A study to find herbal neuraminidase inhibitors discovered that Reynoutria elliptica extract was a strong inhibitor of that enzyme. The research identified four compounds with significant neuraminidase inhibiting properties: emodin, two emodin derrivatives, and resveratrol.

Emodin and related compounds are also found in the Aloe vera plant. Unfortunately, emodin is an anthraquinone laxative; taking it orally has significant side effects. Emodin is a cathartic known to stimulate muscle contraction in the intestines, and a large dose can result in painful cramping. It is not clear how much is absorbed into the blood where it can fight a virus. The studies done on the anti-viral properties of emodin were done in cells in a test tube, not in live animals. Many Aloe vera juices on the market are made using only the gel of the plant; they contain very little emodin. The outer part of an aloe leaf contains most of the emodin - it is in the milky sap portion close to the surface.

The aloe vera juices on the market do contain polysaccharides like acemannan that stimulate the immune system to produce IL-1 and TNF, but those inflammatory cytokines are not in short supply in people infected by H5N1 avian flu. Most of the research conducted on acemannan have involved HIV/AIDS, or related animal viruses like feline leukemia virus. It is not clear that aloe polysaccharides protect against influenza viruses in general, or the H5N1 virus in particular.

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