SARS-CoV2 is the virus that causes the viral infection COVID-19 or Coronavirus.
Since it is a novel virus, we are learning every month new information about its action on the body and how it is best to protect from its complications. It might be that the conventional medicine treatments that we are employing at the moment
can be obsolete in a few months – that is how quickly we need to react to improve the methods we use to save those who are afflicted the most. Natural approach to coronavirus can be added along with treatments at home and in the hospital. The world is in physical distancing and isolation. We have never been in such a large pandemic since 1918 Spanish Flu.
What can naturopathic medicine do for patients to prevent COVID-19 and its consequences?
Naturopathic medicine can achieve two goals:
– Focus on improving IMMUNITY and addressing chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune). It appears to be that the virus can affect profoundly those who have concurrent chronic issues.
– If a person is afflicted with the virus, then shortening the duration of the illness and lessening the severity, and, most importantly, trying to prevent virus from binding to hemoglobin which can lower the oxygen supply, causing lack of oxygen in various tissues. The virus can also cause acute respiratory syndrome and lung necrosis (bilateral pneumonia)
Natural medicine is not a panacea nor a promised cure but it is an attempt to help the body fight better. Naturopaths gather their protocols through an accumulated information and research on similar viruses, clinical experience with natural treatment for influenza and common colds, notes from the physicians successfully treating patients during Spanish Flu (may seem outdated but lessons from the past should not be ignored).
There are some experts saying that Coronavirus will eventually become seasonal like flu and common colds. Thus, we do need to know how to address it naturally too. Without any doubt, the world is expecting a vaccine but vaccines may not be always an answer and key to good health of the people all over the world.
What does natural approach to Coronavirus include?
– Herbal formulations that show anti-viral properties and anti-inflammatory affects (to lessen inflammation in the lungs and other tissues)
– Vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin D, C, A, zinc and others). Zinc is especially is singled out as to help Hydrochloroquine (the anti-malaria medicine found effective in anectodal cases of the virus) work more efficiently, it was helpful to add high doses of zinc as Hydrochloroquine transports zinc from extracellular space
into intracellular space.
– The use of high dose intravenous vitamin C
–Individualized homeopathy along with homeopathic remedies used for this particular epidemic
-Life Style Changes
One recommendation I give all my patients is to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Sleep is free! Research shows that sleep by itself can increase the immune system and prepare the body to better fight viruses. The best sleep is before 12 am. So going to sleep at 10 pm can be optimal.
If sleep is something you need to work on, let me know too! There are herbs, minerals and vitamins that can help improve sleep along with working on sleep schedule and sleep routine.
If you have any questions about how to approach the viruses with natural medicine, do not hesitate to let me know!
