Edible medicinal plants against COVID-19 in the Middle East

Abstract

All of humanity is inflicted by COVID-19 that is a pandemic respiratory illness, caused by a highly infectious form of novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, discovered at the end of 2019. Some of the typical symptoms of COVID-19 patients, includes fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, acute respiratory distress syndrome, the loss of taste and smell. Herbal medicines have been traditionally used to treat cold and flu symptoms, as well as diseases of the respiratory system. Certain medicinal foods could be used as a therapy or to prevent infection and as well strengthen immunity. Many people believe that consuming herbal immunomodulators can prevent or even treat COVID-19. Many foods and herbs are also known to display antiviral and immunomodulatory activities, these immunomodulatory herbs could enhance the immune system and protect the body against COVID- 19. This paper describes 16 medicinal food plants that are used traditionally to prevent or treat viruses and other diseases, including COVID-19, and strengthen the immune system.