Category: Natural Medicine

Herbal Support for Coronavirus

3/12/2020

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Ok, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is here, it's pandemic, and it's scary. We take take steps to prevent its spread, boost our immune systems, and help us recover from it if we do catch it. As a CFer I am part of a high-risk population, which means I'm taking this very seriously. Here are some things that I am personally doing. (Disclaimer: this is not medical advice).

1) Social distancing. This means avoiding public places and events whenever possible. Keep 6 feet away from people. Do not interact with people who have traveled in places with outbreaks (including domestic outbreaks). Remember that someone can be carrying the virus for up to 2 weeks and have no idea they are doing so. Avoid non-essential travel. Make your health decisions not just for yourself but also for the highest-risk population. I bought a month's worth of groceries yesterday and am planning to be a hermit for the next several weeks. Yeah, I'm serious.

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Herbal and Dietary Support for CF Children and Adults

10/2/2018

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In this article, originally published in AromaCulture Magazine in July, I discuss herbal and dietary support for CF children and adults. I discuss digestion, respiratory disease, liver support, and modulation of CFTR sodium chloride channels by natural means.

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that leads to the malfunctioning of several organ systems but most especially impacts the lungs, sinuses, and digestion. It is the most common autosomal recessive genetic disorder (meaning that each parent must be a carrier of the genetic mutation) in people of Western European decent. There are approximately 30,000 people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the United States, and more than 70,000 people worldwide.

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Recent Lecture: Herbs for Acute and Chronic Respiratory Infections

11/13/2016

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(Patrick J. Lynch, illustrator)

Hi friends. I recently taught a class on using herbs in acute and chronic respiratory infections. Here is the class description:

Prepare for winter by enhancing your understanding of how respiratory infections develop and how herbal, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions can make a big difference regarding prevention and recovery. In this class we will discuss how to use herbs to address a wide variety of respiratory complaints including colds and flus, acute and chronic lung infections (bacterial, fungal, and viral), bronchitis, as well as chronic sinus irritation and infection. Our focus will be on moderate to severe respiratory illnesses. Students will gain deeper knowledge of how to use natural means to combat infections in order to minimize the need for use of antibiotics, steroids, and other pharmaceuticals.

Below is the lecture, which is split in two parts. I've also added a slide show of my power point slides. Enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences.

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The Combo: Genistein + Curcumin

12/6/2014

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Turmeric root (Curcuma longa)

I've been meaning to write this post for a long time. For at least a year now, a portion of the CF community has been experimenting with "the Combo", or the combination of curcumin plus genistein supplements to help modulate CFTR function. This intervention is proving to be very helpful for many people who try it, yet it is a complicated issue. The impacts are somewhat mutation-specific, and the rate of digestive absorption of these herbs varies person to person, thus the dose must be deduced via personal experimentation.

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Inhaling Essential Oils

4/20/2014

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Eucalyptus essential oil

I have some wonderful things to report after several weeks of self-experimentation. I've been inhaling essential oils since late February, and after seven weeks I feel like I have enough of consistent results to report my findings (I am a scientist, after all).

First of all, before I started inhaling essential oils I had just gotten off of oral antibiotics (minocycline and bactrim) and was planning on going into the hospital for some IV vancomycin to treat my MRSA infection. Fate brought me a snow storm that prevented me from getting to the hospital, and instead I decided to test out the eucalyptus essential oil I had bought the day before. I am so glad things worked out the way they did, or I would never had made these radical discoveries!

Why Use Essential Oils?
It's been on my mind for many months now that I should begin inhaling essential oils. In herbalism school we talk a lot about plant constituents, and that those herbs that are the most antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, etc.) contain a high amount of volatile oils.

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Author

Mica is a clinical herbalist specializing in cystic fibrosis, severe respiratory diseases, nutrition and digestion, diabetes and blood sugar disregulation, and immune disregulation. Through their own personal experiences with chronic illness, they are passionate about empowering people to take charge of their own health with natural, holistic, and integrative approaches. Please ask questions or share what's worked for you!

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Disclaimer: The content of this website and blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. I am not a licensed medical professional and do not take responsibility for any actions taken by the reader as a result of access to this information.
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