HEALTH
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I just wanted to put some thoughts on paper of different things that might help you during this very strange time that we are living through. Please contact me if you would like to have an on-line consultation of if you need any herbal mixes. I can also arrange for you to obtain supplements from the Natural Dispensary with a discount.
At the present moment there are no vitamins, minerals, herbs, nutrients or other natural medicines that have been shown in human clinical trials to prevent or treat Covid-19. This is a relatively new virus and there has been no time to do these tests.
While some natural medicines in the form of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other nutrients can help enhance immunity, such measures should not replace social distancing or self isolating.
A good strategy is to help you build a strong immune foundation and this is the basis for staying healthy in general and should be a year-round strategy - not just during flu season or when there is a threat of a novel previously unknown virus. This is, by far, the best prevention and protection.
Ayurveda understands that having your Doshas in balance and no Ama in your body is the best prevention from flu or other virus.
Good gut health: A large percentage of the immune system is in the gut so it makes sense to ensure your gut health is as good as possible. This means a plentiful supply of beneficial bacteria. Take a probiotic every day with at least 20 billion live cultures per capsule of mixed strains of lactobacillus and bifidus species. A healthy microbiome assists in good health. Saccharomyces Boulardii can be used as an alternative at a dose of 3 Billion thrice daily.
- Balanced stress hormones: Get a good night’s sleep to boost your immunity and do not overwork yourself as stress harms your ability to fight viruses.
- Deep breathing is a useful way to de-stress as shallow breathing when anxious affects the sympathetic nervous system and accesses the ‘fight or flight’ response whereas deep breathing accesses the parasympathetic nervous system and induces relaxation.
- A tea or tincture for relaxation could include any of the following herbs – Rose, Skullcap, lemon balm, lime blossom, passion flower, Californian poppy, oats,. A sleep mix depending on your doshic type might include Valerian, Californian poppy, wild lettuce. Zizyphus (particularly good for night sweats), skullcap and chamomile.
Adaptogens: herbs that increase your ability to maintain optimal balance in the face of physical or emotional stress – exactly what we need at this present time and they are also useful for modulating the immune system. Herbs that fall under this category are Rhodiola rosea, Reishi mushroom, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Schisandra chinensis, Amla (Emblica officinalis), Astragalus membranaceus, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Olive (Olea europea), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum – providing you are not taking western medication).
Eat foods that are good for your immune system: Avoid processed foods and focus on fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins which should preferably be organic. Support the removal of toxins by eating lots of cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, salad greens, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, horseradish, watercress, all of which boost the detoxification system in your liver. Eat as many mushrooms as possible as they are very useful for building immunity and some are anti-viral. Shitake mushrooms which can be obtained in supermarkets has an anti-viral action and potentiates the immune system.
Supplements
Suggested adult dosage:
- Vitamin C: 3,000 milligrams (or more) daily, in divided doses. Vitamin C helps reduce the inflammatory effect of Covid-19.
- Vitamin D3: 2,000 International Units daily. (Start with 5,000 IU/day for two weeks, then reduce to 2,000) consider having a test to determine needs. ere
- Vitamin A: 6,000 International Units daily.
- Zinc: 20 mg daily
- Selenium: 100 mcg (micrograms) daily
Additional supplements to consider to boost your immunity:
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): A useful supplement for preventing cold and flu. NAC is widely used in the medical community for a number of conditions , and has good clinical data that shows it to be helpful for patients with chronic respiratory illnesses ( and so it is very useful for treating respiratory viral illnesses). It also converts to Glutathione, the body’s most powerful antioxidant. The usual recommended dosage is 900 milligram capsules or tablets – start with one twice daily and increase to two twice daily if needed.
Whey Protein Powder is high in immunoglobulins that boost your immune system.
Essential oils in baths, burners, and mixed into home made hand sanitizers – lavender, tea tree, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, lemon, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, clove. A good anti-viral mix might contain the following: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Eucalyptus smithii, Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi) and Carrot Seed (Daucus carota).
A mix of these oils can be used in the following way:
- In an aromatherapy burner or diffuser – great for building immunity around the home or at work.
- In a steam inhalation – this is one of the best ways of getting the therapeutic oils into the body (via the blood-rich lining of the lungs) and for treating respiratory infections. As this is a virus that affects the lungs, this treatment is particularly useful and eucalyptus essential oil should be added to the mix
- In an aromatherapy inhaler – ideal for use when out and about. Alternatively pop a few drops on a tissue and sniff regularly throughout the day.
- For massage - the therapeutic oils are absorbed into the blood stream via the skin.
- In hand washes and alcohol-based hand sanitisers to improve hygiene and increase protection. NHS guidelines state that washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the most effective way to protect against the current coronavirus, but remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitiser is recommended as a back-up if soap and water aren’t available.
Recipe for a hand sanitizer:
Combine in a bowl:
200ml Aloe vera gel
100ml isopropyl alcohol which can be bought on E Bay
25ml almond/Jojoba or coconut oil
40 drops essential oil such as 10 drops each of tea tree, lavender, lemon and eucalyptus
10 drops of vitamin E oil (this is not absolutely necessary but helps to hydrate the skin)
Stir. Decant into a clean soap or pump bottle.
Anti-viral herbs:
The goal of herbal medicine is to target the virus with herbs known to inhibit viral replication, to provide additional immune support with herbs specific to acute infections, and to provide the body with herbs that down-regulate the overactive immune response referred to as the ‘cytokine storm’. As well, many herbal compounds are effective at reducing NF-kappaB and reduce inflammation.
Licorice, thyme, ginger, garlic, elderberry, Andropgraphis, Neem, Astragalus, Echinacea, Baical skullcap.
Propolis - The antiviral properties of propolis help to fight the virus, and the sticky resin adheres to the mucous membranes in the throat, delivering the antiviral action precisely where the viruses take hold and multiply.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) - During the severe pandemic of 1918-19 it was one of the safest and most successful remedies employed and contributed to the successful management of the disease. It was also used as a prophylactic as it was found that people who took it freely apparently escaped the virus.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - traditionally combined with boneset, elderflower, and peppermint for easing the fever that accompanies viral attacks. It diffuses and channels heat by inducing perspiration, an essential process for quickly overcoming fever. In addition, the anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties of yarrow help to fight viruses.
Hydration
Some useful advice from Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases: Everyone should ensure that your mouth and throat are moist, never dry. Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus. If you do not drink enough water more regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and into the lungs.
Keep hydrated –filtered water, herbs teas especially those including ginger, thyme, sage and licorice would be especially useful. It is also suggested that warm/hot drinks are better and that iced drinks are not recommended.
Pomegranates have high levels of polyphenols) and may be a rich source of compounds with antiviral activity.
Exercise - Moderate exercise boosts immunity, but don’t overdo it, as overly strenuous exercise can suppress the immune system.
Do something new
In our busy lives we often do not get the time to do something we have always wished to do, so here is your opportunity!
Be positive - US President Franklin D. Roosevelt picked up on this theme and called people to courage and action when he restated Bacon's line and famously championed "we have nothing to fear but fear itself." We know that opportunities arise from adversity so let’s take up the challenge and do something special with this unprecedented time out that we have been given – spend more time with our families if we are lucky enough to be self-isolating together, find a new hobby, learn to meditate, listen to beautiful music, garden, relax and smell the roses.
For those people recovering from Covid19: Reduce inflammation by using anti-inflammatory herbs such as Rosemary, lemon balm, feverfew, passionflower, Withania, turmeric and ginger. Consider using Hawthorn in a tea or tincture as a tonic for the heart. Elecampane is a tonic for the lungs
From a member of the Stanford hospital board.
Someone affected by the new Coronavirus may not show any sign of infection for many days. How do we know if we are infected? By the time we have fever and/or cough and go to the hospital, the lung is usually 50% fibrosed. Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning. Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no fibrosis in the lungs and basically indicates no infection.
(For legal reasons, the creators/owner of the website has to state that this is not official advice provided by them but by an independent health expert).