Herbal medicine in infectious disease

This eighth article in the series looks at the current role of plant therapy in infection. Plant chemicals are useful for infection control and, until the advent of antibiotics (many themselves of natural origin) were the only remedies available. The current role of plants in this area could be summarised as treating minor acute infections, topical therapy for skin or wound infections and perhaps a supportive role in chronic infection. With increasing resistance of bacteria, viruses and malaria to standard therapy, alternative treatments are being re-explored with some urgency.