Dear friends, patients, family and colleagues,
As I value you and your health, this is a check-in and an offering of support during the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic. Adjusting to this outbreak is a process, and one we can all do together. I know many are wondering how to stay healthy. I am laying out in this email a fairly comprehensive list of suggestions - pick what works for you. And of course, please reach out if you have any questions or needs I can help with.
Lifestyle Considerations
Stay well-hydrated and make sure you make up for your hydration after exercise, caffeine or alcohol intake, or after periods of heavy sweating.
Prioritize deep, good sleep to increase immune cell production. Studies show that even a few hours of loss makes us more susceptible to infections.
Eat well. What will keep us and our families healthy & nourished? All Santa Cruz Farmer’s Markets are staying open during this Pandemic until further notice – fresh, local produce that has not touched the hands of multiple middle men in an open air market. Plus, you’re supporting local businesses!
Load up on immune boosting foods: mushrooms such as reishi, shitake, turkey tail & cordyceps; raw garlic and ginger; colorful fruits and veggies; and culinary herbs such as oregano, thyme and rosemary all have great antiviral and immune protective properties.
Stay tuned for more information on a group led Spring Cleanse I’ll be offering.
Acupuncture improves the serum level of interferon and improves phagocytosis of viruses.[1]
Gentle body brushing can stimulate the lymph and immune system.
Move your body & get plenty of fresh air: exercise & movement help to pump our lymphatic system & boost the production of immune cells that actively protect us. Get out in the sun for natural Vitamin D.
Saunas can potentially help provide defense against viral attacks.[2]
Remember to breathe deeply and enjoy your day!
Supplementation
Vitamins & minerals to boost the immune system.
Vitamin C is very safe and has been long known to boost immunity. In a press release from a Chinese hospital, Vitamin C was effective in treating infected patients.[1] Take at least 2000mg/daily. If you do get sick, you can take 1000mg Vitamin C hourly. Note this does loosen bowels and is not to be done over a long period of time.
Daily doses of vitamin D3 6000-10,000iu. High- dose vitamin D (1200 IU) is suitable for the prevention of seasonal influenza, can provide rapid relief of symptoms, and decrease in viral loads and disease recovery. In addition, high-dose vitamin D is most likely safe for infants.[3]
Zinc has been shown to be helpful for cell-mediated immunity.[4]
Propolis, a potent anti-viral, has immunomodulatory activity & enhances production of antibodies.[5]
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber and iron. (Note: do not take if you have an autoimmune condition as it can cause a cytokine storm, which can be disastrous with Covid-19.)[6]
Medicinal mushrooms: Turkey Tail and Chaga are antiviral, while my favorite Reishi boosts the immune system as well as help calm stress response. You can find Paul Stamet’s line of Host Defense online, in stores, and in my clinic. I also keep Dragon Herbs Duanwood Reishi in stock on my clinic.
Antioxidants (ferulic acid, lipoic acid, and sulforaphane specifically) have potential for boosting the type 1 interferon response to RNA viruses (including influenza and coronavirus).[7]
Selenium: Selenium deficiency is common in certain regions of China where the virus has more rapidly spread. Selenium deficiency can increase the rate which viruses can mutate, potentially creating strains better at avoiding detection.[7]
High dose glucosamine: Dampens inflammatory reactions (and therefore may help protect the lungs in case of infection)[7]
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): promotes glutathione production, the “master antioxidant.” It’s also mucolytic, which means it can clear up mucus and help get rid of gunk in your chest and nose. This has shown to be particularly helpful in the elderly, perhaps because plasma cysteine levels and cellular glutathione levels tend to decline with advancing age.[7]
Jade WindScreen (Yu Ping Feng San) is an ancient traditional Chinese herbal formula that helps to strengthen our defensive-Wei Qi to prevent illness and support immune resilience. It contains Astragalus which is currently being used in China, among other herbs for COVID-19. Jade Screen regulates the immune system & helps prevent colds, flus & viral infections.[8]
Please note: If you are feeling sick, do not take tonic formulas such as this. Herbs that build up can build up the pathogen as well. At that point, you need to switch to clearing formulas.
LifeWave Patches: some of you have used these patches from my clinic, or by mail. Each stick-on patch contains information stored in liquid crystalline structures that send bio molecular signals to the body to increase antioxidants, reduce pain, repair tissue, detoxify, reduce inflammation and stress, as well as increase energy. They are activated by your own body’s infrared heat. I am sending all patients who come home with the Glutathione patches which encourage your own body's production of this “master antioxidant”. Order patches at www.LifeWave.com/Pocean, or get some from me at my office. For several do it yourself at home protocols, check out: http://lifewavetraining.com/?fbclid=IwAR1EZkF8gR7rHX3i1LTq4xcxpLV2onglEmJ_YLj2bIg1Wx9Wt79cVBBIh1A&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=659905-how-do-we-instruct-our-clients-using-the&utm_source=lists%2F72669-Lifewave-PROFESSIONAL-Distributors&simplero_object_id=su_RUx7EPp2ZDFWW2qA3dcwarLc.
What if you get sick?
Increase oral 1000mg Vitamin C to hourly. High doses of vitamin C can cause loose stool, but this is less likely during times of sickness when your body has a higher demand of C.
Andrographis paniculata, also known as Chuan Xin Lian in Chinese, is a broad spectrum antiviral and can diminish lung pathology, decrease the viral loads and the inflammatory cytokines induced by infection, increase survival rate.[9] I am recommending Chuan Xin Lian, in combination with a custom formula.
Remember that fevers are key to the way our bodies fight infection. If you have a fever, place a cool wet cloth on your forehead. DO NOT take ibuprofen (it is an NSAID and will suppress both the fever AND the needed antigen production). If you need to, take Acetaminophen to bring down a fever.
Rest and stay hydrated.
Feel free to reach out to me, we can do a phone consultation and arrange herbal drop off, pick up or shipment, depending on where you live.
While these times may feel unusually challenging, I want to honor the opportunities being provided as well. This is indeed a wonderful time to purify, release and remember. Release what is not serving you right now, what needs to be purified – is it your diet, negative thoughts, obsession with media? Now remember what it is you really want - Is it Love, good health, happy family?
In Good Health,
Jeannine Ruskin L.Ac. C.M.T. aka Pocean
From the Santa Cruz County Dept. of Public Health:
Wash hands frequently with soap & water, rubbing for at least 20 seconds.
Use at least 60% alcohol-based sanitizer if soap & water are not available.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not hands, or use a tissue and discard.
Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces - including your cell phone.
Stay home if you are sick and avoid unnecessary travel.
Avoid shaking hands.
Refrain from touching your face with unwashed hands.
Update your emergency preparedness kit. Visit Ready.gov for Emergency Supply List and other preparedness materials.
Obtain 2-3 months’ supply of critical prescriptions.
Prepare a childcare plan if you or a caregiver are sick.
Make arrangements to manage a school dismissal of at least two weeks.
Take care of each other. Check in by phone with friends, family and neighbors that are vulnerable to serious illness.
Think about how to help the community. Visit Santa Cruz Volunteer Center or Santa Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps for volunteer opportunities.
Stock enough food, water & meds for 2 weeks of potential quarantine.
Works Cited:
[1] Du CY, 2015 May;29(5):656-61. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5290.Yu Ping Feng San, an Ancient Chinese Herbal Decoction, Induces Gene Expression of Anti-viral Proteins and Inhibits Neuraminidase Activity. [2]大 剂 量 维生素 治 疗新冠肺炎的交二方案 发 布时间：2020-2-21 浏览次数 5870.
[2] Lang BX, Jin LQ, Liu SN, Liu XR. Clinical observation on the effect of acupuncture combined with conventional therapy on influenza H1N1 [J]. Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2011, 29(2):411-412. Chou YF, Cao YM, Wang JL, Yang ZM, Qiu ML. Protective effect of acupuncture on mice infected with influenza virus [J]. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, 1990(2):16-18.Wenjing Li, Bruno Moltedo, Thomas M. Moran. Type I Interferon Induction during Influenza Virus Infection Increases Susceptibility to Secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection by Negative Regulation of T Cells [J]. Journal of Virology, Oct 2012, 86 (22) 12304-12312. [3] Zhou, Jian MD, Preventive Effects of Vitamin D on Seasonal Influenza A in Infants, A Clinical Trial, The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal: August 2018 - Volume 37 - Issue 8 - p 749-754, doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001890 Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep 7. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D.
[4] Am J Public Health. 2010 June; 100(6): 970–971. PMID: 20395565 ZINC INTAKE AND RESISTANCE TO H1N1 INFLUENZA
[5] Effect of the ethanolic extract from green propolis on production of antibodies after immunization against canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine coronavirus (CCOV) January 2012 Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science 49(2):116-121
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6046379/
[7]https://briewieselman.com/what-we-know-can-do-about-coronavirus-so-far/?fbclid=IwAR2dBspDUkzmRtI2n7-KqDm1Wuv2wqqEpVCDmq-g_086dQonOPb5fuEcPqI
[8] Du CY, 2015 May;29(5):656-61. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5290.Yu Ping Feng San, an Ancient Chinese Herbal Decoction, Induces Gene Expression of Anti-viral Proteins and Inhibits Neuraminidase Activity.
[9] Ding Y, Andrographolide inhibits influenza A virus-induced inflammation in a murine model through NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling pathway [1] Short-Term Heat Shock Affects Host–Virus Interaction, Front Microbiol. 2016; 7: 924. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00924, PMID: 27379054
Other Resources:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3899428/?fbclid=IwAR1lswJPmOeLWcMPQ-M7zZoMiF37aUzLPoxlNNHQXQbL2Avv79ei1tgTw8A https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762510 https://plantmedicines.org/licorice-mers-sars/?fbclid=IwAR0xZBUIQp1Dy-oaoAmkgulUZQfjQPNmgZv5wLeciI5NMFYe_r4KolCLsK8 https://www.elotus.org/article/how-covid-19-2019-ncov-currently-treated-china-tcm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=coronavirus_article_20200220&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=4746425aa5- Dr Klinghardt Corona interview Klinghardt Institute March 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIL2FVlaZu4&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Ki+Science+Customers&utm_campaign=88e531d27a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_09_05_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8308e7953f-88e531d27a-193642241&mc_cid=88e531d27a&mc_eid=7f49372be0
https://www.domo.com/coronavirus-tracking
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/59-returnees-from-s-korea-isolated-as-two-new-covid-19-confirmed/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32061635
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295174/
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-02-25/TCM-used-to-treat-85-of-COVID-19-patients-OmQG7PIGWs/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0pcPYA_OwNCnF7bDLZ6zAGgMJUO7s6KPiD55PuPiSGkItN7FeIgoQ-vJY
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04264533
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n12.shtml
https://briewieselman.com/what-we-know-can-do-about-coronavirus-so-far/?fbclid=IwAR2dBspDUkzmRtI2n7-KqDm1Wuv2wqqEpVCDmq-g_086dQonOPb5fuEcPqI
Disclosure:
This Blog does not replace medical advice nor substitute the need for medical attention if you are symptomatic. Please speak with your doctor before starting any medications for the treatment of symptoms & to identify the best course of action for your individual health needs.