What You Can do if You Come Down with a Virus, plus Tips for Illness Prevention 🦠
Nobody is exempt from being exposed to germs at some point. Personally, I like to be prudent to take every precaution I can to prevent illness, even when exposed. Nobody relishes the idea of losing precious days of life in bed recovering, dealing with intense fatigue, headache, body aches, fever, or the potential for further health complications down the road. I do everything I can to aim for a relatively swift recovery if I start to feel sick and give huge thanks to my arsenal of herbal allies and supplements and nourishing food and broths.
Below you will find links to many products. You can find lots of viral protocols all over the internet, but everything below is what I use myself, so it’s what I’m sharing. I have a decade and a half long background in deep nutrition and have studied health and wellness from a wide variety of perspectives over the years. In particular, I have a specific interest in maintaining my own respiratory health, as it has been one of my main health concerns throughout my life and where I feel symptoms first whenever I am vulnerable.
Of course, the foundations of good health are non-negotiable, so I hope it goes without saying that sound, sufficient sleep, sunshine☀️, proper hydration, simple, nourishing foods, as well as lots of love and care from those around you, are at the foundation of any immune-supportive protoco.
I do hope this info supports your journey in some way!
With love and blessings,
Dara
START WITH YOUR NOSE + THROAT
Let’s start with a few specific things that come in handy either on the daily if you know you will be in situations where you might possibly have some exposure, or if you are traveling for example and know you will. Since we know that viruses enters the body through the nasopharyngeal passages, it’s a good idea to take extra care to create an inhospitable environment for pathogens in there! Killing any virus that might have entered your nasal passages and throat is the very first precaution to take, and all of these things are all helpful if you start feeling sick as well.
These Enhanced Zinc Lozenges are a good thing to carry around and suck on before, during, or after an exposure. I first heard about these particular lozenges from Chris Masterjohn many years ago and have been using them since. These lozenges are unique in that they contain Zinc Acetate, and the reason they work is because they shift the pH in your throat, which in turn kills viruses and such. That takes a while to do, which is exactly why the lozenges are SO huge. It usually takes about 20-30 minutes of sucking for one to dissolve, and it’s that length of time that makes it effective. Zinc is necessary for immunity in general, so these can make up part of your daily zinc consumption whether you are in maintenance mode or if you are sick. Find Chris’ site and his article about zinc here.
This Propolis Throat Spray by HoneyGardens has been a staple of mine for many years. Spray in your throat anytime you feel a tickle or pain. This stuff is potent and will help a lot. Wish I’d had it when my first symptom showed up, a super painful sore throat, which I mistakenly attributed at the time as a reaction to the smokey conditions from fire near where I was.
As for your nasal cavities, if you have been or know you are going to be exposed, it’s a good idea to squirt something up your nose as well as your throat to kill any bugs that may be proliferating, in my opinion! Ideally, we’d have iodine nose sprays available, as a very dilute solution of a specific type of iodine neutralizes viruses in 60 seconds. Just google “iodine nose spray” to read some really interesting studies done by doctors all over the world. Unfortunately, such a mixture is very volatile and degrades quickly, so nobody manufactures any such product. Making your own spray would entail you obtaining Providone Iodine yourself and formulating your own nasal spray or drops. However, along the same lines, you could use other anti-microbial sprays like this Xylitol nasal spray, this Oregano spray (watch out, it burns!🔥), one of colloidal silver for similar anti-microbial effects, or even a grapefruit seed extract spray if you’re into that. I recently tried this citrus spray and found it very effective, but it’s pricy.
Lastly, we purchased a nebulizer early on in the pandemic, but honestly have just unwrapped and begun using it. There seems to be a good amount of evidence that hydrogen peroxide can be used both as a gargle and in nasal washes, as well as in mist form. You can have a look at this article as well as click the link towards the top that leads to other articles that cite that one. There is a lot of information out there on how to use saline mixed with hydrogen peroxide in a nebulizer for bi-weekly prophylactic use, as well as much more frequently when ill.
DAILY SUPPS
I use these basic Vitamin D softgels daily to keep up my Vit D levels, even though I get a lot of sunshine. Dosage tbd by you and your doctors based on your needs.
Standard Process Chezyn is a multi-mineral supplement featuring Zinc, good for long-term use as the zinc is in balance with copper which is pretty important. Take daily to keep your zinc reserves high, unless of course you’re eating oysters or liver on a regular basis. I remember finding out last year that loss of smell and taste is a reaction to zinc depletion, so now that I’ve experienced that, I’ll be sure to keep my levels steady and take extra if I’m feeling ill. Dosage can vary, 30mg/day is a good place to start. (FYI, this product contains liver.)
We are pretty big fans of this Quercetin formula around here. Quercetin has become part of our daily supplement regime as it’s a supreme antioxidant with a ton of benefits. You can google for lots more info, but I take 500mg/3xday.
I am also a fan of keeping up with Vitamin C. When you’re fighting off pathogens, your body can burn through a lot, and sometimes what you get from fresh fruit just doesn’t cut it. The above Quercetin formula contains some, but even when I’m not sick I like to add in extra from one of the following: food-based powders like this one from Synergy brand, powdered Thorne Research Buffered C, or just good old Ascorbic Acid capsules. I know some people aren’t fans of AA, but I’ve used it for a long time and it works for me. Your body can only use a little Vitamin C at a time, so in general it’s a good idea to use smaller amounts more frequently than larger doses at once, for example 1000-2000 mg every couple of hours when ill. The Buffered C powder could also come in handy if you decide to do a “Vitamin C flush.” Flushes, or saturating your tissues to bowel tolerance, are not for everybody, but I did the first day I really realized how ill I was and am pretty sure it was instrumental in helping me recover my health so quickly. Find instructions and more info here, but if you are intrigued and want to do one, please also do a little more research as well!
IF YOU START TO FEEL AT ALL SICK…
If I had only one immune support to choose, hands down, I’d personally pick Wellness Formula. This is a badass, all-encompassing formulation support for the multiple, interdependent body systems that impact immune health. I’ve used this comprehensive formula for winter season challenges for many years now, as its impressive combination of antioxidants, herbal extracts, vitamins and minerals effectively support all of the body systems associated with immunity. Wellness Formula comes in tablets, capsules, and also liquid, plus there’s a throat spray that we also use on the regs. Highly recommend taking some of this with you everywhere and perhaps taking the daily maintenance dose recommended. (Keep in mind that this formula does contain zinc, so factor that in to your daily regime, and maybe lay off other zinc consumption if you’re feeling unwell and are going to do the larger doses suggested for that.)
Standard Process Congaplex is another fantastic immune support that you could take during an especially risky time frame of a few months to support your immune system. It’s a combination of glandulars, medicinal mushrooms and more. You could also save it to use for a period around known exposure, but of course definitely use it the moment anything starts to feel awry in your body! Does Congaplex replace Wellness Formula? Some practitioners might say differently, but when I’m sick, I often take both, so you do you. Standard Process has a number of immune supporting formulas, including one called Immuplex, which might be a better fit for you, but Congaplex works for me and is what I have experience with.
A well-known herb in many other parts of the world, Andrographis is a potent herb for colds, flus, and viruses. I’ve been a big fan of these pressed pills by Planetary Herbals for years and always have them around. They’re inexpensive and in my opinion, a great addition to the arsenal. Beware, they are very bitter. I take up to 2 three times a day for acute care.
I am also a big fan of the old favorite, Echinacea. Again, another easy and very effective addition. Start with 3 three times a day as directed, or even more. Echinacea needs to be taken in high enough doses with regularity to be effective.
Everyone knows about Elderberry for cold and flu fighting at this point, though right at the beginning of the pandemic, there was some confusion over whether it worsened the cytokine storm that Covid produces. The consensus among the top herbalists is that it does not, so feel free to pull out whatever product you have and like. I’ve been using these Elderberry crystals in times when I don’t have my own homemade medicine; it’s convenient, and some of this powder in a baggie is easier to travel with than a glass bottle of liquid.
When the pandemic began, I was most worried about my lungs and stocked up on so many formulas for coughs and lung health. This Chinese herbal formula called ClearLungs is one that I’ve used now many times and its effectiveness is impressive! I won’t ever not have this formula around, considering smoke season has also become a regular occurrence in California now. Also comes in an Extra Strength version which is mostly what I use.
Cough Syrups are another thing you might want to have around, especially if you’re experiencing more extreme lung symptoms. I have a homemade one with elecampane, mullein, yerba santa, licorice, marshmallow and osha, but this one with Wild Cherry is a good choice and so is this Olba’s brand. Olba’s also makes really potent little pastille cough drops that are strong with essential oils for soothing the throat too.
A FEW OTHER TIPS FOR TAKING GOOD CARE
At any sign of illness, hopping in the SAUNA straightaway if you have access to one is a great idea!🔥💦 Sweating it out in a sauna is associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia and other viral infections, so do take advantage of this if you can. Read a study on saunas effects on Covid19 in particular here.
I am a big fan of impeccable oral hygiene all of the time, but I think it would especially behoove us all to up our devotion to oral hygiene during this time, in particular if you are sick. Have you heard about the correlation between dental hygiene and infections, like where patients in the hospital brush their teeth three times a day and their outcome during pneumonia is improved, for example? Have a google and a look at this article, and don’t delay in brushing your teeth more, followed by flossing of course! Also, a VERY simple upgrade is to start swishing with salty water after your routine. Here’s how: find a nice glass bottle and fill it with good water, add a big spoonful of salt, maybe a few drops of an essential oil like peppermint, clove, or fennel if you have them but it’s not totally necessary if you don’t, and shake well. Keep this next to your sink and do a nice vigorous swish after you brush AND floss. Salty water swishing is a total game changer oral hygiene upgrade and costs practically nothing!
Another inexpensive and highly medicinal tea is really an update on and old wive’s brew (re)popularized last year by the truly luminous and brilliant young herbalist, Organic Olivia. Here is a post about her “microbiome tea” which is made with orange, lemon or really any citrus peels, sliced ginger, rosemary, cloves, fennel seeds, and onion. Just chuck some of each of these common kitchen ingredients into a pot and simmer for at least 20 mins, but you can keep adding water and simmer for longer and several times. Adding a green tea bag is recommended too for even more medicinal punch. This is truly about using what you have around, and you can add thyme, garlic, and other immune-supporting additions too for old-school kitchen medicine at it’s finest!
I made a post while ago about how to upgrade your bone broths with all sorts of additions, but the ideas in here are relevant whether you are making a broth based on bones or simply use some of the ingredients sans bones for a nourishing vegetarian broth. Have a look at that here.
If you have the ingredients for this turmeric-lemon-ginger elixir around, this is a delicious drink to incorporate whether you are sick or just over here like so many of us doing all we can to stay well!
Lastly, here’s another reminder about SLEEP! Let’s all face the truth: without sufficient, high-quality sleep, all bets are off. It matters so damn much. Now more than ever, we absolutely NEED to be prioritizing our rest 😴 Too many people are waking around tired and underslept which most certainly increases our vulnerability to any illness or infection. I watched a fantastic talk by a professor of Neuroscience at UC Berkeley who is a preeminent sleep researcher and he mentioned a study they did on the flu vaccines and sleep: participants who were underslept had a much less vigorous antibody response to the vaccine compared with those who were well-rested. I didn’t look up the study, but imagine if that’s also true for the Covid vaccine?! Get your rest, and find the engaging Google talk by Matthew Walker here.
• NOTES •
• If you have questions about dosage or whatnot, please take the time to consult the product label, your own doctor or healthcare practitioner, or go befriend Dr. Google and look things up on your own first. If you still have questions and want to message me, feel free to do that HERE.
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. Content on this page is for informational purposes only and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard on this website.