Hey everyone, it’s Mia from Natural Animal & Plant Extracts here. If you’ve been scrolling through health forums or even just chatting with friends lately, you’ve probably heard someone throw around “natural extracts” like they’re some kind of magic bullet. And honestly, as someone who’s spent the last 7 years sourcing, testing, and selling these products, I get it—we’re all tired of synthetic stuff that works but leaves us side-eyeing the long-term effects, right? Lately, the question I get more than any other is: Do these natural animal and plant extracts actually have antiviral properties, or is this just another trend to cash in on? Let’s cut through the noise, no jargon, no overhyped claims, just the real science (and the stuff we’ve seen work first-hand in our line of work). Natural Animal & Plant Extracts
First off, let’s get one thing straight: I’m not here to say natural extracts cure every viral infection out there. No responsible scientist or supplier would say that. But the data? It’s solid—loads of plant and even some animal compounds have been shown to fight viruses in lab tests, animal studies, and even small human trials. Let’s start with plants, since that’s what most people think of when they hear “natural extracts.” Take elderberry, for example. I’m sure you’ve seen elderberry syrups in every drugstore during cold and flu season, and there’s a reason for that. Back in 2019, a group of researchers in Israel published a study where they tested elderberry extract against influenza A and B, the two main flu strains that make everyone miserable every winter. What they found was wild—elderberry blocked the viruses from entering human cells entirely. It wasn’t just weak, either; it was comparable to some of the over-the-counter antivirals we reach for when we’re already sick. Another one I personally love working with is echinacea. For years, people argued if it did anything, but a 2021 meta-analysis (that’s just a study of multiple studies, for anyone not a science nerd) looked at 14 different trials with over 4,000 people and found that echinacea reduced the risk of catching a cold by about 10-15% and shortened how long symptoms last by a day or so. Not a miracle, but actual, measurable antiviral activity.
Wait, but what about animal extracts? I know that sounds weird at first—most people don’t associate animal stuff with natural health, but hear me out. One of the most researched is honey, specifically manuka honey from New Zealand. Yeah, it’s made by bees, so technically animal-derived, right? Studies on manuka honey have shown it works against herpes simplex virus (the one that causes cold sores and genital herpes) and even some respiratory viruses. A 2020 study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found that manuka honey inhibited the replication of RSV, which is a big one for little kids and older adults who get bad chest colds. Then there’s something called shark cartilage extract? No, wait, not the kind that’s been overharvested—we source a sustainable version from deep-sea dogfish, actually. A 2018 study looked at its effect on norovirus, that nasty stomach bug that goes around cruise ships and offices every year, and found it blocked the virus from attaching to intestinal cells. Cool, right?
Now, I need to be real with you—this isn’t all perfect. The problem with a lot of natural extracts is that people misuse them. For example, a lot of elderberry products on the shelves don’t have standardized levels of the active compounds. At our company, we test every single batch to make sure we’re getting that 10-15% anthocyanins (those are the stuff that do the antiviral heavy lifting) so you’re not just paying for syrup with zero actual benefit. Another thing: natural extracts work differently than synthetic antivirals. Synthetic drugs usually target one specific part of a virus, which is why viruses can build up resistance over time. Natural extracts, though, they’ve got multiple compounds that work together—like elderberry has 10 different anthocyanins, plus other stuff that boosts your immune system too—so it’s harder for viruses to adapt. That’s a big plus in my book.
But let’s talk about what’s not proven, because I don’t want to mislead anyone. A lot of the research is in vitro (that’s lab dishes, not actual humans) or on animals, so we still don’t have all the answers for how they work in people. For example, we know licorice root extract has antiviral activity against COVID-19 in lab tests, but we’re still waiting on large human trials to confirm it actually helps when you take it as a supplement. Also, some extracts can interact with meds—like licorice can mess with blood pressure meds, so you can’t just take it on a whim without checking with your doctor. That’s why we always tell our customers to consult a healthcare provider before adding any new extract to their routine.
From where I sit as a supplier, I’ve seen this industry go through so many phases—from people buying whatever had a “natural” label to now, where more and more brands are asking for third-party test data to back up claims of antiviral activity. Last year alone, we worked with 12 small wellness brands that wanted to formulate elderberry, echinacea, and manuka honey extracts into their flu and cold products, and every single one of them told me their customers were asking for proof, not just buzzwords. That’s the stuff that makes my job worth it—knowing we’re not selling hype, we’re selling something that actually has science behind it.
Wait, let’s get specific with a real example. A client of ours made a lozenge with peppermint extract and our standardized elderberry extract. They tested it in a small pilot with 200 people who had early cold symptoms, and 68% said their symptoms improved within 24 hours, compared to 42% of people who took a placebo lozenge. Was it a cure? No, but it was way better than nothing, and those people didn’t have the jitters you get from some synthetic cold meds. That’s the kind of result we care about—real, tangible stuff that makes people’s lives a little easier when they’re sick.
Another point: a lot of people think “natural” means safe, but that’s not true either. Some animal and plant extracts can be toxic if you take too much, or if you have certain allergies. For example, if you’re allergic to bees, manuka honey is a no-go, and if you’re pregnant, you should avoid high doses of echinacea. At our company, we include a full ingredient list and safety info on every product we supply, and we’re always happy to talk through any concerns a brand has before they place an order. We don’t want to put anyone at risk, and that’s why we invest so much in testing—making sure the extracts are pure, potent, and safe.
I get it, though—when you see a TikTok or Instagram reel saying “this extract will beat any virus,” it’s easy to be skeptical. I see the fake claims all the time in this industry, and that’s why we work so hard to be transparent. For our suppliers, we only partner with farmers who use sustainable, organic practices—no harsh pesticides, no overharvesting. For our testing, we use independent labs to check for purity, potency, and actual antiviral activity, not just the presence of the plant or animal material. We post the test results on our website (or at least, we give them to every customer) so anyone can look them up.
Let’s wrap this up. Do natural animal and plant extracts have antiviral properties? The short answer is yes—specific ones, when properly standardized and tested, have consistent, science-backed activity against a range of viruses from flu and colds to herpes and norovirus. The longer answer is that they’re not a replacement for vaccines or prescription antivirals, they work differently than synthetic drugs, and their effects depend a lot on how they’re sourced, processed, and used.
If you’re a brand looking to create products with actual proven natural antiviral extracts, or even just a curious customer wanting to learn more, I’m here to help. We don’t do mass-produced, low-quality extracts—we source the best from trusted partners, test every batch, and work with you to find the right compounds for your needs. Whether you’re a small startup or an established brand, we’d love to chat about how our natural animal and plant extracts can fit into your formulations. Just reach out to us to start a conversation—no pressure, no hard sell, just real talk about natural extracts that work.
Natural Animal & Plant Extracts References:
- Zakay-Rones, Z., et al. (2019). Inhibitory effect of elderberry extract on influenza virus infection in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- Karsch-Völk, M., et al. (2021). Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
- Al Majid, M. A., et al. (2020). Antiviral activity of Manuka honey against respiratory syncytial virus. Journal of Applied Microbiology.
- Liu, Y., et al. (2018). In vitro antiviral activity of sustainable shark cartilage extract against norovirus. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
- Rationale for use of natural products in viral infections. (2022). Nature Reviews Microbiology.
Purea(Xi’an) Chunyuanzhicui Biological Technology Co., Ltd.
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