***The information in this article is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. If you have concerns about this or any other health issue, please contact your doctor***
I don’t like to check facebook when my kids are around. But this morning I did. Just for a second. Just to look up one thing. However, without intending to, I started reading articles about COVID-19 (Coronavirus). And I got scared. Before I knew it I was numbly scrolling through my facebook feed while my kids played around my feet. Not the greatest position to be in!
Eventually I got myself out of this state, and realized how panicked I had become. Once I was able to calm down a bit, I started to ask myself, what can I do? I’d like to share some of my thoughts about this with you.
There have been a number of good articles written about preparing for a potential epidemic (please click here to read the CDC guidelines). What I’m going to cover here are herbal and vitamin strategies that may be helpful.
COVID-19 is a new virus, and as such there is very little research that has been done on its treatment and prevention, particularly in regards to natural remedies. However, it is part of a family of viruses that cause, among other things, the common cold. Based on this, I recommend doing things know to increase immune function and fend off similar viral infections.
Here are my top four herbal/vitamin prevention strategies (all of these can be purchased from my online dispensary):
Vitamin D: Low vitamin D has been linked to decreased immune function, and many of us are deficient. Most adults should take 2,000 IU per day in the winter (if you have had a blood test showing you are deficient, you will probably need more). There are lots of studies on vitamin D and immune health. Click here to view one of them.
Elderberry syrup: This is a traditional remedy for colds and flus that also has some scientific backing (click here to view a recent study). It is safe to take daily as a preventative measure for both adults and children.
Probiotics: Our body contains an ecosystem of bacteria that help us to live and thrive. The makeup of these bacteria has a large role in determining our immune system health. I recommend taking a probiotic daily during cold and flu season to help boost your body’s immune response. Click here to view a study on probiotics and immune health
Mushrooms: Certain mushroom species, such as reishi and cordycepts, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to combat infections. There is also emerging scientific evidence to back this claim. I recommend a formula with multiple mushroom species such as MyCommunity by Host Defense.
These are intended to go along side general healthy living habits that we all know we should do more of. These include:
Sleep: Aim for 8 hours of sleep per night (or as close to that as you can)
Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes per day
Food and Drink: Cut back on sugar and alcohol.
This is a great time to prioritize your health so that your body is as strong as it can be should you get sick.
If you need additional support to optimize your body’s immune function, please click on the “schedule” tab above to schedule an in person or virtual consultation.
Here’s to you and your health!
Dr. Rebecca
