Uncovering the Role of Indian Medicinal Botanicals in COVID-19 Prevention and Management: A Review

Indian traditional medicine, based on Ayurveda and Siddha, has become one of the global searches for complementary approaches to conventional interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review presents the antiviral, immune-boosting, and anti-inflammatory properties of some medicinal key plants such as Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Amla (Emblica officinalis), and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). Tulsi appears to inhibit viral replication, Neem increases immune cell synthesis, while Ashwagandha regulates inflammation and stress responses. Vitamin C-rich Amla increases immune defense while also providing protection against oxidative stress and Giloy modulates immune response and its activity, acting as an overall resilience against infection. However, the clinical integration of these plants into mainstream healthcare is hindered by the absence of robust clinical trials, standardization of phytochemicals, and the absence of global standard protocols. In order to establish safety and efficacy, substantial research is needed, including large-scale randomized clinical trials and sophisticated bioinformatics techniques. Indian medicinal plants provide innovative, sustainable, and holistic solutions to global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific frameworks.