November 20, 2024

Cold, Flu, and Covid remedies

By Dr. Tenesha Wards · 6 minute read

Everyone around you getting sick and dropping like flies?

Do you feel like you are trying to defend against every germ on the planet right now?

Have you gotten sick, then back on your feet, only to be knocked down again by something else that is going around?

This article applies to standard colds, flu, stomach flu, RSV, and COVID-19 as we understand it today at the time of publishing. Since 2020 and the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all learned a lot about the ever-changing biology and life cycle of viruses. Now, we know that COVID-19 is not going away and has become an unfortunate addition to the regular cycle of flu seasons and cold seasons we all experience. With this introduction, it has become even more crucial to protect ourselves, our kids and families, our neighbors and coworkers by keeping ourselves healthy, our immune systems high, and supporting our bodies through any illness that does make its way through our precautions.

This info below is to support your body to get through an illness as fast as possible. This is what I would do for myself, my mom, my kiddo, or my husband if we needed it. I am going to list herbs/nutrients and actual products by name/brand that are my favorites. Here we go!

1. Antivirals – Back to the basics of what we know about viruses. A virus has to run its course… to an extent. But, we do have access to natural antiviral herbs to inhibit it. Antiviral herbs slow and interrupt the development of viruses. So they don’t kill like an antibiotic – but inhibit. Many of the best antiviral herbs also boost the immune system which allows the body to attack viral pathogens. There are so many antivirals – but my favorite go-to antiviral herbs are:

Pau D'Arco (VIVI - Virox by Systemic Formulas)
Garlic - Highly effective helping rid some of the most common and rarest infections, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, thrush, and herpes. (Allicidin from PRlabs)
Astragalus and beta glucans (Immune Restore by Neurobiologix)
Oregano - It’s the carvacrol that reverses viral infections (A.D.P by Biotics - this tablet can also be sucked on to coat the throat and gets into the nasal passage for further immune support)
Biocidin by Bio-Botanical Research - This product is a little gem. It has multiple antiviral herbs in it - Garlic, Grape Seed extract, Black Walnut, Tea Tree oil, Galbanum oil, Lavender oil, and Oregano oil to name a few.
Nitric Oxide (NO) - This is an interesting product! NO inhibits viral protein and RNA synthesis. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that NO generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme that produces NO, inhibits the SARS CoV replication cycle.(10)

2. Reducing Inflammation in the Lungs. a. Quercetin - It thins mucus in the lungs, reduces lung inflammation and improves lung function. (D-HIST and D-HIST JR for kids) (1)( 2) b. NAC - n-acetyl cysteine can relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions by acting as an antioxidant and expectorant, loosening mucus in your air passageways. NAC helps reduce inflammation in your bronchial tubes and lung tissue. (3)

3. Lung Support - If you have a history of asthma, allergies, or lung ailments, consider supporting the lungs.

Pneumotrophin PMG by Standard Process - provides a unique profile of minerals, nucleotides, and peptides that repair and rebuild the lung tissue.
Allerplex by Standard Process - Supports the body's natural ability to manage mucus movement, supports healthy liver function, supports healthy lung and respiratory function (12)
Vitamin D - Vitamin D appears capable of inhibiting pulmonary inflammatory responses while enhancing innate defense mechanisms against respiratory pathogens. Population-based studies showing an association between circulating vitamin D levels and lung function. (13)

4. Nasal Flushes / Neti Pot / Inhaling Oils

Nasal Rinses - While we do not know if nasal irrigation makes a difference for prevention of COVID-19, I believe that one of the MOST preventive things you can do for any viral respiratory illness is to irrigate your nasal passages with saline. One study found that people who did preventive daily nasal irrigation had significantly fewer episodes of upper respiratory symptoms, shorter symptom duration and fewer days with nasal symptoms compared to those who did not irrigate their nose daily. (5) (6)
Essential oils - I have found oils like peppermint and eucalyptus either diffused or used in a humidifier or even in a hot bath will help open up the lung airways.
A study in Respiratory Research showed that cineole, the main constituent of eucalyptus essential oil, actually reduced exacerbations in people with COPD. It also reduced shortness of breath, and improved lung function, as well as health status overall. Furthermore, the research suggested that cineole is an active controller and reducer of airway inflammation.
**Eucalyptus oil should not be used in children under 10, and peppermint not used for children under 6. (7)(8)

5. Gut Health - 80% of our immune system is in the gut, these yogurt commercials latched on to some great marketing, and the truth!

Probiotics - So basic, but so important to increase immunity and prevent other infections. (I like several great ones - Probiotic boost by Neurobiologix, Sibiotica by Apex Energetics, and Megasporebiotic by Microbiome Labs. Over the counter there is 1 good brand most grocery stores carry that I like, it is called Jarro)
Gut Repair / Restore - L-glutamine, an amino acid (Infinity Restore by Apex Energetics), Colostrum (Bowel Restore by Neurobiologix), and Immunoglobulins (Mega Mucosa by Microbiome Labs)

6. Immune / Antioxidants - Antioxidants act like little Pacman's and go around eating up free radicals (bad guys). Increase foods with and take supplements for vitamins A, C, E, D, Zinc, and Glutathione. There is a lot circulating around social media right now that Vitamin C or D cures a virus - like its brand-new news… I don’t like and would not use the word ‘cure’ but these are good supports to make you stronger than it.

See below:

Vitamin D - Vitamin D appears capable of inhibiting pulmonary inflammatory responses while enhancing innate defence mechanisms against respiratory pathogens. Population-based studies showing an association between circulating vitamin D levels and lung function. (13)
Vitamin C - Vitamin C shows in vivo antiviral immune responses at the early time of infection, especially against influenza virus, through increased production. Overall, reported flu and cold symptoms in the test group decreased 85% compared with the control group after the administration of megadose Vitamin C. (14) (15) Please note mega doses would need to be an IV and Vitamin C can cause loose stools. So, let’s look at supporting immunity with oral Vitamin C. (I like Thorne’s Vitamin C 5000 mg and Cataplex C by Standard Process)
ADEK-Pro by Apex Energetics has Vitamins A, C, E, and K d. Zinc Liver Chelate by Standard Process
AC Glutathione by Apex Energetics or a Liposomal Glutathione - there are many that are great!
Reishi Immune by PRLabs - Reishi Immune contains unique, rare polysaccharides which have been proven to increase the RNA and DNA in the bone marrow, where the body makes B cells. Studies show that it promotes both B cells and T cells, specialized cells that are a critical part of the immune system.

7. Adrenal support - Let’s face it, getting sick is stressful. And I am certain if we do not take care of our adrenal glands now, we will end up with a society of exhausted, burnt-out adrenal fatigued people. As if that isn’t already a huge problem. Do what you must to avoid negative thoughts, people, news etc. This will increase anxiety and stress your adrenal glands. Of course, stay informed, safe, and smart.

Rhodiola - this is a great herb if you are in fight or flight and in panic, can’t sleep etc. (Perque - Adreno Distress Guard)
Ginseng - Better if you are exhausted and lethargic (Medi Herb Rhodiola & Ginseng)
Drenamin by Standard Process or AdrenaVen from PRlabs- I think EVERYONE could benefit from this right now and always! (11)
- Supports adrenal function and helps maintain emotional balance.
- Promotes healthy adrenal gland function - Encourages a healthy response to everyday environmental stresses and supports immune system response function
- Maintains energy production
- Supports a balanced mood
- Good source of antioxidant
AdrenaVen - basically a vegan version of the above Drenamin to help support adrenal glands.

8. Rest - a sick body needs plenty of downtime to heal. Refraining from physical activity and getting enough bed rest allows the body to focus on repairing itself, rather than using energy to power the muscles.

9. Nutrition - eating a varied diet rich in whole-food choices may help the body heal. Avoid processed sugar as it is inflammatory and feeds the bugs your body is trying to fight. Avoid dairy as it is mucus forming and really avoid ALL processed foods. Stick to fruits, vegetables, proteins, and good fats. Nourish your body to give it fuel to fight!

10. Adequate liquid intake is essential. Maintaining good fluid intake is an important part of recovering from a cold. Drinking water will help with chest congestion because staying hydrated keeps the mucus in your body thin and loose. Mucus will then be able to move easily through your sinuses and air passages. (4) To stay hydrated, add a pinch of sea salt to every other glass of water to increase minerals and ph. Just a pinch, it doesn't have to taste like you are drinking from the ocean. Water, soups, vegetable broths or bone broths are all easy ways to increase the liquid intake while recovering and preventing pneumonia. This is a ton of info, I know, so here's a summation: My definite 5 would be:

Antiviral
Lung Support
Gut Support
Adrenal Support
Antioxidants

For most of the above items, in order to get a therapeutic dose, you have to purchase them through a licensed practitioner. We can order them and ship to you anywhere in the U.S. *If you buy them on Amazon or somewhere else over the counter, I cannot speak to the effectiveness or that the dose is strong enough to help support you.

If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. We are both saltwater mixed with air” -Nayyirah Waheed

Stay Calm Stay Safe Stay Well Dr. Tenesha

References

Cold, Flu, and Covid remedies

Everyone around you getting sick and dropping like flies?

Do you feel like you are trying to defend against every germ on the planet right now?

Have you gotten sick, then back on your feet, only to be knocked down again by something else that is going around?

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