Natural medicine is winning out over the coronavirus!
There are no natural products with proven clinical efficacy against the coronavirus, but there are several that make a lot of sense to provide general support. Here are some of the best considerations:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients. It may not be the cure for the common cold but, it’s thought to help prevent more serious complications. The benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.
Right now Vitamin C is being used to successfully treat patients with Covid-19. “The patients who received vitamin C did significantly better than those who did not get vitamin C,” he said. “It helps a tremendous amount, but it is not highlighted because it’s not a sexy drug.”
Did you know that Vitamin C is the only nutrient Humans, unlike other animals, cannot make? We must consume it from exogenous supplements or our diet.
We have a powdered vitamin C that is DELICIOUS! Each teaspoon provides 2500mg of vitamin C. I take 1 serving each day to ward off colds, etc.., and 2 servings per day if I’m particularly stressed or feeling run down or if I already have a cold. Unable to find Vitamin C in stock anywhere? We have some available in the office! Call ahead, we can have it ready for you curb-side. Just call (239) 243-8735
Click here to learn more benefits of vitamin C.
Coconut Oil
Monolaurin (lauric acid) is a fat found in coconut oil that is also available as a dietary supplement. It has some interesting antiviral effects with confirmed activity to viruses similar to coronavirus. Many viruses, as well as bacteria and parasites have a protective fatty membrane. Current research indicates that monolaurin dissolves that membrane, basically disintegrating the organisms’ protective shield and causing them to be easily destroyed by the immune system. Though monolaurin has not been studied on coronavirus, it may have some benefit. The typical dosage of monolaurin in 1,000-1,500 mg twice daily. You can also oil-pull or gargle with coconut oil.
Astragalus root
Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat viruses . Clinical studies in China have validated it is effective when used as a preventive measure against the common cold. It has also been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms in acute treatment of the common cold, as well as raise white blood cell counts in chronic leukopenia (a condition characterized by low white blood cell levels). Research in animals indicates that astragalus apparently works by stimulating several factors of the immune system. In particular, it appears to stimulate white blood cells to engulf and destroy invading organisms and cellular debris as well as enhance the production of interferon (a key natural compound produced by the body to fight viruses). We carry astragalus root remedies which are herbal blends that also contain other anti-viral herbs such as echinacea and garlic.
Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the most popularly used ingredients in herbal medicine due to its impressive health-promoting properties. Many parts of the plant, including its flowers, leaves, and roots, are used for natural remedies. In fact, Echinacea purpurea, a variety that produces cone-shaped flowers, was used by Native Americans to treat a wide array of conditions, including viral infections.Several test-tube studies suggest that certain varieties of echinacea, including E. pallida, E. angustifolia, and E. purpurea, are particularly effective at fighting viral infections like herpes and influenza. Notably, E. purpurea is thought to have immune-boosting effects as well, making it particularly useful for treating viral infections
Vitamin D
Everyone knows how important vitamin D is good for healthy bones, but its role in human health goes well beyond that.
According to PreventDisease.com, the risk of children suffering from flu can be reduced by 50% if they take vitamin D3, doctors in Japan have found. The finding has implications for flu epidemics since vitamin D, which is naturally produced by the human body when exposed to direct sunlight, has no significant side effects, costs little and can be several times more effective than anti-viral drugs or vaccines according to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The Vitamin D3 I provide my patients is also blended with probiotics to improve absorption and utilization. In fact, patients who had previously been taking 10,000IU or more daily of prescription Vitamin D3 and still had low blood levels of Vitamin D3 were switched to my proprietary blend of Vitamin D3 and in just 30 days their blood levels of Vitamin D improved. Low Vitamin D levels are associated with weight gain, depression and even cancer.
A simple blood test can tell how much Vit D you have circulating. Although the test parameters say that anything over 30ng/ml is an adequate level, keeping your levels around 70-80ng/ml is ideal for fighting not only colds and flu, but for preventing cancer and hormonal issues.
Other tips to support immune function can be found throughout my website and here in my “Raisi Your Shield” video. Just search the keyword “immune system”
Dr. Hoch uses a variety of professional, high-quality herbs, homeopathic remedies, and nutritional supplements to help her patients reset their hormones, decrease inflammation, improve joint motion, reduce pain, correct digestive issues, and encourage weight loss. We currently have a number of great products available through Fullscript, our online store. Fullscript is where you can get high-quality, physician-recommended brands of natural products.
How to create an account and navigate within Fullscript.
Dr. Hoch (pronounced Hoke), is a 1988 Graduate of Peotone High School and a 1990 Graduate of Joliet Junior College. She received both her B.S. in Human Biology (1991) and her Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) (1993) from The National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL. She also received her graduate and post-graduate certifications in Acupuncture from NCC.