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The elderly have coronavirus symptoms but many children do not. How can we use this clue to prevent and help reduce the severity of coronavirus?
In this video you will learn how the risk factors and development of COVID-19 can be analyzed for clues. You will learn how these clues indicate the diet, lifestyle, and herbs that might be helpful. After the video see the list of Ayurvedic remedies for COVID-19 below.
You may already know someone who has the coronavirus. 20% of those who test positive have severe symptoms. 4.5% of cases are fatal. Here's an analysis of what Ayurveda Health Counselors can do to help.
Disclaimer: Always check with your medical doctor before making any changes to your health & wellness plan. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a replacement for medical care.
Shortness of breath indicating respiratory distress
Within the patient population studied, cases were generally graded as:
Mild illness or asymptomatic - 80% - This group may spread the disease without knowing it.
Severe - 14%
Critically ill - 5%
Up to 20% of those infected will have a severe or critical case. This group may have long term damage to the lungs and internal organs. It is essential to minimize damage as much as possible.
Development & Course
The most frequent cause of death due to COVID-19 is a cytokine storm. In a cytokine storm, the immune system overreacts causing hyperinflammation. Normally, immune cells travel to the site of infection. A cytokine storm happens when your immune system becomes overactive at the site of infection, and the system goes out of control. This overreaction is more common in viral infection in the lungs. The effect is akin to a bad allergic reaction. The resulting hyperinflammation causes more damage than the virus itself. It damages your lungs, kidneys and other internal organs. In the worst case scenario, the disease develops in the following manner.
Incubation of coronavirus in the throat & nasal passages before descending into the lungs
Fever with malaise (headache, muscle aches, throbbing, etc)
Risk of death rises with age, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
This cytokine storm is the reason for the high fatality rate of coronavirus. Even if fatality rates are only 4%, risk of damage to internal organs is high. Primary symptoms of a cytokine storm include high fever, swelling and redness, extreme fatigue and nausea.
Most herbalists are used to treating respiratory illness simply by clearing the lungs or addressing lung health primarily. But in the case of COVID-19, the effects of inflammation should not be ignored. The herbalist must clear the lungs as well as reduce inflammation. This presents a unique challenge to herbalists which we will describe in detail below.
Some sources say NSAIDS like aspirin increase fatality rates because they stress the kidney. Acetaminophen is okay. However, reducing a fever depresses the immune system. Heat depresses viral activity so lowering a fever = strengthening the virus.
Strategy & Natural Remedies
Both children and elderly have weak immunity. But children are asymptomatic. So weak immunity is not the main factor. The elderly have poor circulation and poor metabolism, but children do not. Pneumonia and diabetes are also associated with poor circulation. So our herbal strategy will first target improved circulation and metabolism. The elderly have obstructed adaptive immunity but children do not.
With this in mind, our strategy will target the following areas and topics:
The lungs are submerged. They are a hollow space within a fluid filled body. So the lungs have a tendency to to fill up with fluids. They need to be constantly drained. Strong circulation is the main means of keeping the lungs dry. In people with heart disease or heart weakness, such as the elderly, the lungs may fill up with fluids. Thus the elderly are particularly vulnerable in the lungs. The lungs work well and stay dry when the heart is strong. That's why the heart and the lungs are right next to each other
The lungs love heat & dryness, abhor dampness and coldness. Keep your lungs healthy with warmth and good circulation. Lungs love dry and warm conditions to function optimally. A 1 degree rise in body temperature increases your heart rate by 10 beats per minute. So heat can help flush out the lungs. Keep your lungs warm by wearing warm sweaters, consuming warm drinks and meals, and indulging in warm baths. Take warm baths in the evening with Epsom salts and warming essential oils like ginger, cardamom, eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon, cedar, pine, basil and juniper. However, avoid hot baths if signs of inflammation are present. Do not increase heat if the condition is severe.
Spice is life! Incorporate cardiac stimulants to keep your circulation flowing, such as ginger, black pepper and cinnamon. Enjoy aromatic and warm teas like, Tulsi, a strong vasodilator that clears the lungs. In general aromatic and pungent spices keep the lungs hot and dry. turmeric invigorates the blood and keeps the circulation flowing. Cardamom, Osha Root and Echinacea are great bronchodilator herbs to open and clear the lungs. Daikon radish is our favorite food for supporting the lungs! Scallions are great vasodilators. Garlic improves circulation, clears the lungs, and is anti-viral.
Salt increases water retention, which may increase the chances of pneumonia. Ease off the salt, and instead focus on cleansing diuretics, like parsley, celery and asparagus. Hawthorn berry and Pleurisy root are also great diuretic herbs famous in western herbalism. Diuretics will help assist your body in keeping the lungs dry to reduce the chances of pneumonia.
Follow a kapha pacifying diet. Avoid sweet & oily foods, wheat, and dairy. These thicken blood and mucus, depressing circulation and making it harder to clear your lungs. Sweeter blood is more attractive to bacteria, creating ripe conditions for infection.
Herbs to clear the lungs / improve circulation
Cardiac Stimulant - Black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, anything spicy, Trikatu
Vasodilator - Tulsi tea, turmeric. Turmeric know for "invigorating the blood"
Irrigate the nose and mouth to flush out the virus
Regular nasal irrigation can help flush out any harmful viruses or bacteria before they create a problem. COVID-19 incubates for several days in the nasal passage before entering into the lungs. The viral load peaks in the first week of symptoms. During this time and while you have symptoms, keep your respiratory tract clear to flush out the virus:
Expectorate and/or flush mucus where possible. Do not suppress coughing.
Gargle with antimicrobials frequently
Drink water frequently to help wash out any viruses that may be lingering in the mouth. Your stomach will kill the virus.
Scrape your tongue every morning and night
Use neti pot every morning & evening. Studies show daily nasal irrigation with neti pot reduces episodes of upper respiratory symptoms. It also leads to faster healing times. Make a saline tea with anti-microbial herbs (grapefruit seed extract, turmeric, oregano, thyme).
Nasya - Sniff 2-3 drops of sesame oil into your nasal passages. You can also add 3 drops of essential oil for antiviral effect. Sesame has antimicrobial properties that protect your mucus membranes. Xlear is a saline nasal spray with xylitol and grapefruit seed extract => antimicrobial properties.
Essential Oil Diffuser - Most essential oils are antiviral. Some examples include Tea Tree, Thyme, Oregano, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus.
Reduce toxins & Inflammation
To fight coronavirus and reduce your chances of a cytokine storm, you want strong immunity, but not hyperactive immunity. Here are some basic tips:
Reduce Toxins
Ayurveda says that toxins make your immune system go haywire. So take preventative measures to keep your body clean and toxin free, even before you get the disease. Ensure your immune system is balanced & functioning optimally by reducing toxins.
Avoid the sweets or processed foods like after dinner ice cream or frozen pizza. Instead of rich, heavy foods, focus on supporting a healthy digestive system with warm, light and easy to digest foods.
If you're farting excessively it means food is rotting your gut. Rotten food increases toxins in your body. It places a big burden on your immune system and increases inflammation. Optimize your digestion by favoriing
Avoid foods that provoke inflammation in your body or make you feel badly. Eat a pitta pacifying diet avoiding chocolate, alcohol, smoking, nightshades, etc.. Instead, favor cooling anti-inflammatories such as cilantro.
Eat the rainbow! Colorful fruits and veggies are high in antioxidants, which fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. Pomegranates and blueberries are colorful and sour - they can help liquefy and expectorate stuck mucus. Beets are colorful and laxative - helping you clear toxins. Cucumbers reduce inflammation and are a mild diuretic. Cilantro is known to calm down the immune system.
Reduce inflammation in the body with anti-inflammatory herbs
Turmeric -Famous anti-inflammatory that improves circulation
Boswellia - Moves stagnation & thins fluids without increasing heat
Guduci is an anti-inflammatory that calms an overactive immune system.
Neem is an anti-inflammatory that is also anti-microbial.
And remember, rest, get good sleep, and maintain your daily spiritual practice to keep your immune system functioning optimally.
Fight infection
Bacteria love sugary blood. Lower your chance of secondary bacterial infections by keeping your blood sugar low. Do this by reducing empty carbs like refined flour, sugar and excess dairy. These and other rich foods thicken mucus and blood, making it harder for your body to clear the lungs of fluids. They also sweeten blood, which is very attractive to bacteria. Studies show cinnamon reduces blood sugar. Bitters such as kale, dandelion greens and celery, help clear rich and heavy blood and reduce blood sugar levels.
Wuhan hospital in China reported the highest patient survival rate when treated with antibiotics, antivirals, and corticosteroids (to calm down the immune system and inflammation). Natural remedies can aid the fight against infection. Fight infection with antimicrobial and antiviral herbs such as coconut oil, raw garlic, oregano, ginger, kimchi and other fermented foods. Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, shitake, maitake, cordyceps and turkey tail are great ways to give your immunity the extra boost and fight off the bad guys.
Keep a strong but balanced immune system
Vitamin C decreases organ failure in sepsis
Vitamin D balances the immune system so it doesn't go crazy.
Zinc strengthens the immune system.
Elderberry flowers are a known antiviral. Elderberry generally boosts immunity.
Keep blood flowing - Your Immune system moves via the blood.
Keep your body cool - A non-coronavirus study of children showed that reducing core body temperature seems to reduce risk of a full blown cytokine storm and damage to organs.
Don't give in to fear. Stress hurts your immune system
Ashwagandha can help you manage stress & fear, but may aggravate pitta.
Daily spiritual practice. Remember the divine is greater than you.
Example herb Formula
There is no one size fits all approach to Ayurveda. Individual results may vary. This formula must be modified to the unique situation of the person.
1 Cardamom - Mucus destroying but doesn't aggravate Pitta
1 Manjistha - Anti-inflammatory opens up vessels
1 Neem/Kutki/Vidanga (depending on dosha) - Antimicrobial
Brew 1/2tsp of the herbal powder in a 1/2c of hot water for 30 seconds. If inflammation is present, add 1 dose of aloe vera juice according to the instructions on the bottle.
Summary & Main Challenge
The challenge of coronavirus is trying to clear the lungs while reducing heat. Most formulas to clear the lungs are hot and spicy, but some of these can aggravate Pitta and inflammation. Make sure you are using Pitta pacifying or anti-inflammatory herbs to warm or clear the lungs
Turmeric - Improves circulation but also anti-inflammatory. Aggravates pitta in medium or excess dosage.
Manjistha - Pitta pacifying but a great circulatory herb that clears inflammation.
Cardamom is excellent for clearing mucus without aggravating Pitta.
Tulsi mildly aggravates pitta but greatly clears the lungs.
Vasaka - Bronchodilator with cooling action and bitter taste.
Brahmi clears the lungs and reduces pitta but may increase throbbing in the head.
Boswellia - Improves circulation without increasing heat.
Follow a Pitta kapha pacifying regimen adjusted for your constitution / body type and individual symptoms. Seek actions that are/encourage:
Good circulation
Balanced Immunity
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-viral & antimicrobial
Anti-oxidant
Cleansing
Diuretics for Kapha individuals with water retention only
You heard it all over the internet, avoid exposure & don't spread it! You may be healthy and able to fight off the disease, but by exposing yourself you may pass that disease onto someone else who is not as fortunate as you.
And don't forget Grandma's simple old fashioned advice, keep warm and take care of yourself! Keep your body strong using some of the tips above.
Disclaimer: Always check with your medical doctor before making any changes to your health & wellness plan. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a replacement for medical care.
Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle through constitutional nutrition (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine).
His approach is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy,
& botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John, his wife Natalie and their 8 kids live in Asheville, NC
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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