Herbal Immunomodulators and Traditional Home Remedies in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19: Mechanistic Insights, Clinical Evidence, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic stimulated unprecedented interest in herbal medicines, traditional home remedies, and immunity-enhancing interventions. During the pandemic, medicinal plants such as Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Allium sativum (Garlic), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek), and various Ayurvedic formulations were widely utilized to support immune function and alleviate respiratory symptoms. Although conventional antiviral therapies and vaccination remain the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention and management, complementary herbal approaches have attracted considerable scientific attention owing to their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. This review critically evaluates the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological mechanisms, preclinical evidence, clinical findings, and safety profiles of herbal remedies employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Particular emphasis is placed on their roles in modulating cytokine responses, regulating oxidative stress, interfering with viral entry and replication, and enhancing immune function. Current limitations, research gaps, and future prospects for integrating evidence-based herbal medicine into pandemic preparedness and respiratory disease management are also discussed. The review underscores the need for well-designed randomized clinical trials, standardized herbal formulations, and rigorous quality-control measures to establish the therapeutic efficacy and safety of herbal interventions in viral respiratory infections.