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Rooted

Respiratory · also Immune / Rheum / Allergy

Influenza-like illness (adjunct)

4 plants

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Fever, myalgia, and a known flu week. High-risk people still get guideline antivirals and a low threshold for pneumonia. Black elder berry has some human cold/flu-season data; raw berry is nauseating. Andrographis (king of bitters) has some URI trial data and a taste/GI cost. Echinacea evidence is mixed. None of these replace oseltamivir in a 72-year-old with COPD.

Primary plants

  1. Black elder (Sambucus nigra)
    1
    Black elderHuman data

    Sambucus nigra

    Berry extracts have some seasonal-URI human data. Flower is a traditional catarrh tea. Raw berry nauseates.

    Typical. Cooked berry extract as labeled, short course. Flower tea 2–3 g.

    Safety. Raw berry: nausea. Immune-modulating claims are oversold for influenza pneumonia.

  2. King of bitters (Andrographis paniculata)
    2
    King of bittersHuman data

    Andrographis paniculata

    Andrographis: some URI-duration trial data. Bitter. Not a neuraminidase inhibitor.

    Typical. Standardized aerial extract as labeled, short course.

    Safety. GI. Taste. Pregnancy avoid. Not pneumonia coverage.

Supportive plants2
  • Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
    Purple coneflowerHuman data
    Echinacea purpurea

    Echinacea: mixed prevention/treatment data. Identity and species matter.

    Typical. Short labeled product if they already use it.

    Safety. Asteraceae. Autoimmune theoretical. Not a flu antiviral.

  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
    ThymeStrong traditional
    Thymus vulgaris

    Traditional chest tea for cough comfort.

    Typical. Leaf/herb tea.

    Safety. Culinary is food-like. Essential oil is not tea.

Clinical notes

  • Dyspnea, O2 sat drop, confusion, or a high-risk host at 48 hours of fever is the antiviral/pneumonia path.

When this is not enough

  • Respiratory distress, suspected pneumonia, sepsis, pregnancy flu, infants, immunocompromised hosts

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All respiratory diagnoses