Coronavirus is a big concern, to say the least. Many of us never noticed the name listed on the back of the Lysol can until now. I have been studying Stephen Buhner’s Anti-Viral book, the Herbal Treatment for Coronavirus Infections PDFs, Pubmed and attended several webinars hosted by doctors far and herbalist near. I want to share what I have learned about SARS-Cov-2 and what my family will use to help with the COVID-19 infection. This post is an evolving work in progress as more information comes from physicians, medical journals, lab studies, experienced herbalists and the news. Is this all to know? Absolutely not.
The Science explained as simple as it can be.
Interestingly, SARS-Cov-2 – is the virus but when it’s an active infection becomes Covid-19. “The Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses which have the largest genome of all viruses. Like most RNA viruses they regularly engage in the recombination of their genetic code – that is they continually make new variants of themselves. Viruses 2 are one of the most highly adaptable organisms on this planet.” -Stephen Buhner
At this time there are seven or so coronaviruses that infect people, but there are dozens of coronaviruses. Like the influenza organisms, COVID-19 virus primarily affects the lungs and is spread most often through coughing, sneezing and by direct touch. Also, the virus has a long survival rate on surfaces. Many people who are infected have minor or no symptoms, so that they act as unknown carriers, spreading the virus throughout the population.
How long can SARS-CoV-2 live on surfaces?
On March 17th the New England Journal of Medicine, published the study on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can live in the air and on surfaces between several hours and several days. The study found that the virus is viable for up to 72 hours on plastics, 48 hours on stainless steel, 24 hours on cardboard, and 4 hours on copper. It is also detectable in the air for three hours. When reviewing this study, my thoughts went to the floor in public places. We have always practiced taking our shoes off before entering our home. Now we have running errand shoes that stay outside and are disinfected. Also, when arriving home, we go straight to the bathroom, shower and wash clothes in hot water immediately.
“SARS-CoV-2 was more stable on plastic and stainless steel than on copper and cardboard, and viable virus was detected up to 72 hours after application to these surfaces, although the virus titer was greatly reduced (from 103.7 to 100.6 TCID50 per milliliter of medium after 72 hours on plastic and from 103.7 to 100.6 TCID50 per milliliter after 48 hours on stainless steel). The stability kinetics of SARS-CoV-1 were similar (from 103.4 to 100.7 TCID50 per milliliter after 72 hours on plastic and from 103.6 to 100.6 TCID50 per milliliter after 48 hours on stainless steel). On copper, no viable SARS-CoV-2 was measured after 4 hours and no viable SARS-CoV-1 was measured after 8 hours. On cardboard, no viable SARS-CoV-2 was measured after 24 hours and no viable SARS-CoV-1 was measured after 8 hours.” – New England Journal of Medicine.
What can you do now?
I think the White House briefings have been clear on what we need to do during a self-quarantine. The elderly and the Immune Compromised or people with underlying conditions, need to stay home. No more than 10 people gather at one time. Therefore that means, no eating inside restaurants, no travel, no shopping, and no social visits. These recommendations are hard to follow especially when we are accustomed to doing what we want and when want. More importantly, they are necessary at this time.
Stay Hydrated
Thomas Easley with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine wrote an excellent post with an overview of caring for yourself before symptoms occur. Thomas recommends staying hydrated, 6-12 cups of fluid a day, vary from person to person. Drink enough fluids to urinate 6-8 times a day. Keep a watchful eye on the color of your urine. Your goal is to have clear urine throughout the day. Hydration is important to produce the right amount of mucus. A healthy amount of mucus in the body aids in the protection against pathogens. “Mucus is over 90% water, but also contains proteins, salts, immune cells, and mucins. It’s such an important part of our immune response the average person produces more than a liter of mucus a day. Mucins are proteins covered in chains of sugar that stick out like bristles on a brush, allowing them to attach to each other to form gels and create a strong barrier against microbes. Microbes get stuck in the mucin gel, allowing enzymes and immune cells to kill or isolate the pathogens. When pathogens make it past the first layer of defense (snot) and infect mucosal tissue the body ramps up mucus production to try to expel the invaders.” -Thomas Easley. I encourage you to go read Thomas’ post linked above to learn more about the amazing abilities of mucus. It not always a bad thing!
Changing the Diet for the maximum Vitamin and Mineral consumption
Let’s talk about nutrition. A healthy diet is the first step to a healthy immune system. You need whole foods that contain protein and Vitamins A, C, D, B2, B6 and B12, folate, iron, selenium, and zinc.
My family uses Cod Liver oil for Vitamin A. Roselle Hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, for Vitamin C. I grow Hibiscus in the garden. We make teas and cold treats with the dried flowers. We have a few family members including myself who struggle with Vitamin D levels. Going outside into the beautiful sunshine helps your body convert the many chemicals such as cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol into Vitamin D3. When that’s not enough for me I supplement up to 25,000IU for a short time. My maintenance dosage is typically 10,000IU. Even so, that is what I have needed to come close to the average blood levels of 50-60ng/mL. Each to their own. Some people will not need that supplementation. Our Vitamin Bs come from multiple sources one being Bee Pollen. I mix Bee Pollen in my smoothie. Folate is tricky for us. We have an MTHFR mutation. Which means synthetic or enriched folic acid is not for my family. We need folate from green leafy veggies. What other Vitamins do we receive from green veggies? Iron, Selenium, and Zinc. If you must supplement Zinc it is recommended to use the Zinc drops.
My favorite infusions contain Nettles, Urtica dioica. Nettles are a way to pack in the daily vitamins, minerals and fatty acids with little effort.
Avoid sugar. I know its hard. Studies have shown sugar decreases immunity fighting ability by 50% for hours, if not days! Say no to sugar.
Cleaning the body inside out
Of all times for this pandemic, Spring. Spring in the herbal world is the time for cleaning the systems. When I am spring cleaning my home, I focus on cleaning my body as well. The lymph system, liver, and bowels. As I mention, Nettles above I add to it, my green powder mix. This contains all sorts of grasses, alfalfa, spinach, kelp, moringa, beets, chlorella, and dandelion. Dandelion is a spring first food for us and the bees. Learn to embrace the dandelions in your yard. I have a Coffee Toffee blend in the shop. It contains dandelion and chicory to help support the liver. It is one of my favorites.
One more Cleaver, Gallium aparine. Cleavers make an excellent spring tonic. As an alterative, it restores proper function to the body and overall health by promoting the ability of the body to eliminate waste through the main elimination channels of the kidneys, skin, liver, or lungs (Hoffmann, 2003). As a lymphatic, Cleavers supports or stimulates the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system. To help clean the Lymph system get the fluid to moving with physical activity. Rebounding, jumping on the trampoline, running, even simple stretching or yoga.
As the SARS-CoV-2 has entered our local area. We are taking my Anti-Viral Formulas made with recommended herbs from Stephen Buhner.
Other steps to take to protect yourself from SARS-CoV-2 is hand washing. Gargling with salt water or vinegar every day. Drinking frequently hot liquids as often as every 20 minutes to keep the throat wet and viruses moving to the stomach. Another way to remove the viruses from the upper respiratory system is nasal washes.
Herbalists agree, different stages of progression with COVID-19 infection.
SARS, Cov-2 has a three-stage impact on lung tissue.
When the Cov-19 infections become serious this is how it can affect the lungs. Once in the lungs, the virus infects specific cells, among them the cilia. During infection, SARS viruses often kill the cilia they infect which allows debris and fluids to build up in the lungs. When the infection becomes this serious the immune system can become highly activated. This sends large numbers of immune cells to the lungs to stop the infection, clear out the debris, and heal the tissues. During the infection, the affected cells send out chemicals known as cytokines. Cytokines’ responses in the human body often involve inflammation, which is normal. When the immune system can’t control the infection a cytokine storm can occur. With the SARS-group of viruses, the damage usually occurs in the lungs. Cytokine storms can spread throughout the body affecting the liver and kidneys.
These viruses attach to a specific enzyme called ACE-2. When ACE-2 can’t function properly we will see cellular tissue damage in the lungs, spleen, lymph nodes and kidneys. Another issue with this type of viral infection is hypoxia. When the ciliated cells are damaged they cannot move mucous out of the lungs. Therefore inhibiting proper oxygen levels. –Stephen Buhner, Stephen Buhner’s Anti-Viral and Anti-Bacterial books are packed full of information on the application of these herbals listed above. Stephen is one of the leading voices in Herbal Medicine. His books have been published for years. Stephen has been very generous on FB answering all of our questions.
Let’s look at the Lymph and spleen tissues. The protection of spleen and lymph is essential. These viruses work to inhibit the production of active T cells, really preventing the maturity of the T cell. This allows the virus to severely damage the lymph organs in the lungs.
Natural Protocols for SARS-group Viral Infections, Including COV-19
Let’s look at the medicinal plants that counteract the SARS group of viruses. What is needed, are plants that have the following ability to be effective in these areas:
Plants specifically antiviral for the SARS-group of viruses; the strongest known so far are Chinese skullcap root, licorice, the fruit of Forsythia suspensa, Sophora and Red Spider Lily. Japanese Honeysuckle and Japanese Knotweed are also effective as antivirals for coronaviruses.
Block viral attachment to ACE-2 linkages. Licorice, Chinese Skullcap root, Elder, Luteolin and Horse Chestnut, Japanese knotweed root and Cinnamon.
Upregulate and protect ACE-2 expression, increase its activity, and lower Ang-2. Dan Shen, Hawthorn, and Kudzu.
Modulate cytokine responses. Dan Shen, Dong Quai, Astragalus, Japanese knotweed, Chinese skullcap, Cordyceps spp. Kudzu and Boneset.
Protect the lungs from hypoxia. Rhodiola.
Protect the Cilia. Cordyceps, olive oil and leaf and any berberine contain plants and Bidens Pilosa.
Reduce autoimmunity and increase healthy immune function. Rhodiola, Astragalus, and Cordyceps.
Protect the endothelial cells. Japanese knotweed root.
Protect the spleen and lymph system. Redroot, poke root and Chinese skullcap root, Bidens Pilosa.
Stimulate DC maturation and increase T cell count. Licorice, red root, elder and zinc.
In my formula, I added Reishi. Why did I choose Reishi? Reishi is particularly useful for people with hypersensitivity, especially in the lungs in those with allergies or asthma, and reduces inflammation and increases the activity of helper T-cells in the immune airways. A few preliminary studies have also shown reishi to benefit the airways, although clinical trials are needed to study this effect more in humans. An adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress, reishi boosts general immune system strength through its action as an immunomodulator and immunostimulant. It is specifically indicated in chronic stress with weakened conditions, like recurrent infections. As an immune system modulator, it can both strengthen the body’s natural defenses or “down-regulate” overactive response in people with an autoimmune disorder. Reishi may also have anti-viral effects, and as part of a mixture of other herbs, has been shown to shorten the duration patients with the herpes simplex virus.
Other Herbalist weight-in on COVID-19 recommendations
Matthew Wood states Coronavirus should be thought of as a disease of damp pestilence. To sign up for Matthew Wood’s free classes click here, Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism.
7 Song, recommends prevention and immune tonic, that includes any of these mushrooms and herbs like Changa, Echinacea root, Marshmallow root, Reishi, Rosemary, Schisandra, and Turkey tails. For 7 songs PDF click here.
Dr. Thomas Garran in Beijing, China shared in a webinar on COVID-19 on TCM protocol formulas. In TCM two Theories, The Shang hen and the Wen bing. Shang Han has 6 stages. The Wen bing has 4 aspects and borrows from the Shang han adding the clarification of the spread of pathogens. Dr. Garran discussed the general signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Not all people will experience all symptoms but a mix of such.
- fever
- fatigue
- soreness of the muscles
- feeling of heaviness in the body
- poor appetite
- loose stools
- cough
- chest oppression
- urgent breathing
- greasy tongue coating
Dr. Garren also recommended a two formula type of protocol. Emphasizing on the Hot/Cold constitutions of the patient as she or he moves through the stages of the COVID-19 infection.
Formula one concentrated on cooling Diaphoretics such as Kudzu Root. Diaphoretics that are not so drying. In the beginning there is external pathogens causing heat and constraint. Watch for a damp-heat pattern in the lungs. The dampness will encumber the spleen and stomach.
A list of cooling herbs:
- Forsythia fruit
- Glycyrrhiza
- Scutellaria baicalensis root
- Scrophularia
- Isatis
- Gypsum
Subsitutions for the above:
- Asclepius tuberosa
- Sambucus nigra
- Angelica sp.
- Echinacea
Second Formula focuses on the pathogen in the lungs. We have moved from the exterior to the interior. At this time fever, cough, thirst and other symptoms mentioned above.
A list of herbs to clear heat and dampness:
- Apricot Seed
- Licorice
- Gypsum
- Agastache
- Eupatorium
- Atratylodes
- Amomum
- Morus
- Isatis tinctoris
- Eriobotrya
Substitutions for the above formula 2:
- Rosmarianus, Rosemary
- Prunus, Cherry bark
- Monarda
- Osmorrhiza
- Cardamom
- Verbascum
- Marrubium
- Echinacea to clear heat and resolves toxin
Honorable mentions:
- Inula helenium, Elecampane for dampness, phlegm, cough. As well as strengthens the spleen.
- Usnea
- Lobelia in small dosages for a tight chest
- Hyssop in large hand full dosages in tea form
- Yarrow
- Bidens pilosa
- Grindelia, Gumweed
These formulas can be taken as a tea, decoction or tincture.
Many of Dr. Thomas Garran’s herbal recommendations echo Stephen Buhner’s recommendations in the Anti-Viral book and PDFs. I feel Dr. Garran’s concern with the application of herbal medicine was the importance of the ideal herb for the situation that is presenting itself. Such as to much heat at the wrong time or over-drying the system at the wrong stage of illness. Dr. Garran when answering a question said no Tylenol.
Why acetaminophen, aspirin or NSAIDS during an acute COVID-19
Aspirin and NSAID may promote low white blood cell count and increased mortality rate in an animal study. When aspirin, acetaminophen was used in an experiment of influenza patients mortality increase 34%. Not forget that Acetaminophen decreases glutathione production. Paul Bergner, director of North American Institute of Medical Herbalism gathered resources on this topic in a PDF, Antipyretic Therapy and acute viral infection.
Darryl Patton weighs in
Our local Southern Herbalist hosted a webinar series on COVID-19. A few of his recommendations reflected our local resources.
- 50/50 Sassafras and Yellow Root
- Golden Seal
- Dogwood
- Elder
- Poke Root
- Nettles
- Pine
- Black Walnut
- Absinthe
- Wormwood
- Rabbit Tobacco and Mountain Mint Steam
- Mullein
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Mix together 2/3 cup of EverClear and 1/3 Aloe Vera gel. Use as often as needed.
Until next update, Be well!
We are all learning as we walk through this pandemic. Take the time to release stress. Spend time being quiet. Get lots of rest.
AS ALWAYS: Due diligence is required before ingesting herbs and mushrooms.
Yarrow at HHG Elecampane at HHG Purple Coneflower in garden
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