I am trying to hit my illness from every angle. I have a high enough viral load that I actually carry a dual diagnosis: Lyme and CFS.
Any suggestions for non-pharmaceutical anti-virals? I am sticking to herbs and supplements for now, and giving my system a break from drugs.
Foods or exercise suggestions gladly welcomed too!
Posted by AlanaSuzanne (Member # 25882) on :
Monolaurin and Olive Leaf Extract are anti-viral.
Posted by JunkYardWily (Member # 24271) on :
monolaurin is an ingredient in a supplement i take called laurcidin. its supposed to be antiviral antibiotic. i have been taking it for over a year, im not sure if it has helped or not.
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
HerbPharm makes a good product called Virattack, you could get it from www.iherb.com
Another good product is by Paradise Herbs called Swimmer's Defense, you probably could get it from www.iherb.com too
Anti-viral herbs include (this is not a complete list):
****ake mushroom (very good!) St Johnswort (mild antiviral activity) Olive leaf extract Oregano essential oil Melissa extract (lemon balm) Echinacea with goldenseal can help, but take the echinacea only ten days at a time then take a break. Most studies show echinacea to be very safe, but one study (using the extracted constituent echinacin, which is very different than using the whole herb) indicated a stimulating effect on T cell production but then a drop after ten days. Herbalists play it safe and say to take it not more than ten days at a time. Recent studies have shown the echinacea purpurea to be the least stimulating of the echinacea varieties.
Studies show that herbs work best together in clusters, not as single herbs.
Be aware that St Johnswort will interact and interfere with a long list of mainstream medications, and being a MAO inhibitor must not be mixed with SSRIs or MAO inhibiting drugs.
Here is a good book by naturopathic doctor/researcher Michael T Murray, ND called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I would suggest you purchase a copy and follow the protocols under professional supervision only, things are bound to come up during healing which may not be lay person's material and which will require a physician's guidance. Find a naturopathic doctor in your area here: www.naturopathic.org
I hope this helps!
Best wishes to you.
The above information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is for your educational purposes only. This information does not diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
Chuckle! The program blacked out the dreaded name. Let me try a different spelling and see if it will post:
Shiitake mushroom
Here goes! One, two, three...post! ??? We hope...
Posted by mazou (Member # 15319) on :
Wow! You all are amazingly helpful. Chiquita, that is soooooo funny that that mushroom name got blanked out. You have given me lots of leads, and I may visit an ND in my area. I'll also look at that book, since I have been looking for one that has a good CFS protocol.
Alana and Junkyard, thanks for the great suggestions. I will look them up!
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Another approach would be to either add or substitute immune modulators such as transfer factor or siberian ginseng (eleuthero).
Bea Seibert
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
PS Mazou glad that the info could be of help! Yes it was pretty funny when that dreaded name didn't post, it actually made me quite literally laugh out loud, too! A bit of humah in the day sure is a great thing, eh?
I wanted to say that CFS can be lyme on the masquerade. But you probably knew that anyway. It also can be caused by a virus so it can be its own separate issue. So this is *not!* a diagnosis and never would be, even if I was a doc and had the credentials---which I do not---I still wouldn't diagnose from afar even if I had that background/license. I am suggesting instead that it is key for you to see a doc, in person, and to have it all diagnosed, teased apart, etc so you know you are treating it the right way.
Best wishes with this and much recovery and happiness to you! :-)
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
Hello again Mazou Bea is right on the money. Immune modulators are key.
Medicinal mushrooms are great for this. I suggest you can also (got enough reading to do??) check out Christopher Hobbs's book called MEdicinal Mushrooms. Google also Paul Stamets and his book about mushrooms, he is excellent.
Paradise Herbs makes an excellent mix of medicinal mushrooms: paradiseherbs.com/products/imperial-mushroom/
So does New Chapter Organics, but this is not alchohol free as the above product is. It is excellent however: www.newchapter.com/mushrooms
Paradise Herbs product called Orac Energy Greens would be good for boosting energy and gently supporting detoxification, while also supporting some immune function. It contains medicinal mushrooms and the eleuthero ginseng which Bea mentioned, but it' s all in mild dosages more for support than for deep therapeutic use. The drink tastes good in juice and could help energy levels (not like coffee or caffeine, but genuine support over time): paradiseherbs.com/products/orac-energy-greens/
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information does not diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Do not self treat any condition. Always talk to your doctor about herbs or nutrient supplements, interactions with mainstream medications may occur.
Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :
Artemisia Annua is, among other things, an antiviral. In the past I remember reading it was effective in treating HIV. Herb Pharm sells a good tincture of this herb.
Posted by Pam08 (Member # 19203) on :
My doc just gave me an herbal combo for viruses called Viralaurin Immune.