Dietary supplements: watch out for plants that could disturb your immune defenses

In the current epidemic, you may be tempted to resort to so-called solutions

natural

, such as food supplements containing plants with anti-inflammatory properties. Warning, Anses draws attention to the risk of consuming products that may hinder your body's immune response.

Several plants have been identified by the collective emergency expertise group set up by ANSES. These are plants containing derivatives of salicylic acid (aspirin analogs):

• willow;
• the queen of meadows;
• birch;
• poplar;
• golden rod;
• polygalas.

And also plants containing other plant anti-inflammatory drugs:

• harpagophytum;
• echinacea;
• turmeric;
• licorice;
• the cat's claw (also called Peruvian liana);
• plants of the genera Boswellia and Commiphora (known for their oleoresin gums called ‘incense’ and ‘myrrh’).

ANSES therefore recommends:

• people who consume these food supplements with a preventive aim to immediately suspend the consumption of those containing these plants as soon as the first symptoms of COVID-19 appear;
• people who consume these food supplements in the context of chronic inflammatory pathologies must discuss with their doctor the relevance of continuing their consumption or not.

It also reminds health care practitioners of the importance of reporting to the nutrivigilance of Anses adverse reactions occurring in the context of the consumption of food supplements.