ABSTRACT
The novel corona virus disease COVID-19 which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became a pandemic causing a huge loss to the lives of the people and to the global economic situation while imposing a significant pressure on the health structures of the nations worldwide. Immunocompromized people are more vulnerable to the infection and are at high risk of death. In the absence of an effective antiviral drug or a vaccine, alternative prophylactic and therapeutic solutions are essentially needed to be used to save the lives of the people from this disaster. The article highlighted the possibilities of utilizing medicinal plants rich in phytochemicals which are having proven immunomodulatory and antiviral activity in developing novel functional foods with acceptable consumer appeal to be used in reducing the risk of SARS CoV-2 infection by strengthening the immune system of the individual and complement the therapeutic measures taken against the disease. Innovative functional foods made by fortification of medicinal plants have a great promise to improve the general health and immensely help the general public against the viral infections such as COVID-19. Nevertheless, more evidences are required through controlled clinical trials to support the safety and efficacy of the functional foods fortified with medicinal plants.
