Coronavirus Protection and Treatment: Top 10 Natural Remedies

Most of these natural substances will be effective for a large number of people to kill unwanted microbes

The Wuhan coronavirus outbreak has caused worldwide fear, panic, and confusion. Fueled by non-stop media accounts of infection and death rates, and quarantines of entire cities, the hysteria is building with each passing day.

Medical authorities are urging us to wash our hands repeatedly to reduce the spread of viruses. Similar to the SARS epidemic of more than a decade ago, antibacterial soaps can be found in hospitals, doctor’s offices, banks, tennis clubs, gyms, grocery stores, and elsewhere. But they are toxic. I recommend that you avoid using these. Such products are quite toxic to the skin and put an added strain on the immune system. Antibacterial soaps contain triclosan and triclocarban, two ingredients recently exposed by the U.S. FDA as being neither safe or effective infection preventers. (See Resource list at end of article.)

While it is wise to keep your hands clean, it’s best to use natural soaps, tea tree oil cleansers, or those containing neem, aloe, or oregano oil. And avoid people who are sick with the ’flu or other viral illnesses. Other than endorsing hand washing and the ‘flu vaccine, medical authorities have made no attempt to inform the public about safe and effective natural measures to both prevent and treat viral infections.

From a dietary perspective, sugar, allergenic foods, and stress can feed microbes and spread disease. Instead, try to follow a high protein, sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free organic diet with copious amounts of raw or steamed vegetables. In addition, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Here are my top 10 supplement recommendations.

1) VITAMIN D – Vitamin D deficiency is likely responsible for the high incidences of colds and ’flus during winter in Canada. By nature, vitamin D is anti-inflammatory. Deficiency causes immune system weakness and chronic inflammation. For prevention, supplementing with 5,000 – 10,000 IU daily from October to May of each year is safe for most adults. It is effective for prevention of ’flus, colds, cancer, and approximately 200 different diseases.

Humans manufacture their own antibiotic through vitamin D stimulation. Vitamin D promotes the production of cathelicidin, a protein with natural antibiotic properties. Cathelicidin kills viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The more vitamin D in the system, the more the body makes this antibiotic.

For those unfortunate enough to get the ’flu or any viral illness, Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council recommends taking 50,000 IU daily of vitamin D at the first sign of the ’flu for 5 days, then dropping the level down to 5 – 10,000 IU daily for the winter season.

This strategy can also be employed if you get the ’flu or a cold right after receiving the ’flu shot. (Most conventional doctors do not believe that you can get the ’flu after a ’flu shot. Then again, most conventional doctors continue to ignore the overwhelming evidence that vitamin D prevents infection.) In any event, vitamin D is both great prevention and effective treatment for colds, ’flus, and probably many other infections. World authorities on vitamin D verify that up to 30,000 IU daily for a healthy adult is quite safe and that periodic higher doses (50,000 IU daily for 5 days) are also of no concern.

Vitamin D works even better if taken with vitamin K2. Both are anti-inflammatory and can prevent as well as treat infections successfully.

2) VITAMIN A – is often deficient in the North American population, especially in people with problems absorbing fat soluble vitamins from food. Vitamin A is not only vital for healthy vision but also important as a viral illness preventive. Dr. David Brownstein recommends that healthy people take 5,000 IU daily, and 100,000 IU daily for four days at the first sign of illness. This is not a recommended dose for pregnant women who should just stick with a good prenatal multiple vitamin and mineral supplement. Be sure to take vitamin A, not beta-carotene (which won’t work for this purpose).

3) IODINE – is a tremendously important mineral for optimal immune system functioning. Most people know iodine is important for thyroid function but few know that there is no bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite known to be resistant to iodine. To have an antiviral effect, one must take doses much higher than the RDA. Dr. David Brownstein, who has written a book on the therapeutic uses of iodine, recommends taking 25 mg daily for prevention and 50 – 100 mg daily at the first sign of illness. You will need a prescription for these higher doses but you can easily get iodine from fish, seafood, kelp, dulse, and other seaweed options. Kelp, sea salt, or dulse powder can be sprinkled on food for added iodine. Avoid the high prescription doses if you suffer from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis because it may make the condition worse.

4) VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID) – 1,000 mg or more daily has antiviral and immune enhancing effects. Megadoses above and beyond bowel tolerance (i.e. dose that produces diarrhea) can be given intravenously to fight serious infections like Lyme disease as well as cancer. In cases of pneumonia, the IV form may be the best way to fight the infection and avoid the diarrhea side effects. One of my patients receiving high dose intravenous vitamin C for a viral illness was recently loudly scolded by her infectious disease specialist for receiving it. I asked the patient to ask that doctor to give me a call but the doctor never tried to do so. (I find the ignorance and arrogance of some conventional doctors very disturbing.) The scientific support of this use of vitamin C is very well documented, and only the uninformed and out-of-date doctors believe it to be otherwise.

“I have not seen any ’flu yet that was not cured or markedly ameliorated by massive doses of vitamin C.” Robert F. Cathcart, MD

The daily requirement of vitamin C is still in debate but most would agree that the RDA of 60 mg is too low an estimate of actual human need. Vitamin C is used up quickly during conditions of stress, allergies, diseases like diabetes, and by tobacco smoke, drugs, antibiotics, alcohol, mercury, and other toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Some vitamin C is stored in the adrenal glands, pituitary, brain, eyes, ovaries, and testes and is in greater demand whenever the immune system or any connective tissue is stressed.

The best food sources of vitamin C are the citrus fruits. Other fruits with high amounts of C include rosehips, acerola cherries, papayas, cantaloupes, and strawberries. The best vegetable sources are red and green peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, tomatoes, asparagus, parsley, dark leafy greens, cabbage, and sauerkraut.

Vitamin C was first isolated from lemons in 1932 but it was well known to be a factor in the prevention of scurvy back in the 18th century. Vitamin C is used by the body in the formation of collagen, a protein required by all joints, ligaments, skin, cartilage, capillary walls, bones, teeth and connective tissue. Vitamin C is needed to help heal wounds and to maintain healthy blood vessels.

Vitamin C may well be the most controversial of all the vitamins. Most of the medical establishment still objects to the use of megadoses of vitamin C for treatment of cancer, the ’flu, allergies, stress, adrenal fatigue, or just about anything else. Yet there is a growing body of medical literature supporting the use of vitamin C in very high doses to both prevent and treat infections. So in my opinion, if you have any serious viral illness like coronavirus, insist on high doses of IV vitamin C. It can save your life.

Vitamin C in larger than physiological doses have been successfully used to treat a range of viral, bacterial, fungal and inflammatory conditions including colds, ‘flus, mononucleosis, herpes simplex infections, and shingles. Vitamin C boosts production of interferon, a potent anti-viral and immune enhancing substance. Chronic inflammatory conditions not necessarily related to infectious disease will also respond to vitamin C therapy. These include arthritis, bursitis, gout (vitamin C pushes uric acid out of the body), asthma, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

One of the strategies that I have recommended for people who have just acquired an infection is: “take vitamin C to bowel tolerance.” When someone is plagued with a viral infection, the tolerance for high doses of vitamin C is increased. It takes far higher doses of vitamin C to produce loose bowel movements which occur at the vitamin C tolerance dose. Pushing vitamin C to that level will produce a strong antiviral and antihistaminic effect, reducing all the signs and symptoms of the common cold and the ’flu. Doses of 20,000 mg or more might be required to reach that bowel tolerance level when, ordinarily in times of good health, the bowel tolerance dose might just be 3,000 mg daily. In other words, the sicker you are, the higher the dose required.

5) PROBIOTICS (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and numerous others) – are friendly bacteria that usually inhabit the gut, the oral cavity, and the skin. They are very well documented optimizers of the immune system. Probiotics function as natural antibiotics against unfriendly bacteria, viruses like the ’flu and cold virus, as well as yeast like Candida albicans. Probiotics can also be used for both prevention and treatment.

Cultured dairy products like raw non-pasteurized cheese, yogurt, acidophilus milk, buttermilk, sour cream, cottage cheese, and kefir are well-known sources of friendly bacteria. Equally effective probiotic sources include cultured/fermented vegetables (cabbage, turnips, eggplant, cucumbers (pickles), onions, squash, olives and carrots), soy products like organic tempeh and miso, kombucha, natto, and apple cider vinegar. Other food sources are sauerkraut and sourdough breads. Ideally, one can get a good supply of probiotics from one or more of these diverse foodstuffs. If dietary sources are not easily available, supplemental probiotic powders and capsules are good alternatives. Choose a brand that has at least 10 different strains of friendly bacteria and between 10 – 15 billion live organisms.

6) COLOSTRUM – is the first mammary secretion nourishment that any mammal, including humans, provides for its newborn during the first 24 to 48 hours of life. Colostrum is available at most health food stores as a natural health product. Those wanting to prevent infections can take between 3 and 6 capsules daily to prevent viral infections.

Polio vaccine developer, Dr. Albert Sabin, discovered that colostrum contained antibodies against polio and recommended it for children susceptible to catching the disease. Well known colostrum components include interferon, gamma globulin, growth hormone (GH), IgF-1 and protease inhibitors used by medical specialists in the treatment of cancer, chronic viral infections including HIV, and autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Jeffrey Dach is one doctor who provides evidence in a recent publication that colostrum is three times more effective at preventing the ’flu than the ’flu shot.

7) OIL OF OREGANO – 2 to 4 drops, 3 times daily, is an effective natural antibiotic for numerous infectious diseases, including those that are proven to be resistant to prescription antibiotics. Oregano oil contains carvacrol, a phenol shown to stop the growth of multiple bacteria. It also contains thymol (a natural antifungal) and rosmarinic acid (a powerful antioxidant). Side effects are rarely, if ever, seen and the spicy taste can be offset by mixing it with olive oil, foods, or beverages. For sinus and nasal infections, one can inhale vapours from a bottle of oregano oil several times daily to reduce or eliminate symptoms. If using high doses of oregano, make sure to take it at least two hours away from probiotic supplements.

8) BLACK SEED OIL – It is often said that black seed oil will cure anything except death. Its best use would be for viral infection complications such as pneumonias when combined with intravenous vitamin C infusions. Black seed oil comes from the medicinal plant Nigella sativa (N. sativa) which has been used in various traditional systems of medicine like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda, and Siddha. The list of diseases or health conditions that it is purported to help run into the hundreds. Most of the benefits have yet to be proven by clinical trials. Nonetheless, a great deal of scientific studies have been published supporting the use of black seed oil as a natural antibiotic.

It has been widely used as an antihypertensive, liver tonic, diuretic, digestive, anti-diarrheal, appetite stimulant, analgesic, anti-bacterial, and for skin disorders. Extensive studies on N. sativa have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored which may include antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulator, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, bronchodilator, hepato-protective, renal protective, gastro-protective, antioxidant properties, etc.

Asthma is one of the many chronic conditions that often responds well to black seed oil. Most of the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is the major bioactive component of the essential oil.

There’s a warning on the bottle of black seed oil that pregnant women shouldn’t take it. The so-called danger is pure speculation. There is no proof of harm. Given that black seed has been available for centuries and there is no record of hazards, this warning on the label is unscientific and scared off at least one of my patients who could have used it for her dry skin and fungus infection.

9) CURCUMIN – An extract of turmeric, curcumin has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic activity. It is well known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects as well as its anti-cancer benefits. Curcumin is a stronger antifungal than most prescription antifungals. One study showed it to be superior to fluconazole, an effective but expensive antifungal. If you are on a prescription antibiotic, fungal infections can be one of the side effects. So, curcumin and probiotics could be very good things to take to prevent candida or fungal infections of other kinds. Doses are variable depending on the infection and the individual.

10) SILVER HYDROSOL – This form of colloidal silver is effective against numerous viruses and harmful microbes. Be careful with taking colloidal silver in amounts higher than 23 ppm for extended periods of time. Higher non-nanoparticle sized amounts could accumulate in the system causing a blue skin discolouration. Small particle sizes of colloidal silver (10 to 20 ppm) are generally safe and effective for many different types of infections, especially those resistant to prescription antibiotics.

In Conclusion

Echinacea, berberine, zinc, garlic, hypericum, goldenseal, cloves, Manuka honey, elderberry, astragalus, grapefruit seed extract and ginger are other natural supplements that people can consider for strengthening their immune defences against viruses. But I feel my top 10 list is the most effective. Most of these will be effective for a large number of people to kill unwanted microbes. Consult a natural health care practitioner for personalized advice on one or a combination of the top 10 remedies.

Warning: This article is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor. Please consult with your personal physician before making adjustments to your health care routine.

REFERENCES

  1. Antibacterial soap dangers; CBC News report: https://tinyurl.com/hud9h5g
  2. Vitamin D Deficiency Likely Responsible for Flu Epidemic. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/255604.php
  3. Vitamin C protects against coronavirus. http://orthomolecular.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=9b8619251a19057cff70779273e95aa6.134&s=882a884dd7f416689cfe29c1e4b3320a
  4. Hospital-based Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Coronavirus and Related Illnesses. https://orthomolecular.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=02522a2b2726fb0a03bb19f2d8d9524d.138&s=882a884dd7f416689cfe29c1e4b3320a
  5. Levy TE (2014) The clinical impact of vitamin C. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n14.shtml
  6. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC et al. (2006) Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 134:1129-1140. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16959053
  7. Bactericidal Property of Oregano Oil Against Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolates. https://tinyurl.com/wq2zan7
  8. Berberine benefits: https://tinyurl.com/wx9vue2
  9. Echinacea. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684.php
  10. Black seed oil. https://www.ideahacks.com/black-seed-oil-benefits/
  11. Vitamin D Protects Against Colds and Flus, Finds Major Global Study; Science Daily: https://tinyurl.com/j649e4v
  12. Rona, Zoltan P. Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. Tennessee, USA: Alive Books, 2010 https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-D-Sunshine-Zoltan-Rona/dp/0920470823
  13. Dr. Jeffrey Dach, MD: Colostrum Three Times More Effective than Flu Vaccine. https://tinyurl.com/yapr3bpa
  14. Colostrum for Flu Prevention. https://tinyurl.com/yak8kzt6
  15. Clark, Daniel G. and Wyatt, Kaye. Colostrum, Life’s First Food. Salt Lake City: CNR Publications. 1996.
  16. Jensen, Bernard. Colostrum: Man’s First Food, The White Gold Discovery. Escondido: Bernard Jensen, 1993.
  17. Rona, Zoltan, P. Bovine colostrum emerges as immune system modulator. American Journal of Natural Medicine; March, 1998, pp. 19-23
  18. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Dec. 2001; 74(6): 833-9: Enhancement of immunity in the elderly by dietary supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis HN019.
  19. Levy, T. Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, and Toxins: Curing the Incurable. Xlibris Corp. Philadelphia, PA, 2002.

Zoltan P. Rona, MD, MSc, offers consultations on nutrition and natural remedies in Thornhill. He has recently retired from medical practice as a Complementary and Alternative medical practitioner and now strictly offers nutritional consultations. He is the medical editor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Healing and has also published several Canadian bestselling books, including Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. To see more of Dr. Rona’s articles, visit: www.highlevelwellness.ca and for appointments, please call (905) 764-8700; office located at: 390 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 19, Thornhill, Ontario

View Comments

  • Thank you for writing this well-written post with references. Very helpful and empowering for people at this time. We can be an active component in taking a proactive approach to preventing flus and viruses. As a Board Certified Nutritionist who has been studying wellness for over 30 years, I agree with your recommendations completely. I found this piece very helpful, informative and laid out nicely. I know the time it takes to write articles such as this and it is appreciated.

      • Many thanks for those very kind words. I think it's important to spread the good word on treatments that are both safe and effective and that do not rely entirely on the medical system. I'm hoping that conventional medicine adopts some of these natural treatments, especially the high dose IV vitamin C in hospitals because that can really save lives. Thank you again for your support.

    • Thanks for being bold in assisting and arming society with other alternatives to preventions. You are so true in your information based on years of exposure to Herbal Academy network.

  • This article is amazing on treatment and protection. Thank you Dr. Rona. Now I have a question for Dr. Rona re: Covid19, due to my compromised respiratory condition (I have bronchiectasis), I was wondering if I can take serrapeptase twice a day? (please do not publish my email address)

    • Yes, serrapeptase would certainly be beneficial for that condition. You may also wish to consider using N-A-C (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) to clear out excessive mucous.

  • Dr. Rona,
    I used to think that iodine kills essentially all pathogenic organisms until I got a bottle of strong Lugol's iodine. Didn't use it for a long time. When I decided to try it on something, I noticed 2 dark "clouds" in the solution. I took a sample from each "cloud". Under a microscope, at about 1000 power, I found two "bacteria", one a curved rod, and one that was nearly round. It shook my faith in iodine as a cure-all. Either the iodine was not what it claimed to be, or iodine does not live up to it's reputation. My experience since then suggests the latter.

    • If those bacteria you found were alive I would doubt the authenticity of the iodine. Surgeons make heavy use of iodine solutions prior to many surgeries and it keeps all the potential bugs and infections away. They certainly don't question the authenticity of the iodine they use.

  • Thanks very much for your excellent article Dr. Rona. It will hopefully help people to be less afraid and feel more empowered in this climate of fear.
    I was particularly interested in the part on black seed oil. I have chronic asthma, and will be happy to try it out to see if it helps. And I will recommend your article to family and friends.

  • Thank you for this article. I am trying to find some non-toxic disinfecting wipes to use, haven't found any info. I have some tea tree wipes but I don't know if they are disinfectant enough for the corona virus.

    • If you get a small ozone water machine which you can get pretty inexpensively, once the water that has been ozonated, apart from being able to be drank, can be used to wipe surfaces. It has to be used fast though as doesn't last long being ozone. MMS works well too and it works to an area of at least a meter probably more without even contact.

  • It would be nice if you could explain why Ascorbic Acid will not cure scurvy. Most doctors think ascorbic acid is vitamin C. Please explain why the lack of all the polyphenols and other parts to true vitamn C are necessary. Many will trust you over me. Also could it be those that are asymtomatic to coronavirus is because they take true vitamin C and D supplements or have a diet rich in those things.

    • In nature vitamin C exists together with bioflavonoids and polyphenols. The latter have several unique properties and are essential to keep inflammation under control as well as to optimize immunity. So, although all the research on ascorbic acid is positive for numerous conditions, one can get a more optimal benefit from using the whole vitamin C complex that exists in many fruits and vegetables.

    • Ascorbic acid does indeed reverse scurvy. The synthetic and natural forms appear to work equally well but, ideally, one should be able to get adequate C from a diet high in raw fruits and vegetables, especially citrus and peppers.

  • Hi, Dr., May I please seek your quick opinion if you think these brands will help better in choosing the right supplement for Vitamin C and a colostrum derived product?
    https://www.sovereignlaboratories.com/product/VITALC-LD120.html
    https://www.sovereignlaboratories.com/category/polypeptide-therapy.html

    Please note I am NOT seeking medical advice, and if anything happens to me, I totally totally waive you from any responsibility. I am only seeking an opinion.

    • Those do look like excellent products but vitamin C and Colostrum are available from multiple Canadian companies like AOR, Natural Factors, NAKA and others at roughly the same prices. I'm not sure if Sovereign Laboratories products are sold in Canada.

      • Hi, they are available, and they will even give you a sample for free. Their colostrum is defatted and delivered lin a liposomal fashion which they claim makes it more effective (also I think they remove the allergen found in milk or put an enzyme in the product that help digest dairy if I'm not mistaken), and the owner of the company seems to have specialized on Colostrum research as I've spoken with him but just wanted someone out of the organization to take a look. AOR and NAKA (and Sequence), as well as Natural Factors that guarantee its IG content and also adds probiotics. Thank you for answering my questions.

  • Dr. Zoltan, also one of my friends in New York is a patient. We have suggested using Vitamin C, but you know how it goes. Should they allow and the doctors there complain or skeptical, will you be open to talking to them (we will pay for your time if needed) as you obviously have more credibility than all of us combined. Of course, we are willing to sign any waiver you may require for this sort of consult/recommendation. Thank you.

    • I have found that talking to skeptical doctors is a waste of time. They have access to the same scientific literature that I have but the majority refuse to read the research. In fact, some are hostile to the very idea that high dose vitamin C does anything to treat viral illness. Facebook and other social media have been censoring doctors who even post articles on its benefits.

  • I posted this on my FB page along with a comment that I been using some of these along with juicing, exercise , and healthy eating all along and it was taken down by FB saying that I was spreading harmful content to the community an hr after posting

    • Yes, that's happened to me as well. You can thank the Big Pharma companies for causing that since they finance much of social media, mainstream media and most of the government.

  • Thanks you so much Dr. Rona for the article. This article will surely help people to cope up with the virus.

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