Scientists have determined that sage-based tea helps fight coronavirus

At the very beginning of a difficult pandemic period for the whole world, the price of ginger in stores has increased several times. Why? It’s a great antiviral, many people thought. Which means it can protect against the coronavirus. Not so long ago, scientists conducted another study, the results of which indicate the usefulness of sage and perilla in the prevention of the disease. But will the magic drink based on herbs help to cure the virus? Mikhail Yurievich Lebedev, a leading expert of the Molecular Diagnostics Center of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, a partner of the International Festival of Health and Sports SN PRO EXPO FORUM, helped us to answer this exciting question.

What is the essence of the study?

Scientists from the German Institute of Virology at the University Hospital of Essen found out that herbal teas – sage and perilla – help fight coronavirus. They brought the drinks to a boil and insisted for two hours at a water temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. It turned out that even a short-term intake of perilla and sage is enough to significantly suppress coronavirus reproduction.

Mikhail: I would like to note right away that all studies were conducted on cell culture, i.e. in vitro.

For example, recently a study of birch chaga mushroom was conducted, the results of which also indicated that this mushroom helps in the fight against coronavirus infection. But it is premature to draw such conclusions. Chaga can slow down the growth of coronavirus in vitro. This has indeed been proven and serious research has been done, but so far only in the laboratory. No one knows yet how it will work in the human body. A lot of things work in the test tube, this is shown by studies of even medicinal preparations. But not all the drugs that are effective in the test tube make it to medical practice. Therefore, we can only wait for the continuation of research and its results.

This also applies to tea with sage and ginger. Back in the spring, ginger drinks were widely advertised, and ginger itself has become several times more expensive. In this regard, the World Health Organization even posted information on its website that ginger is a good remedy for prevention, but it is not a medicine.

Therefore, if we are talking about various products that can help in the fight against coronavirus infection, influenza virus, acute respiratory viruses and so on, then in the general list of useful substances ginger with honey or rose hips, for example, can be present. But you do not need to endow all these products with the properties of a medical drug. They are not for treatment.

Many studies are still ahead of us, it is possible that discoveries will still be made and we will really find a natural miracle remedy, but so far there is no plant panacea for serious diseases.

What foods can help with prevention?

Still, there are foods that can and should be consumed during flu and cold season to help your body fight infections. For example, garlic and lemon. No, they should not be eaten by the kilograms, as it will do more harm to your body than good. But they should be present in the daily menu, as they are sources of vitamin C and essential trace elements.

Given that there is little sunshine, also in the diet you need foods rich in vitamin D. For example:
– fish of fatty varieties;
– eggs;
– butter.

And also greens: dill, parsley, salads. Be sure to add them to your menu!

But remember that these products we do not cure, but only use them for preventive purposes.