One of the unfortunate aspects of COVID-19 is that it typically requires 2-3 weeks to run its course. The final week or two tend to be characterized by extreme fatigue. Thankfully, Chinese medicine has a cornucopia of strengthening herbs to help the body recovery from the depletion caused by fighting viruses.
Warming Herbs – Fennel, Pepper, Clove
Overcoming a serious virus can leave the body run down in a number of ways. In some cases, severe heat in the body (manifesting as a high fever with sweating or a violent cough) can leave the body depleted of fluids. Drinking water with electrolytes helps to replace that fluid loss, however, certain Chinese herbs can aid the recovery of body fluids further and prevent further loss of body fluids. Commonly known herbs in this category include black sesame seeds, American ginseng, and white wood ear mushrooms, among many others.
In other cases, overcoming the virus can leave the body depleted of its root energy, lacking sufficient fire to keep the body warm and to have a properly functioning digestive system. You might wind up feeling a deep chill inside, having stone-cold feet, or finding that your stools tend to be loose and/or contain undigested food. In this case, warming herbs are prescribed which will help to replenish the body’s core function and metabolism and restore proper function to the digestive system. Some of the more commonly known “warm interior” herbs include common kitchen spices such as clove, fennel, pepper, galangal, cinnamon bark, star anise, and ginger.
For some people, recovering from a respiratory virus such as this coronavirus can result in a lingering dry cough long after other symptoms have abated. In some case this is because the lungs are overly dried out, and in other cases it is because the overall proper functioning of the body has become disrupted. In this case, recovery can be aided through stop-coughing herbs and through other herbs that guide the body’s energy back down. Some commonly known herbs in this category include loquat leaf and apricot seed.
In each case, herbal prescriptions should be given by a licensed herbalist who can guide you on appropriate types of herbs and dosages. I currently provide herbal medicine consults by phone, with herbs shipped directly to you. I look forward to hearing from you if you need additional information or a consultation.
