Resources for Herbal Medicines related to coronavirus and COVID-19

Some protease inhibitors Webpage may help slow SARS-CoV2 spread, since the virus depends on a serine protease present on susceptible cell walls to prepare to enter each cell. TMPRSS2 is a name for this serine protease.
One such inhibitor suggested, bromhexine, comes from Justicia adhatoda, also known as Webpage Adhatoda vesica . This plant is related to Justicia americanaWebpage, which itself is hardy to zone 4, unlike much of the rest of the genus. It ranges into Missouri nativelyWebpage.

I have no idea whether American water-willow helps prevent COVID-19, though.

Brian
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The things that I’ve heard of being useful are 1. Anything with loads of sulfur, such as garlic and wild mustard, and 2. thyme. All of these things were useful for us personally, and wild mustard has helped me get my sense of smell back after the disease as well.

I suggest you also read
http://meulengrachtforum.altervista.org/forum/index.php/topic,1289.0.html

I chew on organic cloves at work if I'm going to be near people.  One of my co-workers used to be a monk, and he said that this is what they used to keep viruses at bay.  It can't hurt, and I'm rarely sick. I also use Thieves Oil like many women would use perfume.  Smells great!

There is some information that Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua), should be pretty useful in softening corona symptons and improving the outcome. Even more so when combined with coffee. See: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-scientists-test-artemisia-plant-against-coronavirus/a-53944514 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq5CX-kbVQc
There is also a clinical trial ongoing: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04530617

And not a herbal remedy, but in my opinion still fitting in the self treatment space: Wim Hof is suggesting that following his method (breath-work meditation plus cold water exposure) will help improve the immune system response when infected with covid, as he has shown previously in the E. coli study, and he would also want to show it with corona if someone is willing to make a study out of it. There is of course not very much scientific evidence on it but I am personally following the Wim Hof Method loosely (taking cold showers and meditating very infrequently, mostly when I am not feeling so well), and I am in full support of what he is teaching. Also just saw, there is an article in the times about this: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cold-comfort-can-the-wim-hof-method-combat-covid-he-thinks-so-5mmh8ks56 I can not read the whole article myself and I assume most will not be able to, but just for a quick reference.

Another overall resource: https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/covid-19-resources and more specifically: https://www.eclecticschoolofherbalmedicine.com/covid-19/ - the first few paragraphs here are just standard text but then it comes with specific herbal suggestions.

Again not herbal, but still natural/"food as medicine", a report on the potential benefits of vitamin D for helping with covid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha2mLz-Xdpg

Here a better video about how the wim hof method may help with covid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlSS3dWLNyA

On the herbal side I have also seen another article looking at how some traditional herbs may or may not help with covid: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2020/2560645/

Some interesting informations on medicinal mushrooms for covid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_2XEv_Xw-g and not covid specific but more supporting background on how they can be used as medically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXHDoROh2hA

And here one on diet (as well as exercise and metabolic health) seems to relate to covid outcomes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r__rOU2G_P8 and another one with interesting information, though I do not necessarily agree a 100% with all of the recommendations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihpHtLLo-ms & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihpHtLLo-ms

Licorice against COVID? suggestive preprint, not yet peer-reviewed: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.18.423104v1

Another interesting one, even though a bit older. Seaweed extract showing better antiviral activity than remsividir (one medication currently used to help with covid) : https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200724104228.htm

Edited copy of earlier post:

Brian Cady wrote:
Some protease inhibitors Webpage may help slow SARS-CoV2 spread, since the virus depends on a human host serine protease present on susceptible cell walls to prepare to enter each cell. TMPRSS2 is a name for this serine protease.
One such inhibitor suggested, bromhexine, comes is derived from a compound  from Justicia adhatoda, also known as Webpage Adhatoda vesica . This plant is related to Justicia americanaWebpage, which itself is hardy to zone 4, unlike much of the rest of the genus. It ranges into Missouri nativelyWebpage.

I have no idea whether American water-willow helps prevent COVID-19, though.

Brian
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Very interesting and positive results of a multi-center placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial on honey and Nigella Sativa (black cumin): https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.30.20217364v4 and an analysis of the study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOwa6-EOohI

I'm looking for more info about how to naturally protect organs other than lungs. I found, that covid attacks an enzyme which protects liver, heart, kidneys etc. from harm such as viruses: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32221983/

My aunt died to covid yesterday. Her lungs were recovering but heart and liver failed. The liver was most affected and didn't respond to treatment. I guess it can be different in other cases. She was relatively healthy otherwise, biologically "younger" than her real age.

Edited to add: that's funny... I did some search just to see what will come up, and the first advice for "foods good for your liver" was coffee... and my aunt was an avid coffee drinker, didn't even start her day without at least two cups of coffee. Maybe she was instinctively protecting her liver somehow, from a never detected illness? Or her liver was so used to it that it became even more vulnerable to the virus once she stopped drinking coffee, while she was in the hospital? Interesting. She also liked other foods listed in that article, but not as regularly as the coffee.

As I have been living with someone with a confirmed COVID case (with all the tests!) so here is what I have been taking:

Elderberry
Korean Ginseng
Cordyceps
Chaga
Rosehip
Reishi


For quite a while I had no symptoms while taking this combo, much longer than I think would be possible for someone living in close contact with someone who is ill and coughing quite a bit. Then I ran out of Elderberry and Ginseng! So I have developed some mild symptoms for example a bit of a cough and sore throat. So I have really listed the herbs in order of my preference above. After taking the ginseng and elderberry again the symptoms go, but they reappear every so often so to keep on to of it you need to take herbs regularly, roughly every 3-4 hours.

I would also like to add if you have been ill within the last year from a bad cold/flu that was fairly unpleasant and or stubborn you probably have had it already. I was ill about this time last year and the sudden unwell onset feeling is the same. So I am now certain in my mind that was it too. So well before the pandemic 'officially' started in the U.K. I was also completely unprepared for it that time and only really used oregano oil because I didn't have anything else to hand. In the end I definitely felt much worse for longer that time.

Anyway hope that helps and puts a few minds at rest.

Vaccines Revealed - COVID EDITION

https://upvir.al/ref/gA52859905

Speakers will have important info on herbal and foods to deal with what is happening now.

The trailer is actually longer than expected, and is packed with great info.  I was impressed how this documentary in health is put together.  

This is grassroots and knowing the kindred folks here on premies, we all much in a like minded path in life too.

I can supply Kudzu (Japanese knotweed root), Chaga, Reishi, and Ginseng.  

tristan islost wrote:I can supply Kudzu (Japanese knotweed root), Chaga, Reishi, and Ginseng.  

I thought that Kudzu was different from Japanese Knotweed, and a vining legume.

Brian
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'Identification of potential anti-TMPRSS2 natural products through homology modelling, virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation studies'
[TMPRSS2 is a human cell surface enzyme which the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus uses to infect our cells.]
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07391102.2020.1798813
Abs: "...six molecules (Neohesperidin, Myricitrin, Quercitrin, Naringin, Icariin, and Ambroxol) were found to be promising against the TMPRSS2. ..."
[These molecules, like bromhexine and camostat, might help slow or prevent SARS-CoV2 infection prophylactically.

Brian
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'Withanone and Withaferin-A are predicted to interact with transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and block entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells'
From Withania somnifera, known as Ashwagandha, these molecule may provide SARS-CoV2 prophylaxis.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07391102.2020.1775704?

Brian
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This paper linked below has many natural compounds with possible or model-demonstrated Anti-SARS-CoV2 action.
'A Multidisciplinary Approach to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)'

Brian
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Western-USA-Invasive Peganum harmala contains the original parent compound of bromhexine; named 'vasicinone', and a whole lot more potent phytochemicals.

'Bromhexine is a mucolytic drug used in the treatment of respiratory disorders associated with viscid or excessive mucus. It was originally derived as an extract derivative called vasicinone from the Indian plant, Adhatoda vasica.' [=Justicia adhatoda] Wikipedia.

"Vasicinone is a quinazoline alkaloid. It shows bronchodilatory activity in vitro but bronchoconstrictory activity in vivo. Vasicinone was shown to have an anti-anaphylactic action. It has been found within Peganum harmala." Wikipedia.

"Vasicine (peganine) is [also] a quinazoline alkaloid. It is found in Justicia adhatoda [was Adhatoda vasica], after which it is named. It is additionally found in Peganum harmala." Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peganum_harmala

This relates to SARS-CoV2/COVID by COVID's reliance on an human transmembrane serine protease called TMPRSS2, which cleaves COVID's spike protein, activating viral infection of human cells. Bromhexine inhibits TMPRSS2 and is being investigated as a prophylaxis or early treatment against SARS-CoV2 infection.

White Button Mushrooms against COVID-19? 'White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Interrupts Tissue AR-TMPRSS2 Expression and Attenuates Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in C57BL/6 Mice: Implication for COVID-19 Dietary Intervention'
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-244245/v1?s=09

Vivid animation of covid infection biochemistry: https://coronavirus-annotation-3.sci.utah.edu/

 Since the spike proteins themselves,
without even a virus present
can kill cells after binding to the ACE2 receptors.
Blocking access to the ACE2 receptors could help.
Up steps the good old dandelion:
https://www.newstarget.com/2021-06-28-dandelion-leaf-extract-blocks-spike-proteins-binding-to-ace2-receptor.html

At the first hint of trouble from an unknown virus I went hunting for alternatives to Big Pharma for protection for myself and my family. At the time I had 4 grandkids around town who were told not to return to school for the next month, plus my husbands family that I was thinking of.

What I found online was licorice root  (Glycyrrhiza glabra) was good, elderberry might help in that it can be used almost as a tonic to ward off disease, and so were many of the "medicinal" mushrooms. I left the house right then and went to our local "health food" store to see what they had to offer. Sprouts Farmers Market is 1/2 regular grocery store with healthier options, and 1/2 like a pharmacy or vitamin shop. They have lots of vitamins and supplements of all sorts, ear candles (hard to find around here), essential oils, etc. What I found was a 7 mushroom blend as a tincture, and only a few items in the elderberry line. I picked up the bottle of mushroom tincture, and a couple bags of elderberry and zinc lozenges. That got us started for the first week or so.

Then I went hunting online again for less expensive versions to extend our supply. I regularly have purchased bulk herbs from an online source for the supplies to make my all-natural herbal ointment. I make a gallon every few years. They had the licorice root in powder form and empty capsules to put it in for ease of getting a good dose. They had elderberries. I ordered the 1 pound of each (packaged by the pound) and kept looking for a larger supply of the 7 mushroom blend that Paul Stamets' company puts out.

That blend contains Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Reishi, Shiitake and Turkey Tail extracts. But I found another company (Naturealm) for a better price and bought the large 8 ounce package.  The adult dose is 1/4 teaspoon "as needed". That's 226 doses! We take it in our coffee almost daily. Both my husband and I fell into the "essential worker" category, and stayed working throughout.

While I made the elderberry syrup, we never took any. And though I have the licorice root on hand, we've never taken any of that either. But we are now on our 3rd package of 8 ounces of the Sacred 7 mushroom extract powder.  Neither of us have gotten sick with anything more than our normal issues, occasional headaches or just plain tired in the middle of the day; about par for folks who are almost 60.

And since neither of us trust our government, or the CDC, or Big Pharma any further than we can throw them, in conjunction with the fact that I've come across reports that this is a created disease, stories that the 1%ers are trying to reduce the world population, and these various "vaccines" have not been thoroughly tested or cleared by the FDA (the way all other medicines are), we are skipping the (expletives deleted) vaccine and sticking to what has been working for us. (If you who are reading this DO support vaccines, good for you. I likely won't submit to Big Pharma "accepted" treatments if/when I end up with cancer either; because I refuse to support poisoning myself in order to "live"/survive/beat it! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!)

During the height of covid 19 first wave, GreenMed Info showed several herbs that proved effective against covid 19 in particular and viral disease in general on pubmed research. You will never hear about these on Facebook, GOogle, Instagram, nor You tuBe. Hidden in their algorithm because they don't generate advertising revenue:
Sage
Thyme
Winter savory
Oregano
Fresh Ginger
Houtuynnia Cordata (Fish mint)

John S
PDX OR

Hi,  I just received this news article (12-11-2021) about clinical trials with mushrooms. The article was republished from Dr. Mercola. I tried to find the original but Dr Mercola's websight has been down. So here is the link to the newspaper. It was a very interesting read for me as I know almost nothing about mushrooms.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/could-mushrooms-be-the-key-to-improving-immunity_4143492.html?utm_source=News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-2021-12-09-3&mktids=077371b0edb6a286c082df6fb0893c9b&est=bPVzp4H%2FR6VgY0S3f1wnXrQlBAwMtknNMoCxdAUuv2k27fMwF8142ziaIhHZ9pe%2FE7YFqTbNqCMv

Although some of Mercola's ideas are controversial, this information about mushrooms is well documented on pub med and throughout world wide research. You won't find much of it on mainstream media sources like You Tube, Faceplant, or Google, because their algorithm hides natural health information. You have to know about it to find it, which makes it hard to find. They have decided to maximize ad revenue. Natural plants and fungi can't be patented, so no one gets rich off of them.
John S
PDX OR

Reviving this thread, since I have never had an opportunity to nurse someone through COVID until now. My spouse and I avoided it until July, 2024! My spouse tested positive this morning.

Seems as though everyone is sick right now in my community, this is what we are taking and recommending to others:

Feverfew
Mullein
Marshmallow leaf
Ginger
Elderberry

For those who are trying to prevent infection, they should be taking echinacea.