Role of Herbal Medicines in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

Herbal medicines have helped to cure illness because the practice has continued for generations. Multiple alkaloids/compounds that occur naturally (as against single extracts) exhibit synergistic action and do not show antidote action. This naturally occurring combination of compounds exhibits antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and antioxidant actions. The cases related to viral, protozoal, and bacterial infections were selected. Patients with amoebiasis, e-coli, gastrointestinal infection, skin and urinary tract infections were treated using herbal drugs. Diagnoses were confirmed with investigations. Repeated investigations were carried out to confirm the improvement.

Most herbal medicines do not exhibit serious side effects and are safe to prescribe, showing greater acceptability. Thus, due to their cost effectiveness, these medicines are in great demand for primary health care for better cultural acceptability and minimal side effects.

Cases varying from COVID 19 to gastrointestinal infection, viral diseases, and skin and wound infections are being treated effectively with herbal drugs.