Are you wondering how you can prevent and overcome some of your Covid-19 symptoms naturally?
In this post, I’ll share how we’re integrating supplements and herbs into my families diet to prevent and reduce symptoms of coronavirus.
>>Please note,I’m not claiming these herbs/supplements will prevent you from getting Covid-19, but they may, in fact, shorten your symptoms and boost your immunity for years to come.
By the end of this post, you’ll have my 13+ years of herbal medicine experience intertwined with master herbalists and functional medicine doctors who are helping our community get through and overcome Covid-19 with botanicals, supplements & diet.
The 4 little known ways you can boost your immunity during Covid-19:
#1 Reduce your inflammation with an anti-inflammatory diet
#2 Boost your immunity with supplements & vitamins
But first, these remedies and supplements NEVER take the place of your doctor. Please always see your doctor for ANY emergency and always consult them if you are taking medications.
What is Covid-19?
Stephen Buhner, Master Herbalist explains..
SARS-CoV-2 is an acronym, it is also known as Covid-19 (and sometimes as just the coronavirus or even SARS-2) which does make things confusing.
Regrettably, Covid-19 is also an acronym. It stands for COronaVIrus Disease of 2019, usually written COVID-19 (but also Covid-19). (It doesn’t mean that there were 18 Covids before this one.)
What are Covid-19 Symptoms?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposureto the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
-cdc.org
How is Covid-19 spread?
The virus is primarily spread through the air (inhalation) and transfers during touch between the infected and the non-infected areas.
What can you do to make yourself more resilient during Covid-19?
Consider these 4 simple steps to support your immune system.
#1 Reduce inflammation with diet
Diet is always first. Eating well, staying a healthy weight, and reducing medications will always be your best friend for fighting viruses.
Consider the following..
Focus on whole, unprocessed/unpackaged, organic foods as much as possible
Reduce sugar and starch as much as you can – to reduce inflammation
Stop drinking! Yes, I know this one is hard. But, alcohol suppresses the immune system and steals vital nutrients from your body. *
Drink herbal teas daily like fresh ginger, peppermint, and lemon balm to soothe your stress, improve digestion, and boost immunity.
Consider additional vitamins and supplements to reduce inflammation in your body. {See below}
*Many of us have turned to alcohol to soothe our stress. But, it is well-known alcohol is very inflammatory, depresses the immune system, and can disrupt your sleep – which is so important to your healing. Cut out the alcohol and replace it with a cup of herbal tea!
#2 Add in vitamins & supplements to boost your immune system.
Boosting Immunity with Vitamins during the Covid-19 pandemic can be beneficial to your health. Here are the vitamins functional medicine doctors are suggesting we integrate to reduce symptoms of Covid-19 and to boost immunity. Of course, always check with your doctor first!
Here are the vitamins and minerals that have proven to reduce cold and flu symptoms in years past.
a. Zinc Acetate {other forms are ok as well}
If you tend to get sick a lot or your children have signs of asthma, you’ll want to add zinc to your diet. (source)
One of the first indications of zinc deficiency may be the white spots on your nails. Do you have them?
My favorite: Pure Encapsulations is a great company
Zinc lozenges may help prevent viruses from replicating in the nasal passages, may help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, have been shown to shorten the length of a cold by 2 to 4 days, and some studies have found zinc to be specifically preventative against certain coronaviruses, reducing their virulence and preventing their entry into cells. – Dr. Aviva Romm {source}
b. Vitamin D₃
Vitamin D₃ supplementation has been proven to reduce colds, flu & even asthma-like breathing in children. (source)
Food source: oily fish, red meat, liver, egg yolks, mushrooms
Adult Dosing: 5000-10,000 IU per gtt drop not dropperful/day during Covid-19 infection
Quercetin has antioxidant properties, which have been shown to reduce inflammation, and helps prevent heart disease and even cancer. {source} It’s derived from turmeric and works best when combined with black pepper.
Food sources for Quercitine: dill, broccoli, onions, apples, onions, berries berries, capers, grapes, onions, shallots, tea, and tomatoes, as well as many seeds, nuts, flowers, barks, and leaves. Quercetin is also found in medicinal botanicals, including Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, and Sambucus canadensis {elderberry}
Look for 8-12 servings every day
Supplemental Dosing: 500 mg 2x day
Children: Children over 5. Dosing: 150mg 1-2x day
Pro tip: Take Quercetin with zinc for full absorption, not to be taken during pregnancy.
After the 2003 SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus outbreak, researchers in China found quercetin and other small molecules bound to the spike protein of the virus, interfering with its ability to infect host cells. (source)
d. Glutathione
Glutathione is known as an antioxidant, detoxifier, increases natural killer cells, and anti-inflammatory. It also is known to increase the function of the immune system. Glutathione levels in the body may be reduced by a number of factors, including poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and stress. Its levels also decline with age.
Food sources for Glutathione: cruciferous vegetables, green tea, garlic, onions, and shallots
Supplemental Dosing: 600mg 2x day
Pro tip: NAC boosts glutathione
e. Green Tea
If you change one thing, it would be to replace your cup of coffee with green tea! Green tea is known as an antioxidant and it produces Glutathione.
If you don’t like the taste of green tea, try a daily supplement.
Dosing: 4 cups a day or225 mg/day through a supplement
f. Vitamin C
Vitamin C may shorten the duration of a cold and prevent pneumonia.
Food sources: Think bright orange fruits Cantaloupe, Citrus fruits and juices, such as orange and grapefruit, Kiwi fruit, Mango, Papaya, and Pineapple.
Adult Dosing: 500-1,000 mg/day up to 4,500 mg/day during infection
Kids Dosing:
Age 2-5: 200mg
Age 6-11: 250-500mg
Age 12+: 500-1000
g. Probiotics
Good bacteria line our nasal system and gut lining and contribute to our overall health. Consider adding in a probiotic if you’ve had many doses of antibiotics throughout your lifetime and after every round of antibiotics going forward.
Food sources: yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread, and some cheeses.
Dosing: follow the information on the package.
60% of our immune system is in our gut which is why it is critical to focus on gut health now. – Dr. Mark Hyman {source}
h. Melatonin
Melatonin has an antioxidant capacity and reduces oxidative stress. {source}
Dosing: 3-5 mg at night
3. Stress-Reducing herbs
Lowering your stress can be one of the best things you can do for your health today. When you have an increase in stress, you are more prone to illnesses.
Read this post, I wrote for ICON on how you can reduce your stress every day with herbal remedies.
87% of people have Post Covid Symptoms; including symptoms that are similar to Chronic Fatigue Symptoms- Dr. Mark Hyman
Read this post to see the herbs I would use during and after exposure to Covid-19. COMING SOON…
Conclusion
It’s well-known that many of us are lacking valuable nutrients causing us to be more susceptible to viruses of any kind; including Covid-19.
During the pandemic, is the most optimal time to take note of your health and begin taking steps to improve your health with diet and vitamins. These are the vitamins and supplements that have helped us reduce the flu most years and have helped my son overcome “asthma-like” breathing.
Let us know in the comment area below. Have you had Covid-19? What helped you? Thank you for sharing. 💕
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), or more commonly known as a yeast infection, is the second most common cause of vaginitis {inflammation in the vaginal area} in the US.¹
It’s caused by the fungus Candida albicans, however other species are becoming increasingly common.
The itching caused by this yeast can be annoying and very uncomfortable. Thankfully, addressing your gut health and introducing herbal medicine can reduce these symptoms and get you back to feeling well again – fast.
But, wait up.
There are two other types of vaginitis;
Bacterial Vaginosis {vaginal PH<4.5}
Trichomoniasis also causes itching and discharge {vaginal PH< 4.5}
so you may want to see your doctor and get a fungal culture to make sure, especially if you are pregnant.
So, what are the symptoms you are looking for?
Yeast Infection Symptoms
The smell of yeast may be the first indicator that you notice.
Next may be mild to severe itching and irritation of the vulva area.
You also may notice the vulva is red from scratching; which you want to try to avoid.
You may have no order or smell similar to yeast bread
You may have redness from itching
If you were to test your PH, it would be normal
What causes these repeated infections?
Yeast Infection causes
Repeated antibiotic use
Diabetes mellitus
HIV infection/AIDS
Increase estrogen levels {HRT}
Pregnancy
Hyperglycemia
Allergies
And.. anything that disrupts the vaginal flora such as:
Antibiotics
Use of tampons, sponges, douches, intrauterine devices, and sex toys
Sexual practices or new partners
IUD, spermicide
Rise in PH
Decline in lactobacillus
Lack of hydrogen peroxide
Hot tubs
Sexual abuse
Are you ready to reduce your medications? Grab this FREE freebie; The 10 Botanicals for Women’s Health to heal your gut and reduce symptoms for years to come.
4 Step Yeast Infection Home Remedies
I like to take a four-step approach when treating a yeast infection. Follow these four steps to reduce the number of yeast infections you experience.
#1 Take an antimicrobial internally AND externally {see below}
Consider taking these herbs INTERNALLY to reduce infection and inflammation. You can purchase these as a tincture or supplement. I prefer the tinctures typically, but the supplement below is handy as it combines a variety of herbs together.
Dosing: 20-60 drops total 2-3x day
Look for these herbal tinctures:
Echinacea
Garlic
Astragalus
Goldenseal
Oregano
Thyme
Various mushrooms like Reishi
Check with your doctor if you’re nursing and taking herbal remedies.
Look for the following herbs or take a blended formula like this one and take daily.<
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#2 Internally take an adaptogen to boost immunity and resistance
Optional: Apply a healing salve with Calendula if you’re feeling dry, red, and irritated.
How to use garlic for a yeast infection
Garlic is a wise woman’s popular herbal remedy.
How do you use it?
Take a fresh, single clove-peeled
Carefully insert nightly and leave overnight
You could dip it into vegetable oil to ease insertion if you needed
Garlic is effective against the fungi E. coli, Proteus, Mycobacterium, and Candida species, but you may notice a garlicky smell!!
And…Watch for irritation or even chemical burns on sensitive skin.
Conclusion
Medications, antibiotics, and the use of tampons and vaginal lubricants can all affect the healthy flora in the vaginal area causing recurring yeast infections.
Addressing your gut health and integrating more natural products, could be the number one way to stop this irritating cycle.
Click below to see my favorite products to reduce yeast infections and urinary tract infections for years to come.
¹ Romm, Aviva; Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health pg. 258
Certified women’s herbal educator, Tara Gregorio is helping moms around the world reduce medications with herbs & homeopathy. Learn more about Tara here: https://taragregorio.com/
Are you wondering how you can reduce COVID-19 symptoms – naturally?
If you love using natural remedies and believe they can support you when you have an ever-changing virus like the Coronavirus – this post is for you!
Master herbalist Stephen Buhner has graciously shared these remedies in this handout and I have organized it into a more digestible blog post you can refer to for years to come!
But, before we begin, ALWAYS check with your doctor if you’re taking any medications as they may interact with these herbal remedies.
AND, always head to the ER for ANY high fevers and breathing concerns.
If you experience any adverse effects, always stop the remedy.
Stephen Buhner explains…
How is COVID-19 Spread?
Once in the nose, the virus looks for what is called ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2) receptors.
There are about 40 trillion cells in the human body, many of which have these ACE2 receptors.
The spikes on the virus, are part of the virus that attaches to the ACE2 receptors on the cell.
To facilitate this, the spikes utilize an enzyme found on our cells – transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2).
This “primes” the virus’s spike protein so that it displays itself as a “fusion protein” to the cell via the ACE2 receptors.
This allows viral attachment to the ACE2 receptor and subsequent entry into the cell.
The primary herb which can be used to protect TMPRSS2 integrity, and stop the priming, is Salvia Miltiorrhiza- Dan Shen.
blood cells/circulatory systems are the main organs affected by the organism.
Covid-19 Statistics
25% of people hospitalized for Covid-19 have some form of heart damage or arrhythmias
20% have skin rashes
Significant blood clotting is occurring throughout the body for many people and this is probably the most serious common problem
Nearly all infected have high liver enzymes
The virus, in these cases, maybe sequester itself (as Lyme bacteria, and others, do) and then reemerge after treatment – or the organism may be generating a new form that the immune system does not recognize, or perhaps the immune system antibodies have become less effective over time.
Here are the major symptoms our community is experiencing and how you can integrate natural remedies to help reduce these symptoms faster.
Disclaimer:Below you’ll find the botanicals I use and the companies I trust. I’ve linked to the companies I have purchased from before, I did not link any herbs or companies I haven’t used before. For the full report, download Stephen Buhner’s vast document on COVID-19. I do receive a small commission if you purchase through this link.
Please note: Below is the dosing for Adults. I’ve noted the areas where I’m comfortable using herbs with kids. Always check with your doctor before adding in any new supplements.
Keep in mind… you’ll want to learn HOW to use herbs & homeopathy as well. Watch this video to learn how to use homeopathic medicine, then scroll down to see the remedies.
When you first notice you’ve tested positive and expressing symptoms, take one dose of Aconite 30c. Symptoms may spike and then resolve. Keep in mind, Aconite doesn’t work in stages 2 and 3.
Phosphorus, Arsenicum album, Kali muriaticum, and Bryonia are also first stage remedies to consider adding.
14 Common Covid-19 Symptoms and the herbal remedies to support you
#1Air Hunger & Shortness of breath
Air hunger is described “as if every cell is gasping for breath at the same time”. For most people, it may be for just a few minutes at most. An inhaler is the most common use for acute shortness of breath.
Consider adding in these supplements if you experience shortness of breath or air hunger and over time, you may notice you don’t need the inhaler as much.
For kids? See the supplements we’ve used to help my son stop his asthma-like breathing.
Known as an adaptogen, antidepressant, antioxidant, and cardio-protective. It’s used to nourish the lung and treat lung problems such as coughing blood and pneumonia. It’s also used to lower fevers, improve blood circulation, and enhance energy. ¹
Safety issues: Avoid using Rhodiola if you are bipolar, manic, or paranoid. It can cause insomnia in sensitive people.
Dosing: 10-40 drops 2-4x day
#3 Wheezing/Cough
Use the nebulizer as needed.
Look for expectorants to get the mucous out. You can also use Mucinex.
Fennel, fenugreek, Yerba santa (Eriodictyon), thyme, English ivy, coltsfoot, cayenne, osha, Pelargonium sidoides, myrtol
My sister suggested this herbal cough syrup. When they had Covid-19, she believes it helped her and her daughters.
Ginkgo Biloba – Traditionally used for a clear, sharp mind. Ginkgo has been shown to affect recall, recognition memory, reaction time, attention, concentration, mood, and energy levels.
Kids: Standardized extract has been used to treat asthma in children. ²
Dosing: 150mg, 2x day or 20-60 drops of the tincture OR…
Gotu Kola -In Ayurvedic medicine, Gotu Kolu is known as “Brahmi”, known as a rejuvenating nervine – it promotes mental alertness and sound memory.
Kids: Adverse effects are not expected. This dried herb has been used in India as a mental tonic for the mentally disabled and children. ²
Adult Dosing: 500 mg 2x day or 20-60 drops of the tincture
Homeopathic nux vomica, 30x 4 pellets every hour and/or
Peppermint Essential oil, ONE drop on the tongue followed by 6 ounces of water.
Make sure you are using medicinal-grade essential oil! Not for use with children.
Cramping
Viburnum spp {cramp bark} 30-90 drops 4x day
Pulsatilla patens {pasque flower} 10 drops as needed
Diarrhea
Blackberry root infusion 1/4 ounce to 1 ounce in one quart of hot water, cover, and steep overnight.Rare to find, try Etsy.
Slippery elm or Marshmallow Root tea infusion
#12 Fever
Tea recipe for fever. Combine equal parts of:
Peppermint
Elderflower
Yarrow
Take 1 tbs. per 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey.
Safe for kids!
Tincture
Add Boneset tincture to tea as needed
Antiviral
Add 1 antiviral tincture every hour until the fever breaks.
#13 Pain
Homeopathic Bryonia
Dosing: 30c, 4 pellets, 4x day
Arnica
Dosing: 30c, 4 pellets 4x day – Stop if you experience adverse effects
Corydalis tincture
Dosing: 1/8-1/4 tsp. 3-4x day{contraindicated in liver disease}
Verbena Officinalis {vervain} tincture
#14 Muscle weakness
Panax quinquefolius {american ginseng}
Dosing: 3x day {stop if you cannot sleep or take just in the morning}
Homeopathic Lycopodium
Dosing: 30x, 4 pellets, 4x day
Anti-virals Covid-19 Symptoms
The most common botanicals being used for Coronavirus symptoms.
#1 Licorice root
#2 Japanese Knotweed
#3 Dan Shen {protective of heart issues}
#4 Gingko Bilboa
#5 Hawthorne Berry
#6 Astragalus*
#7 Rhodiola
#8 Goldenseal
#9 Andrographis
#10 Asian Ginseng – Panax Ginseng
#11 Reishi
#12 Echinacea
#13 Boneset
#14 Galium spp. Cleavers
#15 Eleutherococcus senticosus
During an active stage of Covid-19, you may consider…Hitting Pause on Vitamin D.
Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
The community is noticing they are left very depleted after Covid-19 along with other adverse effects resembling CFS/ME symptomatology such as persistent fatigue, diffuse myalgia, depressive symptoms, and non-restorative sleep.
Consider this blend to boost your energy and reduce post-covid symptoms.
Recipe to Boost Adrenal Gland Fatigue- post-Covid-19
Take two parts (for example, 4 ounces) each of powdered herbs
spirulina
milk thistle seed
licorice
astragalus
turmeric
dandelion root
and nettle leaf
AND
One part each (for example, 2 ounces) each of :
chlorella, burdock root, Ashwagandha, Eleutherococcus, bladderwrack, and dried wheatgrass juice powder.
Blend with juice or water and take in the morning and evening to improve energy levels
Integrating natural remedies to reduce your viral symptoms, will help reduce your symptoms and boost your energy. As always, speak with your physician before adding in any new botanical; especially if you take medication.
What worked for my Covid-19 symptoms?
High doses of Liposomal Vitamin C – I took these 3x day {found here}
P.S. Most of these remedies will work with kids. If you are ready to learn more about herbs for kids, join my free challenge here 👇 Click the image below
You’ve heard the rumors… we are facing an epidemic of antibiotic resistance.
Wouldn’t it be great if your doctor had other suggestions when you visited them for your child’s symptoms?
Think about this for a moment, if antibiotics don’t always work and they are causing other health problems, what are we to do?
It all boils down to this.
Was your child born via c-section?
Have they had 1+ round of antibiotics?
Are they struggling with their digestion?
Do they have Atopic conditions like allergies, eczema, and asthma?
If you answered yes to one of the questions above, you may want to be concerned.
Reality is, our children may need a round or two of antibiotics while they build their immunity; especially if they are in daycare or the public school system.
But, what if you knew how to use natural remedies to reduce the amount of exposure your child is receiving from antibiotic use?
What if you knew how to heal your child’s gut, so they wouldn’t have these symptoms and fear of antibiotics not working?
Here’s my promise to you.
By the end of this post, you’ll understand why we need to rethink antibiotics and consider integrating natural remedies to boost your child’s immunity for years to come.
95% of clinicians prescribe antibiotics even when they are not absolutely sure they are needed. – Dr. Aviva Romm
6 Dangers Of Antibiotic Use
1. Antibiotic Resistance
One of the biggest threats to our global health today is antibiotic resistance, the World Health Organization suggests.
“Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant. These bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are harder to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria.” ¹
Bacterial infections need antibiotics and if you overuse them, they may not work when you need them most. According to the CDC, “Each year in the U.S., at least 2 million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection, and at least 23,000 people die.” Source
We have to consider reducing antibiotics and integrating natural remedies.
2. Food Intolerances (gluten/dairy)
If you haven’t heard the word microbiome yet, get ready to learn more. These communities of gut flora run from our mouth to our anus and affect our weight, mood, mental health, and even our immunity. One of the ways we damage this flora is through yup, you guessed it, antibiotics.
And, children born via c-section are already compromised due to the one dose of antibiotics mom gets before surgery.
If you’re planning a C-section, consider Vaginal seeding to protect your child’s gut flora.
When your child’s microbiome is affected, they may have difficulty digesting gluten and dairy – some of the top inflammatory foods we consume.
One way around this is to try Goat’s milk formula or for the mom to take dairy out of her diet if breastfeeding. Also, mom may want to take a digestive enzyme to help her digest the milk.
3. Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a digestive condition in which bacteria and toxins are able to “leak” through the intestinal wall causing headaches, food intolerances, allergies, and joint pain in our child’s health.
Medications that lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome In Kids:
Antibiotics
Steroids
NSAIDS
Acid reducing medication
If your child is taking these medications regularly, you may want to consider the 4R approach. Read more about Leaky Gut Syndrom in kids Here.
4. Clostridium difficile
The leading cause of deaths in the hospital, Clostridium difficile or C. diff. is a bacterium that is normally present in the body in small numbers. When they are out of balance with the rest of your gut bacteria – due to antibiotic use or a compromised immune system, they may cause an infection and result in diarrhea.
This bacteria produces a toxin that causes inflammation of the colon and results in varying degrees of diarrhea, sometimes a bloody stool, and could potentially lead to death. Often, children with a compromised immune system have the greatest risk of getting C. Diff. If your child has a bloody stool, please have it checked immediately for C. Diff.
C. diff can go hand in hand with Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease; please have your child checked if you suspect they have C. Diff.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may suggest an antibiotic or to take the probiotic Saccharomyces Boulardi daily to replenish your gut flora. Read more here.
5. Eczema
An inflammatory skin condition, Eczema, affects 1 in 5 children and is increasing each year. Known as ‘the itch that rashes’ typically begins with the itch and ends with red, scaly skin. You may also have rough bumps, thick patches or bumps that leak fluid and crust over.
Those with Atopic dermatitis typically have a food allergy to wheat, dairy, peanuts or nuts.
Why is this happening? 3 reasons.
Their microbiome is out of balance – possibly due to medications either from mom or baby
The child or Mom has an inflammatory diet or a food allergy
Environmental toxins
What can you do about Eczema?
Address any gut imbalances in the mom or child’s diet.
Cover the skin with a botanical cream like Calendula.
6. MRSA
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections generally begin as skin infections. The bacterium invades the skin through an open sore, cut, or scrape. For children, the most common source of infection is a simple cut or abrasion.
MRSA is different from other staph bacteria because it has built up a resistance to most of the antibiotics doctors usually use to treat staph infections.
What can you do about it antibiotic resistance?
Encourage your children to wash their hands with just soap and water, NOT antibacterial soap.
Eat grass-fed, antibiotic-free meat, and dairy to reduce exposure to antibiotics.
When purchasing herbal products look for products that have full labeling. Look for the following on the label:
The company notes the full name of the botanical on the product.
They have an expiration date.
Keep in mind, herbal tinctures or tonics that have alcohol can be preserved for years beyond their expiration date. If your product smells bad or you have a gut feeling it is not good, throw it away.
The company offers dosing suggestions on the bottle. Herb Pharm has a whole line of products dedicated to children’s health and has the dosing on the bottle.
Watch for any ‘red flags’, companies claiming for weight loss or extreme health declarations that seem impossible.
Even if they have perfect labeling, you want to look for these additional concerns when consuming botanicals.
They use certified organic or pesticide-free plant products that are sustainably harvested.
The plant is vibrant, tasty, potent, and consistent
The product is proven safe through laboratory analysis.
Tests each product to ensure there are no molds or contamination
Does not practice product substitution – using another botanical as a substitution
Is considerate of temperature control, freshness, and monitor’s quality.
Can provide you with an organic certificate, kosher certificate, certificates of analysis, pesticide residue tests, GCMS printouts, and MSDS forms documents to ensure your safety.
Consumer concerns when using herbal medicine:
Watch for potential allergic or idiosyncratic reactions, this is an abnormal sensitivity to a drug which may result in:
severe skin reactions – look for skin rashes, itching, or hives
anaphylaxis – along with skin rashes, the throat will feel like it is closing up and you have trouble breathing. Take a deep breath, this rarely happens.
blood dyscrasias – a disease or disorder of the blood.
hepatotoxicity – liver damage.
fever or joint pain
Who is at risk for idiosyncratic reactions?
Women who are 50+ or older
Those who are currently using medications
Or, If you have:
Hepatic disease
Renal ideas
If you are malnourished and/or decreased weight
If you consume alcohol regularly
If you have possible enzyme deficiencies
The most prevalent source of adverse effects is among clients who are currently taking medication. If you are taking the following medication, please check with your doctor and community herbalist before ingesting a new herbal product.
Are you taking these medications?
anticoagulants
barbiturates
insulin
cardiac medications
NSAIDs
oral contraceptives
anti-depressants
Please check with your doctor before consuming a new herbal product.
Idiosyncratic reactions occur very infrequently and are independent of dose, and are highly unpredictable. Herb/drug interactions present a higher risk than allergic reactions.
But, if you or your child’s partner has an allergy to the Asteraceae family, it would be important for you to keep this plant away from your child until they are older.
Other concerns when using botanicals:
Watch for the timing of use – stop taking botanicals two weeks before surgery for fear of too much bleeding or a bad reaction.
Dosage – always check for correct dosing when using any medication.
Duration of use
Who are the 7 herbal companies you can fall in love with and trust?
