It is often said that there is nothing you can do against viruses, other than vaccinate, or use conventional treatments. But remember, plants have been dealing with viruses since they were on the planet, and the phytochemicals they create as a viral defence can also be useful for humans. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88925/
The objective of this blog post is to share with you some of the botanicals and other supplements I have found particularly useful in keeping myself and others healthy during the cold/ flu/ virus season. (For legal reasons I refer to my experience.)
Please note that the Optimum Health supplements listed below were formulated based on a history of producing the desired results...i.e. we incorporated them because we found them effective. Also, I am not suggesting that you use all of the products discussed, but rather use the post as a quick reference that may be helpful in your quest to keep your immune system working optimally. (Everyone is individual, and different things work for different people!)
For years this formula was my go to for colds, and particularly the flu, which I have seen it shut down within hours. The original product was called Bee-Fense, produced by Solaray, but when the company pulled out of Canada we were no longer able to get it. So we produced it ourselves with some small variations and named it BEE Immune. If I feel something coming on, I take 4-5 capsules, 3 times per day on an empty stomach, and have had good success in reversing development even after the symptoms setting-in were obvious.
Yet propolis can also be used on an ongoing basis, and for this application I have found that 2-4 capsules per day taken on an empty stomach usually suffices. The immune supporting properties of plants like echinacea and goldenseal are well established, and interestingly, echinacea has recently been found to engage your endocannabinoid receptors, thereby potentially providing an anti-anxiety effect in addition to an immune boost (see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16142631 )
Opti-Immune C & F: Natural Remedies For Cold and Flu.
Experience has shown that Opti Immune C&F works best taken two capsules at a time, up to 3 times per day between meals. (I use it if a bug feels like it is going to keep coming past an initial shot of oregano.) Many find it works well when taken at bedtime. I use it on somewhat of an ongoing basis during the winter to keep my immune system balanced, (i.e. competent yet not over-reactive), but don’t take it for more than three weeks or so without a break. I have also found it useful in clients for food allergies/reactions, and candida yeast, but if you use it for candida, start slowly and work your way up to avoid die-off reactions.
(see: www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/575_pdf.pdf )
This is a good item to simply keep on hand, but if storing long-term, make sure the bottle is upright to avoid the oil solubilizing the rubber dropper.
I take it 1 squirt at a time, about 1/2 to ¾ of an inch in the dropper, and try to get it right on the portion of my throat that feels sore. I then just grin and bear it while I experience “the burn”. If I am taking it for nausea, I will immediately swallow it and drink a glass of water. I will do this 3 to 5 times per day for up to 3 days. If after this it hasn't done the trick, chances are it's not going to. Remember, if you use Oregano Oil numerous times a day, be sure to take adequate amounts of probiotics... also critical for immunity.
I have also used a spray of Opti-Silver Solution for myself and my family applied to the eyes, ears, nose, or throat. In this regard it can be used frequently to provide a barrier to entry of bugs while on planes, or in a hospital etc. I also find it great as a tissue friendly hand sanitizer. I even use it to mist leftover food that I am putting in the fridge, to prevent mould growth. Recent studies have shown silver can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, and even possesses anticancer properties…which isn’t a surprise given that knocking out bugs reduces inflammation. See here
As for dosage, for daily maintenance I take 3 capsules of our Opti-Elite Probiotics up to 3 times a day. Yet if you are actively fighting off a bug, you can safely take far more than this. Even though the numbers seem high, remember that you are adding this to well over 100 Trillion bugs already in your gut...like a pinch of sand in a 5 gallon pail! Morning and bedtime are usually what I recommend, but those with digestive difficulties may find that taking their probiotic supplements with their meal
Hope this information is helpful.
Be well,
John