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14.01.2022 These replanting hacks will make you grow crazy!

04.01.2022 My updated report. Very long. Holistic View of CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) Symptoms Matthew Wood Herbalist copyright MMXX Matthew Wood... but my permission to share I don't want Facebook to copyright it. Almost everyone agrees that dampness is at the core of this disease. All of the cases we have encountered so far display a thick, white, sticky tongue coating (Liu Lihong; translated by Heiner Fruehauf) It is now clear, if it wasn’t before, every case is different, there are different herbs in every household, and different skills. Use what you can--- hot water drinks if nothing else, and sometimes cold. Do what feels right to the person. Don’t believe in the experts like myself, but observe carefully with your own eyes (Matthew Wood) Thanks to Jen Ciccolella, Phyllis Light, Judy Leiblin, Sebastian Liew, Christine Dennis, and others. Introduction. The emphasis in this paper is on the symptoms and their interpretation and treatment from a holistic standpoint. That means energetic (hot, cold, damp, dry, tense, relaxed). This differs from the perspective taken by Stephen Buhner, who places more emphasis on the science of viruses and not on energetics, symptomology (as much) or personal clinical experience (mine is over 35 years). I recommend his writings as well as my own. Also, a blog on Covid and heat and cold by Leslie Tierra. I have been reporting on the symptoms of coronavirus from the holistic or energetic perspective since late January. Daily I have been modifying information based on increased data and understanding. The following relate mostly to the pulmonary symptoms. I am still catching up with the intestinal and other considerations. I believe I have had it, although I have not been tested a mild case so don’t worry. I have never had a cough and the inflammation never went beyond the trachea, and has receded now to the head (glands, occipital congestion, which were already chronic with me due to Bartonella which I consider worse than Covid for myself.) I very definitely had the fall/winter virus, so I know the difference. The first detailed paper from Chinese herbal/acupuncturist practitioners in China I had was, Diagnosis and Treatment of Pneumonitis with a New Coronavirus Infection, provided by Mayway herbs, forwarded to me by Jen Ciccolella. To this I added information from Report from the Front Line in Wuhan, by Liu Lihong, Institute for the Research and Preservation of Classical Chinese Medicine, Guanxi University of TCM, translated by Heiner Fruehauf, faculty, National University of Natural Medicine, College of Classical Chinese Medicine, Portland, OR (classicalchinesemedicine.org/report-from-front-line-wuhan). Finally, we have pictures of tongues and a good roundup of symptoms from John K. Chen, Ph.D., Pharm. D., O.M.D., L.Ac., Medical Records from a Young and Brave Female Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor on Fighting the COVID-19, Part III, (elotus.org, 11 March 2020). This is a pdf so I can’t reproduce here. At this point I have given advice in several cases of possible coronavirus; one serious case that was atypical (green bile instead of stool!she’s okay), and one confirmed case. I have not taken a full case history as one really should because I have not had the time literally. What is happening Herbalist Christine Dennis, NIMH, Port Burwell, Ontario, reports: This virus attacks the surfactant cells in the alveoli and enter through the ACE2 receptors found there. The immune system in response stimulates fibroblasts to repair this thin membrane. There is an over production by the fibroblasts which now causes fibrosis. This is why the ventilators are needed to push gases back and forth across this membrane. 5% of people end up in critical care at this stage. Of those 5%, over 85% died from the merciful cytokine storm that ensues causing multi organ failure in a matter of just a few hours. The cytokines are a necessary part of the immune process and are in an accelerated state from the beginning of the inflammatory response so they are not be feared. The alveoli are the little terminal air sacs in the end of pipes of the lungs. They exchange water and oxygen/CO2 from inside to outside the body. Blockage of the alveoli and fluids backs up water and blood in the pleural lining around the lungs and in the lungs themselves. David Laughing-Crow Gamble noted on my timeline: We actually are seeing people die from what looks like drowning in their own blood and/or fluids at one of my local hospitals according to nurses and doctors I’m in touch with there. I think this is from (1) tension caused by the attack on the ACE 2 recepters, which disorder blood pressure, (2) erosion of the cilia (hairs of the lungs) which Covid virus attacks and destroys, (3) closure of the alveoli and backup of blood and fluids in the lungs, pleura, and elsewhere. The cilia are like a fine carpet of little brushy hairs that move the fluids upwards, or at least stop them from coming downwards. The drowning, comments herbalist Dawn Lacska-Tommerdahl, RN, is part of the inflammatory response (pus, dead tissue, fluids to wash it out) not the cytokine storm, which is a different systematic process. Also, if blood pressure does up more difficulty breathing from tension, and if it goes down, atonic flaccidity weakens respiration? Christine: Blood test show that muscle tissue is being broken down so quickly, hence the severe aches and pains that people are experiencing and the liver enzymes are somewhat high. So, we need to support the liver and cell metabolism here (what we herbalists call liver remedies) and the kidneys (processing protein wastes). I have definitely since the liver area in the tongue red in cases reaching the crisis or climax and experienced the diminished, dark urine of hard-working kidneys myself. More about that later. The virus has morphed genetically over a half dozen times (referring only to the major genome changes) and there are significant different presentations. Prevention The front line of the immune system is the intrinsic epithelial barrier, in other words the mucosal and dermal lining inside and out the body. Since I am searching quickly, I just gathered information on strengthening the epithelium of the intestines from a an article published in China. Positive agents include fatty acids, especially linoleic acid and oleanolic acid, fruits including citrus, several rosaceae (raspberry, apple, strawberries), herbs including Citrus peel, Astragalus, Sage (Chinese, probably also Western), Magnolia officinalis, Moringa, Coptis (similar to Goldenseal), Mango, butter, and other substances (Vargas-Robies, et al. Beneficial effects of nutritional supplements on intestinal epithelial barrier functions in experimental colitis models in vivo, World J Gastroenterol, 2019; wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v25/i30/4181.htm). Also supplement N-acetycholine, the substance from which cell membranes are made. Contained in lecithin and eggs. The layer under the epithelium should also be strengthened this includes the mesothelium or connective tissue layer. The polymers of this layer provide the tight junctions between the cells and need to be healthy. Immune functions are also found in this level. This layer is strengthened by mucilages and the junctions tightened by flavonoids (rose family, for instance). Here I repeat from experience: the mucilages, Marshmallow Root, Fenugreek (especially because it is also warming and contains fatty acids), Opuntia, and Gotu Kola. Horsetail, though not mucilaginous, is excellent for strengthening the connective tissue. The endothelium is the layer beneath the epi- and mesothelium; it has been shown to be strengthened by Vitamin C (for example: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3869438/). CAM recommends the complete vitamin C, biomedicine just uses the ascorbic acid component. Complete vitamin C includes bioflavonoids. Therapeuticaly, modern medicine completely ignores the importance of the thermoregulatory system that opens and closes the pores of the skin, mucosa, and internal or serous membranes. This, however, is the basis of old-time and herbal medicine. The theory is: warm the center, thin the fluids, keep the pores of the surface open to discharge healthy secretions onto the epithelial surface--- not, as one would suppose, to close them. Warming, thinning/expectorating, and opening remedies: Lomatium, Angelica, Fenugreek, Elecampane, Hyssop, Pleurisy Root (not too warming but mild heart acitivty), and others. There is hardly anything in modern herbalism on this so I have to self-advertise: see my class on this on Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism, Facebook). Elderberry is the most famous herbal antiviral but has come under fire for possibly creating a cytokine storm, which might be a factor in severe cases of coronavirus, according to experts. I think this theory is facetious (see Stephen Buhner, Donald Yance on the unscientific nature of the claims) but I feel elderberry should not be used when in stages that need heating unless combined with spices. Helichrysum or Rabbit Tobacco (Gnapalium obtusifolium) is another traditional antiviral. This is good throughout, for various reasons. For one thing, it prevents and (I believe) lessens established scar tissue. H and R Tobacco are cousins with identical or similar actions. Nigella sativa (Black Seed, Black Cumin) is about the most well-rounded, exhaustively studied immune tonic with the most ancient pedigree (see Mohamed Saleh. Immunomodulatry and therapeutic properties of the Nigella saliva L. seed, Review, International Immunopharmacology, 2005, 5: 1749-1770.) Also see traditional medicine account at greekmedicine.net There are many other herbs too numerous too recount. Supplements: Vitamins A, the Bs, C, and D. Not my area of expertise. General Philosophy: keep the skin and the bowels open---skin brushing, hydrotherapy, sauna. Keep the fluids from thickening. Clinical Observation Stage (This may be just an ordinary flu, not Covid 19). Symptoms: Typical flu symptoms, fatigue with gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue with fever. Treatments: Contain as per above. Lomatium, Yarrow, Boneset, Angelica. Stage 1. Early Stage: Symptoms: Cold, dampness and functional depression. Fever or no fever, dry cough, itchy throat, chest tightness, nausea, fatigue. The tongue is pale or red, the fur is white, thick, and sticky. Liu Lihong writes, Almost everyone agrees that dampness is at the core of this disease. All of the cases we have encountered so far display a thick, white, sticky tongue coating. Since our arrival in Wuhan, every one of us has observed an increase in sticky coating on our own tongues, as well as the onset of incomplete bowel movements. Confirmation from the pulse: Virtually everyone exhibits a slippery pulse in the lung position confirming that turbid damp obstructing the Lung is the main characteristic of this epidemic. A distinctive feature is also the absence of expectoration of the phlegm. This causes turbid phlegm to congeal into a rubbery and glue-like material that severely interferes with proper airway function and has no way out. Liu Lihong concludes, This is the most important reason for the lingering ‘stalemate’ quality of the disease, as well as the tendency to take a sudden turn for the worse. My scientific niece comments, the cytokines necessary in the immune response need heat to increase and that is why heat treatments and symptoms are GOOD up to the point where the system breaks down and the cytokines are out of control. Treatment: At this stage warming remedies are indicated. Sore throat: Nigella, White Hoarhound, Helichrysum, Rabbit Tobacco. Thick white, adhesive coating and (sometimes) a pale tongue indicates a cold condition. Note the incomplete bowel movements. Strategies: thin and disperse the fluids, warm the interior and increase circulation (Lomatium, Angelica, Yarrow, Thyme, Fenugreek, Nigella), keep the skin open (Yarrow, Hyssop, Pleurisy Root), and bowels open (Fenugreek, Yellow Dock Rootthough it is cooling it sometimes closes the tight junctions in the gut). Formula for sticky phlegm, thickened fluids: Pleurisy Root, Yerba Mansa, Red Root. Not the curative effects of Garlic and Onions listed below and the severe aggravation from taking strawberries). Warming resins are probably the most specific category and actually match the original Chinese description of the herbs indicated most clearly. Lomatium, Angelica, Osha, Garlic, Onion, Pine bark, needles, Spruce needles, conifer resins, etc. Coronavirus attacks the cilia (hairs) in the lungs: two remedies to protect, Mullein and Comfrey, probably also Fenugreek. The latter is an excellent expectorant. Compress on the chest: heat vodka, wet towel, place on chest, cover with blankets, sweat it out. Or, mustard plaster (careful; know how to do this). Holly. This is one thing I personally would not be without. I have used it myself. Ilex acquifolium (English Holly), the leaves and the flower essence (Bach) for severe exhaustion from Lyme co-infections and have found it a wonderful remedy. Life-saving, really. The berries are toxic, not the leaves. It is the main ingredient in Gan Mao Ling, the strongest Chinese antiviral (alongside Isatis). Acupuncturist Elle Geary concurs with me, having removed Holly from Gan Mao Ling. She says it is for when the virus has penetrated to the deepest, or heart level. (American Holly Ilex opaca can also be used). This is the Bach remedy for feeling irrational hatred or irrationally hated--- that’s how it feels, I can say from persona experience, when a virus is attacking your brain or heart (or both) in a mere five days after a tick bite or a few days after Covid starts up. Also, hatred, fear, and anxiety are common to this disease. Stage 2: "Plague closes the Lungs." Symptoms: Persistent body heat or cold and fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, dry cough, cough with little sputum, or yellow sputum, bloody sputum, bloating and constipation, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing < relief, tongue body is red with a greasy, yellow coating, and the pulse is slippery. Treatment. Although the symptom pictures come from China, I feel better giving Western herbs, which I know about. We need to keep the bowels and skin open, keep the liver and metabolism processing, thin the phlegm. Yellow Dock Root is a cooling slow laxative. Yarrow is cooling (and stimulating/warming) and penetrating and ---- tough (a strong herb for strong needs). To remove water and thin the mucus, Yerba Mansa (removes water), Pleurisy Root (opens pores), Hyssop (opens pores), Grindelia (thins, detaches mucus). Elecampane, super-expectorant. Warming, Garlic, Onion, Cayenne, Chai spices, kitchen herbs, Oregano, dried Ginger. Supplements: glutathione or n-acetylcysteine to support the liver. Formula: St. John’s wort, Dandelion, and Milk Thistle to support liver. Nettles: to help the protein wastes pass (if urine scanty and dark or clear and copious). We have one specific herb in Western herbalism that I know of for phlegm with no cough reflex: Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). This is also a famous remedy for influenza, specifically with sharp chills or a chilly feeling like one is going to have a sharp chill, but nothing happens. Aimee Dewar writes, Hyssop is one I often turn to in tea blends for tight coughs with thick, stuck mucus. I use it as a minor player with things like mullein, plantain, violet, etc., to blance it our energetically. CASE HISTORY, better from warmth. (Italy, confirmed Covid 19). This illustrates the importance of hot remedies thoroughout, in some cases. Notice the severe aggravation from cooling remedy. An heroic wife writes (slightly edited, she other stuff to do than correct punctuation): The symptoms began but were not noticed for a few days. I noticed on the 19th The tips of his hands were becoming blue like there was no blood flow to that part. Slight fever (I didn't measure it) but he felt mildly hot on touch. But the most challenging symptom was difficulty breathing which took him to the ER. Chest congestion; he progressed from lying down and feeling relief to lying down and feeling no relief at all. Talking was a struggle. He says the pain made him angry to even talk to me. [Note: Camomille] Treatment: Common to all days I made the room constantly hot and got an extra electric heater which was turned to his chest region. And he was laying under an electric blanket. Substituted drinking water to teas where I just put like 3 bags of cinnamon tea, green tea and indian black tea together. Changed clothes and beddings every day and gave hot baths. I didn't practice isolation (we slept in same bed, I was constantly with him) but ensured daily we both changed clothing and I also took everything I gave him in smaller quantities. Sanitized my hands and door handles, bathroom after every bath. Day 1. I had just few items around me like onions and garlic so I started him on a fresh garlic clove. He felt relief after about 4 minutes after eating (I counted this) but the pain and congestion came back within 30 mins. I thought to add something more so I made a garlic, ginge,r and strawberry finely cut in honey (he didn't like and only took this on the first day this so I dont think this worked for him). Had to rush him to the ER because he could not breathe, was very anxious and panicking. He spent all day there and all tests were conducted where a potential diagnosis of covid 19 was made and a lung xray showed" an inflamed bronchi. At the end of the day, ER nothing could be done and was asked to go home and stay indoors isolating self for 14 days and call a particular number if the chest congestion continued the next day. An official diagnosis of "cough and chest congestion was made." covid 19 tests was done and the results was not given to him but to be communicated to him later the next day. He was never coughing and did not cough at all except during steam sessions. We knew he had the virus because over the next days the chest congestion continued but we didn't call the number because we wanted to try with garlic for one week to see if it goes away and if not then we call the emergency number. Meals were soups and green veggie broths with a lot of hot spices and chilli peppers (cant remember the exact spice ingredient in the hot spice mix as I got them grounded from a friend a long time ago). I had just few items around me like onions and garlic so I started him on a fresh garlic clove. He felt breathing relief after about 4 minutes but it persisted. I gradually increased the garlic and added in practically everything. This episodes usually began during the evenings and lasted up until 3 am before falling asleep. Within this time I am either given him hot teas to drink,massages with teas extract and more garlic. Teas and steam coverings with garlic, ginger, onions and garlic peels, citrus peels induced sweating and after this a hot bath followed by more tea and garlic. Day 8. Yesterday he sat in the sun for 2 hours (not directly in the sun but just by the window) and he felt so much better with no symptoms and was so excited. This is the 8th day and he feels so much better, but noticed slight breathing difficulty and slight pain at the lower sides of the ribs. Just got mullien tea today. He drank the first cup and I want to continue with this plus the garlic. I noticed after teas etc he had frequent bowel movements and urination and lots of white sputum. My symptoms currently: a slight dull pain In the chest which upon eating garlic gets very hot. I drink as much tea and hope to continue this. Sorry the write up is not properly arranged. Had to rush through this. Peter Main-Jackson, NIMH, herbal teacher at naturopathic college in London: the Sherpas in Nepal apparently use garlic to enable oxygen absorption at high altitude. CASE HISTORY, better from cooling. Note the almost deadly aggravation from strawberries (high in histamine and very cold in the preceeding) but here is a case of apparent Covid 19 where the woman ("E") was worse from warmth and better from cold. Note: both she and I had the earlier fall-early winter flu and can differentiate that one from what she has now. We both got over that one with elecampane, which she came up with. E: experimenting with rosa damascena essential oil in jojoba on the chest for the lungs/pnemonia symptoms as I think lomatium is too hot for me and I do not have nigella. Decided to approach covid-19 from its angry center and see if this could energetically help as I am looking for another herb in the cabinet to help. Matthew: I suggested adding cinquefoil, since I saw a remedy from someone in No Ca. with rose/cinquefoil called "heart opener. When I find the label again I will attribute to her. E: Absolutely- I am finding the rose oil is working and I will head into my cupboard for cinquefoil. I did apply just a small amount to my sternum and it has lightened the coughing and the heaviness in my chest. The rose has removed the grimness that came with the heavy chest and cough. Just the first day with the cinquefoil added so who knows. The main point is: rose is cooling; she needed cooling. CASE HISTORY, initially better from warmth, but it was too much. M A writes, I finally tested positive after waiting several days, and about 10 days in since symptoms slowly came on. It was so suppressed and dry that it felt like a tickle almost until it moved deeper into my lungs, never once becoming wet or depressed except in my throat. The opposite of myself MW. Dry itch in throat. I made the major mistake of overheating my center and drying myself out, which aggravated and atrophied my lungs and chest to an ongoing painful experience. I’ve since moved to a combo of lemon balm, rose, and borage [mucilageinous, cooling], with mallow and mullein. Pleurisy root very small drop doses when I feel any airway wheezing or dry constriction. Mostly because all of these are in my garden and y apoethcary wasn’t bvery well stocked for this. I’ve kept up with a nitric oxide supplement and heavy A and D vitamins, occasionally adding reishi back into the mix in moderate doses. Stage 3: "Severe Period:" Closed in and out." Indications: Dyspnea or asthmatic ventilation, unconsciousness, irritability, cold sweaty limbs, dark purple tongue, thick greasy or dry fur, large pulses without roots. Interpretation: These people should be in the hospital. I have never seen a client with a dark purple tongue in thirty-five years of practice. If possible, keep open the skin so the water doesn't flow into the chest. Keep the blood circulating, blood stasis (purple tongue), cold, sweaty limbs. Remedies: warming, stimulating, resinous: still Yarrow, Hyssop, Angelica, Lomatium, Cayenne, conifers, etc. My friend Dawn Lacska-Tommerdahl, herbalist, writes, I am an RN and herbalist and I have talked to an RN and Cardiologist in NY and they are seeing people drowning in the fluids in in their lungs. Many of them are on the Stryker Prone bed, meaning the way they are able to drain the lungs is by making people lay face dwon. The ‘cytokine storm’ is happening in about 50% of those patients and is ‘normally’ a rare type of hyper inflammable condition. Not much to do herbally once intubated and in this storm. Autopsies of SARS victims from the old epidemic show saturation of the lower lungs with water, pleura filled with water, some pleuritis, slight hemorrhaging (Lost reference). Maya Shetreat writes, huge additional issue I’m seeing discussed among my medical colleagues across the country that is taking many lives of the young: cardiac arrhythmias. This virus is thought to cause a viral myocarditis that leads to an arrhythmia and sudden death. Usually patients with syncope without severe respiratory symptoms, person gets evaluated and sent home, and then within a day or even a week or more has another such event leading to sudden death by way of cardiac arrest. David Laughing Crow-Gamble adds, We have a problem here if a person doesn’t meet the qualifications to be tested they’re not, and it’s hard to get the test. And in that area they aren’t tested because they’re all too young. So they are not getting reported as part of the epidemic either. Herbal treatment for the heart: I have personally used Wild Cherry bark for irregular, weak pulse. Small doses; it will cause this in as little as one cup of the tea. Also, Sweet cherry brandy or vodka, similar properties. Hildegard von Bingen’s Parsley Honey Wine (on the net) is excellent for a weak heart I’ve taken that too; saved my life I believe and I have talked to two Covid (self diagnosed) who used that with good result. Also, Linden flowers for autoimmune disease such as an autoimmune myocarditis. These people may be the ones who would respond to the Honeysuckle, Scutellaria, Forsythia cooling formula of Chinese herbalism. Scar tissue: Helichrysum or Rabbit Tobacco; the other symptoms. Stage 4: Recovery period. YES! They lived, they made it, but they are exhausted and depleted. Deficiency of lung and spleen Qi. Symptoms: shortness of breath (but now more from exhaustion than from closure), fatigue, anorexia, nausea, fullness, weak stools, unpleasant irrigation [evacuation?], pale tongue, and greasy fur. Astragalus and Codonopsis are in the Chinese formula. Gruel. Oatmeal. Slippery Elm bark. Throughout: The better the elimination the better the interior. The better the circulation, the better elimination. The better the metabolism, the better the breakdown of waste products. Notes: Symptom not observed in the clinical reports. Many people feel the heart opening up; a feeling of expansion in the upper chest, maybe even a short tachycardia. Phyllis Light suggests this may be due to the thymus expanding to make T cells. It seems the virus attacks the heart. Death is usually by heart attack or lungs closing up. Contraindications. Some people cannot take immune tonics, blood-thinners, or St. John’s wort, so check for contra-indications. There is a concern that Elder is dangerous because it might increase a cytokine storm. All evidence indicates there is no such thing going on with Covid 19 and this is, anyway, a theoretical opposition not founded on good research and not ever observed in case histories. Kidney Support Remedies to increase inhalation. In Chinese herbalism the kidneys are responsible for "grasping the qi in the lungs," or increasing the strength of inhalation. Many can testify that this is true. So, we may need the remedies used here. The type remedy in TCM is Gecko lizard. No idea if you can get that or if appropriate. For asthma. More subtle: Schizandra, for asthma and sleep apnea, strengthens the kidneys. Nettles, for sleep apnea, increases iron, hemoglobin, so the lungs can grasp more oxygen and of course strengthens the kidneys---but is therefore drying to some. That's all I know from experience. Phyllis Light and I had a fun time speculating that climbing vines grasp the air---wild yam, sarsparilla, crossvine, perhaps even grapevine. Please give feedback if this idea works or does not. NETTLE Note the addition by Pierluigi Campidoglio, in Italy: "Matthew I report here some little excerpts from the recently bought "Western herbs in Chinese Medicine" [by Thomas Avary Garran] (Passiflora Press): "Stinging Nettle seed is used for kidney qi vacuity and depleted essence leading to lethargy, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, muddled thinking, low sex drive, etc. Stinging Nettle seed is sweet and slightly bitter. This is a common combination of flavors for medicinals that supplement such as renshen. Sweetness nourishes, while the slight bitterness gently drains in order to prevent stagnation from the supplementing action." "Dioscorides (2000, trans.) states, A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with passum [raisin wine]) is an aphrodisiac and opens the womb. Mixed in with honey it helps asthma, pleurisy and pneumonia, and fetches up stuff out of the chest." "Gerard continues his discussion on Stinging Nettle seed’s use for lung complaints with: It is good for them that cannot breathe unless they hold their necks upright, and for those that have the pleurisy, and for such as be sick of the inflammation of the lungs... What is interesting about this statement is that he is very specific in the condition necessary for the patient to breathe, which suggest evidence of a kidney qi vacuity. If the patient must sit up straight in order to breathe, this suggests that the kidney qi is too weak to draw the breath in and down." EXCELLENT Observation and indication. This fits my knowledge of nettle (weak in the heart, lung and kidney pulses; weak feet). SCHIZANDRA Schizandra is well-established as a lung remedy; it strengthens respiration, deepens the breath, and reduces coughing (which we don't need in Covid). As an adaptogen it has been used to improve stamina and resistance to acute diseases or to reduce the length of the sickness. Note: the fluid symptoms don't match a lot of Covid cases. Huang Huang, 50 Medicinals (2008), is an empiricist who prefers specific indications derived from historical and personal experience and therefore attempts to define the action of medicinal agents according to their most characteristic symptomology. Schizandra is indicated in cough, counterflow where qi ascends in the lungs, and difficulty breathing. The patient has difficulty breathing when lying flat, and is better from breathing while propped up. There may be chest distention, frog-like rales or wheezing sound in the throat, breathing with an open mouth and raised shoulders. There is no trouble when sitting quietly, but panting may occur upon starting activity. In severe cases there will be fluid loss with sweating, restless sleep, excessive dreaming, confused dreams, flusteredness, palpitations, seminal emissions, aching of the lumbar vertebra and knees, and diarrhea. A symptom called veiling may occur, as if something were veiling the eyes and head, with foggy brain and flower vision (Huang, 2008, 465-7). GOLDENROD Seán Pádraig Donahue " think of Matthew Wood's indication of Solidago for tired kidneys and wonder if that translates to its treating kidney failing to grasp the lung Qi, which is one of the traditional indications for Schizandra . . as for lung moistening I go with the Asparagaceae family plant roots (Shatavari, Solomon's Seal, and the very underrated roots of garden Asparagus), Mullein, Pleurisy Root, and Marshmallow. Cinnamon as a tea in a pinch." Case History. Jessie Belden, a young but very skillful herbalist in Minneapolis (The Medicine Tree herb store), writes, The kidneys have been huge for me in this illness. Week one my kidneys were constantly aching like they were being attacked! I started Nettle infusions with a pinch of mashmallow and licorice root and they were all better . . . still though, the trouble with inhalation persisted. I have been on Cordyceps since the beginning, but I have recently upped the dose and it seems to be supporting the breath more. WALNUTS Steve Kippax, the other to help the kidneys grasp the qi is walnuts. . . which most folk find more acceptable than geckos. Prominent UK herbalist. AGRIMONY Tortured to capture the breath, a friend of Dr. Bach (lost reference). Also, Cinquefoil (see case history above). LIVER SUPPORT St. John’s Wort, Dandelion Rt, Milk Thistle. Bupleurum Agrimony, Cinquefoil Blessed Thistle Boneset CAPILLARY PROFUSION Gravel root--- not a well known indication. SCAR TISSUE Helichrysum, Rabbit Tobacco, Teasel.