Pharmacist’s Herbal Guide to Boosting Resilience in a time of Novel Corona (COVID-19)

With rising panic regarding the latest pandemic, I just wanted to share some natural tips that I personally use to keep myself safe. My day job is in community retail pharmacy so I’m constantly around people, many of whom may be potential carriers, including COV-19. Our staff is airing out and ventilating the area often, and wiping down counters, pens and signature pads with isopropyl 70% alcohol. We are currently out of masks and hand sanitizers, but we do have aloe vera, ACV and essential oils for sale in case customers want to create DIY antimicrobial solutions.
***To boost immunity, I recommend medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, turkey tail, maitake, shiitake, etc. High doses of vitamin C, zinc, and lysine can also help defenses against viruses and microbes.
***At the first signs of sickness, I usually turn to frequent doses of echinacea tincture, and up my zinc and vitamin C. Elderberry has historically been used to modulate cytokines (not necessarily elevate!) and boost our natural defences against viruses, and has been effective in severe flu outbreaks, such as the Spanish influenza of 1918. To help break fevers, elderflower, yarrow, and boneset can be used to promote sweating.
***And some great spices and foods can be highly antimicrobial and antiviral as well! Don’t forget your fresh garlic (can be effective powdered or marinated as well, and easier on your stomach that way) – along with some olive oil or another carrier oil (coats the garlic and prevents gastritis). It has great affinity for the respiratory tract when eaten fresh, or rubbed on feet. Other pungent herbs to help warm you up from the inside out are turmeric, ginger and horseradish.
***Citrus fruit and berries are good food sources of vitamin C and antioxidants to boost your immune response as well. Elderberry, rosehips, hawthorn berry, amla berry and bilberry are especially rich in bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid. Throw these in tea, make a punch, a syrup, or just eat them straight.
***Boiling aromatic herbs (such as eucalyptus, thyme or marjoram) on low heat in a pot and breathing in the steam can help open up the airways and enhance respiration. Warm foot baths (with ginger) are awesome as well!
***Oregano oil, colloidal silver, and propolis (and other bee products such as bee pollen and honey) are other natural helpers to consider in your herbal apothecary. These are more heavy-hitters and have more potent antimicrobial properties, so use sparingly. Goldenseal, in high doses, can be considered as “nature’s antibiotic,” but it’s currently endangered so sourcing is important (look for harvested goldenseal rather than wild).
***Most importantly, try to avoid populated areas and work/study from home, if at all possible. If your job/school is not offering these options, try to negotiate a deal. Drink lots of water, including warm and hot beverages (herbal teas, with honey, lemon, ginger!), and take sips throughout the day. Train your nervous system to be resilient to stress by getting a good night’s sleep, breathing deeply, as often as possible, and meditate, if possible. Spend some time in nature and get some sunshine in your life.
***Love yourself, and cherish one another. Peace, love and herbs!***

You can find the original posting of this article on my Medium profile here.

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