A Vitalist Approach to Fevers, Viral Respiratory Infections, & COVID
What is Vitalism?
At its core Vitalism is the belief that the human body has an innate intelligence that governs all areas of health. Within every living being there lies a vital force or life energy that possesses this innate intelligence. The same forces that govern nature are present in all tissues of the body, the psyche, the spiritual heart, and the soul. This guiding principle has pervaded healing traditions around the world for thousands of years. It’s by no means new knowledge but in many ways, we have lost this understanding.
Healing is achieved not through suppression of this vital intelligence but through supporting the healing and restorative powers of the human body. This is the underlying philosophy behind utilizing herbs for illness. When we fall ill we must remember this: that the body wants to heal, when we experience illness the vital intelligence of our body is constantly working to combat the illness and return the body to a state of homeostasis. Herbs are powerful supporters and facilitators of this vital response and when utilized intentionally they can greatly assist this healing process. As a clinical herbalist and nutritionist trained in the Vitalist tradition, I employ clinical strategies that support the vital force. Above all else I believe in the importance of empowering people with the tools needed to heal themselves. As a disclaimer I am not a medical doctor so the information I am about to provide is based upon my own studies, research, & clinical experience. As well as a compilation of research from many brilliant herbalists and mentors I have had the honor to study under and work with.
An Overview of Viral Respiratory Infections
Viruses are some of the oldest & highly adaptable organisms on this planet. Regardless of the tenacity & intelligence of these organisms, it is important to remember this: our bodies are also highly intelligent and within them we have a wide range of processes and mechanisms to combat viral infections and illness.
As Stephen Harold Buhner points out in his article “Herbal Treatment for Coronavirus Infections,” western medicine is quite limited in the treatment of viral infections. The only real treatment that western medicine has for viruses is vaccines, and these usually take a year at minimum to develop. Even than the adaptability of these viral pathogens makes things even harder, this is why new flu vaccines need to be created each year.
Types of Viral Respiratory Infections:
Common Cold: Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, RSV, & Parainfluenza
Seasonal Influenza
COVID-19
SARS coronavirus
Cultivating Resilience Through Prevention
“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness”
Now more than ever we are being reminded of the importance of taking care of ourselves. This pandemic has brought light to many things, but let’s be perfectly clear we were in a health crisis long before the onset of COVID. Chronic disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. These include things like heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung conditions, cancer, stroke, and more. According to the CDC 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults have 2 or more. We’ve all heard that those with underlying conditions are far more likely to have more severe cases of illness, complications, and even death if exposed to viral pathogens.
I won’t spend too much time adding to the morbidity as I know many of us are aware of this, I’d instead like to focus on providing practical tools and knowledge on how to support not only our immune systems but our whole bodies using herbs, nutrition, & lifestyle practices. When it comes to prevention we of course can’t forget the basics: drink plenty of water, get good rest, move the body, eat nourishing foods and a well-balanced diet, etc. As my teacher and medical herbalist Paul Bergner would say, “be a boring herbalist,” what he is essentially saying is we can take all the herbs & supplements we want but if we aren’t taking care of ourselves at a foundational level we are missing out on the full therapeutic benefit of these medicines.
Below I would like to share some of my favorite herbs for strengthening vitality and the immune system as well as some specific nutrients to focus on in regards to the prevention of viral infections.
Astragalus Root
A famous longevity tonic in Chinese medicine, used frequently for insufficient qi or lack of vital energy, feelings of weakness, fatigue, apathy, poor appetite, & vulnerability to infection. Very immuno-supportive when taken over long periods of time this herb is fabulous as a preventative ally for colds and upper respiratory infections as well as viral conditions. Also supports kidney and liver health. Best taken over long periods of time and not while one is currently experiencing illness. I personally love adding this one to soups and broths as well as teas/decoctions.
Reishi Mushroom
Another famous tonic in Chinese medicine, Reishi has been recognized as a medicinal mushroom renowned as a health and longevity tonic for over 2,000 years. It is known as a Shen tonic, in Chinese medicine these are tonics that nourish the spirit. Like many of our medicinal mushrooms Reishi contains immunomodulating polysaccharides that work on a very deep and restorative way to strengthen the immune system. My favorite way to take Reishi is in tincture, adding to soups, broths, and teas/decoctions.
Garlic
Yes this common and very accessible plant medicine is invaluable. A real herbal antibiotic garlic is exceptionally effective at killing bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, yeasts, and mold. It directly kills the influenza virus and is effective at killing more resistant strains of bacteria, a plant that is just as smart as these infection causing organisms. Garlic also strengthens the innate defense mechanisms of the body through increasing the activity of natural killer cells in the immune system, it also helps to reduce inflammatory cytokines and as a result can help to reduce the severity of viral infections. So cook with lots of garlic! Add it to fire ciders, oxymels, soups, and more! Below is an extremely easy recipe for making a Garlic Syrup.
Garlic Syrup
Peel and thinly slice 15-20 bulbs of Garlic. In a large jar, alternate thin layers of garlic with a layer of sugar. The sugar will fill in the spaces between the garlic slices. Let sit for 3-4 days. Do not add liquid. The sugar will extract the garlic juice from the slices and the preparation will turn liquid on its own. Strain. Garlic can also be crushed (to release the active sulfur compounds) and extracted in honey.
There are so many herbs that can be utilized daily to strengthen immunity and vitality. Other herbs/mushrooms not discussed: Nettles, Red Clover, Codonopsis, Elderberry, Ashwagandha, Licorice, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Ginger, Dong Quai, Lemon Balm, and gosh really so much more!
Vitamin D and Immunity
Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for supporting healthy bones, mood, and immune system function. Vitamin D is essential for the production of important proteins in immune cells within our respiratory tract, it also produces immune-modulating cytokines which can help to put a halt to the dangerous cytokine storm that is occurring in many COVID cases.
We make Vitamin D through our exposure to the sun and in North America from mid-October to March people make no Vitamin D due to low sun angle. Supplementing with Vitamin D in the fall and winter is incredibly important. As always it is best to consult with your doctor or healthcare practitioner on how much to supplement and it is fairly easy to get your Vitamin D levels checked. Linked here is an article by Paul Bergner on Vitamin D & COVID-19. Vitamin D, COVID-19, and Cytokine Storm
Zinc
Zinc is a critical nutrient for our immune system helping our bodies to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. A typical dose for Zinc is 5-10 mg/day but you can take up to 45 mg/day. It is important to not take Zinc on an empty stomach as it can cause nausea and vomiting. I personally love utilizing zinc lozenges around cold and flu season. You can purchase these here: Elderberry Zinc Lozenges
Next lets talk about what to do if you get sick, now I am merely providing education around our body’s innate defense mechanisms and how one can use herbs, nutrition, and hydrotherapy to support them. I am not a medical doctor and these practices do not replace or negate the importance of seeking medical attention.
Using Immune Stimulating Herbs At Onset:
Herbs can be used at the onset of illness or for the purpose of prevention of illness. These can be utilized at times when we are exposed to those who are ill, we are going to be potentially exposed, or maybe we are starting to feel something coming on.
Immune Stimulating Herbs- the most well-known being Echinacea, this herb stimulates WBC production and activates the immune system. Echinacea is best used at early onset of illness in pulse doses of the tincture. This means doing upwards of 4 doses a day each being about 1-2 ml (30-60 drops). Those with autoimmune conditions should consult with their doctor or healthcare practitioner prior to using Echinacea. Elderberries are another powerful ally during the early onset of illness, elderberry syrup is a powerful daily supplement for all ages when illness is in the air, it is a powerful antiviral and makes a delicious medicine. There are many other herbs that fall into this category as well these are just two of the most famous and readily accessible.
The Physiology of the Fever
We are taught to fear the fever and suppress it but this is incredibly detrimental. The fever process is our bodies’ innate defense mechanism to kill off invading pathogens. The fever response not only warms up the body to kill pathogens but also increases production of antibodies and white blood cells to combat infection.
Fevers can be detrimental if temperature is too high and a chief concern for higher fevers (over 104° is dehydration or metabolic exhaustion in elderly or debilitated people. High fever in people with heart disease may put lethal strain on the heart. It can also cause strokes in people with cerebral arterial disease. So monitoring at risk folks is crucial but for the most part letting fevers run their course and do their job is incredibly important. Suppressing them can lead to prolonged illness and impaired immune system function. Antipyretic drugs that suppress fevers such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin may increase the severity and duration of viral infections. For more research and studies on this refer to this article: Antipyretic Therapy, ibuprofen, and acute viral infection
Body Temperatures and Their Effects
96.5°morning to 99° evening- Common normal range. Children may run warmer. Know your individual normal – it can vary person to person.
98°-99°- Influenza Virus dies
99.5°- Digestive system suspends normal function.
104°- Normal temperature may reach this under vigorous exercise.
104°- Upper range at which most bodily functions are not altered.
104°- Gonococcus killed. Poliovirus replication reduced by a factor of 250.
106°- Threshold for possible seizure activity (can be lower in children). Normally the human body does not rise above this. Pneumococcus dies. Spirochetes die (malaria traditionally induced to fight syphilis).
106°-110°- Malignant cells are selectively killed.
108°- Brain damage may occur due to denaturation of proteins.
110°- Human cells begin to die.
Stages of Fever and Therapeutics:
First Stage: skin cold or cool, pulse may be weak. Support the vital response by supporting the body’s need to warm up. This is a great time for warm baths, warm blankets, warming herbs, stimulating diaphoretic herbs such as yarrow, garlic, cayenne, cinnamon, and ginger. Hot teas and fasting, maybe drinking hot bone broth if needed.
Second Stage: the skin is usually hot and dry. Pulse full, strong, and fast. Use relaxing diaphoretics such as Boneset or Elderflower. Ventilated room, Room-temperature Lemon or Lemon Balm water. Plenty of liquids. Tepid bath (warm to the feel, never cool or cold). Relaxant diaphoretics. Lukewarm teas rather than hot in this stage.
Third Stage: rest, sleep, hygiene. Avoid exposure to cold or wind. Hot, sweating set point lowers back to normal may cycle between stages 2 and 3. Hydration with electrolytes especially with individuals who sweat a lot.
Fourth Stage: perhaps the most important stage, the recovery period. This is the time for nourishment, tonification and rest. Bone broths, nourishing soups, tonifying herbs. This is the time to not rush back into work and daily duties, which can be easier said than done in our society. The period of recovery should be at least the length of the days of the fever itself. In influenza, a longer recovery period, about seven days after the end of the fever, may be necessary. A poorly managed recovery period may lead to extended lingering symptoms for weeks or months.
The Importance of Diaphoretic Herbs
Diaphoretic herbs are often only simply coined as herbs that promote sweating, but they are so much more than that! Diaphoretic herbs are powerful allies during fevers as they support the body’s vital response through helping to regulate temperature through helping to assist ventilation and peripheral circulation. They do so by opening up the capillaries under the skin so the blood and also heat can come to the surface and leave the body. Diaphoretics are separated into two categories: Stimulating and Relaxing, some herbs can have both qualities. Stimulating diaphoretics tend to be our warming spices and they help to increase peripheral circulation through warming up the body and increasing circulation. Relaxing Diaphoretics work to increase peripheral circulation through relaxing tension in the body, where tension is present the vital force remains stuck. These herbs work to relax tension and restore the flow of energy in the body.
Use Relaxing Diaphoretics for hot fevers when you feel hot, restless, have aches and pains but aren’t sweating.
Use Stimulating Diaphoretics when the fever appears cold, the person is cold to the touch and has a general need to warm up.
There is caution on prolonged use of diaphoretics if the person is already dehydrated and sweating excessively. The purpose here is to encourage ventilation over perspiration.
Below I have broken down some Diaphoretic Herbs & their Energetics:
Warmer Stimulants, Hot Stimulating Diaphoretics
Cayenne (Capsicum spp.)
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum)
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Milder Stimulants
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – warm tea
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Mixed Stimulating and Relaxing Effects
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) – more stimulating
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) – more relaxing
Relaxant Diaphoretics
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) – warm tea
Elderflower (Sambucus spp.)
Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)- can be drying
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)- whole system relaxing
Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa)
Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Elder Flower Elaboration:
“The dried flowers of Elder are one of the oldest and most reliable diaphoretics for use in treating colds, flus & fevers. Elder is a relaxant diaphoretic; which is to say that it encourages perspiration and the release of heat by relaxing tension and resistance in the periphery of the body. It also helps mildly to expectorate phlegm from the lungs & breathways, and so are indicated in fevers accompanied by stuffy sinus or lung congestion. Elderflowers are ever-so-slightly sedative, and help to instill a bit of “ease” that makes getting through a fever a bit more bearable. They make for a rather tasty tea (which, for the uses mentioned above, should be drunk hot), and being that Elder is safe even for small children, this makes it a far more user friendly option for sick kids than, say, hot Yarrow tea.”- Jim Mcdonald, Herbalist
Utilizing Herbs for Symptoms of Viral Respiratory Infections
With any illness it is important to first and foremost treat the person not the disease. In the case of COVID we are seeing just how diverse the symptom pictures are, it truly affects everyone differently as do most illnesses. In order to effectively utilize herbs for illness one must take into account the constitution of the individual and also the symptoms they are presenting.
Mucous Membrane Energetics
From my brilliant teacher a little bit on mucous: “Although it may be a source of discomfort during a cold, cough, or bout of bronchitis, mucus is an essential part of the body’s defense system. Because it contains antibodies to each organism that has ever attacked the body, mucus is a personally tailored, genetically engineered antibiotic paste that will wash away or kill infectious organisms. As long as it is flowing freely as a thin liquid, it is a sign of health, healing, and the defeat of invading organisms or other irritants to the mucous membranes. Thus it is rarely wise to use decongestants during the acute stages of a cold. A better strategy is to drink plenty of liquids to thin the mucus, increase the efficiency of its flow, and reduce discomfort (support flow with expectorant herbs, keep moist with demulcent herbs).”
How do you tell what herbs to use for specific symptoms? This answer lies in an understanding of herbal energetics. For example you would not use the same herbs for a dry cough as you would a wet or congested cough. When working with states of congestion within the respiratory system we turn to a category of herbs known as expectorants. These herbs help to support the flow of mucus through the respiratory system. There are different categories of expectorant herbs to be used for different presentations of respiratory illness. Demulcents are another category of herbs useful here, they are moistening and soothing in nature providing relief to dry, inflamed, & irritated tissues.
Find a list of these below:
Stimulant Expectorants: Mucus should be present, useful for unproductive coughs
Allium sativum- Garlic
Grindelia spp. Gumweed
Pinus spp. Pine needles
Marrubium vulgare- Horehound
Aralia racemosa- Spikenard
Inula helenium- Elecampagne
Monarda fistulosa- Bee Balm, also Oregano- close relative
Thymus spp. Thyme
Relaxing Expectorants: for irritable or dry conditions
Asclepias tuberosa- Pleurisy
Lobelia inflata- Lobelia
Tussilago farfara- Coltsfoot
Demulcents: For dry conditions·
Althaea officinalis- Marshmallow root or leaf
Ulmus spp.- slippery elm
Glycyrrhiza glabra- licorice root
Different Herbal Preparations to Consider:
Tinctures and Teas
Tinctures are best used in pulse dosing at onset of illness, but teas are more encouraged at the presence of illness, alcohol can be irritating to mucous membranes and teas help to provide much needed hydration. For herbal teas you will either do a decoction or an infusion depending on the herbs used. For more dense herbs like roots, berries, and barks you will do a decoction which means simmering your herbs on stovetop for a longer period of time, I usually do 30 minutes to an hour for these. For lighter herbs like leaves and flowers you would do an infusion, this simply means putting your herbs in a vessel like a French press or mason jar than pouring boiling water over them, let infuse for 20-30 minutes, sometimes longer than strain and drink.
Herbal Vinegars
The famous fire cider comes in here, one of the oldest folk remedies and so easily made. Chop up herbs, vegetables, etc and place in a jar of apple cider vinegar in the fridge let sit for a few weeks and strain, can be made super spicy or less. Make an Oxymel by combining herbal vinegar and honey! The honey will help to balance out the energetics of the herbal vinegar with it’s demulcent/moistening qualities.
Herbal Steams & Baths
Combining herbs with hydrotherapy is a great way to support the body through illness. Herbal steams can be simply done by bringing a pot of water to boil on the stove than down to a simmer throw the herbs in and place face over the pot with a towel to breath in the steam, favorite herbs include- thyme, sage, oregano, lemon balm, hyssop, and nettles. Herbs can also be put into the bath during times of illness- make a strong tea and pour into the bath or place herbs directly in the bath or use a muslin cloth or bag tied around the faucet. I prefer doing the tea as it’s less messy and you can do a longer infusion of the herbs to make a strong bath tea.
Herbal Syrups
This is where the famous Elderberry Syrup comes in! While Elderberry makes an absolutely delicious antiviral syrup it is surely not the only herb you can do this with. Herbal syrups are extremely easy to make while also being very cost effective. They are made by simply combining a concentrated herbal decoction with honey. The basic ratio is 2 parts decoction to 1 part honey. I always recommend adding a small amount of alcohol to help preserve the medicine longer. These do need to be refrigerated especially if alcohol is not added.
Herbal Bone Broths
If you don’t already make bone broths you are missing out! This is one of the easiest and most cost effective healing foods out there. I recommend having a stock of nourishing broth on hand during cold and flu season. These are especially useful in the recovery stage and even after fasting through a fever. Nourishing and immune supportive herbs and mushrooms can be added to bone broths.
Continued Resources and Support
These are certainly trying times and this pandemic has affected so many facets of our everyday life. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one, those struggling with loss of income, those doing their best to keep small businesses afloat, and to anyone feeling the weight of these times. My hopes with writing this article was to provide practical tools and information to help folks take care of themselves and their loved ones. I personally think now more than every we need to be examining how to cultivate resilience within ourselves and our community. As a practicing clinical herbalist and nutritionist I offer one on one consultations and have added a sliding scale acute consult specifically geared towards COVID. I have a full apothecary that I can make custom formulas from and I am here to offer support for you and your loved ones.
Below are some continued resources and articles to explore
Alpine Botanicals is a beautiful apothecary and healing hub located in Nederland, Colorado. You can find many of the herbs mentioned above alongside a diverse selection of tinctures and supplements in their online store. Alpine Botanicals Store
North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. Medical Herbalist Paul Bergner has compiled a series of incredibly valuable resources here: COVID-19 Resources
Stephen Harrod Buhner the author of the book “Herbal Antivirals,” has written an extensive paper on the subject here: Herbal Treatment for Coronavirus Infections
Aviva Romm M.D and Herbalist has put together a series of resources here: An Integrative MD's Approach
Sam Coffman is a clinical herbalist, former green beret medic, and an invaluable source of information on everything from Herbal Medicine to basic survival skills. He has created a school called The Human Path you can browse their website for courses and information here: The Human Path
Evolved Alchemy is a hub of information on herbal alchemy and making high quality, plant derived, alchemically made supplements and extracts. Check out their line of herbal supplements here: Superior Supplements
Be well, take care of yourself and loved ones, wash your hands, and drink lots of tea!
