How to prepared for pandemic flu, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from a natural medicine perspective.

by Brendon Groves | 31/01/2020 at 7:57pm | Cold & flu tips, Hygiene

Can Traditional Herbal Medicine Help?

According to the New York Times, the Chinese government told doctors to prescribe in addition to antiviral drugs to use traditional medicine. Hospitals in China are becoming overwhelmed by the number of people flocking to their doors since the pneumonia-like COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. ref 1. Natural compounds found in some herbs may reduce the risk of catching a virus and make it difficult for the virus to live in your body. However, herbs do not totally eliminate the risk. ref 2, 3.

Should you be unlikely to come into contact with a virus here is what I would do.

Rather than doing nothing, consult with your doctor. The doctors have access to the tests to identify viruses. No viruses should be taken lightly. Once I have received the doctor’s advice – I would follow it and incorporate a naturopathic perspective to give myself the best possible outcome.

Germs don’t fly they hitchhike

Virus transmission occurs via touch and droplets from person to person and sometimes animals to person as thought to be the origin of this coronaviruses.

How to prepared for pandemic flu, here’s my preparation strategy. 

I don’t want to teach you about something you already know, here is a reminder on how to limit the contact with viruses. Also, you may like to read 12 Great Hygiene protocols to Help Stay Well that I wrote about a few months ago. Here is an update of these protocols:

1. Firstly I would prevent contact with the virus. The first barrier to a virus is distance. Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms. The second barrier is our skin. The third barrier is our mucous membrane, and then we have our defenders the immune system.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly, particularly if you are in public spaces, and or frequently shake hands with other people. The coronavirus is spread by touching or shaking hands with a person that has the virus symptoms.
3. Put your used tissues in the rubbish bin to reduce the risk of contamination to others. Avoid travelling if you are sick or have a fever.
4. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough with a flexed elbow, or use a tissue, or wear a surgical mask when in public to stop the spread of germs. One sneeze can produce 100,000 droplets of mucus containing virus travelling 160 kilometres per hour.
5. Keep surfaces clean, particularly door handles, handrails and eating surfaces.
6. Don’t put your hands on or in your mouth. It only takes one viral spore from an infected surface to infect you.
7. Don’t touch the handrail on stairs or escalators, in public places if you do, wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
8. Keep a hand sanitiser with you. I keep some in the glove box of my car after I return to the car from the shops, we use antibacterial wipes to limit the spread of germs from the shopping centre.
9. Change your pillowcase daily if you are sick. That way, you won’t continue to reinoculate yourself. Some viruses can survive up to 4 hours on soft surfaces and 10 hours on hard surfaces. ref 4
10. Don’t clean your fingernails with your teeth, most germs get caught underneath your nails, including viruses.
11. Maintain nasal hygiene, viruses get trapped in the mucus that hardens in the nose.
12. Clean your toothbrush. It can spread germs if not cleaned regularly.

Muscle up the immune system, so it is ready for any virus.

A healthy immune system needs an environment to supports its optimal function. You may have heard of these ideas before. I first wrote about this on 9 May 2019 12 Essentials to Muscle Up Your Immune System. Here is a summary of the post.

1. Get street smart; make sure you get enough rest.
   Sleep deprivation decreases white blood cells and natural killer cells that fight viral infections. ref 5.
2. Drink plenty of water.
   2 litres per day for an adult, to prevent becoming dehydrated.
3. Don’t get a chill.
   Reduced core temperature makes you more susceptible to a virus.
4. Eat warming foods.
   Keeps your core temperature stable. Warming foods: beef, ginger, garlic, peppers, potato, sweet potato, squash, oats, kale, cabbage. Avoid cooling foods like salad, cheese, fruits, watermelon.
5. Avoid high sugar high carbohydrates foods.
   Eat a balanced diet that is anti-inflammatory like the 40 30 30 Zone diet by Dr Barry Sears, where you consume 40% carbs, 30% proteins and 30% fats. ref 6
6. Eat foods that support your immune system.
   These foods are high in antioxidants and essentials vitamins and nutrients. Such as garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, broccoli, carrots, spinach, and beetroot.
7. Reduce mucus-forming foods.
   Like cow’s milk, cheese, yoghurt, sour cream, ice cream, and chocolate.
8. Eat your veggies.
   They contain an abundance of essential nutrients and antioxidants that will help support a healthy immune system.
9. Gargle salt water a few times per day.
   It will help to loosen mucus and flush out bacteria and viruses in the throat. It may give some temporarily relieve for a sore throat. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 200 ml (8oz) of water, gargle for 10 seconds and then spit out, do not swallow.
10. Reduce stress.
    Stress impedes immune function by reducing white blood cells, natural killers cells and T-cells production. These cells help to fight off infection. ref 7.
11. Exercise.
    Moderate exercise has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the immune function and may protect against upper respiratory tract infections. ref 8.
12. Maintain a healthy weight

Seven Powerful Antiviral Herbs

1. Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata). Studies show that Andrographis limits the spread of the virus by inhibiting the viral replication processes. ref 9.
   In another study, Andrographis significantly decreases the symptoms of the common cold (is a type of coronavirus) and shortened sick leave time. ref 10.
   And yet again in another randomised placebo-controlled double-blind study, after 3 months of taking Andrographis, there was a significant reduction in colds when compared to the placebo group. ref 11.
2. Echinacea Angustifolia. Clinical trials have shown echinacea extracts to have the ability to shorten the duration and severity of colds. ref 12.
   Symptoms of the common cold are linked to a strain of the human coronavirus (HCoV-229E). ref 13.
   Echinacea is seen to be a modulator. That means it regulates your immune system to either building immune cells up or down depending on the body’s requirements.
3. Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). In a clinical trial in 2018 using the bird flu virus (H9N2), Holy basil showed a significant decrease in the ability of the virus to replicate itself. ref 14.
   Research also has revealed that holy basil has antiviral activity against many pathogens that cause human infection. ref 15.
4. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Shiitake mushroom interferes with the early stages of viral replication in both poliovirus and herpesvirus. ref 16.
5. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). Ganoderma has been used as a medicinal mushroom for over 2000. It inhibits viral replication by interfering with early stages of the infection. The study noted that this action did not affect normal cells. ref 17.
6. Coriolus Versicolor (Trametes versicolor). Coriolus is a potent activator of natural killer cells which in turn stimulate white blood cells to defend us against virus infections. ref 18. 19.
7. Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)Cordyceps initiate natural killer cells and T-cell to respond against pathogens. Specialist T-cells are used to clear the infection by killing cells that are infected by viruses. ref 20. 21.

The suggestions in this blog are general in nature and are for educational purpose only. The recommendations do not take into account your specific needs. Before you make changes to your routine or embark on any herbs or nutritional supplements, it is wise to check with your health care professional. As a community service, I am making myself available to do my best to provide some advice, every Monday from 9:00 am to 9:30 am (Brisbane time). Ring if there are any aspects of your diet or supplements that you would like to discuss or clarify.

In health and wisdom
Brendon.
Phone: +61 409 278 320

Written by: Brendon Groves
Clinical Naturopathic Practitioner,
Founder of “Groves Naturopathics” and “The Groves Lifestyle Diet.”
Brendon Groves. 
Advance Diploma of Naturopathy, Diploma of Nutrition, Diploma of Herbal Medicine.
My special interests:
– Weight loss
– Digestive issues
– Anxiety and mood disorders
– Immune support