Respiratory infections have always been a cause of significant morbidity and mortality around the world. The surge in Coronavirus disease-2019, especially in the weaker immunity groups, is more severe and disastrous. Alternative therapy for treatment or risk reduction is the need of the hour. For this review, we explored published clinical trials and papers on nutraceuticals and antiviral phytochemicals fulfilling our eligibility criteria. It is important to highlight those nutraceuticals that impact viral entry, signalling and host immune response of respiratory viruses. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory action can further potentiate antiviral action of pre-existing antiviral moieties. Few nutraceuticals are even found to reduce the severity of respiratory infections including the common cold. The aim of this review is to aid researchers and physicians in understanding the immunity-boosting and antiviral potential of certain nutraceuticals in respiratory viral infections.
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