During this unprecedented time living with the threat of the COVID-19 virus, the best protection is to boost your immune system. It may reduce your chances of getting it or if you do, it may reduce the risks to only a mild infection.
The suggestions here apply to the prevention any type of virus during the cold and flu season. Fortunately, most cases of COVID-19 are mild and can usually be managed safely at home. If you have natural remedies on hand it can be treated more quickly at the earliest sign or symptoms of a potential virus. But even before a potential exposure you can focus on supporting your immune system beginning now and staying in good health.
Stay Warm It is known that viruses survive better in colder temperatures than warmer ones. Keep your body temperature warm to help your vital organ function protect you. Wear extra layers and avoid cold drafts and wind. Keep your sleep environment warm too so your organs can rest and be restored during the night. Wear socks, legwarmers, and a cap to help prevent the loss of body heat even when you are indoors. Warm up outside. Sunshine is not only warming but it increases “feel good” brain endorphins. You can keep your interior organs warmer by drinking and eating foods that are warming. Use warming spices in your cooking like cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger.
Ginger is a potent anti inflammatory and can be used in many different ways. An organic root can be kept in the freezer and grated easily into any food or tea. Smaller slices of the root can be boiled in water to make ginger tea or added to soups. It can also be taken in capsules or sprinkled on food in its powder form. At the first signs of a cold or virus like an achy muscles, a slight sore throat, chills, or headache drink lots of ginger tea, bundle up in warm clothes and feel the sweat. Inducing a sweat will interrupt the viral attacking pattern and push it out through your sweat pores. Sweating it out really means letting your pores open to release the virus that is trying to go deeper. Sitting in a sauna, steam, hot bath, or shower can also help but be sure not to get chilled afterwards. Get extra rest and avoid excess exertion of any kind once you feel the slightest viral symptoms.
Anti Viral Remedies The sooner early symptoms are treated there is less of a chance of it going deeper and infiltrating the lungs or causing sinus and lung infections. There are many anti viral remedies to consider. Proven studies have shown Vitamin C especially at high doses have protective action against viruses. It has been used safely intravenously in doses as high as 50,000 mg to ward off disease. A commonly recommended oral dose is 2000mg 1 or 2 times daily. In its fat soluble form a smaller dose is needed for the same effect. A Chinese herbal formula simply known as Yin Qiao if taken at the first signs of a virus can act quickly to suppress symptom onset. It is a combination of herbs that include forsythia bud (lian qiao) and honeysuckle flower (jin yin hua) which have potent anti viral effects. Elderberry or Sambucus is known to be a good antiviral remedy but only if it’s an extract made by an ultra filtration method preserves the active ingredient anthocyanins.
Inflammation: Cytokine Storm After the first symptoms of a virus appears the aim of the treatment is to prevent it from going “viral” or deeper into the cellular tissues. A cytokine storm causes inflammatory proteins to signal increased viral replication and damage to the lungs and kidneys. Studies have shown that flavanoids like those found in fat soluble Curcumin and Resveratrol, plus Quercetin can reduce the spread of the virus. I also recommend traditional Chinese herbal formulas that are individualized for each person and contain a combination of herbs that treat the deeper organs. Some herbs contain potent anti viral actions which can control adverse effects and damage to the respiratory system.
Prevention and Immune Support While you are symptom free is the best time to review what you are doing to support your own innate immune system. Start by eating more organic, nutrient rich foods and avoid toxic exposures. Nutritional supplements support the immune system and build your reserves to defend yourself against a virus.
- Vitamin D3 (with K2) 5,000 iu daily (check blood levels)
- Zinc picolinate 30mg
- Selenium (methionine) 200mcg
- Glutathione (fat soluble or Acetyl L form)
- Medicinal mushroom like Coriolus, Shitake, Reishi, Cordyceps
- Astragalus
To stay up to date on current recommendations by the CDC about COVID-19 visit: https://www.cdc.gov Nutrition based medicine updates from my friend and colleague: https://drhoffman.com/
