Viral Perspectives in a Pandemic

Are you hugging?

That’s what my friend, Lori, co-owner of the Yaupon Teahouse in Savannah, Georgia (a delightful shop serving up the only native North American source of caffeine, along with herbal products including yaupon, and classes I’ll be teaching [a podcast and blog on the incredible yaupon research they’ve done soon]) asked as we saw each other again. It was mid March and the reality of coronavirus/COVID-19 was starting to set in, along with the accompanying fear, for a lot of people. I’ve been wanting to write an article about it since then, but have been waiting because more resources keep surfacing, and I want to include them all. Then I realized that they’re multiplying faster than anyone can keep up with, so I’ll just keep updating this article as they come in. Please add any good articles/resources you’ve found to the comments below. 

First I’m going to tell you what I don’t want this article to be, and then what I do. 

I do not want this article to be a list of herbs that you can take and specific protocols for fighting the virus. Why not? Because:
1. I feel that there are lots of articles, many from highly reputable herbalists, already doing that, and you can look below or easily do a search and pick and choose what makes sense to you. And I really do encourage you to do your own research. As herbalism is a holistic science, I think it’s always important to remind ourselves that not every herb/remedy works for every body.
2. I feel like the general media and big agencies are putting a big emphasis on a few tactics we can use for prevention, i.e. social distancing, handwashing, cleaning surfaces; and are ignoring so many other simple, natural, and available options.
3. As an Herbalist (ie a health practitioner that of an unlicensed branch in the US), I cannot make any claims, prescribe, treat, cure, or diagnose. Just by writing this article, I'm putting myself at risk. You might want to print it out, in case I have to take it down. 

I do want this article to give you those simple options in an accessible way, along with some awesome resources for you to feel empowered. 

The words “social distancing” have been making me cringe every time I hear or read them. The R in WANDER School stands for “Reconnection”. I believe that the biggest issues in the world today, causing dis-ease and unhappiness, are disconnection, of people to each other and to nature. Creating more isolation and loneliness seems like one of the worst things we can do right now. Connection keeps our immune symptoms more highly functioning. 

Don’t get me wrong, I support everyone’s right to handle this the best way we all see how. And minimizing our contact with others, especially large groups, could help a lot to contain the virus. My friend Lori created a term I love to describe one way of looking at this situation, “unintended opportunities”. Here’s some unintended opportunities that I can see:

• Create community
  • Have more quality time, one-on-one, with friends and neighbors. This accomplishes two things: keep up our emotional health and allow us to take care of each other, the true meaning of the word “community”.
• More real quality time with family
• Rest and rejuvenation from the daily grind, including time outside (of course), in turn boosting our immunity
• Time for projects at home
• Space to learn things we’ve been wanting to
• Get that garden started! Having your hands in the dirt boosts mental health and immunity
• Think of and brainstorm how we can be better prepared in the future (i.e. expanded herbal first aid kit, extra food, clean water, support networks, etc)

For me, an unintended opportunity is time to focus on getting online education finished and launched. I’ve been wanting to do this for years, to answer your requests for more accessible botanical education, no matter your location or schedule. Chek out my brand new foraged e-cookbook, The Wild Foraged Life (included for Patrons on Patreon at the $10/month level and above), and my upcoming herbal medicine making video series, The Wild Herbal Life.

​Speaking of which, now more than ever, your support of small businesses is needed, if you’re able. And it’s the perfect time for home education. (If you’d like to continue your wild edible and herbal education while you’re sitting at home, check out The WANDER School’s Patreon site for ongoing education in the form of botanical ID videos, foraged cooking classes, podcast bonus material, and workshop summaries.)

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My students (Lisa and Allison) who became friends, and me, after an amazing sound therapy experience with Max of True Resonance, experiencing the medicine of sound and friendship connection (pre-pandemic)

Here’s some suggestions from what I’m doing myself to keep myself and my family healthy and prevent illness. If you are pregnant, have health conditions, or are taking medication, please check with your health practitioner before trying anything new. And remember that we are all individuals with different bodies, chemistry, and needs. Your body may react differently and not like some of this. The best thing you can do for your health is to listen to your body. 

• Keep connections with people 
  • Hug your family and your pets 
  • Check on your neighbors, especially the elders and sick, to see if they need any groceries, medicine, etc; 
  • Connect through media (Zoom is a wonderful free app for video chatting, or Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger).
• Go outside! The fresh air, sunshine, and spring blossoms will do you good. And that sunshine has the amazing power of Vitamin D in it. Expose your skin and soak it in. 
• Vitamin C and other antioxidants, like colorful fruits (berries of any kind are great) and vegetables
• Eating healthy: lots of those vegetables, and little sugar, which can take your immunity down drastically
• Big time hydration! Lots of clean water, plus tea and no sugar added juices (if you like)
• Plenty of sleep! Sleep supports our body’s natural healing mechanisms
• Take any measures you can to reduce your stress levels, including, but not limited to:
  • Deep breathing
  • Meditation
  • Hikes
  • Dog Cuddles
  • Kid/Play time
  • Limited exposure to media
• Herbal steams with any of the antimicrobial pizza herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, etc) and salt, add essential oils if you want. You can steam your house (thanks to Leslie Williams for this reminder), by refilling the water in the pot, leaving it uncovered at a simmer on the stove or in the crock pot. Do this same steam with your head over the pot (after you take it off the stove) and a towel over you and the pot, if you’re starting to feel congested or sick.
• Salt gargles 1-2 times/day or frequent use of a neti pot, especially after going out in public.
• Washing hands frequently, of course. I avoid antibacterial soap because of the chemicals and their potential side effects.
• Antiviral herbs, check the resources below, and be extra careful if you have autoimmune issues.
• Medicinal mushrooms, like reishi. Once I get settled in my new home, I’ll have some of my wildcrafted tincture available for you. 
• Fire cider, a traditional herbal remedy with traditionally immune supporting herbs (I’ll have some more of this soon, too)
• Cleaning surfaces with and diffusing essential oils, or making your own cleaner with thieves mixes and other antimicrobial herbs, like white vinegar, thyme, and pine. *Please be especially careful with essential oils around children and animals, they are very sensitive to them. I recently heard a story of a dog that almost died just from being in a room where tea tree oil was being diffused.*
• Add nervine (or extra nervine) herbs to your daily routine. All of us are probably feeling pretty frazzled right now from the fear of the virus (a lot of this is fostered by the media, so try to take breaks as much as possible), the financial implications, and the effects on resources and infrastructure. All of us, and especially those of us that are more sensitive to energy, are absorbing the collective fear and stress that surrounds us. A stressed nervous system can lead to a breakdown in immunity faster than just about anything else. Here’s a few nervines I recommend:
  • Chamomile: a gentle yet powerful tonic, sedative (that won’t put you to sleep, though could be helpful with insomnia), anti-inflammatory, digestive tonic, anti-anxiety, antimicrobial
  • Skullcap: I love the way I’ve heard its action described as a cap that is put on the skull to stop circular thinking, this is great for insomnia/anxiety when you can’t stop thinking. I’ve had good luck with it for pain and pain that causes sleeplessness.
  • Passionflower: stress, calming, anxiety, insomnia
  • Lemon balm: another gentle yet powerful soother, loved by children, mood supportive, antiviral (I combine this with chamomile as a bedtime tea)
• A few herbs for mood support to help with feelings of isolation, sadness, and grief: mimosa, St. John’s wort (avoid if on certain medications), hawthorn, lemon balm (watch for my Harmony blend with all of these soon)
• Music and sound therapy
  • This could include playing music, listening to something that makes you happy and/or calm, and healing sounds. One of my favorites is my friend Max Raphael’s magical True Resonance. He’s putting together some healing music to be played during this trying time. Check out his social media, too. 
• Light therapy
  • Sunshine again
  • Warm tones of light that simulate natural light
  • I just found out about this cool NC light therapy company, Inner Light Journeys
• Water Therapy
  • Baths with relaxing and/or antiviral herbs, like chamomile, ginger, salt, thyme
  • Time at the ocean, if you’re so lucky, waterfalls, rivers, creeks, rain/thunderstorms. This can be calming, and some say the resulting negative ions are good for our health. ​ ​

The magic of simple chamomile tea

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As promised, here are a bunch of articles for your own research on what to be aware of and what to do/herbs and supplements to take for prevention and if you get the virus:
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COVID-19 Resources - American Herbalists Guild - A huge collection of articles and resources from a wide array of herbalists and others
COVID-19: An Integrative MDs Commonsense Approach - Aviva Romm - A collection of articles written by MD, Herbalist, and Midwife, Aviva Romm, including info on the virus and pregnancy and breastfeeding, autoimmune disease, general symptoms, and how to talk to kids about the virus
COVID-19 Community Care Center - Herbalista Free Clinic - As always, an incredible breadth of knowledge on a wide variety of topics, from dealing with the virus in community, to sanitation guidelines, and a plethora of recipes (including hand sanitizer)
Herbal Treatment for Coronavirus Infections - Stephen Harrod Buhner - A good explanation of how the virus works, many suggestions for specific herbs and formulas, though some herbs are Asian and may not be readily available in the US
An Herbalist’s Note on the COVID-19 Virus - 7Song - A helpful resource for herbalists, especially those who work with clients/in clinics
Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19) - Oscar Sierra - some great preventative measures that you might not have heard, with helpful herbs for the virus, and some good info on zinc and how to take it
What’s the Deal with Elderberry and Cytokine Storm? - Larken Bunce - answers questions that have been coming up lately about possible adverse effects of elderberry, with folks with autoimmune issues and the general public.
Coronavirus Resources - Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism - various resources and a free webinar with Matt and Phyllis Light 3/23
COVID-19 Resources - Heartfelt Tidbits - Info on the virus, activities for kids, how to get or give help (from a fabulous nonprofit in SW Ohio that supports immigrants and refugees)

To close, I want to let you know that I understand what you’re going through and support you. We're all feeling so much and it's important to let ourselves feel it, honor it, and make space for tons of rest. I’m sending you my love, virtual hugs, and healing herbal energy.

​Please comment with your thoughts, what is working for you, and any resources you’ve enjoyed that you’d like to share with our community. And if you appreciate this information and you can, please support this important work, especially now when it makes the biggest impact, by becoming a patron on Patreon (as low as $5/month) and the upcoming online education I’ll be offering. Are you on the WANDER School email list? If not, sign up now so you’ll know when all this cool education is released. In the meantime, thanks for being you, being awesome, and stay healthy. ​