Everyone is talking about the Corona virus and for good reason…

Although it is not fully understood how deadly or otherwise this virus is, it is wise to take all precautions possible with your health and hope for the best.

You need to understand, as with any virus, there is no guarantee that you wont get it, but you need to do your best. So I thought I’d share with you some general suggestions that will help and then get into what everyone wants to know which is… What herbs, spices, oils and supplements will make a big difference in your chances of beating or even evading the virus altogether….

So first some general suggestions:

• Avoid public places where ever possible.
• Get good sleep (at least 8 hrs quality sleep).
• Cut out all refined sugar (it depletes vitamin D and compromises the immune system)
• Eat real (home cooked) meals. This means less strangers handling your food and more nutrition.
• Avoid immune suppressing medications like steroids, antihistamines and anti-biotics
• Avoid touching surfaces in public places

OK… now the good stuff:

Let’s get to the good news.

The good news is that when a pandemic strikes, natural medicine can save your life.

When a pandemic strikes, vaccines by definition aren’t working, because… if there was an effective vaccine there wouldn’t be a pandemic in the first place!

And there is also the issue that any vaccine (whether they ultimately work or not) by their very nature lower the immune system and when you are being faced by a serious viral attack, you want your immune system to be in the best shape ever.

SO, let’s get into what can be done to ramp up your immune system…

It is very important to maximize the body’s anti-oxidative capacity and natural immunity to prevent and minimize symptoms both before and when a virus attacks the human body.

Firstly: Preventing a virus is obviously easier than treating severe illness. But treat serious illness seriously. Do not hesitate to seek medical attention as well as natural treatments. It is not an either-or choice. Always check with your health provider that the supplements mentioned here can be used right along with medicines when they are indicated.                                                         

The following inexpensive supplemental levels are recommended for adults and have been have been shown to strengthen the immune system against viruses; for children reduce these in proportion to body weight:

*Vitamin C powder 3-5 grams/day in divided doses the best Vitamin C being ascorbic acid, be aware that at these higher doses you may experience diarrhoea so it is advisable to dose until you experience tummy rumble and then back off slightly.  

The other Vitamin C to consider is Lyposomal C. Lyposomal Vitamin C is designed to be absorbed better then the standard Vitamin C and can be taken at the same time as the standard Vitamin C powder.

Also, if you take high doses of vitamin C to fight a virus, you should not stop taking it abruptly, instead taper off over several weeks, but while ever there is a virus around you need to be taking vitamin C.   If you can get Vitamin C made from whole foods it is much more bio-available then any other form of Vitamin C therefore you need much less and it is potentially better for you, however, you need to be aware that the dosage rate although a lot less is variable depending on the brand of wholefoods V.C. you get!  

*Vitamin A 25,000 iu’s per day for 2 weeks then revert to the manufacturers commended dose.                        

Vitamin A helps build white blood cells and strengthens the cells that create barriers on/in the body. ie skin, gut, lung,etc that help repel viruses and bacteria. *Please note* Do Not take vitamin A at these levels if you are pregnant.

*Vitamin D: 2,000 International Units daily. (Start with 5,000 IU/day for two weeks, then reduce to 2,000)

*Magnesium: take 400 mg daily Magnesium to help absorb Vit D, it’s important to understand that certain nutrients like magnesium, can greatly improve the absorption of vitamin D.  In fact, research shows that to enjoy optimal bone (and heart) health, you’ll definitely want to consider this critical mineral.

*Zinc: 20-100 milligrams/day (supports the thymus) take on an empty stomach Zinc has been proven to be effective against the common cold and is believed to be effective in preventing replication of the cold virus.  And most people are deficient in zinc.

*Selenium: 100 mcg (micrograms) daily The immune system needs selenium to work properly and to help build up the white blood cell count.

*Vitamin E: Although vitamin E is not possessing specific antiviral action, its antioxidant effect plays an important role in lung protection which is particularly relevant with a virus that causes pneumonia.

*CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to significantly enhance the immune system and increase cellular energy.

*Licorice Root Studies have shown that a compound found in liquorice root was more effective in fighting samples of coronavirus from SARS patients than four antiviral drugs. It reduces viral replication, cell absorption of viruses, and the virus’s ability to penetrate cells.

*Iodine/iodide: 25-50 mg/day… If possible get a supplement with both iodine and iodide as iodide helps iodine be metabolized by the body. Most people are deficient in Iodine and it is the main supplement necessary for good Thyroid health and the Thyroid is the main gland of the immune system, so Iodine is a necessary addition to your supplement regime.

*Probiotics: Enteric coated multi strain Probiotics are always helpful in maintaining gut health and good gut health is essential for a healthy immune system.

*Elderberry: helps the immune system (avoid sugar in the syrups…go for caps) A double blind trial proved that elderberry reduces symptoms of influenza and speeds recovery. It also showed elderberry’s ability to enhance immune response with higher levels of antibodies in the blood. It is believed to inhibit a virus’s ability to penetrate healthy cells and protects cells with powerful antioxidants.

*Echinacea has been proven to reduce the severity and duration of viral infections and should be part of everyone’s virus arsenal, however, it can aggravate auto-immune diseases.

*Colloidal multi minerals: Our bodies need optimal amounts of minerals and trace elements to function effectively so a good quality liquid mineral supplement is recommended.  

*Garlic is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial. You can take garlic in capsules or, if you can handle it, chew raw garlic. It not only will help fight the virus, it will help kill any secondary infections trying to take root.

*Colloidal silver is a very effective antibiotic and is believed to interfere with the enzymes that allow viruses (bacteria and fungi as well) to utilize oxygen. It is extremely safe if taken within the recommended dosages for a prolonged period of time. It may be necessary however to take more probiotics to offset the potential for colloidal silver to kill beneficial bacteria.

*Green Tea The flavanoids in green tea are believed to fight viral infections by preventing the virus from entering host cells and by inhibiting replication.

*Olive Leaf Extract: Though double blind clinical trials are needed, olive leaf extract has been shown to inhibit replication of viruses and have very potent antimicrobial and natural anti-viral properties. In one study, 115 of 119 patients had a full and rapid recovery from respiratory tract infections. 

*Pau d’Arco has been used in indigenous medicine for generations. One of its compounds, lapachol, has proven effective against various viruses, including influenza, herpes simplex types I and II, and the polio virus. It is believed to inhibit replication.

*St. John’s Wort has been proven effective against influenza.

*Turmeric: Numerous studies have shown that the curcumin in turmeric possesses a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties, acting, for example, as anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic, while no toxicity is associated with the compound. Recently, curcumin’s antiviral and antibacterial activity was investigated, and it was shown to act against various important human pathogens like the influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV and strains of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.

Alkalise Your Body: An alkaline body is a strong and healthy body, one that can easily ward off illness and prevent disease. Maintaining an alkaline body is directly related to how healthy we are and how good we feel. However, keeping ourselves alkaline isn’t always easy. Thanks to processed food, environmental stressors, medications, excess sugar, and too much caffeine, our bodies can become overly acidic, making us more susceptible to disease and illness.

One easy and effective way to prevent these stressors is through diet. Flooding your cells with immune boosting alkaline foods decreases inflammation, balances your PH, and strengthens your immune system and if you want to alkalyse your body rapidly there is no better way to do it then by taking 1/3 tsp of sodium bicarbonate (bi-carb of soda) every day.

Immune building:

• Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant, essential for the function of 5 enzymes involved in glucose and amino acid metabolism. ALA is both a coenzyme and a potent antioxidant. Mitochondria, our cells energy generators, use ALA for both protection and to generate cellular energy. Being Active in both the water and the fatty compartments of cells, ALA fights free radicals throughout the body.
• The Pomegranates have been known for their numerous health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viruses properties. Research indicates that pomegranates and their extracts may serve as natural alternatives due to their potency against a wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens.
• Glutathione is a small peptide molecule composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. It is produced by every cell of the body, with especially high levels in the liver.  Glutathione is critical for healthy immune system function and is necessary for proper detoxification processes. It also plays a critical role in maintaining cellular health by directly neutralizing free radicals, as well as by maintaining the activity of vitamins C and E.
• Mushrooms. there are around 16 varieties of mushrooms that have been studied and shown to significantly boost the immune system. If you are including mushrooms in your virus strategy you need to look for a reputable brand with as many varieties of mushrooms included in it as possible.
• Chlorella is a potent superfood made from two species of freshwater algae native to Taiwan and Japan. First discovered by Dutch microbiologist Martinus Willem Beijerinck in 1890, chlorella is known not just for its distinctive earthy taste and aroma, but also – and perhaps more importantly, for its incred ible nutritional value and immunity-boosting content.  Given Chlorella’s potency as a superfood, its ability to encourage the body to release heavy metals and the amount of nutrients it has, experts say it is best if you ease it into your diet slowly. Start with a small dose of two Chlorella tablets, or, if you’re taking it in powdered form, about a teaspoon’s worth of Chlorella powder, and observe your body’s reaction. If all goes well, you can continue with the dosage and increase the amount gradually.

Essential oils for viruses

If including essential oils into your virus protection program, you need to do your research on the best method of using each oil. Essentially, some oils can be taken by mouth and some applied to the skin. And while all oils can be utilized in a diffuser situation to cleanse the air you breath as well as your body, you need to use a water diffuser because any diffuser that works by heating the oils is also ruining the therapeutic actions of that oil, therefore rendering it useless in eliminating airborne or bodily viruses.

The best oils to consider for viral control would include the following:

• Bergamot oil is effective against flu viruses as a vapour after just 10 minutes of exposure.
• Eucalyptus oil shows anti-viral activity as a vapour.
• Red thyme oil is effective against flu viruses.
• Cinnamon leaf oil also shows antiviral activity.
• Tea tree oil has been shown to be effective against the flu virus within 5 to 10 minutes of exposure. 
• Lemon oil is also shown to prevent the avian influenza (bird flu) virus from reproducing.
• Oregano oil is used to treat cold and flu symptoms, but it can be consumed in different forms depending on your preference. It can be purchased as an herbal supplement, tincture, or essential oil.
• Thieves oil is known to reduce stress, neutralize bacterial and viral pathogens, improve digestion, strengthen bones and reduce inflammation, as well as lowering fevers AND strengthening the respiratory system.

If using oils on the skin, dilute 1 drop in approx 1 tsp of olive, coconut or similar oil. Apply to desired area as needed.

If Diffusing: At least 10 minutes 3 times daily.

Remember that the best defense is a good offense. A healthy diet based on nutrient dense foods, exercise to move your lymph and aid your immune system, as well as good quality sleep will build a strong, healthy immune system. A strong immune system will fight off viruses without you even knowing the battle ever took place.

Homeopathy:

There is a homeopathic remedy available for the corona virus, so I suggest asking your homeopath if they can source this for you

Another option for general airborne colds, flu’s or viruses can be the use of the homeopathic remedy known as  Arsenicum Album 200CK. The dosing recommended is 2 pills given once per a week during the current flu season, or during a widespread viral outbreak, especially if there are active influenza, or other flu viruses in the direct community.  This remedy may also help to prevent the current Coronavirus.

About Homeopathy For Treating Actual Coronavirus

Advice from those homeopaths treating actual cases of Coronavirus with homeopathy in Hong Kong is the use of Gelsemium 30C or 200C.

The Gelsemium homeopathic remedy can help with common viral symptoms including lethargy, respiratory symptoms, weakness, fever and other flu or viral respiratory symptoms.  Gelsemium is well known for its anti-viral properties and has been used for over 200 years.

Another acute care remedy for the homeopathic treatment of  those with actual flu like symptoms and with a flu/virus presentation is Oscillococcinum. This is the most commonly used homeopathic flu nosode that is made from duck liver. This remedy is used for actual cases of flu or flu-like symptoms. It is recommended to purchase  Oscilloccoccinum 200CK.

Oscillococcinum was successfully used by homeopaths during the SARS – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic. SARS affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8,000 cases in 2003.

Things that can kill you:

Antacid drugs like Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid should be avoided at all costs!
In a pandemic, use of these popular antacid drugs can actually lead to your death. How? A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concludes that these PPI drugs significantly increase the risk of deadly pneumonia.
These acid-suppressing medications, it turns out, are linked to a 30 percent increase in the risk of acquired pneumonia. And if you’re suffering from something like the corona virus, pneumonia is the most common cause of death.

And one last suggestion….