Chile, the world is upside down, and as coronavirus–who I like to call Aunty Rona—continues to spread nationwide, there’s a lot of talk about immunity. All of a sudden folks want to get their immunity up by taking some magic supplement. Just like I can’t just wish the remaining two-pack to develop on my abs so I can have a six pack – you can’t just supplement your way into great health and resilience. Resilience and immunity is a summary of many inputs: how much you sleep, what you eat, whether you move your body, exposure to pathogens, gut health, mental health which can in turn affect gut health, and much more. In short, immunity ain’t that simple.
In my first post: My Ultimate Coronavirus Survival Plan I talked about some of the things in my supplement closet and some of the herbs that I like to include in my daily regimen. Herbs are powerful and it is necessary to work with a practitioner if you are taking large doses of herbs or on prescription medications. But if you are simply wanting to improve your health there are many ways to incorporate rituals that are powerful that can help protect you from viruses and help you fight them in the event that you catch something.
The other day I posted about Dr. Raeburn Fairwether, who is a 47 year old Jamaican doctor who was infected with COVID-19. After battling the virus for two weeks, and having excessive fatigue, mucus production—- he successfully fought it off by drinking Caribbean home remedies made with turmeric, garlic, and ginger. Recipe below for a Caribbean tea I found online that sounds like something Dr. Fairwether could have been drinking. The power of plants has been verified since the dawn of time, so let’s not get all brand new on mother nature and assume that she somehow doesn’t have something in her arsenal that can protect us against Aunty Rona.
In this week’s podcast, dropping tomorrow, I talk about hydroxychloroquine and the antimalarial drugs that supposedly stop viral replication of coronavirus at the cell level, and a host of natural extracts etc that can do the same darn thing without unsavory side effects. Now with more testing it seems that the drug option can cause serious heart problems in many patients. As a supplement to the episode, I’m list below some actionable items you can consider to get your resilience up! If you have a serious chronic condition or if your health is not at it’s best, the time is now to begin. -XO
Diet:
- Anti inflammatory, high plant-based if not completely, no dairy, no gluten
- Organic meats only, IF consumed, and in moderation (fish preferred over red meats)
- No processed foods
- No refined sugar
- No fast food
- Whole food ingredients, organic when possible to reduce pesticide load
Tonics/ Teas:
- Turmeric Milk (almond milk, turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, black pepper)
- Turmeric Ginger Garlic Tea (recipe linked)
- Matcha Tea (large amounts of ECGC a powerful antioxidant that can stop viral replication)
- Pau D’ Arco Tea (antibacterial and antiviral also helps with candida overgrowth)
- Reishi Tea (usually evening best as it promotes deep sleep)
There are certain herbs even in tea forms that can interact with medications, so if you are currently taking medications, consult with a practitioner or your doctor before adding herbs to your regimen.
Herbs to Include while cooking:
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Fennel
- Thyme
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Basil
- Turmeric
Increase Food sources of Vitamin C:
- Citrus: Oranges, Grapefruit, Lemons
- Papaya
- Kale, Cauliflower, Cruciferous Veg
- Smoothie with added vitamin C superfoods – Acerola Cherry or Camu Camu Powder
Baseline Supplements for Immunity/ Overall Health:
- Vitamin D (can be included in multivitamin) minimum of 2000IU
- Quercitin
- Zinc (I like people to take the Zinc Tally Test, as it helps you determine if you are deficient)
- Daily Multivitamin
- Probiotic or Fermented Foods included in daily diet
If you have leaky gut, candida, or SIBO, a protocol needs to be followed for gut healing and reseeding with good bacteria. If you have additional health issues, a different combination of supplements may be initially needed to help with recovery – these are some baseline supplements assuming good health.
Other foods you can include to boost overall nutritional status:
- Irish Moss or Sea Moss (can be made in gel form and added to smoothies and meals)
Lifestyle Practice:
- Sleep 7-8 hours per night
- Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes 2-3 times per week