Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating viral infection with an herbal composition comprising an active ingredient from herbs of at least one species selected from genus Isatis and the genus Baphicacanthus; formulating the extract into a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation; and administering said formulation to a mammal suffering viral infection. This invention also provides for a method of treating viral infection with an herbal composition wherein the formulation is in the form of a powder, syrup, tea, tincture, injection, topical solution, capsule, pill, granule, tablet, nebula, suppository or microcapsule.