A healthy immune system is your best defense against a multitude of illnesses. Once you’re sick however, some illnesses can actually use your powerful immune system against you. The name for this phenomenon is a Cytokine Storm.
DEFINE A CYTOKINE STORM
Your immune system is controlled by little messengers called cytokines that regulate the immune response. When cytokines over-stimulate your immune system to produce an exaggerated response to a pathogen, a Cytokine Storm has begun.
Cytokine Storms are very serious. Symptoms of a Cytokine Storm include redness, inflammation, high fever, nausea and weakness. If the storm is concentrated in the lungs and airways, the mucus and inflammation has the potential to block airways and result in death. Many believe that the high death toll among otherwise young and healthy adults during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 was due to the Cytokine Storm response.
DON’T TRY TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM DURING A CYTOKINE STORM
During a serious viral infection, immune boosting foods and herbs are best avoided. Oregano, Aloe Vera, Pau d’arco, Elderberry and Echinacea are some of the herbs which are immune boosters and would offer an initial relief followed by more severe symptoms in this instance. Some foods such as Chocolate, Kimchi, Chlorella Algae, Spirulina and Elderberry Juice (Sambucol) will also increase the production of cytokines and should be avoided during a Cytokine Storm. For less severe flu or colds, these foods are helpful, but they are best avoided when symptoms are severe.
FIGHT PATHOGENS WITH ANTI-VIRALS
Include herbs which are classified as anti-viral or antipathogenic in order to fight back severe viral infections. Several helpful anti-virals include Pine Needles, Mullein, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Ginger, Garlic, Eucalyptus (inhaled) and Apple Cider Vinegar.
USE IMMUNOMODULATORS TO HELP BALANCE IMMUNE RESPONSE
Herbs and foods can also be immunomodulators. These help to balance the immune system and bring the immune response back into normal parameters. Chamomile, Ginseng and Olive Leaf Extract are included in this category.
TREATMENTS TO EASE SYMPTOMS
Cytokine Storms characterized by symptoms of bronchial inflammation and excess mucus can have those symptoms eased by the administration of anti-inflammatory treatments. Eucalyptus (inhaled), Ginger, Mullein, Curcumin (extract of Turmeric), Pine Needles, Apple Cider Vinegar, Onions, Marshmallow, Mustard, Plantain, Pleurisy Root, Red Clover, Yarrow and can help with these symptoms.
TREATMENTS
Most of these herbs can be administered in an herbal tea or in tincture form. Other herbs – as well as Apple Cider Vinegar – can be added to simmering water so that the resulting steam can be breathed into air passageways. Mustard and onions can be applied via a plaster to the chest. It is also possible to deliver the benefits of onions in a soup. By smouldering the herbs as incense, their essential oils can be carried by the smoke into the air and inhaled into the lungs.
Staying hydrated with lots of water and rest will help in your recovery. Keep a close watch on the symptoms and their progressions and seek the help of medical personnel should you determine the situation is life-threatening.
This article is presented for information purposes only and not intended as a substitute for trained medical care. The reader will exercise common sense, seek to be informed and assume all liability in the use of these methods.
