect. The main active compounds include rhuscholide A, betulonic acid, moronic acid, and others.
Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) contains tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (TGG) and luteolin, were identified to exhibit prominent anti-SARS virus activity. These natural molecules bound avidly with the surface spike protein of SARS virus and thus interfered with the entry of the virus to its host cells.
Chang FR, et al. Inhibition of the Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle by moronic acid. Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Antiviral Res. 2010 Mar;85(3):490-5. Wang RR, et al. Anti-HIV-1 activities of compounds isolated from the medicinal plant Rhus chinensis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 May 8;117(2):249-56. Gu Q, et al. A new benzofuranone and anti-HIV constituents from the stems of Rhus chinensis. Planta Med. 2007 Mar;73(3):279-82. Yi L, Li Z, Yuan K, Qu X, Chen J, Wang G, et al. Small molecules blocking the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus into host cells. J Virol 2004; 78: 1133411339.
Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi)
Supports immune function
Supports liver function
High in Vitamin C
Support Lung Qi
Moistens the Lungs
Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi)
Supports Lung Qi
Support Liver function
Reduces Stress
Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
Broad Spectrum Anti-viral
Prevents viral replication and inhibits viral growth
Enhances antibody formation and stimulates phagocytosis
Supports healthy digestion
Boneset (Pei Lan)
Antimalaria
Antiviral
Immunostimulant
Mucus membrane tonic
Anti-inflammatory
A huge thank you to www.elotus.org and John K. Chen, Ph.D., Pharm.D., O.M.D., L.Ac. for their tireless research on providing the references above.