The Coronavirus has brought us to a new place as a world, one where we can't touch each other or gather together, yet really feeling the fact that we are only as healthy as the person standing next to us. This gives us both a sense of isolation as well as a sense of responsibility and connection. It can bring anxiety and panic as well as resilience and kindness.
There are so many words of advice out there, I will throw my two pennies in, to reaffirm that we can use our past to help pull us up and eventually, out of this.
Our immediate ancestors have been through epidemics, not the same germs, or the same way, but there is age old wisdom, passed down through the wise women of each generation that teaches us how to support ourselves with what is around us. Let's dig deep, remember what our grandparents did, the foods they ate, the medicine they swore by, ask our families, and support ourselves and each other, in addition to the wisdom of our modern day medicine.
The more self care we can do at home for ourselves, our families, and our community, the better off we will all be.
My Daily Regime
In addition to all the hand washing, surface cleaning and social distancing already recommended:
- Vitamin D3, Liposomal Vitamin C and Zinc everyday
- Elderberry syrup for the kids (Elderberries, Elderflowers, Thyme, Rose Petals, Orange Peels, Milk Thistle, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Rose Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Brown Sugar)
- Lemon balm and mint tea fresh from the garden - Lemon Balm is an antiviral and Mint keeps your pores open (diaphoretic)
Note on Elderberry: As a preventative it is a great remedy. If symptoms of Covid-19 begin, stop taking the Elderberry due to potential cytokine concerns.
For Sore Throats
- Gargle with warm salt water - salt kills microbes
- Use warm salt water up your nose to clear nasal passageways
- Apply a barrier oil (herbal salve with calendula) to nostrils
- Sage - a strong antiseptic, antibacterial and astringent for sore throats
Helpful Herbs and Foods
Thyme, rosemary, ginger, marshmallow root, garlic, cayenne, propolis, apple cider vinegar, onions, chicken soup, and hot lemon with honey.
For Coughs
- Herbal steams
- Warm baths with epsom salts and lavender oil
- Skin brushing to increase circulation
- Warm broths with onion, garlic, astragalus and medicinal mushrooms
- Diaphoretic herbs such as yarrow and peppermint
- Aromatherapy diffuser with aromatic herbs
Onion Poultice
For deep lung congestion and bronchial inflammation:
- Thinly slice 3 large organic onions
- Saute covered in water until transparent
- Fold half of the onions in a cloth
- Apply as hot as can be tolerated (without burning!)
- Cover with towels to retain heat
- Replace with second poultice when first cools
- Dry the chest and tuck patient in bed to rest
My Herbal Formulas
FEVER REDUCER - Elderflowers, Yarrow and Peppermint. Has cooling and diaphoretic properties.
COUGH SYRUP - Fennel seeds, marshmallow, licorice, slippery elm, burdock, plantain, red clover, elecampane, lobelia, schisandra, honey, brandy. Great for dry coughs.
IMMUNE FORMULA - Burdock, Yarrow, Olive leaf, Rhodiola, Yerba Mansa, Lemon Balm, Elecampane, Red root, Licorice, Marshmallow, Turmeric, Reishi, Lobelia.
ACUTE FORMULA - Mullein, chinese skullcap, Reishi, american ginseng, licorice, ginger, turmeric.
TEA FOR CHILLS AND PAIN - Boneset, Jamaican Dogwood and Fennel
Stephen Buhner's Protocol
For corona viruses (used with permission):
Core tincture: Baikal skullcap, japanese knotweed root, kudzu, licorice, elderberry. Dosage: 1 tsp 3x day, 6x if active infection.
Immune support tincture: Cordyceps, Dong Quai, rhodiola, astragalus.
Cellular/lymph support tincture: Dan Shen, red root, cinnamon.
With active infection: Very strong boneset tea, up to 6x day.
Historical Homeopathic Remedies
From the Spanish flu of 1918:
- Aconite - For chilly spells, stuffed nose, great thirst, restlessness and fever
- Gelsemium 3x - For fatigue with chilliness, moderate fever, drowsiness, deep aching
- Eupatorium 3x - For marked chill followed by high fever, intense back aching, bone pain
- Bryonia 1x - For chilliness with head heat, flushed face, dry cough, symptoms worse with motion
Contact: loza@homemadeherbals.com