What We Know...

In times like these, it's important to keep your mind open, your soul grounded, and your body deeply nourished.  With all of the conflicting information out there, learning to listen to your body is important...we've never needed our truth meters more! 
I wanted to make a post to share what I feel to be good protocols in regards to "IT" and to talk a little bit about what's out there.

1.  Elderberry Syrup:  Yay or Nay? 
There have been numerous studies on elderberry and it's efficacy against colds and flu.  One study suggests it shortens the duration of colds and flu by 3 to 4 days! (Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I.) Another talks about how elderberry works by binding with the flu virus so it (the virus) cannot gain entry into the cell to replicate (Roschek, B et al. Phytochem. 2009; 70(10): 1255-61).  All of that sounds great!  But early on in the pandemic, there were stories about how elderberry induced cytokine storms and was making "IT" worse.  It is important to note that all of the studies done with elderberry (including the study that said that elderberry compounds incited deadly cytokine storms) have been in vitro studies.  This means, they were done in a petri dish not in a living body.  All of this information then needs to be seen within this lens and balanced with what we know from real life, anecdotal evidence which doesn't get a lot of credence in the western medical mindset...but in my opinion does not lessen it's value. 
All of that noted, people have been using the antioxidant rich elderberry for generations with much success.  The very study that many cited to claim elderberry was dangerous for "IT" shows that it does activate cytokine activity, but not all of that is negative.  Cytokines are an integral part of our immune response!  Not all inflammation is bad, it is the first stage of healing.  In certain predisposed people, cytokine reactions can spiral out of control and this is not good.  So, how do we know if we one of those people? What I have been telling people the past 2 years is simple...use your elderberry syrup to support your  health and immune response.  If you are exposed or test positive for "IT", stop taking your elderberry and switch gears.  Just to err on the side of caution.

2.  Supporting the whole body.  

• Keep your mucous membranes moist with adequate hydration (both with water/broths/teas AND healthy oils), keeping your home humidified, and using moistening herbs as needed (marshmallow, violet, linden, licorice...)
• Consume nutrient dense nourishing foods daily.  Soups, all the colors of veggies and fruits, healthy proteins, and nourishing infusions.
• Supplement as needed.  Many of us are deficient in vital vitamins and minerals.  Even if you consume a variety of foods, our soils have become depleted from years of unsustainable farming practices so the foods grown there are not as nutritious as they once were. 
• Magnesium and zinc are the 2 that many need to supplement with.  Zinc is a vital component in immune function.  I take 30mg daily, more if I am feeling off or if I have been exposed.
• Vitamin D3 and K2.  If you live in the northern hemisphere, chances are you are deficient in vitamin D.  There are home tests you can get (and send out) to test your D levels and they can suggest the appropriate amounts to supplement with.  
  
• VItamin C to bowel tolerance.
• Take it easy on the refined sugar as it has been shown to depress the immune system.
• Sleep.  Adequate rest is vital for health.
• Support your gut health, it is the foundation of your immune system.

So, you've been exposed or test positive, now what? 

• Steam.  It's been shown that "IT" is killed between 155-158 degrees. (https://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0020782)  Huffing steam or drinking hot tea after exposure can be beneficial.  Be careful not to burn yourself.  I like to add fresh or dried Thyme and or Monarda (bee balm) to my stream. 
• Herbal vinegars/oxymels.  I love thyme and monarda oxymels.  Fresh herbs infused into equal parts local raw honey and raw apple cider vinegar.  Both of these herbs are strongly antimicrobial and aromatic. 
• If I am exposed to "IT" I immediately increase my zinc and D/K. 
• Herbal support as appropriate and as indicated by your symptoms and personal constitution.  "IT" presents differently in people, so it is difficult to say which herbal support will help in every case...what works for one may not work for another.  Having a qualified holistic practitioner on your side is imperative. 
• Always work with your family physician and get to the hospital if you are having trouble breathing. 
  

It is so challenging to know what to do.  But sometimes it's the simple things that end up mattering the most.  Rest, eating well, staying hydrated, hand washing and limiting close sustained contact with large groups of people (and yes, I know this is controversial, but mask if you will be out with large groups of people, indoors.)  Does masking work?  Personally, I tend to want to err on the side of caution. 
Be well friends.
Maria