Bacteria respond to antibiotics, but viruses do not. Because there aren’t vaccines for many viruses, we’re vulnerable to their health effects. However, there are simple lifestyle choices as well as medicinal herbs that have been shown to be beneficial in thwarting viral infections. Herbal antivirals play a twofold role: decreasing both the duration of an infection and the severity of symptoms, and interrupting the replication of a virus so it can’t survive.

Sorrel covers established treatments and prevention methods, then explains the properties of twelve herbs in particular known to boost the immune system and battle viral infections naturally. They are: American Ginseng, andrographis, Asian gingseng, astragalus, barberry, Chinese skullcap, echinacea, elderberry, green tea, lemon balm, licorice, and peppermint.