CORONA VIRUS HERBAL PROTOCOL
(Suggestions
from Herbalists Jules Pecson at Fiona’s Forest and Darcy Williamson at From the
Forest)
If you or a loved one are currently experiencing flu-like
symptoms, the recommended herbal protocol starts on page 5 of this article.
How can we be pro-active to protect ourselves from the possibility
of contracting Covid?
We know to keep a safe distance
from others, stay in place when possible, and frequently wash our hands.
When hand washing, regular soap
works better than hand sanitizers and here’s why: When you lather up properly,
you’re rubbing your hands together and creating enough friction with thick,
foamy soap to break apart those minuscule Covid microorganisms. The reason
soap is so effective against viruses is that it tears them apart. Covid
microorganisms are held together by a fatty shell --a lipid membrane. Soap, by
its molecular nature, strips that protective fat layer away from the
virus. Be certain to use “soap”, not detergent, cleansing bar or
“soft-soap”. It is the chemical reaction between sodium hydroxide
and fat that makes soap…and it is the result of this chemical reaction which
breaks down the lipid membrane of the Covid virus.
When doing almost any kind of
activity such as handling food, working in the office, grocery shopping,
playing sports, tending the garden, or going fishing, hand sanitizer isn’t able
to cut through the bacteria, viruses, or just plain dirt on the skin. Hand
sanitizer gives the false sense of security that hands are germ-free, when
they’re not. Of course, soap and water are not always available, in
which case use Antiviral Throat Spray.
Antiviral Throat Spray contains equal parts Arrowleaf
Balsamroot, Lomatium root and Gumweed flower tinctures which have strong
antiviral and immune system actions. Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza
sagittata) is used in this formula for its immune enhancing benefits, as
well as its binding effects on mucus and its adaptogen properties. Lomatium
(Lomatium dissectum) has been the “backbone” of many herbal
antiviral formulas. It was successfully used by Northwest native
tribes during the 1918 flu epidemic. Gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa)
has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, in
this formula, it is prized for its antimicrobial and binding
properties. Its resinous makeup not only acts as an expectorant,
binding to mucus in the lungs, but also binds to and destroys unwanted airborne
microbes.
Before entering any public place spray your
throat with Antiviral Throat Spray. Mist around your
nostrils. You can also mist surfaces which may be contaminated
before touching them. After leaving a public place, spray your
throat again and the palms of your hands, as well. When you get
home, wash your hands with plenty of soap and water.
Developing
and maintaining a strong immune system is essential in this era of radical
viral and bacterial infections!
Below is a list of wild harvested plants that will keep your
immune system strong as well as balance essential minerals and daily vitamins.
Immune
Enhancing Formula Tincture: Two parts Elderberry
tincture, two parts Arrowleaf Balsamroot tincture, one part Lomatium root
tincture and one part Gumweed flower tincture.
Chemical constituents in Elderberry (Sambucus
melancarpa berries) inhibit the early stages of infection by blocking key
viral proteins responsible for attaching and penetrating our cells. The US
National Library of Medicine did a study of Elderberry & chickens who had
been infected with this strain of the coronavirus showing Elderberry was able
to inhibit the coronavirus in chickens.
How does this translate to humans? The US National Library of
Medicine felt that Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) has proven to inhibit the
virus. This warranted future studies.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot is used in
this formula for its immune enhancing benefits, as well as its binding effects
on mucus and its adaptogen properties. Lomatium
root has strong antiviral properties. Gumweed’s resinous flowers bind with
sticky mucous in the system and carries it out of the body.
Dosage:
½ tsp. twice daily.
Polypore Hydrosol with tincture: Four parts Steam distilled and one part
tinctured Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail and Red Belted Polypore mushrooms.
Polypore mushrooms work with the immune system
to help it identify free radicals and basically any cell that isn't you.
Polypores also regulate the immune system, prevents and treats colds and flus.
Dosage: 2 tsp. first thing in the morning on
an empty stomach.
Cognitive Formula Tincture: Three parts Yerba
Santa leaf tincture, two parts Japanese
Knotweed root tincture and one part Lion’s
Mane tincture.
In
recent studies, Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) has
been shown to have one of the highest levels of bio-available antioxidants in
the plant community. Because of this, it is able to help combat oxidative
stress-induced diseases and there is even talk that it may prevent Alzheimer’s
Disease. Scientists are now in the process of researching this miracle plant in
hopes to cure the disease all together.
Japanese
Knotweed root (Polygonum cuspidatum) contains
high levels of resveratrol, the antioxidant found in red grape skins and dark
chocolate. It also passes the blood brain barrier providing protection to
cellular DNA from free-radical damage; another contributor to Alzeimer’s
Disease.
Lion’s
Mane’s (Hericium erinaceus) active
compounds include erinacines and hericenones -powerful catalysts for the
regeneration of brain tissues. Erinacines pass through the blood-brain barrier
and aid in the improvement of cognitive functions as well as memory
capabilities.
Tincture Dosage: 1 tsp.
twice daily.
Calcium/Magnesium
& Vitamin Tincture: Equal parts of Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) tincture,
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) tincture, Watercress (Nasturtium officianalis) tincture
and Purslane (Portulaca olercea) tincture.
Formulated
to help keep your essential minerals and vitamins balanced.
Tincture
dosage: ½ tsp twice daily.
Horsetail/Nettle
Capsules: Two parts Horsetail powder, one part Stinging
Nettle powder.
Another
key component to help keep your essential minerals and vitamins balanced.
Dosage:
two capsules twice daily.
Decrease
stress - Stress uses extra energy and
depletes our immune system! If you suffer from high stressors
and/or anxiety, herbs
such as Skullcap latefloria and
Astragalus membranaceus may be able to help.
Skullcap’s
flavonoids are transformed by hydrolysis
into scutellarin, which helps stimulate the brain to produce more endorphins.
It can therefore enhance awareness and calmness. Panic
attacks, restlessness, stress-induced headaches and emotional trauma can also be
treated with Skullcap.
Astragalus
is considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are a class
of natural substances that are believed to stimulate the body’s resistance
to physical, environmental, and emotional stressors. The chemicals in
Astragalus also seem
to stimulate the immune system and reduce swelling.
Stay
well, hydrated, and
rested. Wash your hands often or wear a face
mask (to help avoid touching your face) if
the immune system is compromised.
Keep your hands away from the face (eyes, nose, mouth).
If you do start to experience some flu-like symptoms here are a few
recommendations!
As you know, this virus attacks the lungs. In
response, the immune system releases proinflammatory cytokines. This
inflammatory response is not as
dangerous in other parts of the body as it can be in the lungs. When the inflammation becomes too great -referred
to as a cytokine storm- acute respiratory distress syndrome can ensue. In this case, Elderberry should be removed from your daily regimen.
Beneficial
herbs at this point will be:
Usnea: Usnea
(Usnea sp.) tincture has proved absolutely crucial to speeding up the
recovery time from Covid. As a tincture or tea, Usnea’s antimicrobial
properties target the lungs. Usnea appears to kill virus cells by disrupting
their metabolic function. Specifically, it uncouples oxidative phosphorylation
by acting on the inner mitochondrial membrane and also has ATP-ase
activity. Both of these mechanisms
ultimately kill virus cells by cutting off their energy supply. Unlike virus cells, human cells are less
permeable to usnic acid and are not adversely affected. Small doses often are best when taking Usnea
as a tincture.
Dosage:
½ tsp. every 3 hours.
Immune
Support Formula: A
blend of two parts Arrowleaf
Balsamroot
tincture, two
parts Astragalus root
tincture, one part Lomatium root tincture
and one part Gumweed flower
tincture.
The Immune Support Formula will replace your
Immune Enhancing
Formula as
it does not contain
Elderberry tincture.
Tincture
dosage: ½ tsp. 3 times a day
Polypore
Hydrosol with Tincture: Steam distilled and tinctured Reishi,
Chaga, Turkey Tail and Red Belted Polypore mushrooms.
Continue taking your Polypore Hydrosol.
Dosage:
2 tsp. first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Lung
Support Tincture: A blend of two parts Mullein leaf tincture, one
part
Lomatium root tincture, one part Yerba Santa Leaf tincture and one part Gumweed
flower tincture.
Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus leaf) is
an ideal remedy for toning the mucous membranes of the respiratory system,
reducing inflammation while stimulating fluid production and thus facilitating
expectoration.
Lomatium root seems to specialize in viruses
of the respiratory tract. Many of the plant's antiviral compounds are
excreted out through the mucous membranes of the lungs. It appears to clear
congestion and work as a mild expectorant for deep lung infections.
Yerba Santa leaves act as an astringent for
your lungs squeezing the mucous from the cell walls and Gumweed’s resinous
flowers bind with sticky mucous in the system and carries it out of the body.
Dosage:
1 tsp. 3 times daily.
Respiratory
Support Tea: A blend of two
parts Mullein leaf, one part Yerba Santa Leaf, one part Usnea and one part Peppermint.
Use
2 tsp. of mixture per cup of boiling hot water taken several times daily. Steep
at least 15 minutes.
Cognitive
Formula Tincture: Yerba Santa leaf
tincture, Japanese Knotweed root tincture,
and Lion’s Mane tincture.
A common symptom of
the virus is brain fog and these herbs have been helpful clearing
the fog due to their ability to pass through the blood
brain barrier.
Tincture
Dosage: 1 tsp. twice daily.
Calcium/Magnesium
& Vitamin Tincture: Equal parts of Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
tincture, Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) tincture, Watercress (Nasturtium
officianalis) tincture and Purslane (Portulaca olercea) tincture.
Formulated
to help keep your essential minerals and vitamins balanced.
Tincture
dosage: ½ tsp twice daily.
Horsetail/Nettle
Capsules: Two parts Horsetail powder, one part Stinging
Nettle powder.
Another
key component to help keep your essential minerals and vitamins balanced.
Dosage:
two capsules twice daily.
Yarrow tincture or Tea: To reduce fever.
Tincture dosage: 1 tsp. as needed to reduce fever. Tea dosage: 1 tsp.
dried Yarrow per cup of boiling hot water.
Eat
plenty of foods to help fight the infection and
inflammation -- bone broths, soups, simple grains, veggies, and light
meals! Anti-inflammatory foods include
blueberries, kamut (an ancient, non-modified wheat species), oats, raw ginger,
wild Salmon, red peppers, turmeric, beets, broccoli, black beans, extra virgin
olive oil, tomatoes, chia seeds, pineapple, spinach, eggs, garlic, low sugar
yogurt, apples, nuts, rosemary, coconut oil, raw honey and miso.
Avoid
foods which will “feed” the virus
such as sugar, fried foods, refined flours, and dairy products.
To
purchase any of these items, you can visit our website at
http://www.fionasforest.com/category-s/143.htm
Get
plenty of rest and stay well hydrated!
Fiona’s Forest
Visit our website at www.fionasforest.com
Visit Darcy Williamson at: fromtheforestidaho.com