Classification of Medicinal Plants Showing Anti-Viral Activity, Classified by Family and Viral Infection Types

Surprisingly little overlap has been found in the studies of the several hundred plant and herb species with promise as new anti-viral medicines. Given the rise in migration, international travel, and urbanization today, viral infections are one of the leading causes of disease around the world. Researchers are looking to the plant world as a source of potential novel anti-viral treatments due to the numerous adverse effects of synthetic medicines and the growing problem of resistance. For their various therapeutic purposes, a large number of biologically active compounds have been discovered. Over the past few decades, thorough research into phytochemicals’ anti-viral properties has gained relevance. This chapter demonstrates the abundance of potentially beneficial medicinal plants and herbs that are only waiting to be assessed and used for therapeutic applications against genetically and functionally varied plant and viral families.