The Evidence for Herbal Supplements for Immunity and Stress During COVID-19

April 29, 2020

By Gary Deng, MD, PhD, and Eugenie Spiguel, MSN, ANP-BC

As the world embarks on unprecedented research efforts to prevent and treat the COVID-19 coronavirus, patients with cancer and healthcare providers alike may be interested in using herbal products to boost their immune system or relieve anxiety and stress. However, finding accurate information is challenging: no herbs have been scientifically proven to prevent or treat COVID-19, and some may even cause harm.

The following evidence-based information on popular herbs used for immunity and to relieve anxiety and stress is adapted from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs (https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs) website. The links will take you to the full monographs to learn more about adverse effects and herb-drug interactions.

Herbs and Supplements for Immunity

Herbs and Supplements for Anxiety and Stress

Oncology nurses have an important role in informing patients that no herbs can cure COVID-19, that indiscriminate use of herbal supplements is unsafe, and that supplements have the potential to interact with prescription medications. The best way to prevent or treat COVID-19 is to follow advice from healthcare authorities and clinicians, not self-medicating with herbs and supplements.


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