FLU & Virus Concerns

THANK YOU FRONT LINERS FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT TO HELPING OUR WORLD HEAL.

Update July, 2022 – Year of the Tiger. The months are racing by as we enter into the depths of Summer, 2022. The Oregon Country Fair had a reunion event this past weekend. Many folks are surrounded by Covid postitive persons and the opportunity to exchange respiratory droplets with each other. The World Track Meet is in Eugene, OR this next week. Eugene is putting itself on the map and giving us global recognition. Lovely for the region but, let’s be careful regarding keeping the Covid numbers down. Continue to be mindful with contraction and transmission. Continue antiviral nutrients and practices to reduce the spread of the current variant. The symptoms seem to be mild and less threatening, but there will be the susceptible individuals with immune issues that need preventative considerations. Here is a nice COVID-19 INCUBATION TIMELINE to review. I think it is a good summary. Enjoy your Summer. Be safe, kind and mindful. Blessings Dr Kelly

Update February 15, 2021 – Year of the Golden Ox. Wow, we made it to 2021 and there has been so much to manage – the pandemic, working from home, telemed visits, home-schooling, small holiday gatherings, no traveling, politics and elections and just surviving through this very stressful time for all. Please, be kind and empathic to those around you.

The year of the Dog – 2020 and we have so much to pay attention to in this era of heightened uncertainties and anxieties around viral exposure in our world and our family’s world. This is a serious situation.

The world is and will be a different place when this pandemic shifts. Let’s hope we do not go back to “life as usual in a free market enterprising system”. Let’s hope that the populations in the world will transform to recognize the collective consciousness of all individuals and species. Let’s hope that the world’s well-being will take a step toward the front of the line as an entity to be cared for and nurtured.

Naturopathic medicine has many resources to help in prevention and treatment of an acute presentation of the flu or other viral exposures. Conventionally, washing your hands and being aware of hygienic practices is first and foremost for prevention. Exposure can occur in small and large groups of people. Exposure can occur when you are unaware. Wear a mask to protect your self and others. This is being mindful not fear based.

Here are other treatments and suggestions that are helpful when combating seasonal exposure to Flu and viral illnesses. Please recognize that doses are age dependent. Consult a physician about comorbidities and polypharmacy regarding using any botanicals and neutraceuticals in combination with prescriptions.

  • Good hygiene.
  • Use protective care if you are immune compromised or if you are particularly experiencing additional stress in your life.
  • Use protective care depending on your level of susceptibility to infection example: chronic pneumonia, pulmonary diseases, asthma, COPD, cancer care and immune compromise. Insist that store merchants and clerks use protective gear especially where you may feel susceptible.
  • REST and getting to bed before midnight to facilitate healing time in sleep is good practice. Reducing WiFi exposure and electronic time is challenging when social media is your one connection point. Be mindful.
  • Eliminate sugars, alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, and non-whole foods from your diet. Eat whole foods, soups, steamed veggies, and some fruits. I like to think of this time as a warming foods season to help the body during seasonal exposures. Not a great time for fasting. That will come as we move into warmer days.
  • Consult a Naturopathic Physician, acupuncturist, or other alternative health worker for suggestions with botanical formulas and homeopathy to assist in increasing white blood cells and stimulating the immune system to be on alert against viral exposures.
  • Many botanical formulas are utilized to help stimulate the immune system and can be employed to strengthen your body as a defense against viruses. We are making antiviral formulas for established patients.
  • Essential oils can be wonderful to diffuse into the home, senior facility or to wear in a pocket of your face mask. Cotton balls with drops of essential oils will diffuse for many hours when placed around the home or office. I stick them under table tops with double sided tape. The Coranaviridae family was noted to be effected by the Lanuaceae family – Mentha piperita, Thymus vulgaris and Desmodium canadense were the most effective. Melissa officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Origanum vulgare were also noted to be effective prior to infection and during infection. (Lelesius et al. BMC Veterinary Research. 2019. 15:178).
  • Homeopathy is employed by a skilled licensed practitioner for the symptom “picture” that presents. Often the flu takes on a particular remedy “picture” that can be utilized during a epi/pandemic situation.
  • Hydrotherapy and baths can also help to support immune system strengthening. Nebulizers with epsom salt or essential oils can impact adhesion of many organisms to the respiratory mucosa.
  • High Dose Vitamin C (HDVC) has been used with both SARS and MARS epidemic, which were Coronaviridae family pandemics. Vitamin C at 2-15 gms intravenous with mild or moderate symptom presentation over consecutive days (3 days), may be beneficial to interrupting cellular damaged caused by viruses. (Cheng, RM. Orthomolecular Medicine. 2019. 202).
  • Vitamin A 200-10,000 IU daily; Vitamin C 2-4 gms daily, Vitamin D 2000-10,000 IU daily; Zinc 15-30mg daily; and Selenium 200mcg daily have been shown to improve the immune system against microbial infections.
  • Please recognize that doses are age dependent. Consult a physician about co-morbidities and poly-pharmacy regarding using any botanical and neutraceutical formulas in combination with prescriptions.