By Harry Chrissakis Herbalist/Natural Medicine
Since this virus is hanging on and we are entering cold and flu season, I thought updating and editing this article would be useful. The info below is a snapshot of natural medicines approach to treating Flu/Colds in its early stages. Historically there have been a good number of deadly pandemics. Traditional healing has always taken them seriously. This protocol is for both the vaccinated as well as the unvaccinated (breakthrough infections). Even if you are vaccinated you can get pretty sick. In the California county I live in approximately 37% of the people are fully vaccinated. What Medicine defines as mild symptoms is no hospital entry or supplemental oxygen use necessary. It is also a good protocol for seasonal colds.
I am going to give you the simplest and most comprehensive approach I can to helping with prevention and the beginning stages of Flu/Colds.
Preventative Protocol
Vit C /Bioflavinoid 500 mgs 1 cap 3x day , Omega 3,6,9- 1 cap 2x a day, Selenium 200mcg/1xday, Quercitin 500-1000mgs 1 cap 3 x day, Kyolic Garlic 1 cap 3x a day Zinc 30-60 mg day, Magnesium 100- 200mg day, Vit D 3-5000i.u. day, B complex 1 cap/day
Immuno Tonics – Reishi Mushroom, Chaga Fungus, Turkrey Tail Mushroom( there are 4-6 more medicinal mushrooms) Hard to get good quality (need to state beta glucan content). Any of the above mushrooms alone or in combination 3 grams a day. Adaptogens- Holy Basil, American Ginseng, Shizandra, Astragalus (need to see rating of the products on label i.e ginsenoside % in a Ginseng product). Any or all of the above 2 grams/day
The combination of Reishi, Astragalus, and Echinacea is a great immune tonic
Shake Whey and or Colostrum, 1-2 tablespoons/ Day. Hard to get good quality. You want to purchase undenatured Whey. Colostrum should be taken alone ½ hr before or after meals
Tea of Red Clover, Nettle leaf, Rooibos, can be mixed with green/black tea 1-2 cups day
Sleeping well is huge.
Bone broth based soups. Chicken, beef , veal.
Essential oils are grossly underrated for their ability to destroy microbes in the air. Essential oils put through a diffuser and let into the air will disinfect the air in about 10 minutes.
This program is for the beginning stages of flu/colds (these ideas apply to bacterial infections as well). The strategy is as follows. The immune system is divided into 2 systems. Innate and Acquired. The outcome of an infection is determined largely by what happens in the innate system (first responder). If the immune attack is strong enough and well organized it will overcome or greatly reduce the infection. Part of the idea of this approach is to use what we understand about the immune system to our advantage. Each flu we encounter has its own personality so to speak. This one is slow and wet, with congested cough and low grade fever (can be high in some cases).
If you feel you have been exposed.
If you already have a working fever the following is not the technique to use. You are already past the first stage. This is not a technique for folks who are constitutionally weak.
When we get infected by microbes the body will often induce a fever as an immune response. This is actually a good response, proving that the body has enough defensive energy to muster up a fever. The body raises temperature to kill the offending pathogen. The temperature becomes too great for them to survive as well as accelerating the production and maturation of defensive immune cells. We can mimic and enhance that same response before we actually have a fever. This is a unique opportunity for us to intervene in a simple and direct way. This technique has to be applied as soon as you begin to feel sick. For each person that can different (i.e. sometimes starts with a sore throat or fatigue or a cough ect). If you are able to do the following you may never get very sick at all.
At this point we need to drink a cup of ginger tea (relatively strong and even better and if you can add yarrow) and get into a hot bath (better with the addition of 2- 3 cups of Epsom salt; you can also use mustard baths). When you get out of the tub dress warm and get into bed. You are going to sweat lots. Influenza virus lives in the surface of the respiratory mucosa, because it is slightly cooler there. This level of induced sweating causes a rise in core body temperature which induces an immune-flush up to the surface of the mucosa, killing the bad guys. Near your bed side you will need liquid consisting of 1 quart of water with a ½ of lemon in it or 1 cup of Lemon balm tea added to in 1 quart of water. You need to stay hydrated. It is necessary to take these steps as soon as you can. Do not wait. Done correctly, you can throw off the infection quickly before it penetrates. Generally this is an overnight process. Do not go back to work early. You may relapse. Stay home and pamper yourself for a day or 2 and take some of the following herbs.
Using Herbal Medicine
In terms of home treatment the first mistake is waiting too long. Second mistake is dosing with plant medicines/ natural agents at too low a dose and too infrequently. First line approach Echinacea, Andrographics, Chinese Scutellaria, Lomatium, Thuju( small amounts), Baptisia ( small amount), Licorice Thyme, Elder flower, or Elechampane. These herbs are part of eastern and western traditional medicine for colds and flues. Any number of those herbs combined or all of them together. Dose high and often 4-6x a day. When you’re treating any infection, focus on it. Stop your other programs and hammer the virus. I use tinctures of these herbs.
Nebulizers- I think this tool is great for affecting the nasal passages the throat and getting directly into the lungs. I use Glutathione and a saline solution. Not what you would call traditional medicine, but still a good tool.
Harry Chrissakis, Herbalist, Natural medicine, 13376 Rue Montaigne O.H. Ca (530) 933-8244)
HerbalistandHerbs.com