Viruses cause familiar infectious diseases such as the common cold, flu, warts, HPV, chicken pox, shingles, norovirus, West Nile, measles and more.
They are microscopic biological agents that reproduce inside the cells of living hosts. When infected by a virus, a host cell is forced to produce thousands of identical copies of the original virus at an extraordinary rate.
After contacting a host cell, a virus will insert genetic material into the host and take over that host’s functions. The virus continues to reproduce, but it produces more viral protein and genetic material instead of the usual cellular products and is classified also as a parasite. When you get a virus, you may not always get sick from it. Your immune system may be able to fight it off and sometimes your body needs help.
A 2017 study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) showed participants who took probiotics or prebiotics are effective in elevating immunogenicity and showed significant improvements in the H1N1 Flu strain seroprotection rate. The research stated, “Therefore, a simultaneous supply of prebiotics and probiotics might be an effective method of enhancing immune reactions to an influenza vaccine.”
A recent study from Stanford University Medical Center finds the depletion of gut bacteria by antibiotics appears to leave the immune system less able to respond to new challenges, such as exposure to previously unencountered germs or vaccines.
Dr. Bali Pulendran, Ph.D., professor of pathology and of microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine said, “The findings imply that when next season’s flu strain comes along, you want your gut-resident microbes to be in full bloom in order for your immune system to rise to the occasion.”
There are also numerous natural anti-viral supplements that can help your immune system protect you.
There are two supplements you should keep in your medicine cabinet for when you start to feel sick, particularly in the middle of the night. Start asap when symptoms first start, the sooner the better. Don’t wait! It’s best to get ahead of the infection, then try to chase after it.
- Elderberry Olive Leaf cough syrup (Woodstock Herbals) open up the airways, decrease mucus production and helps improve immune system function, take 1 tsp every 2-3 hours or as needed.
- VIRA-STOP FORMULA (Woodstock Herbals) is a blend of herbs to support healthy immune function and provide nutritional support to combat viral infections. Vira-Stop Formula contains: Organic St. Johns Wort Aerial Parts, Organic Astragalus Root, Organic Elderberry, Garlic Bulb, Organic Hyssop Aerial Parts, Organic Lemon Balm Leaf, Organic Licorice Root, Lomatium Root, Organic Olive Leaf, Organic Sweet Annie Aerial Parts, Thuja Leaf/Stem, Organic Echinacea Purpurea Root, Organic Echinacea Augustifolia Root, Organic Echinacea Purpurpea Flower, Organic Tea Tree Oil, Certified Organic Alcohol (to intensify and preserve the extract). Shake well before each use. Take 10 – 25 drops in water or juice, 2 to 5 times per day.
Other foundational supplements to take daily to strengthen your immune system against Viral Infections include:
Oregano oil is an essential oil made from the oregano plant that is purported to have healing properties. Research shows oregano oil has antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties. In addition compounds in oregano oil are also potent antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Oreganol P73 (North American Herb and Spice.) Take as directed on label.
Colloidal Silver (10ppm) is made from pure water and silver, using electrolysis. It is microscopic-sized solid silver particles suspended in the water. The microscopic silver particles can more easily penetrate and travel throughout the body. Colloidal Silver works as a catalyst, disabling the enzyme that all one celled viruses, bacteria and fungi use for their oxygen metabolism. The presence of Colloidal Silver near a virus, fungus, bacterium or any other single celled pathogen, disables its oxygen metabolism enzyme, its chemical lung, so to say. Within a few minutes, the pathogen suffocates and dies and is cleared out of the body by the immune system. Colloidal Silver is of no harm to human enzymes or any part of the human body chemistry. It can be taken daily internally or used externally as a disinfectant and it’s benefits last for 2-3 hours. Safe for all ages and does not interfere with any medications. Add 2 teaspoons to 8 oz. water and sip throughout the day & then replenish as needed. If you are wearing a mask spray the inside & outside of the mask every 3 hours to increase protection.
Anti-V with Echinamide (Natural Factors) capsules contain immune boosting and potent anti-viral herbs to help your immune system fight off viruses. Herbs include triple standardized Echinacea purpurea, Lomatium dissectum, Astragalus membranaceus, Reishi mushroom, and licorice. (should not be used by people with auto-immune disorders or transplants)
Olive Leaf Extract (Natural Factors) has been clinically proven as an immune booster beneficial in the treatment of conditions caused by, or associated with, a virus, retrovirus, bacterium or protozoan. Studies have shown it to have a unique anti-viral mechanism. Oleuropein, the key nutrient, is most concentrated in the leaves than any other part of the plant. Olive leaf’s broad killing power includes an ability to interfere with critical amino acid production for viruses. It also has an ability to contain viral infection and/or spread by inactivating viruses, by preventing virus shredding, budding or assembly at the cell membrane. Olive leaf extract can directly penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication. (should not be used by people with auto-immune disorders or transplants)
According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer website “Olive leaf extract has been shown to be effective against the following microorganisms: E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, T. rubrum and Candida albicans.
Other benefits of Olive leaf extract include protection for neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress occurs more gradually in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effects add up over a lifetime, producing inflammation and other changes that result in the accumulation of abnormal proteins that interfere with brain function and kill neurons.
Kyolic Immune Formula 103 (Kyolic) Animal and test-tube studies indicate that garlic enhances immune system response by stimulating protective immune cells, which may safeguard against viral infections. This combination of vitamins, mushrooms and herbs helps to support healthy immune function.* Aged Garlic Extract™ [220 mg]; Premium Mushroom Complex [75 mg]; Vitamin C [52.5 mg]; Astragalus Extract [50 mg]; Oregano Extract [50 mg]; Olive Leaf Extract [40 mg] (per capsule).
Elderberry also known as sambucus nigra, is a small, antioxidant rich fruit common to Europe and North America that has been shown to directly inhibit the virus’s entry and replication in human cells and can help strengthen a person’s immune response to the virus. In one placebo-controlled, double-blind 2017 study conducted by Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, found 93.3% of the people taking an elderberry preparation reported significant improvement in influenza symptoms within 2 days of starting it, compared with the 6 days it took for the placebo group to see improvement. Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study performed in Norway had similar results. Researchers also have found that people who have taken elderberries have higher levels of antibodies against the influenza virus, showing that not only may the berry be able to treat flu symptoms, it may also be able to prevent influenza infection. Sambucus Elderberry Original and also Sambucus Elderberry Immune Syrup (Natures Way) Elderberry Extract (Jarrow Formulas) is a highly concentrated extract (15:1) 1 capsule 2x day.
Beta glucan is a very potent biological response modifier that nutritionally activates the immune response through the Macrophage immune cells to yield various therapeutic effects and is safe for all ages. In its most effective form, Beta glucan is extracted from the yeast cell wall of Baker’s yeast. Studies have shown that beta glucans act as immune-modulator agents, meaning they trigger a cascade of events that help regulate the immune system, making it more efficient. Specifically, beta glucans stimulate the activity of macrophages, which are versatile immune cells that ingest and demolish invading germs and signal other immune cells to attack. Macrophages also release cytokines, chemicals that when secreted enable the immune cells to communicate with one another. In addition, beta glucans stimulate lethal white blood cells that bind to tumors or viruses, and release chemicals to destroy it.
Esberitox (chewable) ( Natures Way) Echinacea supports your immune system defenses by fortifying your most critical cells with natural fighting power. Esberitox® has been the top-selling remedy in Europe for over 70 years and can be used by your entire family. Only Esberitox® combines two types of Echinacea with two additional immune-supporting herbs, baptisia and thuja.* This gives Esberitox® a broader spectrum of activity than Echinacea alone.* The powerful combination promotes the body’s resistive functions by stimulating the production and activity of critical immune cells.* Safe for Children and Adults use as directed on label. (should not be used by people with auto-immune disorders or transplants)
Ohhira’s Probiotic Formulas (Essential Formulas) Other products that claim billions of freeze-dried non-native bacteria is better, Dr. Ohhira’s understands that more is not better! Unlike most other probiotic products, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics are not cultured or grown in a laboratory. Ingredients such as mountain spring water, fruits and vegetables – are fermented for three years with 12 distinctive probiotic strains. This rich culture medium (PRE-BIOTICS) is then encapsulated along with the Probiotics that have grown together over the three-year period and the resulting nutrients from this fermentation process (POST-BIOTICS), thus delivering viable probiotics and encouraging your body’s innate ability to grow its own friendly bacteria. Contains Proprietary TH 10 – Dr. Ohhira developed his own proprietary lactic acid bacteria strain that is six times stronger than any other strains known to bacteriologists today.
As always consult with your Holistic or Medical Practitioner before starting any new supplements.
Call the Tree of Life Wellness Center 508-336-4242 for in-office or telephone consultation about your health concerns
Jane Jansen Holistic Practitioner Tree of Life Wellness Center
Host Holistic Healthline Radio