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ViraCon by Vital Nutrients

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Prescription

1 capsule, twice a day

Ingredients

Nutrition label for ViraCon by Vital Nutrients

Note that Walsh's recommendation is one-third of what the label suggests.

Zinc (as zinc citrate), 2.5 mg

PubMed search results

Zinc and biotin deficiencies are likely correlated.

  • Ogawa, Y., Kinoshita, M., Sato, T., Shimada, S., & Kawamura, T. (2019). Biotin Is Required for the Zinc Homeostasis in the Skin. Nutrients, 11(4), 919. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11040919

Zinc deficiency on it's own seems to cause skin issues.

A review article states "Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for basic cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Zn deficiency depresses both innate and adaptive immune responses."

Elderberry Fruit, Berry Extract (European Elder), 63 mg

PubMed search results

European Elder, a.k.a. Sambucus nigra, holds "promising specific antiviral activities scientifically proven through studies on experimental animal models." This also goes for Hypericum connatum.

  • Akram, M., Tahir, I. M., Shah, S., Mahmood, Z., Altaf, A., Ahmad, K., Munir, N., Daniyal, M., Nasir, S., & Mehboob, H. (2018). Antiviral potential of medicinal plants against HIV, HSV, influenza, hepatitis, and coxsackievirus: A systematic review. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 32(5), 811–822. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6024

"Elderberry has for a long time been used in folk medicine as a diaphoretic, antipyretic and diuretic agent. In recent years it was also found to have antibacterial, antiviral antidepressant and antitumour and hypoglycemic properties, and to reduce body fat and lipid concentration."

  • Młynarczyk, K., Walkowiak-Tomczak, D., & Łysiak, G. P. (2018). Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. Journal of functional foods, 40, 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025

Scutellaria baicalensis Root Extract, 63 mg

PubMed search results

Scutellaria baicalensis, a.k.a. Huang Qin or Chinese skullcap, seems to be used occasionally to treat cancer, arthritis, and hepatitis.

"The species in Scutellaria can be used to treat cancer, infection, hepatic disorders, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases."

  • Shen, J., Li, P., Liu, S., Liu, Q., Li, Y., Sun, Y., He, C., & Xiao, P. (2020). Traditional uses, Clinical studies, and Ten-years Research Progress in Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the Genus Scutellaria. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 113198. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113198

Propolis 70%, 50 mg

PubMed search results

"Honey, propolis and pollen are used to heal burn wounds, and they possess numerous functional properties such as: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, disinfectant, antifungal and antiviral."

  • Kurek-Górecka, A., Górecki, M., Rzepecka-Stojko, A., Balwierz, R., & Stojko, J. (2020). Bee Products in Dermatology and Skin Care. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 25(3), 556. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030556

"The natural product "Propolis" is a non-toxic resinous material having beneficial properties such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory[.]"

  • Khurshid, Z., Naseem, M., Zafar, M. S., Najeeb, S., & Zohaib, S. (2017). Propolis: A natural biomaterial for dental and oral healthcare. Journal of dental research, dental clinics, dental prospects, 11(4), 265–274. https://doi.org/10.15171/joddd.2017.046

Astragalus Root Extract, 50 mg

PubMed search results

Here's a good picture review of some health benefits.

  • Zheng, Y., Ren, W., Zhang, L., Zhang, Y., Liu, D., & Liu, Y. (2020). A Review of the Pharmacological Action of Astragalus Polysaccharide. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 349. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00349

Isatis tinctoria Root Extract, 50 mg

PubMed search results

"The modern in vitro and in vivo scientific studies proved anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, and antioxidant activities."

  • Speranza, J., Miceli, N., Taviano, M. F., Ragusa, S., Kwiecień, I., Szopa, A., & Ekiert, H. (2020). Isatis tinctoria L. (Woad): A Review of its Botany, Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Biotechnological Studies. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(3), 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030298

Here's a review that evaluates many of the herbs on this list. "This article reviews the common cold and influenza viruses, presents the conventional treatment options, and highlights select botanicals (Echinacea spp., Sambucus nigra, larch arabinogalactan, Astragalus membranaceous, Baptisia tinctoria, Allium sativa, Panax quinquefolium, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Andrographis paniculata, olive leaf extract, and Isatis tinctoria) and nutritional considerations (vitamins A and C, zinc, high lactoferrin whey protein, N-acetylcysteine, and DHEA) that may help in the prevention and treatment of these conditions."

  • Roxas, M., & Jurenka, J. (2007). Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations. Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic, 12(1), 25–48. Link.

Berberine HCl, 17 mg

See Candicid Forte post for notes on berberine.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) Aerial Part, Herb Extract, 25 mg

PubMed search results

"Antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antiviral activities have been reported in numerous biological studies." I think this is referring to the Hypericum genus, not the specific species Hypericum perforatum.

  • Zhang, R., Ji, Y., Zhang, X., Kennelly, E. J., & Long, C. (2020). Ethnopharmacology of Hypericum species in China: A comprehensive review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 254, 112686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112686

"[S]ignificant clinical efficacy in ameliorating depressive symptoms."

  • Ng, Q. X., Venkatanarayanan, N., & Ho, C. Y. (2017). Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) in depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 210, 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048

Licorice Root Extract, 25 mg

PubMed search results

Glycyrrhiza uralensis, a.ka. licorice, "has many effects on the immune system such as anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory activity; antiviral and antitumor effects."

  • Fouladi, S., Masjedi, M., Ganjalikhani Hakemi, M., & Eskandari, N. (2019). The Review of in Vitro and in Vivo Studies over the Glycyrrhizic Acid as Natural Remedy Option for Treatment of Allergic Asthma. Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology, 18(1), 1–11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30848569/

This study evaluates many alternative therapies for the flu and cold. Zinc may reduce duration of common cold. "Glycyrrhizin [, an active component of licorice roots,] is also known to exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects[.]"

  • Mousa H. A. (2017). Prevention and Treatment of Influenza, Influenza-Like Illness, and Common Cold by Herbal, Complementary, and Natural Therapies. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, 22(1), 166–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587216641831
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