Phytotherapy in an influenza pandemic.

Phytotherapy in an influenza pandemic.

A polyphenol rich extract of the Mediterranean plant Cistus incanus (pink rockrose) has shown potent antiinfluenza virus activity against highly pathogenic forms of H7N7 and H1N1 influenza A viruses both in vitro as well as in a mouse infection model (Droebner 2007, Ehrhardt 2007). Treatment involved local application as an aerosol formulation similar to that of Relenza[R].