Acute viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)—predominantly caused by rhinoviruses, seasonal coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza viruses—cannot be eradicated by conventional antibiotics; clinical management hinges on accelerating mucociliary clearance, downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokine cascades (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and preserving cellular hydration. While pharmaceutical antivirals (such as neuraminidase inhibitors) remain restricted to high-risk clinical…