Science & Strategy: Why Chinese Medicine excels against COVID-19

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As Western/modern medicine grapples developing a vaccine under extreme pressure, I strongly feel that little to no actual immune system supportive measures are being discussed broadly, despite the fact that we do have tools to help at our disposal. This cannot be stressed enough – especially for at-risk populations.

Traditional Chinese/Eastern Medicine (TCM) is indeed capable of being a assistant method of prevention and treatment (alongside, of course, all standard WHO/local governmental guidelines – this goes without saying!) with extensive science and millennia of experience to back this claim up – all provided below.

This set of resources is intended to educate the general public and healthcare practitioners in general.

Check back often, I will likely be updating this daily, and will be posting general updates to my ‘Inspired Living Warriors‘ Fb Page.

If you’d like to learn much more about the philosophy and basics of Chinese Medicine, please check out my comprehensive article – here (and give it some claps while you’re there!)

New 3/22 Summary Video! 👇

First video found here: https://youtu.be/Ndzv7bwjFls
Note 1: I forgot to stress the importance of Jade Windscreen to our *amazing* frontline hospital workers, physicians and nurses! Eek! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️
Note 2: Yes I know its not a “flu” this was unscripted so it was a convention in language.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. The Basics: Your Action Plan Summary
    1. General Overview & Healthcare Provider Note
    2. Common Chinese Formulas
    3. Single Common Herbs
    4. My Top Supportive Supplements
    5. Lifestyle Tips
  2. Public TCM Distributors
  3. The Technicals: TCM Tactics & Science
  4. Mental Health Resources 🆕
  5. My Top Resources
    1. Big Picture
    2. Science-Based Databases
    3. Emergency/Financial Resources 🆕
    4. Emerging Newsfronts
    5. Socio-Political Implications
    6. A final note for Skeptics

1. The Basics: YOUR ACTION PLAN SUMMARY

  • Please note – neither Matt Walton nor Roots to Sky take responsibility for your decision to purchase & consume any of these recommendations. They are provided for your own research, and should always be under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.
  • To prevent hoarding and low-supply stock, these should be prioritised to the most at-risk populations – in other words, please buy these for your grandparents or those with compromised immune systems, before buying them for yourself.
  • Skeptical? Refer to the TCM Science section, and see next page at bottom of this article.

GENERAL OVERVIEW:

  • Symptom-Specific Herbal Protection from Viruses
  • FOR FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
    • While there is obviously little data to back this claim up (though it might actually be found in my Science section) – I am confident that if you are in the incubation stage without symptoms and you were to take Jade Windscreen or even a preventative Gan Mao Ling (described below) will likely assist in succumbing to the actual full blown disease. While you still may be a carrier, you will be assisting your innate immune system the upper hand in the early asymptomatic battle stage.

CHINESE MEDICINE STAGES:

The first 2 formulas Yu Ping Feng San and Gan Mao Ling should be in every at-risk household. I choose these because of their high availability to the public. Search online for reputable sources, I will be providing more in future edits.

  1. Immune Supportive/Incubation/Asymptomatic Stage: Jade Windscreen (Yu Ping Feng San) (1, 2)
    • This can be purchased through any reputable TCM local shop, or online such as ActiveHerb.com
  2. Early/First signs of infection: Gan Mao Ling
    • Again, very easy to find online/in local shops – this is why I’m recommending it over other more technical/less commonly available formulas.
    • According to Jake Paul Fratkin, a stronger anti-viral when compared to the other popular Yin Qiao formula – but can absolutely be taken in combination in this case!
    • As soon as acute fever/chill symptoms emerge – STOP taking Jade Windscreen (refer to my video) and get the infected person to immediately sweat by any means necessary – strong fresh ginger tea and a hot bath!
  3. Established Infection: Refer the “TCM Resources” below to your practitioner.
    • STOP taking Jade Windscreen and go to a hospital!
    • In the full blown stage, Chinese Medicine works best when guideline formulas are customized to the needs of the individual – as is the tradition.
    • There does seem to be a strong need for “Phlegm Scouring” herbs.
    • When it comes to cytokine storms – the logic remains, simply treat based on TCM pattern presentation.
    • TCM practitioners can ship directly from distributors/dispensers to your doorstep, and when properly prescribed dramatically reduce the days and intensity of the illness – with little, if any side effects.

SINGLE COMMON HERBS:

  • Please note – while I am trained in Western herbalism, I am not an expert and suggest speaking to one. I provide these for your own research starting points.
  • Can likely be purchases in raw/loose form from many health food stores. Can be used individually or in combination, as needed.
  • Immune Tonics: Astragalus, North American ginseng, reishi/ganoderma, shiitake (in fact, mushrooms in general), elecampane (related to ragweed)
  • Flu/Acute (Diaphoretics): Boneset, yarrow, elderleaf, kudzu

YOUR IMMUNE SUPPORTIVE SUPPLEMENTS RESEARCH STARTING POINTS:

LIFESTYLE TIPS:

  • I’m worried about the mental health and increased substance abuse from those we aren’t hearing from in our social networks. Please call and check in with your friends & family – especially those who fall easily into depression/addiction.
  • Honestly, don’t underestimate the power of “catching a chill” – wear a scarf, stay warm, avoid drafts & breezes that give you goosebumps. If you catch a chill, be sure to make a fresh ginger tea (boiled 10 mins), or even chai, to “throw it off”.
  • Stop acting like the air outside is toxic! Go for a walk, fresh air, forests, and sun will boost your immune system and mood. This isn’t an apocalypse! Just avoid crowds, the virus can only be transmitted through sustained contact.

2. PUBLIC TCM DISTRIBUTORS

This has proved to be far more time consuming that I originally thought – so any help is appreciated – feel free to contact me via my Facebook Page or Instagram.

Please note – neither Matt Walton nor Roots to Sky take responsibility for your decision to purchase & consume any of these recommendations. They are provided for your own research, and are best dispensed under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.

TORONTO/CANADA

NORTH AMERICA

GLOBAL

3. The Technicals: TCM TACTICS & SCIENCE:

Please note I am rigorously staying on top of all the information disseminated from CTCMPAO & Health Canada so that my medical expertise stays sharp and updated.

A NOTE ON “BOOSTING” THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: When I/we say this term, what we TCM practitioners are saying is restoring/optimizing immune system markers especially when a person is in a general poor state of overall health – as from the TCM view and on lab reports, many, if not most Westerners are. This is primarily due to poor diets, chronic inflammation, and stress-related immune suppression. Specifically there is research to prove that this, and numerous other herbs not mentioned here (such as Tulsi) can “significantly increase levels of the immune system’s T-helper cells and NK-cells”.

To better understand TCM terminology, please check out my brief FAQ on the topic, here.

Still skeptical? See next page at bottom of this article.

4. 🆕MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

“If you’re feeling anxious or fearful during the coronavirus pandemic, you’re not alone. Offering hope and understanding, author Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on how to stay present, accept grief when it comes and trust in the strength of the human spirit. “Resilience is our shared genetic inheritance,” she says. (This virtual conversation is part of the TED Connects series, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson and head of curation Helen Walters. Recorded April 2, 2020)”

If you’ve been following my writing on social media, one of my biggest alarms I’ve been sounding regarding prolonged quarantine is increased depression, stress, anxiety – and even suicides. As of April, with my above Chinese Medicine resources now generally complete, I will switch my focus to providing as many mental/emotional resources as I can here. Please check back often.

RESOURCES

TCM FOR DEPRESSION/ANXIETY/INSOMNIA/STRESS

  • Gan Mai Da Zao Wan – This is basically the only formula I’m recommending as it is safe for the general public without the need for a formal precise TCM diagnosis as there are numerous other options to choose from – but may not be suitable for everyone. Order it from the links provided above.

TELEHEALTH & SERVICES

ARTICLES

5. MATT’S TOP RESOURCES & ARTICLES:

SCIENCE-BASED DATABASES & UPDATES

I’m seriously tired of the misinformation going around. Please stop posting news articles – especially cherry-picked ones – and stick to the facts. If you cant provide citation, you shouldn’t be sharing/fear-mongering on social media.

🆕EMERGENCY/FINANCIAL RESOURCES

THE BIG PICTURE

EMERGING NEWSFRONTS

SOCIO-POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

Not wanting to wade into political debate… But these are simply pretty hard to argue against.

FINAL NOTE: As this Coronavirus situation normalizes, I will simply convert this to my standard resource for flus/colds in general, as well as any future epidemics. I plan on adding much more of my own content, but have skipped this in the draft version to simply focus on disseminating these resources as quickly as possible.

Skeptical? See next page.

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