COVID-19: How Master Herbalists Are Using Herbs & Homeopathy To Decrease Their Symptoms

Herbal Medicine For WomenHerbal Recipes
Written By Tara Gregorio

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!

The late 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 that can be used to protect TMPRSS2 integrity, and stop the priming, is Salvia Miltiorrhiza- Dan Shen.

  • -Stephen Buhner {read the full report HERE}

Here are the 17 symptoms you may experience with the Coronavirus and some simple herbal remedies that can support you during this time. 

30% percent of those infected have no fever, respiratory distress, or cough - Stephen Buhner

The following is from Stephen Buhner's article:

Covid-19 is affecting the following organs: 

  • lungs

  • kidneys

  • heart

  • brain

  • GI tract

  • skin

  • 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, may 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 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.https://youtu.be/NRB-t2rqB8g

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, that 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. https://taragregorio.com/how-to-cure-asthma-naturally/

For adult dosing for air hunger...

#2 Hypoxia- not enough oxygen

  • Rhodiola Rosea tincture

  • 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. 

      1. 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 believed it helped her and her daughters.

    • Stephen lists this in great detail HERE.

#4 Brain fog/memory

Difficulty finding words.

  • 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

#5 Buzzing in nerves

  • Kava Kava- 

    • This will make you sleepy; so take it at night or not when driving.

    • B-12

    • Medicinal marijuana

#6 Muscle twitching

  • Magnesium glycinate/citrate

    • Dosing: 200-400 mg 3x day

    • Vitamin B-12

      • Dosing: 1,000 micrograms daily {lower to 500 as symptoms resolve}

#7 Numbness

  • Ginkgo biloba

    • Dosing: 1tsp. 3-6x day

    • Fresh Ginger;

      • Dosing: 2 ounces fresh juice, squeeze of lime, a pinch of cayenne, and honey to taste in hot water 3-4x day

#8 Anxiety/panic attacks- I write about this on my YouTube channel 

  • Blue Vervain tincture

    • Dosing: 30 drops 6x day

With shock and uncontrollable anxiety add

Click here to subscribe

#9 Insomnia

Inability to sleep.

  • Melatonin liquid

  • Ashwagandha tincture

    • Dosing: 1/2 tsp. one hour before bed

    • Scutellaria baicalensis {chinese skullcap}

      • Dosing: 1/2 to 1 tsp. 3x day

      • Motherwort

        • Dosing: 1/4 ounce of fresh tincture just before bed

Bolting awake at night

  • Ashwagandha 1/2 tsp. one hour before bed and/or

  • Cannabis various forms

  • Possibly add B vitamins to your diet as well

#8 Depression

  • Eleutherococcus: 1:1 formulation

    • Dosing: 1/4-1/2 tsp. 3x day with a break every 10 days {stop taking if it disrupts your sleep or causes anxiety}

    • Motherwort

      • Dosing: 1/4-1 tsp as often as needed

      • SAMe

        • Dosing: 200mg 1-2x day

#9 Headaches

  • Place 1 drop of peppermint essential oil in 1/4 cup of water.Drop a facecloth in the water and dab on your head.

    1. Migraine-like

      • Vervain tincture 1/4-1 tsp. as needed

      • Scutellaria baicalensis 1/2 tsp. 6x day

      • Headache back of the head

        • Verbena Officinalis tincture 1/4-1tsp. as needed

  • Front of head

    • Milk thistle seed 1200 mg every 3 hours or

    • Yellow dock tincture 1tsp. in the water at bedtime

#10 Cardiovascular system

Caution: Check with your doctor if you’re taking anticoagulants. Botanicals can often raise or lower your blood pressure.

  • General health

  • Hawthorne berry 120-900 mg 3x day

  • Hypertension/tachycardia

    • Hawthorne berry 120-900 mg 3x day or

    • Motherwort 30 drops 6x day

    • Hypotension

      • Licorice tincture 1tsp to 6x daily {do not take more than 60 days in a row}

      • Caffeine

      • Palpitations

      • Scutellaria lateriflora 20-60 drops as needed

      • Passiflora incarnata 1/2-1.5 tsp. as needed

      • Angina

      • Hawthorne 120-900 mg 3x day

      • Salvia miltiorrhiza {Dan Shen} 1/2 tsp. 3-6x day https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5421141/

      • Astragalus: 1,000-4,000 3-4x day

      • Poor circulation

      • Zingiber Officinalis {ginger root} 3-4xday

#11 Gastrointestinal tract

Nausea

  • 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

    1. 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.

    1. 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

Amazing grass is a great product with some of these ingredients: https://amzn.to/35DBLzA

Conclusion

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?

xo, Tara

References:

Tara Gregorio https://www.taragregorio.com
Previous

Elderberry Syrup For Kids
Next

4 Medications That Could Affect Your Child's Gut Health