Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Natural Medicine
Our Founder and Master Herbalist, Toyia A. Mays, has been featured on the local new in Kansas City for raising awareness about the natural ways to reduce effects and exposure to COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. This blog was written during the first wave. Since then, we have helped countless individuals prepare their immune systems and fight off the virus!
The COVID-19 outbreak has presented us with a challenge on a personal level that we haven’t seen in a century. We are different now. We have social media exploding information that is scary or nonchalant. We spoke with our Master Herbalist on the virus, and here’s what Kahla knows right now.
@ CDC
First, no one has a cure for this virus. Many people will contract the virus and have cold or flu like symptoms and recover just fine. However, there are many people that cannot fight this virus due to age, chronic conditions or those taking immune-suppressing drugs. As of this writing, we are beginning to see complications in younger and younger people. Because we have no cure, we MUST work on our immune systems to keep from getting the virus or in easing its symptoms and lung damaging results, which is not even being talked about yet. When symptoms become too severe, the hospital provides intravenous fluids, oxygen, and as a last resort, a ventilator. Ventilators cause lung damage but can save a life. Therefore, social distancing is so important in these beginning stages. Personally, I think the virus has been rising since at least December and many of us have already had it, thinking we had the flu.- Kahla Wheeler-Rowan
No herbalist has treated this virus before, so we are all working off experience of our collective gained knowledge. No doctor has treated this virus before, so they too are learning as we see progression and working off experience of symptoms.
What We Know
The virus lives in cold areas of the body, like the nose/sinuses.
The virus starts with a rather dry cough in early stages.
Following the cough, if not remedied, the virus turns damp.
This virus creates a large amount of mucous in its damp stage that adheres to the core areas of the human body.
This dampness creates extreme toxicity & brings fever to the body.
The herbs that we are carefully recommending (and in some cases customizing for our pre-existing conditions clients) are ones that we have experience with and know their therapeutic actions. Herbalists can help with boosting immune system, protecting the thermo-regulating shield of our mucosa.
Matthew Wood (renowned Herbalist) explains that we must move the heat away from our core and to the skin as our largest eliminating organ. Herbalists do not cure diseases, we work with the body’s natural systems and the therapeutic action of herbal compounds.
These are suggestions that can help you to be proactive. One does not need to take all of these plants or substances. As Kahla always says, “The Wise Woman uses what she has,” or in this case, what she can find.
Ways To Boost Your Immune System
Mushrooms are immune booster on steroids, but you must have the right mushrooms. While button mushrooms and portabellos taste great, the real medicinal mushrooms are reishi, maitake, shitake, cordyceps, lion’s mane and chaga. Making a nice mushroom broth that can be used in many recipes is a great way to include these in your diet. If you don’t like mushrooms, these are available in capsule.
Astragalus is a Chinese root that boosts the immune system from the T-cell organ, the thymus. The root resembles a tongue depressor and can be added to soups, broths, rice and stews or really anything that has water in it. The immune strengthening polysaccharides are then infused into the liquid and the whole family gets a boost. It is wise to discontinue use when a fever is present.
Garlic, garlic, garlic, get some garlic in your life every day. This can be cooked or roasted garlic to help with immune function overall. We want garlic raw when working with cardiovascular disease but when its immune related, cooked is okay. I break apart the bulb into cloves, toss in olive oil and roast in the oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. You can easily pinch out the soft clove, then add it to the soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, chili, casseroles or whatever. This also goes for onions.
See below for the recipe on 52 Clove Potato Soup!
Horseradish is known for clearing the sinus and releasing heat through the skin. If you like horseradish eat it daily as a condiment. If you don’t take it in fire cider. We are trying to enhance the thermogenic mucosa within your entire body but especially the core.
Elderberry is wonderful to take as a daily tonic, especially during cold and flu season. There has been much discussion about using elderberry with this particular virus. Elderberry has a chemical compound that may contribute to an immune inflammatory response called a cytokine storm. We have no clinical evidence that this will happen. The chemical constituent could create an over inflammatory response, but it is mostly in the leaves of the plant rather than the berries or flowers. Even so, it is suggested that once active symptoms appear, discontinue use of elderberry until symptoms subside.
Citrus is a great source of vitamin C and, more importantly, it clears mucous from the core. There is some evidence that this virus moves away from citrus (vitamin C) so enjoy an orange, grapefruit, kiwi or other citrus fruits.
Ginger is warming and diffusive, meaning it moves heat from the core to the skin. This action also moves water. The medicinal action is diaphoretic meaning that it makes us sweat. Sweating is a way to move toxins from the core to the skin where it can be washed for brushed away. The virus begins dry and becomes wet, so moving water is essential. The warming aspects of ginger helps reduce fevers but does not break it and is very comforting.
Echinacea boosts the immune system by contributing to the first line of defense. It has been used for centuries. Just like elderberry, echinacea is immune modulating which means it heightens our resistance. It also includes the same chemical compound as elderberry but to a much lesser degree. It is very doubtful that echinacea might incite a cytokine storm. Additionally, it has a mild antibacterial that can further support the mucosa.
Immunity Chai
Astragalus
Cinnamon
Ginger
Black pepper
Cardamom
and other warming herbs in coconut milk. This is a tasty way to take warming herbs without adding to mucous buildup, like milk can.
Once The Virus Is Present
As stated above, once the virus is present it will move through a few phases. It enters through the least warm cavities of the body and sets in toxicity. Once the virus becomes toxic, it will start to form mucous in the body and damp heat sets in. Here is a list of herbs to support your body in expelling this toxicity and mucous through the body’s largest organ… the skin!
Lobelia is a well-known prairie plant that has that is anti-viral and diaphoretic. It is a muscle relaxant for the entire respiratory system so it stops spasms brought on by coughing. It does not need to be taken in large doses which can cause vomiting.
Elecampane is called for with this virus. It is mucilaginous which is soothing but at the same time, it helps mucous become more fluid so that it can be moved out of the body. It is also anti-microbial so it may help reduce the virus load in the body. As a warming, digestive bitter, it contributes to easing the stomach, releases gas and is also diaphoretic.
Osha, much like lobelia, is an antiviral and diaphoretic coming from the mountain regions. It is especially known for relaxing smooth muscle in the respiratory tract calming coughs. It has demonstrated antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties. It is an at-risk plant and has been heavily harvested. We still should not overharvested, but it is useful for lung and bronchial health.
Lomatium reduces inflammatory disorders of the respiratory system. It is most effective in low doses. Large doses can cause an irritating rash so this is a case where more is not better. Lomatium was used extensively in the west, where it grows in the 1918 pandemic by the native people and early settlers. It enhances the liquification and elimination of excess mucous. It is extremely high in ascorbic acid (part of the vitamin C complex).
Poke Root contributes to the lymphatic system, moving lymph and relaxing hard, sore lymph nodes. It is anti-catarrhal reducing mucous production and moving mucous from the lungs. It is anti-inflammatory reducing the potential of over inflammatory response. It stimulates T-cell production and contributes to B-cell health. T-cells are the basis for the body’s immune cells and B-cells remember past viruses so that our lymph nodes can replicate chemical signature antibodies to assist in disabling the virus.
These remedies are helpful to recovering from the virus according to what we know. Though we like to give a general list of herbs that will aid in treatment of the virus, every case is different. We focus on customized wellness plans to ensure that all of our clients are practicing safe natural care. This is not a substitute for medical assistance. If a person is having trouble breathing or feels they need to be tested, then, they should contact their doctor or follow the state regulations where they live.
Most of these are available on our site in ticture form. We tincture all of our medicine and take pride in the quality of them! Click here to shop now!
Additional Treatments During The Presence of The Virus
Infrared Sauna to promote sweating, eliminate toxins, flush the body of inflammation and free radicals and heat up the body’s core.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber to overload the body with pure oxygen in order to increase cellular activity, further promote the expelling of toxins, and support the circulatory and respiratory systems.
52 Clove Potato Soup
Roast garlic as described above. Yes, 52 cloves.
Sauté onions and celery in some butter.
Add in the roasted garlic and chicken stock
Cook potatoes in the stock until tender.
Blend with immersion blender until smooth.
Put cheese, parsley and/or bacon on top.
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