RESPIRATORY INFECTION PREVENTION 2020: HERBAL & NUTRITIONAL HELP

UPDATED MARCH 27, 2020

Please note: I have many other blog posts on flu prevention which you can search here under the search engine provided in the blog. Quite obviously, COVID-19 is different than anything we've seen previously, yet the same herbal green allies that protect us from the effects of other viruses, including colds and the flu will also have a strong correlation toward protecting us in the case of new and strange pathogens. As with all herbal medicine from a Wise Woman tradition (as my teacher Susun S.Weed refers to it), using these plants will only nourish you and continue to make you stronger and healthier, whether or not you ever get sick. There is no downside to using these safe, local, inexpensive and abundant plants. And remember, prevention is invisible--you may never know exactly why you didn't get sick. Most people will contract this virus and experience only mild or even no symptoms--the people who are at higher risk especially need all the allies they can find.

FIRST LINE:
Elderberry--the herbal superstar for cold and flu prevention and healing--use in every form from jelly to syrup to tincture. Take it daily all winter long as a preventive measure, as well as when you actually have an infection or virus. I've been taking a dose of tincture about 50 drops twice a day; upon rising and before going to bed. Generally, Elderberry isn't always thought of as a protector, but more of a remedy when we are sick, but since this COVID-19 virus is stealthy and we could have it and not show symptoms, I think daily doses of Elderberry are fine. I prefer homemade tincture to anything else.

Linden Flower--make linden flower infusions and drink them frequently during the flu season! I have them almost every morning in place or in addition to my normal tea or coffee. Heat up linden infusion, not to the boiling point, and add honey for a tasty and effective morning drink! Linden is a fantastic upper respiratory ally all year long.

St. John's Wort--nature's herbal viral defender--take it daily during the flu season and even several times a day if you feel you might be exposed to something--use only tincture made from the fresh flowering plants, NOT CAPSULES. If I had to fly, I'd take St. Johns before during and after my flight or whenever I was confined in a closed indoor space or felt I had potentially been exposed to something!

SECONDARY/IF YOU GET SICK:
Echinacea--take only if you are sick, and even though Echinacea is mostly for bacterial infections, it can help during a viral infection by preventing secondary bacterial infections. Take your body weight in drops, divided by half, and take it several times a day and for a few days after you feel better, too. Use only tincture, NOT CAPSULES.

Marshmallow Root Tea and Boneset Tea--are legendary herbal helpers for flu-like infections; marshmallow root helps soothe mucous membranes, and Boneset is an old time, natural fever remedy.

Poke Root--the most powerful herbal ally for those with an active infection--not to be used as a preventative. Take a small dose, between 5 and 20 drops--if no effect, take again in a few hours. Be careful with Poke, as it is very powerful--only take as needed and stop taking when the infection is over. Do not use on children! My teacher recommends 2 drops a day, then 4 the next day, then 8--perhaps up to about 25 drops (which is a huge dose) if you're not getting the response you need.



HELPFUL DIETARY IDEAS:

Vitamin D--a most important protector, especially for pathogens that attack the lungs. Get sun on your face for at least 20 minutes a day, and then when the weather warms, get sun on as much of your skin as possible--20 to 40 minutes a day is sufficient. Vitamin D deficiency is rampant in our society.   

Probiotics/Fermented Foods--eat more yogurt and fermented foods during flu season. Probiotics are the post powerful protection you have against invading pathogens! Sauerkraut is fantastic, inexpensive and available everywhere, for example. I'm sure you have your favorites--personally I love old fashioned plain yogurt!

Garlic--can be used with food on a daily basis to boost your immune system. I'm allergic to it, but if you're not, and don't mind the superb aroma you will emit, go for it. At least you'll keep people away from you in crowded places!

Red Onions--red onions are super for your immune system--you can eat them raw or cooked. I like a raw red onion chopped fine on top of black beans, for example. They contain quercetin, which is a powerful ally for your immune system. I've read not to cut too much off the outside because there is a higher concentration of quercetin towards the outer part of the onion.

Green Tea--is an old standby that most people have around the house, and green tea is a known anti-viral. Add honey and you've got anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties; plus the warm liquid is also good.

Vitamin C--many people like to load up on Vitamin C--I don't endorse supplements here, but if it works for you, use it. I prefer naturally occurring Vitamin C as found in fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon juice. My mom's old family recipe is the juice of one lemon, the juice of one orange, honey, and a pinch of cream of tartar in a quart of water when you're dealing with colds or flu. She calls it "Imperial Drink," and it is very soothing for the throat and quiets coughs. I heard stories that they are using IV vitamin C in China to treat people with the virus. Those doses would be very high.



HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES REALLY WORK:
Homeopathic Flu Remedies--check out Boiron and Umcka's remedies, and have them on hand and, most importantly, use them at the first sign of illness--homepathics work best when you can recognize you might first be getting sick--take them for a few days after and  at regular intervals to allow them to work. There is no hard evidence, as far as I know, but I believe Oscillococcinum might be useful in cases of COVID -19

SOME OTHER IDEAS:
Tone Down /Avoid Overly-Strenuous Workouts--stay out of the gym and tone done your workouts--hard workouts depress your immune system in dramatic ways making you way more susceptible to invading pathogens.

Stay Away from Crowded Indoor Spaces, Especially Air Travel--if you can avoid it, please do so. Nothing worse than an closed off in door space for breeding illness. If I had to be in such a space, I would protect myself with massive doses of St John's Wort tincture before, during and after my time spent in these places.

Be More Aware of Personal Hygiene-health crusader Gary Null said many times he carries a little bottle of alcohol around with him in public places and wipes down any surface areas he comes in contact with--not the worst idea, I think. Probably more effective than masks I'd imagine. And try not to touch your face and eyes if you are out in public places.

Avoid Undue Emotional Stress--emotional stress can greatly weaken the immune system--people can and do die of broken hearts! A severe emotional stress can really limit the ability of your immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria. Fear suppresses your immune response.

Stay Home if You Don't Feel Well--most important is to rest and give your body a fighting chance; staying home also prevents the spread of the illness to others.

Keep Your Kids Home if They're Sick and Keep them Home an Extra Day Even if They Feel Better--I always liked the idea of an extra day home even when the kids feel better. Viruses have a way of rebounding even when you are feeling better, so the extra day is not a bad idea at all. Master Herbalist Paul Bergner recommends rest for every day that you had a fever after the fever has passed to prevent the virus rebound effect, which actually kills many people with COVID-19--they seem to be doing better and then take a turn for the worse.


Good luck and don't panic--fear and anxiety won't help! 

Taking action will make you feel more in control, and, again, most or all of the herbal remedies are good for you whether or not you ever get sick!


Here are some links to videos and podcasts; Susun S. Weed (Wise Woman Approach) Susun Weed also has a free course she is offering--go to www.wisewomanschool.com  You need to register, but then the flu prevention course, "Healthy Immune System Coronavirus Help" is free.
Gary Null (Heroic Healer).