The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These products are not alternatives to medical care. The contents of this website are not medical advice & are intended for general knowledge & information only.
Important note: Nothing in this post is meant to treat or cure Covid/ coronavirus or any other illness/infection. The holistic tools & techniques that I discuss in this post have not been approved by the FDA and have no claims of curing or treating any ailment. These integrative medicines are used and discussed as a means of supporting the body. I am not a licensed doctor or nurse. This post is a reflection of my experience and what I found that provided benefit to my family and myself. The information provided is for informational purposes only. Take it as you will and please always use holistic medicine with thorough research or with the guide of an experienced coach/practitioner.
It is important to note that in this post, I only discuss the reasons I chose each oil, herb, and holistic tool/technique based on how it would benefit us healing from coronavirus. This post does not talk about the entire support properties for each tool/technique.
~ Wellness Plan is in Green Headings after story.
Catching Coronavirus
I never had to put too much thought into Covid-19 up in our little mountain town. Sure, I loosely followed what the news was saying about the numbers and the virus. But I quickly formed my own opinion; as the majority of us had. While I believed what I did about the virus (something that I will not argue about during this post), I also knew that preparation for whatever might happen was the best route of action so I stocked up at our lovely local herbal shop.
But then life pulled us back to California for a little while
Life here was so different and the effect of the virus was extremely inconvenient since everywhere was implementing some strict rule. But we were living with my Mother-in-Law as her caregiver due to her plethora of health issues, the latest diagnosis being a hepatocellular carcinoma, so we did avoid going out unless our trips to the grocery store and a few Walmart trips to get some things to settle in. Masks- check. Social distancing- check. We had been in California for 4 days, still half living out of boxes, and jumping right into our new routine as caregivers when it happened.
My second oldest daughter had a terrible migraine
Now I knew that my kids were all going to get sick. It always happens when they are around our CA family; whether it be they visit us in AZ or we have a vacation in CA- my kids always catch a cold after. But something was different. The next day I was informed that my Sister-in-Law’s kids had been sick and now our nephews, who also visited us on the 4th of July were sick. Aimee began with a fever, body aches, and a sore throat on day 5. So we packed up and headed to a hotel.
Whatever was going on, we weren’t taking any chances with my MIL in the house
That night in the hotel was rough. I didn’t own a thermometer and I hadn’t thought much of this other than the cold we expected. But it was different and we found out quickly. My daughter’s to-the-touch temperature was insanely hot. 400 mg of ibuprofen hadn’t done a thing. And she stated that she had some kind of pressure on her chest. Given that she hadn’t been ill in years, she asked to go to the emergency room at a little after 3 am.
Needless to say, we didn’t stay long
After 2 hours of being told it probably was a UTI due to her stating that she had stomach pain, to which I explained that she started her cycle the previous day, we realized that nothing would be done and left. When asked for a coronavirus test to be performed, I was informed that they wouldn’t be doing one because the doctor didn’t suspect coronavirus.
We stayed in the hotel for 2 more days, but it became difficult
I couldn’t properly care for Aimee. Her fever seemed terrible at night and during the day she had migraines, mild stomach aches, body aches, and a sore throat. I was bringing the basics and homemade soup to a hotel and we just couldn’t do it anymore. It was also at this time that I heard my MIL was not feeling well. And I knew that whatever it was, was coming for me; I could feel the imbalance.
It spread like a wildfire
Back home I felt comfortable having to deal with this thing. I had everything I needed. But things were challenging. I had also found out that all 6 of my SIL’s kids displayed the same symptoms as well as my 2 other nephews. Both of my In-Laws were ill, my daughter was still sick, and I was not at my best. Within the days to come, I lost my sense of smell and taste completely- it was then, in my heart, I knew what we had.
My BIL tested positive, 2 different nephews tested positive, and my MIL tested positive, while others were still awaiting their coronavirus test results. And just as my daughter began to come out of it about a week after her initial symptoms, my son (3rd oldest) began feeling it. And then when he began feeling better, my oldest daughter got sick. As I write this, it has been 25 days since symptoms first hit my own family of six. 4 out of 6 of us have been ill- my husband and youngest child, my son, never showed symptoms. *reflection at the end*
What I do know is that the holistic wellness plan that I had prepared for in the beginning came in handy. Although I didn’t utilize everything I had splurged on, many of my holistic wellness additions were beneficial in helping us through coronavirus. I discuss this below.
Symptoms Experienced:
- Migraine- Child 1, 2, & 3
- Deep sinus congestion w/o mucus- Myself, Child 1, 2, & 3
- Body Aches- Myself, Child 1 & 2
- Fever- Child 1, 2, & 3
- Stomach pain/ nausea- Child 1 & 2
- Vomiting- Child 1
- Loss of smell & taste- Myself, Child 2 & 3
- Cold Sores- Child 3
- Fatigue- Myself, Child 1, 2, & 3
- Chest pressure- Myself, Child 1, 2, & 3
- Dizziness- Child 1 & 2
My Holistic Wellness Plan That Helped Us Through Coronavirus
I will detail what I used, how I used it, the duration, the outcome I perceived. Again, this information is for personal reflection & insight only. It is in no way meant to treat or cure coronavirus. Everyone is unique and what everyone’s body needs is different.
Aromatherapy:
Peppermint-
Peppermint, mentha piperita, has many beneficial uses. It is supportive of the respiratory system at relieving congestion and loosening mucus. It is uplifting and helps against exhaustion. I love that it soothes the digestive system as well. Other benefits are that it aids the body when fever is present. And it is my number one aid in relieving headaches & migraines.
Used: Inhalation- 1 drop neat in the palm, rubbed together, and cupped for a deep inhalation along with oregano and bay leaf to aid in respiratory support and migraine relief. Topically- combined with bay, lavender, and black pepper for a massage blend for aches and pain and also aid in the relief of stomach complaints.
Bay Leaf-
Bay Leaf, Laurus nobilis, is known to have a great impact on the respiratory system. It is high in 1,8 cineole and therefore is known to have expectorant properties. It is also relatively high in pinene which is known to help open the airways. It is also beneficial as having anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it a good additive to an aches & pains blend. Lastly, it is beneficial for support in soothing migraines.
Used: Inhalation- 1 drop neat on the palm of the hand in combination with peppermint and oregano for respiratory support and migraine relief. Rubbed together, hands cupped, and inhaled deeply. Topically- combined with black pepper, peppermint, & lavender for a massage blend.
Oregano-
Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is one of my favorites for its antiviral and expectorant properties. It is high in phenols which means that it has a powerful impact on many bodily systems. I find it useful in supporting against congestion and cleansing to the air.
Used: Inhalation- 1 drop neat in the hands, rubbed together, and cupped for a deep inhalation blend in combination with peppermint and bay leaf. In a nightly diffuser blend with bergamot, lavender, and vetiver for cleansing the air during sleep.
Bergamot-
Bergamot, Citrus bergamia, was chosen mainly because of its support on mental health. Illness often brings feelings of despair, worry, and anxiety. Therefore I found it important to maintain a healthy and positive outlook on healing. It is also said to be supportive of the respiratory system due to its expectorant properties (ability to help expel mucus from the body. Lastly, I love that it is uplifting yet relaxing and is said to aid against insomnia.
Used: Inhalation- essential oils added to a nightly diffuser blend for sleep with lavender, oregano, and vetiver. Also added to a personal inhaler along with oregano and black pepper for mood-boosting, antiviral, and expectorant properties.
Lavender-
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, is a favorite for its ability to relax the body and mind. It works wonders for aiding in improved sleep and these sedative properties also relax the muscles. Some studies have shown that lavender may assist in reducing headaches & migraines as well.
Used: Inhalation- Added to a diffuser blend for improved sleep along with bergamot, oregano, and vetiver. Topically- combined in a massage blend with bay leaf, peppermint, and black pepper for muscle relaxation.
Black Pepper-
Black Pepper, Piper nigrum, was a no-brainer for me when it came to the body aches and fever support. While I will always allow a fever to run its course, a little aid to ensure it doesn’t become too high is important. Black pepper not only helps soothe some body aches and pains, but it also is known to aid in circulation and fever reduction. I find this oil to indeed hold true to its claim that it aids against fatigue, exhaustion, poor concentration, and unstable emotions. It is also known for its antiviral properties, so that is a plus.
Used: Inhalation- personal inhaler for mood boost along with oregano and bergamot. Topically- combined with lavender, bay leaf, and peppermint to support the body against infection, exhaustion, and circulation
Vetiver-
Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanioides, was chosen on my love for its anti-insomnia support. It is said to benefit the mind against nervous exhaustion and stress. I find this oil very calming and vibrationally grounding.
Used: In a diffuser blend nightly along with bergamot, lavender, and oregano to improve sleep quality.
Herbal Remedies:
Herbal remedies were made into tea. All herbal roots were boiled (decoction) for 10 minutes. After which time leafy herbs were steeped for 10 additional minutes. Herbs were divided in half and each half was administered 2 times a day (4 herbal teas a day).
Slippery Elm-
Slippery Elm, Ulmus fulva, is known to be a very beneficial demulcent because it is said to absorb excess mucus as well as soothe irritated mucus membranes in the respiratory tract. It has shown to support the upper respiratory tract system and help get through bronchitis, coughs, and pneumonia. It is even known to help relieve sore throats.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Echinacea-
Echinacea, Echinacea spp., is an incredible immune-boosting herb. It triggers cells that are responsible for the immune function to take place. This makes this herb wonderful for helping the body rid itself of viral and bacterial infections. It is said to help cleanse the blood and is well-known for its benefits on the respiratory system. It is also said that Echinacea has the ability to help repair damaged tissue.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Ceylon Cinnamon-
Mainly chosen to enhance flavor, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum, was also chosen for many health benefit reasons. It is high in antioxidants yet does not contain the coumarin that the typical cassia cinnamon contains. Coumarin, in large amounts, can be highly toxic, so ceylon cinnamon is the best choice for consumption.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Yarrow-
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is a personal favorite and I use it for almost all types of infections; in this case, a viral infection. Yarrow is known to help draw out infection and for this reason, it was a must-add for my herbal teas. It is also supportive against colds, influenza, and strengthens the respiratory system.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Mullein Leaf-
Mullein, Verbascum thapsus, is also known to be beneficial on the respiratory system. In fact, it is stated in some text that Mullein has narcotic properties without being harmful or addictive. This herb is also soothing for headaches & migraines.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Reishi Mushroom-
Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, was also used because of its affinity with the immune system. Mushrooms are very powerful in herbal medicine. Studies have shown that reishi mushrooms induce certain cells in the immune system to begin working faster and more efficiently against viruses and bacteria. It is known to have support effects on the respiratory tract. This mushroom aids the body when fatigue and exhaustion are of concern as well.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Pleurisy-
Pleurisy root, Asclepias tuberosa, is a new herb for me that was recommended at my (former) local herbal shop. Upon research, I discovered that it was highly recommended as a support herbal remedy against dry cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, and even influenza. It is claimed to be one of the most beneficial herbs when mucous is of concern in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Feverfew-
Feverfew, Tanaacetum parthrnium, is a wonderful herbal medicine for aiding in the reduction of fevers. It is also beneficial for soothing pain from migraines. It is also soothing for stomach complaints.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
Ginger-
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, was used because it is greatly known to soothe stomach complaints. Since nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting were of concern, this herb was a must. It is also known to aid the body in increased perspiration which aids in the reduction of body temperature and fever. Combined with honey, it is known to relieve sore throats.
Used: 1 tsp twice a day in an herbal tea.
In addition to these herbs having their own therapeutic benefits, they are packed with the minerals and vitamins that the body needs. Vitamins & minerals from food sources are known to be more absorbent than from most supplements.
Other Healing Tools:
Elderberry Syrup-
Our family has been using elderberry syrup for many years as part of our daily routine. Elderberry is best known for its support on the immune system which many say shorten the severity and length of colds and flu viruses. Studies have also shown that it is supportive of the respiratory tract such as removing mucus and relieving sinus pressure. Elderberry also aids the gastrointestinal tract by helping the body eliminate bowels, which may relieve stomach upsets and pain. Before making our own elderberry syrup, we were purchasing a very flavorful and quality elderberry syrup from a small business back home- White Mountain Na
Used: Kids- 1 tsp 3 times a day. Adults- 1 Tbsp 3 times a day.
Multivitamins-
Vitamins are crucial for the proper functioning of the body on a good day. So when illness of any kind strikes, such as us catching the coronavirus, increasing vitamins is important. Since I could not control what I increased and what I didn’t with the multivitamin that our family is currently using, we decided to use the normal dosage and increase it by .5. So instead of taking the normal 2 chewable tablets a day, my kids all took 3.
Used: 1.5 times the normal dosage in the morning
Prebiotics & Probiotics-
Gut health affects almost every part of the functioning body. And in the case of healing through illness, having a strong, clean, and properly working gut is crucial. This includes proper digestion, optimal absorption of nutrients, and a well-functioning elimination process, among other things. I have found that one way to aid in helping the GI tract functioning is with probiotics & prebiotics. The probiotics provide good gut flora to the stomach while the prebiotics act as fertilizer and increase the effectiveness of the probiotics.
While these have been in our daily routine for years, I found it important to note for anyone who isn’t yet taking a prebiotic & probiotic. We get ours from Hyperbiotics. They even have an Immune Support Probiotic with added vitamins & minerals.
And if you use my affiliate link, you get $10 off of your first purchase! If the link expires, simply comment below and I will get you an updated one!
A properly functioning gut leads to improved immunity, sleep, mental functioning, toxin elimination, and so much more.
Used: as directed each morning.
Manuka Honey-
This honey comes with a price but never hurts to have on hand. Not knowing what to expect with the coronavirus, I opted to use this honey in every herbal tea. This honey is only found in New Zealand and made by bees that pollinate the manuka bush.
This is the honey of all honey when it comes to therapeutic properties. Manuka honey is known to be highly antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic. It is beneficial in soothing sore throats and even digestive upsets. and even upper respiratory infections.
Used: 4 times a day in an herbal tea for sweetness and therapeutic benefits.
Acetaminophen-
This over-the-counter (OTC) medicine was used for a few reasons:
- This is Holistic Yet Realistic, Health & Wellness. I firmly believe that integrating western medicine with holistic medicine is the best course of action because it treats the entire person from both sides of the medical spectrum.
- Given our stay in a hotel, I was limited to what holistic supplies I had on hand and needed something to give my daughter.
- Relief from the migraine was short-lived in the beginning by using only holistic approaches. Tylenol provided some, yet minimal, relief.
- I chose acetaminophen because it is not classified as an anti-inflammatory OTC medicine. I wanted the inflammation response from the immune system to take effect against the virus.
Used: age-appropriate dosage every 6-8 hours
Rescue Remedy-
Energetic balance has been a large focus of my holistic wellness journey over the last year because the mind-body connection is extremely powerful. In the case of coronavirus, I knew that my children had heard of the fear that so many were expressing about the virus and although I constantly reassured my children that it was nothing to fear, I worried about where their minds may take them based on their experiences. For myself, I knew that I needed to keep my mental strength up. SO I reached for my Bach Flower Rescue Remedy.
Rescue Remedy is used in times of extreme stress, anxiety, fear, or trauma. It aids in maintaining balanced vibrational frequencies that have a direct effect on the mind and body. When the mind becomes stressed, this places stress on the body. In times where healing needs to occur, maintaining a strong sense of natural positivity is needed.
Used: 3 drops 3 times a day in water & sipped. An extra dose is taken in times of heightened, immediate stress or emotional upset.
Reflexology & Acupressure-
Now I will be honest. These are definitely not my “area of expertise” since I have not yet jumped into the physiological aspects of them. I was introduced to them by my Father-In-Law many years ago and use many points as needed.
In a nutshell, reflexology works by utilizing your hands, feet, face, and ears as maps of the body. A specific area should be massaged for specific concerns. For example, the tips of the toes were massages for sinus pressure relief. Now, I always joke with my kids “you know we are in the right area if this hurts”. Mild to medium pressure should be applied because a congested, or “problem” area, will be a little painful. Reflexology uses reflexes within the body as a whole, connected working machine.
In a similar way, acupressure utilizes acupuncture points along the energy flow patterns (meridians) to clear blockages. Pressure is placed on the desired point, which again, aligns with a body part/issue by utilizing an acupressure map.
Used: as needed during heightened moments of body stress and pain.
Massage-
Massage is beneficial for many reasons. When it comes to my kids, All massages involve a massage blend of diluted essential oils. In this case, it involved an oil blend (see above) to further aid in muscle aches and bodily pains. Massage also helps stimulate the flow and circulation of lymph which helps carry the good stuff (vitamins, minerals, immune cells, etc.) as well as filter out the bad stuff (toxins). This massage blend also involved an oil that is soothing to the gastrointestinal tract.
Massage for myself involved a dry brush which I find utilize often anyways. It also stimulates the lymphatic system.
Also, see reflexology/ acupressure for why foot massages are beneficial. Reasons why foot massages were given to my kids and I enjoyed receiving them from my husband.
Exercise-
This applied to me and not my children. I decided that when I began feeling an imbalance that I would not allow that to stop me from my typical fitness routine with It’s Positively Possible. I pushed as hard as I could for the first 3 days after determining that we had contracted coronavirus. I knew that my performance was diminishing, which leads me into the next topic- sleep. I just found it important to continue with my routine and to overcome this virus by what felt right; and exercising with my fitness trainer felt right. A bonus is that exercise helps maintain proper circulation, which keeps lymph flowing well and helps eliminate toxins.
Now, it is completely impossible to sweat out any virus, but that thought did help push me. However, studies have shown that moderate physical exercise reduces the severity of respiratory infection as well as increase the immune system’s function. As when not ill, exercise boosts mood and reduces stress.
Sleep-
What goes up, must come down. And at some point, my body was calling for a break. And I listened because rest and extra sleep when the body needs it also improves immune function since the rest of the body is able to halt actions required for functioning while active. Proper sleep and rest should be given by listening to the body’s signals that too much activity is happening.
I made sure throughout this entire experience that my kids were getting adequate and even extra rest. They were encouraged to move only to use the restroom and come sit at the table to eat. Although they were up and about a bit, they did take naps and lay around more.
Bone Broth Soup-
My bone broth consisted of many herbs, which I guess one could consider it a more potent herbal chicken stock. I added herbs and roots such as whole garlic, turmeric, and ginger root. Herbs such as whole peppercorns, bay leaves, parsley herb & root.
Used: I required everyone to drink a cup daily, usually in the early afternoon, and then used this as a base for soups.
Reflection
Wow, so first off, writing this is eye-opening to just how busy this experience was. It is a reminder that, as mothers, we never really get the chance to stop and take complete care of ourselves when we need to most. Now, there was an enormous amount of help from my husband with what he could. However, most of my healing routine he has no idea about.
What I do know is that the body can do amazing things with the right support and a strong mentality. Catching coronavirus was not something I ever really thought about and I find it quite funny sometimes that this is what moving to California caused us. Now, I know that some people experienced this virus terribly, and I am grateful that my kids and I overcame this virus strong. After all, you really never know how your body will handle, react, or heal from something.
So despite my opinions and your opinions on the virus and the media and the masks and all of the craziness that came with it- I will say this…
This virus was definitely different. Everything that had worked very well in other times of healing worked mildly in the case of coronavirus. And yes, all of my remedies are custom-tailored to the current needs/symptoms of each individual. But it was incredible to watch the body fight hard and to be able to provide the support I felt most beneficial.
I could say that the virus was strong. Strong enough to really block the body from healing as it normally would. No surprise there, given the backstory of this virus. Strong enough to cause symptoms that were more severe than normal, given that there were no antibodies.
But for us, and I believe this for many, not so strong that the body could not heal. I think that healing through coronavirus took mental strength and faith the most- faith in the body, faith in God, and faith in my own abilities to provide the correct support. It took consistency and everything that I had on hand to throw at it.
To this day, I am still not 100% able to smell everything all of the time. And the only thing that I can assume is it is from not taking the best care of myself through it all. Or maybe it is some sort of lingering symptom. My only real complaint is that it has really limited my ability to work as an Aromatherapist.
I know this virus has caused so much stress, fear, anger, disputes, separation, divide, and so much more between people. And after experiencing coronavirus and seeing what it has caused those around me to feel it makes me appreciate the closeness of my family, their strength in trusting me, and the freedoms we have to choose what works for us medically.
I believe that each of us needs to get back to a place of respecting the beliefs, fears, and thoughts that others have. Even if they are completely different from our own. We need to support one another by respecting the uniqueness that we each hold- physically, mentally, and spiritually. If we can get back to that, then I truly believe that all of the craziness and hostility we see today would be eradicated and we could find a solution to situations, like this, that work for everyone.
References:
- Bone, K. & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. Churchville Livingstone.
- Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalim: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, VA
- Martin, S. A., Pence, B. D., & Woods, J. A. (2009). Exercise and respiratory tract viral infections. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 37(4), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e3181b7b57b
- Petersen, D. (2017). Aromatherapy Materia Medica: Essential Oil Monographs. Portland, OR
- Petersen, D. (2017). Herbal Materia Medica I. Portland, OR