Coronavirus (CoVid-19)
Additional Information, Thoughts and Possible Strategies

(This Page is a Work-In-Progress! I am updating regularly.  Please check back! )
​Be Well.  Stay Safe.  Stay Connected.

BioAcoustic Frequencies:

As a Co-Founder at Grace of Angels, please see the alternative holistic information, thoughts and articles (including Sharry Edwards' BioAcoustinc Frequencies, and those on Vitamin C) that Tracey and I have posted there.  Click Here!

For more info, see our archived GoA newsletter:  CoVid-19:  Ongoing Thoughts and Possible Strategies
"...the virus... is a mutation from [the service-to-self] intention as well as at the cellular level..."
"Mutations do not hold power over organic structures that harmonize with Source frequency."  ~Magenta Pixie

Herbal Inspired Considerations:

Currently, it seems that every day there is so much information swirling around and colliding regarding the Coronavirus situation.  This only adds stress to existing fears and confusion, and thus increasing cortisol levels, thereby serving none of us in a positive way.

It is my understanding from the reports coming out of China, that patients treated with herbal medicine had increased recovery rates.  Since this virus appears to be much more robust than the common cold or flu for this time of year, please remember that there are no studies to support my suggestions; it is my hope that they will provide help in some way.  I provide these suggestions based on my interpretation of these practices as a guideline, including using food as medicine in our kitchens. 

I have provided footnotes where applicable to certain information.  I encourage everyone to do their own research, then take this info to your Doctor regarding supplements and dosing.

Here in northwest New Jersey, spring is providing us with many useful wild botanicals and weeds in our yards that may be supportive to us as positive coronavirus cases continue to be identified.  Many folks are familiar with dandelion, garlic mustard, plantain, violets, motherwort and others that are now emerging.
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Prevention is Key!
Because this is classified as a virus, antibiotics will not have any value, except possibly if one has a secondary infection.  Since viruses need to find an entryway into your body, typically through eyes, nose or mouth, covering these area can be helpful as part of an overall strategy.  Keeping your hands clean by washing frequently according to the CDC recommended practices is also paramount.  And of course, remember to 'practice the recommended social distancing' of 6 feet.

In addition to the preventions listed above, a healthy body, mind and spirit is the best defense!  Proper food as nourishment will go a long way to support and strengthen our immune systems.   Here is a basic outline:
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  • Get adequate sleep!  Our bodies do a lot of healing and detoxing while we sleep.
  • Eat nourishing foods!  Sugar depletes the immune system and dairy creates mucous, so avoid both! 
  • Stay hydrated!  Healthy mucous membranes can be a strong barrier, and assist with flushing out toxins.
  • MOVE!  Being a couch potato and lounging around does not circulate your blood, and therefore neither oxygenates nor nourishes your cells. 
  • If you do nothing else, LAUGH MORE.  Stagnation in the lungs begins at the bottom, so laughing brings large amounts of air/oxygen deep into your lungs, keeping them flexible and working optimally.  Laughing also massages your internal organs, thus helping to move the lymph fluid and recycle out toxins.  "Laughter can mitigate the effects of stress by decreasing serum levels of coritsol (the 'stress hormone') and increasing endorphins (the 'feel good' hormone).  Laughter therapy is a noninvasive, non-pharmacological alternative treatment for stress, depression, ... and can have a positive effect on mental health.  ... Laughter therapy is effective and scientifically supported as a single or adjuvant therapy." (1)
    (1) Source:  PubMed:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27439375
  • ​Get out in the sunshine and fresh air - according to your local and state CoVid-19 guidelines.  Even only 15-20 minutes can help strengthen your immune system. 
  • Increase your Antioxidants!  (Also see Chaga mushroom below) The dark purple and red berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries) are high in antioxidants and provide natural Vitamin C as well!  Include parsley, cilantro, celery juice, onions and garlic in your foods.  Consider using bone broth in soups and stews, too.
  • Alkalinize:   Sip fresh lemon in water, fresh cucumbers in water or 1 tablespoon of  raw apple cider vinegar in water frequently.  Add extra dark green leafy veggies to soups and stews, or lightly saute them.
  • Seaweed:  loaded with natural iodine, great for thyroid which supports the immune system.  Dulse, kelp, nori.  NOTE:  I recommend sea vegetables from the North Atlantic which may be lower in heavy metals or PCBs .  I avoid most  sea products from the Pacific.   My fave?  Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. - Certified Organic!​​


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Current Supplement Suggestions*:  These can change as we learn more about this virus and/or as it mutates.  *The most difficult part of addressing this virus is the way that it can manifest differently in each person, so my approach is to assess what is happening at that time.
​
  • Vitamin D3 with K2, 2,000-5,000 IU based on your individual needs, and serum testing.  
  • April 2, 2020 Article:  "Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths"
    (10) Source:  MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)  https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/4/988/htm?fbclid=IwAR10pj4abWuw-T3xGr7NltWw2GfrDK-AoMLLixBuixPujyrDHxghbXvM_Rw
  • Vitamin C, 1,000-2,000 mg.  Or to bowel tolerance.  Found in oranges, broccoli, dark berries.
  • VITAMIN C FOOD SOURCES:   Citrus Fruits, Acerola/Barbados Cherries, Berries, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Pineapple, Papaya, Guava, Black Currants, Star Fruit, Mango, Broccoli, Kale, Bell & Sweet Peppers, Brussels Sprouts, Leafy Greens, Tomatoes, Snow Peas, Red & Green Chilly Peppers, Lychees, Kohlrabi, Rose Hips, Coriander, Thyme, Parsley, Hibiscus.
  • Star Anise :  Another huge systemic antiviral due to the shikimic acid that may help stop viruses from replicating.  Make tea with the star anise pods, drink 1-2 cups a day.
  • (For Winter ills in General):  Use Star Anise in Master Tonic, Elderberry Elixir or Syrup, or in Cyclone Cider: apple cider vinegar, garlic, lemon, star anise, cayenne, honey (cinnamon or cloves optional). Put in sauce pan, heat but do not boil. Drink and wrap yourself in layers, go to bed under the covers and sweat it​out overnight. (2)
  • Zinc, 25-50 mg.  This micro-nutrient may help prevent the virus from getting in. 
  • Zinc Rich Foods:  Oysters (contain more zinc per serving than any other food), red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, certain types of seafood (such as crab and lobster), whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, dairy products. (6)(7).   Phytates—which are present in whole-grain breads, cereals, legumes, and other foods—bind zinc and inhibit its absorption. (6)(8)(9)
  • Quercitin Rich Foods:  most bio-available in food sources:  Berries, Apples, Cherries, Grapes & Red Wine, Citrus, Onions (Yellow, Red), Garlic, Capers, Red Leaf Lettuce, Peppers, Kale, Broccoli, Green Tea, Buckwheat Tea, Ginkgo Biloba, Rose Hips.​​
  • Glutathione Rich Foods:  Asparagus, Cucumber, Cauliflower, Cruciferous Veggies, Kale & Collard Greens, Grapefruit, Strawberries, Banana, Onions, Garlic.​


Some other herbal practitioners are also suggesting:



(6) Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.
​(7) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019.
(8) Sandstrom B. Bioavailability of zinc. Eur J Clin Nutr 1997;51 (1 Suppl):S17-9. [PubMed abstract]
(9) Wise A. Phytate and zinc bioavailability. Int J Food Sci Nutr 1995;46:53-63. [PubMed abstract]settings

Dr. Eric Napute, in St. Louis, MO:  His suggestions based on his practice and experience.
  • Tonic Water (contains Quinine - Schwepp's Tonic Water):  Acts similar to hydroxychloroquine.  Quinine acts as a transport chain to allow nutrients to get into cells.  Drink 3-4 oz/day.
  • Zinc:  50-100 mg/day as preventative.  ~200mg/day if infected. 

Dr. Anthony Cardillo:  See brief video on YouTube discussing Zinc:  https://youtu.be/InpvtwfiNDg.
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Kitchen Medicine Antivirals:
THEY ARE ALL OVER YOUR KITCHEN!
​Spicy foods tend to have high antiviral activity:  onions, garlic, spicy peppers, horseradish, ginger, cayenne.
  • Master Tonic:  King of my cupboard and one of the oldest herbalist-inspired food medicine traditions.  Also commonly known as Fire Cider or Cyclone Cider.  It is warming, full of antivirals and a potent staple in my home throughout cold and flu season.  Recipes are as varied as the food in your home:  It contains all manner of hot spicy peppers, (habanero, jalapeno, serrano, poblano, long pepper, cayenne, etc.) horseradish, garlic, ginger and onions. Chop or use food processor (the smaller the pieces the hotter the Master Tonic), steep in apple cider vinegar. Some folks add star anise -  another huge systemic antiviral due to the shikimic acid that helps stop viruses from replicating - some add turmeric, elderberry, rosehips, cinnamon, clove, etc. the variations are endless.  Call to order some or see my blog post for how to  make your own in more detail:   ​https://willowmoonherbals.blogspot.com/2013/03/lessons-learned-hard-way.html.
  • Don't like spicy foods?  Tone down the bite of Master Tonic by adding honey, star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel, blueberries.
  • Onion honey:  Onions will help thin out clumpy mucus into sheets so that the body can expel it more easily.  Onion honey is simple to make:  fill a jar halfway up with sliced sweet onions,  and add honey to cover about an inch above the onions.  NOTE:  If you have a jar of honey that has crystallized, slicing up onions and adding them to that jar solves two issues!  It will create a sweet, medicinal liquid in about 24 hours or less.  I usually let it sit in a dark, cool cabinet for about 2-4 weeks so that the onions get softer, but you can use the honey in 24-48 hours if needed.  It can be eaten directly from the spoon if they don't mind the sweet onion taste, or add both the onions and honey to soup, or spread the honey on toast. Be creative!
  • Garlic elixir:  An antiviral powerhouse.  Improves circulation. Chop garlic, fill jar halfway, add 50% honey and 50% apple cider vinegar.  Cover lid loosely for first week to allow for out-gassing.  Mix or shake bottle daily to keep honey mixed until it becomes liquid. Steep for at least 8 weeks.  It has a bite!  Steep for 6-12 months and it is more mellow.  Will darken with age to almost a balsamic vinegar color and taste. Yum!   Caution:  garlic has mild blood thinning effect.
  • Use Thyme, Oregano Rosemary for upper respiratory and lung issues.  Most effective is steam inhalation to target lung, sinuses and mucous membranes:  Simmer fresh or dried herbs in saucepan on stove.  Remove and place on appropriate heat resistant surface or table.  Lean over and drape a towel over to form a tent.  Inhale as deeply as possible.  Repeat as necessary.
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Herbal Antioxidants:
  • ​Chaga:  antiviral and huge antioxidant properties.  Scoring over 3.6 Million on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) per 100gm/3.5 oz, meaning that it really scavenges and helps reduce free radicals caused by oxidative stress. (5)  (Study conducted by Tuffs University Dept. of Health Sciences Boston, MA:U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Health Project Expo 2003)
  • White Pine:  Pine needle tea was a traditional source of Vitamin C used to prevent scurvy (the needles contain 4-5 times the vitamin C found in lemons). It also has antioxidant and antibacterial activity.  Proprietary flavonoid extracts of pine bark (Pycnogenol®, Enzogenol®, pine bark extract) are excellent antioxidants and have been used for reducing inflammation and oxidative disease.(2)
  • Goji Berries: (Lycium Fruit or Fruit of Wolfberry).  It is rich in flavonoids and carotenoids which act as antioxidants and stabilize small capillaries, thus enhancing circulation.(2)
    Caution:  Goji berries are in the nightshade family.
  • Eleuthero:  (Siberian Ginseng) Taken regularly, it helps relax or normalize nerve function (it relaxes the arteries and can be useful for white coat hypertension), it increases endurance, stamina, resistance to disease, and it strengthens the immune reservoir.(2)
  • Cordyceps mushroom:  Enhances the immune system in patients with immuno-suppression.(2)
  • Wild Cherries:  Cherries are rich in antioxidant flavonoids (OPC’s), they build blood (iron), increase uric acid excretion (gout), and have antiinflammatory activity.(2)
  • Elecampane: has antioxidant properties and is a superb respiratory remedy for ticklish, persistent coughs with pain in the ribs & chest.  It is useful for pneumonia, and because it is energetically neutral, it can be used for virtually any lung condition (hot, cold, dry, or damp).(2)
  • Propolis:  Propolis is an effective antimicrobial and antiinflammatory to mucous membrane tissue.(2)
  • Rhodiola:   Confirmed by human research, antioxidant properties, and it has the ability to reduce the effects of chronic stress.(2)
  • Rosemary:  is a powerful antioxidant. (Also, has  powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity, and may inhibit cancers,  as well as the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE’s).(2)


Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):
Can​ Apple Cider Vinegar be helpful with coronavirus?  Not quite sure, but very possibly...
  • Vinegar has been around for nearly 5,000 years, for consumption and as an aid in the healing process.
  • Raw, unpasteurized (think organic Bragg's brand) is rich in enzymes that can enhance digestion, thus supporting the immune system.
  • Contains 5-6% acetic acid
  • It is highly antimicrobial, been known to kill E. coli, staph, candida and harmful intestinal bacteria.(3)
  • Improves Immune System because it has the ability to down-regulate cytokines which are part of the immune process and inflammation.^   ACV can decrease inflammation.
  • Improves Immune System by stimulating phagocytosis, which, simply stated,  is immune cells scavenging the pathogen and killing it.
  • It can impair cell membranes of certain pathogens.
  • ACV, as a cleaning agent, can reduce the viability of the A/H1N1 influenza virus.(4) 
  • See other benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzxfoL82n8

(3) Source:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/
(4) Source:  https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0008987
 Immune Support:
My first thought is medicinal mushrooms.  
  • Shiitake:  a nutritional powerhouse!  They are available fresh in supermarkets, dried online.  Shiitake is an immunomodulator:  it helps bring one's immune system back into balance.  Especially useful for depleted folks.  They can be easily grown at home, too!  See my blog post.  Or grow indoors, too!
  • Chaga:  antiviral and huge antioxidant properties.  Scoring over 3.6 Million on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) per 100gm/3.5 oz, meaning that it really scavenges and helps reduce free radicals caused by oxidative stress. (5) (Study conducted by Tuffs University Dept. of Health Sciences Boston, MA:U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Health Project Expo 2003)
  • Red Reishi and Maitake:  both provide deep immune support.
  • Cordyceps mushroom:  Enhances the immune system in patients with immuno-suppression.(2)
  • Lion’s mane and Turkey tail:  support the immune system to benefit health.

Other Immune Supporting Herbs and Supplements:
  • Astragalus root:  Deep support for the Immune Reservoir, your body's deepest immune reserves. Can help replenish vitality for folks who are depleted.
  • Vitamin C:  Wildly overlooked, yet thoroughly studied and vetted for a plethora of illnesses ranging from Poliomyelitis (Dr. Fredrick Klenner's work) to  swine flu and pneumonia (Farmer Alan Smith).  Vitamin C assists the growth and development of all body tissues, is involved in many body functions such as the formation of collagen, bones, teeth and cartilage, supports wound healing, helps with absorption of iron, and supports the immune system.  Specific to Coronavirus, Vitamin C (as intravenous Vitamin C, or IVC) is being used in some hospitals in NYC.

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Dealing with Stress:  Herbal Adaptogens to the Rescue!!
"Adaptogens help the body adjust to stress, support normal metabolic processes, and restore balance.  They increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, emotional and environmental stressors and promote normal physiologic function."(%) 

  • Eleuthero:   (Eleutherococcus senticosus, Siberian ginseng)  Normalizes endocrine function, especially the HPA axis (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal).  Taken regularly, it helps relax or normalize nerve function (it relaxes the arteries and can be useful for white coat hypertension), it increases endurance, stamina, resistance to disease, and it strengthens the immune reservoir.(2)
  • Rhodiola:   (Rhodiola rosea) Confirmed by human research, antioxidant properties, and it has the ability to reduce the effects of chronic stress.(2)(11)
  • Tulsi, Holy Basil:   (Ocinum sanctum) Tulsi is an adaptogen; it stimulates pituitary, hypothalamus, pancreas, and immune function. Holy Basil is also a mild immune amphoteric, meaning it enhances humoral immunological response as well as inhibiting hypersensitivity reactions. (2)
  • ​Ashwagandha: (Withania somnifera)  An immunomodulator, is a superb calming adaptogen; it improves endocrine and nervous system function, muscle tone and is an excellent antiinflammatory. (2) 
    Caution:  Ashwagandha is in the nightshade family.
  • Astragalus root:  (Astragalus membranaceous) Deep support for the Immune Reservoir, your body's deepest immune reserves. Can help replenish vitality for folks who are depleted. (2)



Additional Alternative Healing Modalities to Consider

LifeWave​® Phototherapy (Patching Technology)
Silent Nights
Glutathione
Carnosine
​Aeon
​X39

Thinking Outside the Box:  Is It Time to Consider Something Completely Different?

5G wireless Technology and Radiation Sickness...
(Editorial Note:  As you can imagine, and you may already be aware if you are following any alternative news outlets, the topic of 5G technology in tandem with CoVid-19 virus is a hotly debated concept.  So much so that some of the larger social media platforms (YouTube and FB) are now deleting, flagging or banning posts and discussions about this, labeling them as 'fake news', 'inappropriate content' and 'against community guidelines'.  Having said that, I include this topic here in an effort to rationally discuss and consider any and all possibilities. 
​Therefore, I am providing alternative links in the event a mainstream social media link has been deleted.)
[See also my musings about viruses in general below, in the "And Now For Something Even More Outside the Box..." section.] ​

​​
​
And Now For Something Even More Outside the Box...
(Editorial Note:  My musings about viruses in general)

So what exactly ARE 'exosomes', anyway?

​
(This Page is a Work-In-Progress! I am updating regularly.  Please check back! )
​Be Well.  Stay Safe.  Stay Connected.
FootNotes:
(1) Source:  PubMed:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27439375
(2) from my class notes from David Winston's Two-Year Herbal Studies Program, 2006-2008
(3) Source:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/
(4) Source:  https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0008987
(5)  Study conducted by Tuffs University Dept. of Health Sciences Boston, MA:U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Health Project Expo 2003
(6) Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.
​(7) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019.
(8) Sandstrom B. Bioavailability of zinc. Eur J Clin Nutr 1997;51 (1 Suppl):S17-9. [PubMed abstract]
(9) Wise A. Phytate and zinc bioavailability. Int J Food Sci Nutr 1995;46:53-63.
(10) Source:  MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)  https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/4/988/htm?fbclid=IwAR10pj4abWuw-T3xGr7NltWw2GfrDK-AoMLLixBuixPujyrDHxghbXvM_Rw
(11) Bystritsky, A., Kerwin, L., et al, A Pilot Study of Rhodiola rosea (Rhodax ((R))) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), J Altern Complement Med., 2008, Mar; 14(2):175-80

(^) Source:  http://orthomolecular.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=9b8619251a19057cff70779273e95aa6.134&s=d185c2708608bef09bdb5476e2a16d33&utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&utm_campaign=CoVid-19%3a++Thoughts+and+Possible+Strategies&utm_medium=email)
(%) from Introduction in David Winston's book, "Adaptogens, Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief"
​
I am an herbal educator and consultant, dedicated to sharing this information with you.  What you choose to do with this information is your choice since I am not a medical doctor, and do not have formal medical training.

Note: Any remedies or information listed on this web site are from historical references and used for teaching / educational purposes only. The contents are not meant to diagnose, treat, prescribe, cure or substitute consultation with a licensed health-care professional for any specific illness. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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