HERBAL PLANTS AS AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE NATURAL ‘EDIBLE VACCINE’ FOR EPIDEMICS AND PANDEMICS

Abstract

COVID 19 pandemic and the frequent emergence of SARS epidemics lead us to think of several factors. We do not have a vaccine against SARS to date, we must work on alternatives. Plants synthesize a variety of secondary metabolites that are utilized in their defense mechanisms. We can exploit plant defense compounds to directly or indirectly protect our body from pathogenic infections. The process of routine drug/vaccine development is lengthy and time-consuming. By contrast, herbal drugs are prepared from many recognized plants and are known to us for hundreds or thousands of years. Thus, during the emergencies like war or health catastrophe, it is absolutely safe to immediately consume powders or decoctions of one or more medicinal plant parts as an ‘edible vaccine’ for the prevention of diseases and to stimulate natural immunity. We have tabulated few herbal plants that can be used as the first line of defense against respiratory illness. These plants and plant parts can be taken as a whole or as home-made decoctions as a part of their daily regimens.