In August of 2021, I thought I had come down with the flu. I have never gotten the flu naturally, only after receiving the flu vaccine, so I thought the flu was just stronger from being a wild strain. Little did I know, it was covid-19. How do I know it was covid-19? Well, my husband's righthand man from work had tested positive for covid-19, this led my husband, who was also sick, to get himself tested, and when he came back positive, I knew I had it too.
You may be wondering what the experience was like, and I'll be frank, it was utterly awful. The flu-like symptoms were so intense, at least 10x worse than the flu, that I genuinely thought I was dying. I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest, and I am asthmatic, so the respiratory distress was quite unpleasant. The respiratory distress led to intense coughing fits that made it difficult to catch my breath and would often leave me severely nauseous and on the brink of vomiting. What's even crazier to me is the fact that my asthmatic symptoms had been absent for nearly two years before I caught covid-19, yet even after no longer testing positive for covid-19, I have continued to struggle with my lung capacity and overall respiratory health. Then, of course, my O₂ levels weren't the greatest, usually ranging from 92 to 97, and my pulse was pretty elevated, ranging between 115 and 140. Plus, my fever ran between 101°F and 104°F, which came with its own uncomfortable symptoms such as sweating, chills, and body aches. Then there was the horrible never-ending migraine, the chronic fatigue, which took approximately three months to go away, and never-ending diarrhea and the extreme mouth sensitivities due to covid tongue. Not to mention, covid-19 attacks your inflammation markers. As someone with full-body Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), an autoimmune disease. However, despite being ordinarily well-controlled, covid-19 induced some of the worst flares I've ever experienced with this condition in the 15 years I've had this condition. Let's not forget that I lost my sense of taste and smell, which led to food tasting so terrible that I didn't eat for about two weeks and lost approximately 15 pounds during my time with covid-19.
I would also like to note that I took two nebulizer treatments due to the sensation of an elephant sitting on my chest and not having quick access to other alternatives. So realistically, I would say I treated covid-19 at home, 99% naturally, and then the two pharmaceutical nebulizer treatments that were 100% emergency use to prevent a potential hospital visit.
Herbal Remedies I Took & Why (My Protocol)
What Is COVID-19
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Covid-19 is a dangerous disease caused by a virus discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. It is very contagious and has quickly spread around the world. Covid-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, a flu, or pneumonia, but covid-19 can also harm other parts of the body (1).
According to WebMD, symptoms can start anywhere from 2 to14 days after you’re in contact with the virus and the most common symptoms of covid-19 are:
Fever or chills
A dry cough and shortness of breath
Feeling very tired
Muscle or body aches
Headache
A loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
And the more serious symptoms of covid-19 are:
Trouble breathing
Constant pain or pressure in your chest
Bluish lips or face
Sudden confusion
Having a hard time staying awake (2)
Of course, we've all heard about how deadly covid-19 is, and that's true for those with underlying health conditions, but for most of humanity, covid-19 is not fatal. It can easily be treated in the comfort of your own home with herbal remedies. Many fail to realize that the death rates surrounding covid-19 have been heavily falsified to create fear for humanity to help push the covid-19 vaccine. For instance, people that were never tested for covid-19 have been added to the covid-19 death toll. Check out the CDC's Guidance for Certifying Deaths Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (covid-19). On page 2, under Manner of Death, it states:
The manner of death, sometimes referred to as circumstances of death, is also reported on death certificates. Natural deaths are due solely or almost entirely to disease or the aging process. In the case of death due to a covid–19 infection, the manner of death will almost always be natural (3).
Then in their conclusion, they state:
Ideally, testing for covid–19 should be conducted, but it is acceptable to report covid–19 on a death certificate without this confirmation (3).
But that’s not all. Did you know hospitals are paid more for covid-19 deaths? A news article was run by USA Today, fact-checking this claim, and they found it true considering the relief act provision creating a 20% premium or add-on for covid-19 patients on Medicare (4).
With that said, it's essential to understand that the reality of the "pandemic" is that more people died each year in the past years than they did this year and last year here in the United States.
The CDC statistics for 2019 show that 2,854,838 people died, and the leading cause of death was heart disease, with 659,041 deaths (5). Yet last year (2020), the death rate was lower than in 2019, with 2,763,245 deaths, and covid was the cause of 385,248 deaths (6).
I’d say the true pandemic, especially here in the United States, is what people eat because that is directly linked to heart disease. Statistics say that one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease (7). Statistics say that one in every four deaths is caused by heart disease (8). In 2017 alone, 365,914 people died from Coronary Heart Disease (9), the most common type of heart disease; that’s nearly as many deaths as covid-19 in 2020, despite the falsified death records. Yet heart disease can easily be prevented with the appropriate diet, but instead, we are worried about a virus with a 97-99.75% survival rate (10).
Of course, that doesn't mean that the upward of 3% of people who become infected with covid-19 and don't survive don't matter. Still, it is essential to understand that the unfortunate 3% of people who may not often survive have underlying health conditions that contribute to their inability to survive the virus. Most of the people who are becoming seriously ill or dying from covid-19 have underlying conditions such as but not limited to:
Cancer
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Lung Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Asthma
Interstitial Lung Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Pulmonary Hypertension
Dementia
Alzheimer's
Diabetes
Down syndrome
Heart Conditions
Immunocompromised State
Obesity (11)
So, if you're diagnosed with an underlying condition, you can likely, treat covid-19 at home naturally.
Herbal Remedies I Took & Why (My Protocol)
If you're at this section, you're likely struggling with covid and don't have the energy to read in-depth about the benefits of each product I used and found helpful in my recovery. That said, I will share my original protocol graphic, formatted for easy printing. I have a revised covid protocol that was updated in 2022, which can be found here. Just remember, these recommendations are a baseline and can be used more or less frequently depending on independent needs. What worked for me may not be perfect for you, and these recommendations have not been evaluated by the FDA.
I took Earthley's Cough-B-Gone as needed with a minimum of four doses (1 dropper) per day. Earthley's Cough-B-Gone is great for respiratory support thanks to the herb mullein, which loosens and removes excess mucus in the respiratory system while also having anti-inflammatory properties, relaxing muscles and relieving congestion (12). Earthley's Cough-B-Gone also has Fenugreek, which has both antioxidant and antibacterial properties (13), and dandelion, which has many medical benefits, such as being rich in antioxidants and the potential to boost your immune system. To learn more regarding The Benefits of Dandelion, click here.
I took Earthley's Immune-Aid Vitamin C Powder in two doses (1/4 teaspoon), two times per day. Earthley's Immune-Aid Vitamin C Powder is great for the immune system thanks to the orange peel powder, which is high in vitamin C and reduces the risk of disease associated with aging (14). Not to mention, orange peel has nearly 3x more vitamin C than the inner fruit (15). Earthley's Immune-Aid Vitamin C Powder also has camu camu, which is rich in vitamin C (16), and acerola berry powder, which is also high in vitamin C, has antioxidant properties, and anti-aging properties (17). Taking vitamin C is very important when infected with covid-19 because it's a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits:
Reduces your risk of chronic disease
May help manage high blood pressure
May lower your risk of heart disease
May reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks
Helps prevent iron deficiency
Boosts immunity
Protects your memory and thinking as you age (18)
But even more importantly, vitamin C has been documented to aid covid patients with sepsis making ‘remarkable’ recovery following megadosing (19). In an article titled, Enhancing Immunity in Viral Infections, with Special Emphasis on Covid-19, in the introduction’s first sentience, they said:
Considering the current pandemic of covid-19 where no effective preventive and curative medicine is available, a healthy immune system is one of the most important weapons (20).
Now, think back to when I spoke about underlying health conditions contributing to the death rate of covid-19; vitamin C helps treat most of these underlying conditions (21) and boost immunity (22) to help you fight off such a virus.
I took Earthley's Anti-Inflammatory as needed with a minimum of four double doses (2 droppers) per day. Earthley's Anti-Inflammatory is excellent for inflammation thanks to the cinnamon and orange peel, which both have anti-inflammatory properties (23,24). Earthley's Anti-Inflammatory also has echinacea, which helps with pain relief and boosts the immune system (25), and motherwort, which helps modulate inflammation and can help with pain relief (26). The thing about covid-19 is it attacks inflammation markers (27), which caused a lot of pain for me considering one of my underlying health conditions, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which is known to cause severe inflammation, which flared massively while I had covid-19. It's also important to keep in mind that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Motrin, or any other brand of Ibuprofen can make covid-19 symptoms worse
I took Earthley's Feel Better Fast as needed with a minimum of four daily doses (1 dropper). Earthley's Feel Better Fast is great to help keep fevers in a safe range, potentially lowering them and aiding with symptoms associated with the fever. Fever reduction is possible thanks to herbs like elderflower, which provide immune and respiratory support while also helping fight fevers naturally (28). It's important to understand that elderflower doesn't lower the fever but can help it from getting too high or uncomfortable. Earthley's Feel Better Fast also has cinnamon, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties (29), and fennel seed, which soothes upset tummies, gas, bloating, and other digestive distress while also helping to ease congestion and fevers (30). Earthley's Feel Better Fast also contains echinacea, which gently and naturally boosts the immune system (31), and astragalus root, an all-around immune-supporting herb (32). This tincture was a great option to help ease the majority of my flu-like symptoms associated with covid-19.
I took Earthley’s Elderberry Elixir as needed with a minimum of four daily doses (1 dropper). Earthley’s Elderberry Elixir is great for immunity boosting. Elderberry by itself is known for so many health benefits, such as being rich in antioxidants, the potential to improve cold and flu symptoms, and so much more. To learn more regarding The Benefits of Elderberries, click here. Earthley’s Elderberry Elixir also has astragalus root, a general immune booster that just so happens to help protect the body from stress (33), and mullein, which has anti-bacterial and respiratory-supporting properties (34,35). Earthley’s Elderberry Elixir also contains ginger, which can help relieve nausea and fight infections (36), and cloves, which have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, while also providing relief for pain and inflammation and promoting overall wellness (37).
According to the herbalist at Earthley, who just so happens to be one of my friends as well as one of my favorite bloggers from Modern Alternative Mama, Kate Tietje:
Elderberry has been a bit controversial regarding covid-19 since there isn’t much information regarding this topic. Plus, a lot of people had started to run around the internet and say that it definitely or likely will cause a cytokine storm and kill people, and that you shouldn't use or recommend it.
This is based on a few things. First, elderberry, when someone is sick, does increase pro-inflammatory cytokines. It's part of how it boosts the immune system to help your body heal itself. It does not have the same action in healthy people, it's anti-inflammatory and modulating.
Second, from what little we know about covid-19, it heavily impacts the respiratory system, causing respiratory distress and pneumonia, which is what kills people.
People have combined these two facts and have surmised that if a person with covid-19 is given elderberry, that it will increase the cytokines too much, lead to a cytokine storm, and cause death. Therefore, they recommend against it.
But hang on.
Although elderberry increases cytokines, there is no solid evidence that it has ever actually caused a cytokine storm or killed anyone this way. It's just theoretical right now. Some still may not want to take the risk, believing 'better safe than sorry....'
Most of the people who have trouble with elderberry have underlying conditions. Some people with autoimmune conditions feel worse or experience flares when using elderberry. Others actually feel better - there's no blanket recommendation here. Most of the people who are becoming seriously ill or dying from covid-19 have underlying conditions.
It is possible that for someone with underlying conditions, who is already experiencing a lot of chronic inflammation, elderberry could be a tipping point for them and could contribute to a cytokine storm. BUT we have no proof that this has happened yet.
However, the situation for someone with underlying conditions, who is older and fragile, is not the same as someone who is young and healthy. I would advise caution in someone in fragile health (and that is in general) and would use a lot of lung-supporting herbs, like mullein, as well as anti-inflammatory herbs like cinnamon or turmeric.
With young, healthy people, especially using elderberry as a general immune support rather than a remedy, I have no concerns.
With that said, I highly recommend downloading Earthley’s free guide, What You Need to Know About Elderberries, to learn more regarding the benefits of elderberries, who it is safe for, elderberries and autoimmunity, elderberries and cytokine storms, syrup vs. tincture, how to use elderberries and so much more.
If you're interested in downloading Earthley’s free guide, What You Need to Know About Elderberries, click here.
I took Earthley’s Pain Potion as needed with a minimum of four daily doses (1 dropper). Again, this was very beneficial for the pain I was experiencing due to my underlying health condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and covid-19 attacking inflammation markers (27) that produced the massive flares I experienced during my time with covid-19. Earthley’s Pain Potion has meadowsweet, which is a multi-use herb, great for anti-inflammation, pain, and even relieving fevers (38), as well as mullein leaf, which along with being an effective anti-bacterial, can best be used to relax muscles and soothe related pain (39). Earthley’s Pain Potion also contains dandelion root, which is a powerful antioxidant and can also promote healthy blood sugar levels (40), as well as peppermint leaf, which supports liver and lung health, making it easier for your body to absorb and use the natural relief in this tincture (41,42). Last but not least, turmeric is a part of Earthley’s Pain Potion, which is excellent for reducing inflammation and so much more (43). To learn more regarding The Benefits of Turmeric, click here.
I took Earthley's CBD Oil (Formula P) in two doses (1 dropper) twice daily. Earthley's CBD Oil (Formula P) is a CBD oil formulated with 600 mg of pure-spectrum CBD in a hemp seed oil base for the full medicinal benefits of cannabis without the high. Since Earthley's CBD Oil (Formula P) is CBD, it's fantastic for pain, inflammation, sleep, and so much more associated with covid-19 symptoms. To learn more regarding 25 Medicinal Uses For Cannabis, click here.
I highly recommend downloading Earthley’s free guide, What You Need to Know About Cannabinoids, to learn more about what CBD is, the history of cannabis, the benefits of CBD (backed by science), full-spectrum vs. isolate, CBD growing and processing methods, how to read labels, additives, and carrier liquids, synergistic herbs and terpenes, FAQ and more.
If you're interested in downloading Earthley’s free guide, What You Need to Know About Cannabinoids, click here.
I took Earthley’s Sleepy Time four, double doses (2 droppers), four times daily. Earthley’s Sleepy Time helped me sleep it all off and get the rest my body needed thanks to herbs such as catnip, known for benefits such as their potential ability to promote sleep, relieve insomnia, and so much more. To learn more regarding The Benefits of Catnip, click here. Earthley’s Sleepy Time also contains skullcap, which has antibacterial properties, antiviral properties, and anti-inflammatory properties (44), as well as passionflower, which has fantastic calming effects (45).
I took Earthley's Immune-Biotic in two doses (1 dropper) twice daily. Earthley's Immune-Biotic uses immune-supporting herbs to give your body a jump start to fight off germs like echinacea root, which naturally supports the entire immune system (46), and elderflower, which is used for its rich content of antioxidants and benefits in promoting whole-body health (47). Earthley's Immune-Biotic also has astragalus root, a potent antioxidant, a natural inflammation inhibitor (48), and calendula, which is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory (49). Lastly, Earthley's Immune-Biotic contains dandelion root, which is used to balance blood sugar, its anti-bacterial characteristics, and so much more (50). To learn more regarding The Benefits of Dandelion, click here.
I took MaryRuth’s Liquid Ionic Zinc in two half doses (2 droppers) twice daily. MaryRuth’s Liquid Ionic Zinc helped me regain my sense of smell and taste while also helping to boost my immune system. Studies have shown that smell and taste alteration in covid-19 may reflect a zinc deficiency (51). Studies have found that zinc directly affects multiple aspects of the immune system, and zinc deficiency can generate inflammatory cytokines (52).
I took MaryRuth’s Vitamin D3 Spray twice daily in two doses (2 sprays). MaryRuth’s Vitamin D3 Spray aided in immunity-boosting effects to help with fighting off covid-19. Studies have found that the implications of vitamin D deficiency on the immune system have become more apparent in recent years. In the context of vitamin D deficiency, there appears to be an increased susceptibility to infection and a diathesis in a genetically susceptible host to autoimmunity (53). Not to mention, according to an article published by The Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, vitamin D is necessary for the prevention and treatment of covid-19 (54).
I took MaryRuth's Valerian Root in two doses (15 drops) twice daily. MaryRuth's Valerian Root helped me sleep and relax to rest up. Valerian root is most commonly known for its ability to help you relax, especially in stressful situations (55), as well as to help you sleep by reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and improving sleep quality and quantity (56,57,58).
I took homeopathic Olloïs Carbo Vegetabilis 30C (2 pellets) as needed. Olloïs Carbo Vegetabilis 30C aided in the respiratory issues and the sensation that an elephant was sitting on my chest. Olloïs Carbo Vegetabilis 30C is said to help in oxygen starvation, such as when a person with pneumonia needs to fan the space in front of their face to get enough air (59). According to PeaceHealth, this particular homeopathic remedy is beneficial for asthmatics, and they state:
This remedy may be indicated when a person feels weak or faint with a hollow sensation in the chest. Coughing jags can lead to gagging. The person may be very cold (especially hands and feet), yet feel a need for moving air, wanting to sit beside a fan or open window. Gas and digestive upset are also likely, and sitting up and burping offers some relief. Feeling worse in the evening, and worse from talking, eating, or lying down are other indications for this remedy (60).
I drank Adanim Bio Eucalyptus Thyme & Mullein Leaf Tea as needed with a minimum of two cups of tea per day. Adanim Bio Eucalyptus Thyme & Mullein Leaf Tea is exceptionally beneficial for respiratory support thanks to the herbs it features, like mullein leaf, which helps open the lungs, eases spasms, tightness, and cough, and soothes irritation and dryness (61). Adanim Bio Eucalyptus Thyme & Mullein Leaf Tea also contains thyme, which helps fight respiratory infections and is a natural expectorant that serves as an antiseptic and helps expulse mucus. It’s also good for soothing coughs and fighting nasal congestion as well as eucalyptus, which helps clear mucus and relieve inflammation (62).
Do I Regret Not Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine?
Although having covid-19 for two weeks was not fun, I don't regret not getting the covid-19 vaccine under no circumstances. After endless research on the covid vaccine, which I shared here, I have zero intentions of ever getting it now that I've had natural exposure and have natural immunity. An Israeli study found that natural immunity is more robust and lasts longer than vaccine immunity (63). Not to mention, they're already several booster shots in. Plus, why would I want a vaccine that doesn't prevent you from getting the virus but instead claims to make it less deadly when I've already survived it?
How to Prevent Covid-19 Naturally
This section may seem weird coming from someone who did, in fact, contract covid-19, but I think it's important to understand that I have gone maskless everywhere for two years during the covid-19 pandemic. I had not been sick, not even once, until my husband contracted it at work, where he's obligated to wear a mask, brought it home to me, an immunocompromised person, and I then got over it faster than my husband, and recovered, almost entirely, much faster than my healthy husband who has zero underlying health conditions. With that said, I think it's safe to say I did pretty well avoiding covid-19 naturally through the steps I am about to discuss and that these same steps are what helped me recover as fast as I did.
It's essential to understand that even if you've been vaccinated against covid, you can still get covid-19 and spread it to others (64). Now that we all know we can all get covid-19, despite our vaccination status, even though the mainstream media once claimed all cases come from the unvaccinated (65), it is now a pandemic of the vaccinated (66). President Biden claims you can't get covid-19 if you've been vaccinated (67); I think it's best to say you should disregard 90% of what you've heard from the mainstream media.
Wash Your Hands
There is one thing the mainstream media has steadily said that you can trust to an extent: wash your hands and sanitize. I say to an extent because they’re pushing antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers that are brimming with toxins. Many antibacterial soaps have been banned for their toxic ingredients, which are considered unsafe and ineffective and potentially do more harm than good (68).
Regular soap that's non-toxic is plenty effective, as it loosens the oils and dirt from our skin so that it can be rinsed down the drain. Germs no longer on our hands means germs can't be present to make us sick potentially! Antibacterial soap loosens dirt and germs and kills the germs. You may be thinking, "well, that's what we want it to do," right? WRONG! It also absorbs into your skin and kills the good germs in your microbiome, which can, in the long run, leave you more vulnerable to illness (69).
To learn more regarding The Truth About Antibacterial Soap, click here.
Okay, now that you've forgotten 90% of what the mainstream media has been spewing at you for the last nearly two years, let's get down to the facts, something the mainstream media doesn't know much about.
Avoid Face Masks
The mainstream media has been pushing masks for nearly two years now, but the point of a mask is to keep germs in, not to keep them out. When a surgeon is performing surgery on a patient, they’re wearing a mask to avoid any potential germs from going inside the patient, not the other way around. So wearing a mask when you’re not sick just doesn’t make sense. Not to mention studies have been done on masks and the results weren’t pretty. Actually, the study said:
The existing scientific evidences challenge the safety and efficacy of wearing facemask as preventive intervention for Covid-19. The data suggest that both medical and non-medical facemasks are ineffective to block human-to-human transmission of viral and infectious disease such SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19, supporting against the usage of facemasks. Wearing facemasks has been demonstrated to have substantial adverse physiological and psychological effects. These include hypoxia, hypercapnia, shortness of breath, increased acidity and toxicity, activation of fear and stress response, rise in stress hormones, immunosuppression, fatigue, headaches, decline in cognitive performance, predisposition for viral and infectious illnesses, chronic stress, anxiety and depression. Long-term consequences of wearing facemask can cause health deterioration, developing and progression of chronic diseases and premature death. Governments, policy makers and health organizations should utilize prosper and scientific evidence-based approach with respect to wearing facemasks, when the latter is considered as preventive intervention for public health (70).
One week they are saying those vaccinated don’t need masks, and the next week, everyone needs them despite their vaccination status; why? Because those who have been vaccinated can now be asymptomatic carriers, something we didn’t have before the vaccine was available (71).
Social Distancing Doesn't Work
The mainstream news has also been pushing social distancing for nearly two years, but science says staying 6 feet apart indoors does almost nothing to stop the spread of covid-19. One news outlet basically said it doesn’t matter if you’re 6 feet apart or 60; the risk remains the same. They even said:
The 6-foot rule does little to prevent exposure indoors (72).
What science does say is:
The current revival of the American economy is being predicated on social distancing, specifically the Six-Foot Rule, a guideline that offers little protection from pathogen-bearing aerosol droplets sufficiently small to be continuously mixed through an indoor space (73).
Now, let’s talk about natural ways to boost your immune system since true immunity can’t be found in a vile or a single pill.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential; obesity frankly increases the risk of severe illness from covid-19 and has even tripled the risk of hospitalization due to covid infection. Why is this? Well, obesity is linked to impaired immune function while also decreasing lung capacity; of course, covid affects the lungs (74).
The best way to avoid obesity is to exercise and eat right. I am plant-based for many reasons. Plant-based diets help maintain a healthy weight, support the immune system and reduce inflammation, all necessary when avoiding sickness.
To learn more about Why to Adapt A Plant-Based Lifestyle, click here.
Practice Yoga
Yoga is a form of Ancient Indian philosophy that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation to aid in spirituality as your body and mind become one (75). Yoga is excellent for relaxation and reducing stress. Yoga is a stress outlet that’s great for mental health and exercise and boosts heart health. It’s said that practicing yoga may help lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose levels (76). There are even poses that are meant to boost immunity. According to one study:
Yoga resists the autonomic changes and impairment of cellular immunity seen in examination stress (77).
To learn 10 Yoga Poses for Your Mental Health, click here.
Practice Mindful Meditation
Mindful meditation is a set of techniques designed to encourage training the mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. When mindful meditation is done correctly, it leads to a heightened state of awareness and consciousness with many positive impacts on your health and overall well-being (78). Some benefits of meditation include reducing stress, improving sleep, and even controlling pain, all necessary things to avoid sickness.
To learn more regarding 10 Reasons to Meditate For Self Care and detailed directions on how to meditate, click here.
Supplementation
No matter how often a new health craze comes along, people must understand there’s no miracle product. You may see a friend posting about the latest miracle supplement on the market, but there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all when it comes to natural remedies and supplementation. What works for me may not work for you, and you may need a little extra something, especially if you’re not living a healthier lifestyle and have other health concerns you’re worried about.
Vitamin C
I spoke briefly about vitamin C in the Herbal Remedies I Took & Why section of this article, click here to recap. Research has shown that those who have ended up with severe covid cases most often have low vitamin C levels (79). Vitamin C is linked to boosting immunity (18) and has even been distributed to covid patients due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and immuno-modulatory functions. No wonder studies have found vitamin C to play an emerging role in preventing and treating covid-19 (80). There was significantly decreased mortality in the more severely ill patients who received vitamin C intervention (81).
The best way to get vitamin C is through food, so if you’re supplementing vitamin C, avoid the synthetic garbage and look for something like Earthley’s Immune Aid Vitamin C Powder, which is made from real foods such as organic camu-camu, organic acerola berry, and organic orange peel.
If you're interested in learning more about Earthley's Immune-Aid Vitamin C Powder, click here.
Vitamin D
I spoke briefly about vitamin D in the Herbal Remedies I Took & Why section of this article, click here to recap. Research has also suggested that high vitamin D levels may protect you against covid. Again, like vitamin C, low vitamin D levels have been associated with the likelihood of testing positive for covid, especially in people of color (82).
The best way to get vitamin D is through sun exposure since it may circulate for twice as long (83) but depending on where you are in the world, that may be difficult. I use MaryRuth’s Vitamin D3 Spray because Earthley’s option is not plant-based, but Earthley’s Vitamin D Cream is a great topical option that is ideal if you’re not plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian.
Zinc
I spoke briefly about Zinc in the Herbal Remedies I Took & Why section of this article, click here to recap. Zinc is an essential nutrient that is necessary for health, but the human body cannot synthesize it (84). Zinc can be found in legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and vegetables (85), but you can also supplement it. Studies have also shown that those who died of covid had significantly lower blood levels of zinc than those who survived it (86). Zinc supports the immune system (87,88) while also having a protective anti-inflammatory effect (89). That is very important when attempting to avoid sickness and even more so when trying to survive it. I use MaryRuth’s Liquid Ionic Zinc because Earthley’s option is not plant-based, but Earthley’s Oyster-Min Capsules is an excellent option if you’re not plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian. Elderberry
I spoke at length about elderberry in the Herbal Remedies I Took & Why section of this article, click here to recap. It's important to understand all the benefits of this fantastic herb. For instance, elderberry supports the immune system (90), is rich in antioxidants (91), improves cold and flu symptoms while also preventing the cold and flu (92,93), is good for health (94), may help fight cancer (95), may lower blood sugar levels and insulin dependence (96) and so much more. To learn more regarding The Benefits of Elderberries, click here. I recommend Earthley's Elderberry Elixir as there's no added garbage and no sugar, and is honestly great stuff, especially with all the additional herbal benefits that other elderberries don't use.
What To Avoid If You Contract COVID-19
This section may be a little controversial, but who am I kidding? This entire article is quite controversial. I think it's important to remember that not all treatments will work, including that a covid-19 treatment plan of all-natural supplements may not be enough. Every person is different, and the purpose of this entire article is to give you, the reader, all the information out there, even if mainstream media outlets are not reporting it. Now, let's get down to business on what to avoid if you do, in fact, contract COVID-19.
Avoid Ivermectin & Hydroxychloroquine Unless Absolutely Necessary
Many fail to realize that Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine are still allopathic medicines that come with side effects. The mainstream media outlets have recommended against these anti-parasitic medications despite having quite the success rate with covid-19 patients (97,98), which has led many to think that these allopathic medicines are their only fighting choice when we still have dozens of herbs that have these same benefits, with much less potential side effects.
Side effects of Ivermectin are:
Eye pain or redness, puffy eyes, problems with your vision
Severe skin rash, itching, or rash with pus
Confusion, change in your mental status,
Balance problems, trouble walking
Fever
Swollen glands
Stomach pain
Joint pain
Swelling in your hands or feet
Fast heart rate
Trouble breathing
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Neck or back pain
Seizure (convulsions)
A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
Headache
Muscle aches
Dizziness
Nausea
Diarrhea
Mild skin rash (99)
Side effects of Hydroxychloroquine are:
Seizure
Yellowing of your eyes
Ringing in your ears
Trouble hearing
Unusual mood changes
Severe muscle weakness
Loss of coordination
Underactive reflexes
Low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, sore throat, mouth sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands, and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath
Low blood sugar - headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky
A serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body - skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes (100)
Many of these side effects sound quite similar to the COVID-19 symptoms on the list I shared under this article's What Is COVID-19 section; click here to recap.
According to the herbalist at Earthley, who just so happens to be one of my friends as well as one of my favorite bloggers from Modern Alternative Mama, Kate Tietje:
"The fact that the mainstream says they don't work and doesn't want you to use them is NOT evidence that they actually work.
There may be evidence that they can be beneficial in severe cases. But you should not be stocking up your medicine cabinet to use these at the first signs of illness. This is not safe!
Herbs you can use instead that have similar properties (and many, many fewer side effects):
* Cloves * Calendula * Elderberry (rich in quercetin) * Turmeric * Ginger
These particular herbs are safe for almost everyone, yet protect and promote health in serious ways.
Do not be so anti-mainstream that you are led astray by advice that is NOT actually natural!"
Avoid The Ventilator Unless Absolutely Necessary
At the beginning of the pandemic, there was information about hospitals getting paid more if their covid-19-positive patients were ventilated. I spoke about this article's What Is covid-19 section; click here to recap. That isn't the only reason I am personally against ventilator use, though; several studies show ventilation can potentially do more harm than good. According to the study, Effect of Mechanical Ventilation on the Kidney:
Ventilation can worsen pre-existing lung injury and produce ventilator-induced lung injury, which has been linked with the development of systemic inflammation and multi-system organ dysfunction, including renal (kidney) failure (101).
Avoid Over The Counter Medications At All Costs
Over-the-counter medications, like Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine, come with side effects. Doctors and scientists advise against using Ibuprofen and then managing the symptoms of covid-19 (102). Of course, despite having this knowledge, the FDA still advises patients to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for covid-19 (103). Research has found that 5% of those with moderate-to-severe kidney disease used over-the-counter NSAIDs regularly. That same research found that two-thirds of those same people with moderate-to-severe kidney disease used over-the-counter NSAIDs regularly for more than a year (104).
Side effects of NSAIDs:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Rash
Dizziness
Headache
Drowsiness
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Ulcers
Prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery (105)
At one point, the FDA also stood against the use of Tylenol but has since retracted this statement. Nonetheless, there are so many side effects of Tylenol, such as:
Nausea
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Itching
Rash
Headache
Dark urine
Clay-colored stool
Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
Rash
Itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
Severe dizziness
Trouble breathing (106)
Feel free to check out my article, The Truth About Acetaminophen, here, which has been linked to damaging the kidneys even though Tylenol claims to be safe for the kidneys.
⚠️ Warning: The Holistic Hipppie is not a functional medicine practitioner. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace medical guidance. The Holistic Hipppie assumes no liability for the application of the information discussed.
How have you dealt with covid?
