Coronavirus

Don’t Panic!

There is growing concern about the Coronavirus that has been spreading from China. The reason for concern is that it is a viral infection that can ultimately lead to pneumonia, which can be fatal. Pneumonia is the most common reason for children and second most common reason for adults to be hospitalized in the US (the first for adults is women giving birth). Roughly 50,000 adults die from pneumonia every year.¹

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus has been around since the mid-1960’s. There are 4 types that commonly infect humans, and 3 that are less common but cause more problems. The less common types cause MERS, SARS, and this newest outbreak.² The problem with Coronavirus is that it is an enveloped virus – it has an outer wrapping (envelope) that is essentially a cloaking device. This invisibility allows it to hide from your immune system, so it can spread very quickly without your body realizing it.³

St. John’s Wort is an herb that has been used traditionally for its anti-viral properties. You may have heard that it is also good for depression (in some research, it out-performs medications for some people). St. John’s Wort extract contains hypericin compounds, which are effective against enveloped viruses especially when activated by light.⁴

What can I do about it?

So if you are concerned about the Coronavirus and want to take some preventative actions, there is a lot you can do!

As always, follow proper precautions like frequent hand-washing, avoid touching your face, and stay home when you are sick to avoid catching or spreading any type of infection.⁵ In this case, sharing is NOT caring!
Consider taking a high-quality St. John’s Wort⁶ (Caution, it can interact with certain medications, so speak to your doctor first.)
Talk to Dr. Pulley about starting an immune boosting protocol that is right for you. It does not take much to boost your immune system, but herbs like Echinacea can take a few weeks to fully boost you.

Schedule your appointment by calling 978-237-5106!