Daniel N. Hsu, D.A.O.M., L.Ac.

People in China almost universally take these herbs every cold and flu season.

Viruses cause the cold and flu. Here are three of my favorite top antiviral/antibacterial herbs used in Chinese Medicine:

1. Ban Lan Gen (Radix isatidis baphicacanthi).  A top antiviral and immunostimulatory herb(1)(2) (3). It is also has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antinociceptive and antiendotoxic activities(4)(5).
2. Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis). Widely known for its anti-cancer activity(6)(7), its active ingredient baicalin also exhibits anticonvulsive anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity(8) (9).
3. Da Qing Ye (Isatidis baphicacanthi) Studies indicate that Isatidis has antiendotoxic, antimicrobial, antiviral (10) (1) and immunostimulatory properties (3).

References:

1. Wang T, et al. Evaluation on antiendotoxic action and antiviral action in vitro of tetraploid Isatis indigotica. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2000;25:327-9.
   
2. Hoessel R, et al. Indirubin, the active constituent of a Chinese antileukaemia medicine, inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases. Nat Cell Biol 1999;1:60-7.
   
3. Xu YM, Lu PC. Experimental studies on immunostimulatory effects of the Isatis indigotica polysaccharide. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1991;11:357-9, 325-6.
   
4. Hocking G. A Dictionary of Natural Products. Medford (NJ): Plexus Publishing Inc; 1997.
   
5. Ho Y, Chang Y. Studies on the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti pyretic effects of Isatis indigotica root. Phytomedicine 2002;9:419-24.
   
6. Bonham M, Posakony J, Coleman I, Montgomery B, Simon J, Nelson PS. Characterization of chemical constituents in Scutellaria baicalensis with antiandrogenic and growth-inhibitory activities toward prostate carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2005;11(10):3905-14.
   
7. Chang WH, Chen CH, Lu, FJ. Different effects of baicalein, baicalin, and wogonin on mitochondrial function, glutathione content and cell cycle progression in human hepatoma cell lines. Planta Medica 2002;68:128-32.
   
8. Ueda S, Nakamura H, Masutani H, et al. Baicalin induces apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway as prooxidant. Molecular Immunology 2002;38:781-91.
   
9. Anticonvulsant effect of wogonin isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis. Eur J Pharmacol. Nov 28 2007;574(2-3):112-119.
   
10. Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Revised Ed. Seattle: Eastland Press; 1993.