Antiviral agents act to destroy viruses in the body. They should be distinguished from viricides, which are not medication but deactivate or destroy virus particles.
A virucide (pronounced /ˈvī-rə-ˌsīd/ and alternatively spelled viricide and viruscide) is an agent (physical or chemical) that deactivates or destroys viruses. This differs from an antiviral drug, which inhibits the development of the virus.
Natural virucides include garlic, oregano, ginseng, onions, echinacea, goldenseal, chamomile, shiitake, schizandra and St. John's wort.
Antivirals also can be found in essential oils of various herbs, such as basil oil, orange oil, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, and sandalwood oil and their constituents.
Herbs with antiviral qualities include
Aloe Vera
Astragalus
Barley
Basil Oil
Boneset
Basil
Chamomile
Echinacea
Eucalyptus Oi
lGarlic
Ginseng
Goldenseal
Ho-Shou-Wu
Juniper Berries
Lemon Oil
Licorice
Maitake
Milk Thistle
Onions
Orange Oil
Oregano
Pau D'Arco
Red Raspberry
Reishi
Sandalwood Oil
Schizandra
Shiitake
St. John's Wort
Tea Tree oil
Turmeric