I know I am a lucky one! I have access to good health, good food, and an apothecary of herbs & supplements that kept that unwelcome guest at bay. And when it did arrive, the impact was minimum.
Since Covid met our shores, our clinic has been busily helping patients manage their symptoms as well as take all the necessary precautions and support to prevent the virus from taking hold.
Here is Part One of a Naturopathic Protocol we've established that has been remarkably effective in managing the symptoms, minimising the impact, and preventing those lingering leftover symptoms.
First, I assess which symptoms of Covid my patient is experiencing - severity and frequency:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Breathing difficulties
- Headache
- Muscular stiffness & pain
- Loss of appetite
- Generalised fatigue
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Age.
- Medications & supplements - assessing what a patient is currently taking contributes to a more effective prescription, one that doesn't negatively interact with my recommendations, as well as differentiating between drug side effects and virus symptoms.
- General health - sleep, diet, exposure to fresh air & sunlight, hydration, rest, movement, mood & cognition, environment, relationships etc.
- Stress levels & coping mechanisms - long-term stress alters the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response and promotes an excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Chronic secretion of stress hormones enhances the growth of pathogens while also lowering natural killer (NK) cell activity, compromising viral immune defenses.
- Existing health conditions - chronic illnesses such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes, and obesity can compromise immune function, increasing the susceptibility and severity of infection.
- Immunocompromised - individuals with compromised immunity or impaired immune responses are at an increased risk of chronic infections.
- Microbiome disruption - depending on the severity, frequency, and longevity of symptoms, I will ask my patient to do a Comprehensive Stool Analysis Test to assess their intestinal microbiota, which contributes to 2/3rds of their immunity.
Please note that while clinical evidence supports the use of natural medicines for immune support, the below-listed recommendations are not intended to replace personalised medical health advice regarding the treatment of Covid and this is not a definitive list, nor do I suggest that you need to take it all. Also, herbs, supplements & drug interactions must be reviewed by your health care practitioner.
I provide my patients with:
Immune-enhancing herbs and nutrients to stimulate immune defenses and increase resistance against pathogenic virulence, infectious occurrence, and infection severity. I prescribe herbs such as Echinaceae, Lomatium, Reishi, Shitake, Cat's claw, Elderberry, and Olive leaf. And I prescribe the following supplements - probiotics - which contain Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L.plantarum, and L. paracasei, Vitamin C, D, and Zinc.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support to reduce airway tissue damage associated with Covid and ensure nutrient precursors to support energy levels and prevent viral-associated fatigue. I prescribe herbs such as Maritime Pine Bark, Turmeric, and Andrographis and supplements may include Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Quercitin, B vitamins, Glutathione, and CoQ10.
Adrenal and nervous systems support regulating their overwhelmed, fearful, and anxious states in order to optimally heal & recover from infection. I prescribe herbs such as Saffron, Licorice root, Lemon balm, Chamomile, Passionflower, Magnolia, Rhodiola, Lavender, Bacopa and Skullcap, and supplements may include GABA, magnesium, glycine, and B vitamins.
Symptomatic relief:
- Pain - herbs such as Rosemary, Willow bark, Turmeric, and Lavender, and Magnesium.
- Mucous - herbs such as Echinaceae & Ribwort.
- Cough - assess if cough is dry (herbs such as Thyme & Licorice) or wet (Ribwort & Elecampane).
- Fever - herbs such as Yarrow, Peppermint, and Elder.
- Chills - herbs such as Ginger & Chilli.
- Sore throat - herbs such as Thyme, Sage, Myrrh, and Clove.
Wholefood nutrition & lifestyle support to promote rest and illness recovery. Increase organic fresh fruit & vegetables, cold-pressed vegetable juices, herbal tisanes (our Apollo - Immunity Naturopathic Tisane is a delicious salve!), filtered water, bone stock broths & soups, fresh salads and steamed vegetables, and slow-cooked and easy-to-digest (grass fed) meats & poultry and sustainable fish & seafood with plenty of citrus zest and juice and fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, mint, oregano, marjoram, ginger, coriander, parsley and dill, and dried herbs & spices such as pepper, chili, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and paprika. Grab out free Winter ebook on the 10 Immune Bolstering Foods & Fluids to Stave Off the Winter Blues. Rest & sleep as much as possible - day & night. A hot water bottle for warmth & extra blankets. Keep your home warm & dry. Sniff on eucalyptus oil, and burn it in an oil diffuser. Change the sheets and your bed clothes everyday 2nd or 3rd day, depending on whether you have a fever. Get fresh air and sunlight - pull open curtains and windows.
In our next newsletter (I promise it will be within the fortnight), I will be consolidating our Long Covid Protocol (Part Two) just for you.
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For a bespoke, individualised health protocol, contact our Naturopathic clinic on 02 9380 7863 or book online here