According to the French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses), phytotherapy is dangerous. At Santi-Shop, we do not agree and we think that phytotherapy is important in any situation.
So don't put your natural remedies in the closet!
L’Anses déconseille les plantes
In April 2020 (1), the Anses published a list of plants that would be likely to be dangerous when contaminated with Covid-19. According to their expertise, these plants present counterproductive effects in defense against the coronavirus.
Dans cette liste on retrouve 12 plantes aux propriétés anti-inflammatoires :
the meadowsweet
harpagophytum
boswellia
birchbark
poplar
myrrh
the white willow
turmeric
the polygala
the goldenrod
the cat's claw
Echinacea
In other words, a good number of plants regularly used in phytotherapy to counter viral infections! But what should we think of this black list that attacks this alternative medicine?
Des raisons qui confirment l’efficacité des plantes
Well, that's good news!
Indeed, it is interesting to look at the reason why these plants have been advised against. In its publication, the Anses explains that the plants listed above can disrupt the body's natural defenses,as they fight inflammation.
By countering these inflammatory phenomena (including fever, for example), the medicinal plants would thus prevent the body from properly defending itself against the coronavirus.
L’inflammation, signe d’un système immunitaire actif
When the body develops an inflammatory state, it means that theimmune system has recognized the presence of an intruder and is trying to defend itself. Inflammation is therefore, contrary to what one might think, a good thing.
From this perspective, we can only agree with the Anses on the use of certain plants in case of covid-19.
But on the other hand, this publication officially confirms the effectiveness of plants with anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, white willow, meadowsweet, turmeric and all these other medicinal plants have their effectiveness in case of inflammation other than Covid.
This should put an end to the incessant polemics between the proponents of herbal medicine and those who label them as gurus.
Les cytokines responsables
We fully agree with the Anses on this point: inflammation is necessary for healing. That said, we have often heard that Covid deaths are due to a "cytokine storm."
But what exactly does that mean?
The cytokines are molecules produced by the immune system to promote the inflammatory response. Nevertheless, it is possible that in some situations that science does not explain, cytokine production goes haywire for no apparent reason.
In these cases, we speak of a "cytokine storm" that destroys vital tissue and organs.
Pourquoi ne pas agir en amont ?
While it is clear that in the case of Covid-19 infection, one should put aside herbs that stimulate the immune system, but what about those that moderate it?
Do we really have to wait until we are on the brink to calm the inflammation?
L’importance de la prévention immunitaire
If you notice any symptoms of Covid-19, it is advisable not to consume the plants listed by Anses without the advice of a doctor. On the other hand, if you want to improve your immunity to Covid-19, in addition to barrier actions, you should take care of your body.
By this we mean:
have a healthy lifestyle;
detoxify your body;
strengthen your intestinal microbiota with probiotics;
adopt good lifestyle habits (sports and diet).
Le mode d’emploi de l’utilisation des plantes
As with any medication, taking herbal remedies is not done without rules. In this case, there are 2 rules that are important to know.
The plants used should not directly reduce the fever.
Do not use a large dose of a single plant, but favor mixtures of several plants.
Les recettes de phytothérapie
En préventif : réduire le risque de tomber malade
1. Purify and cleanse the blood.
Olive leaves are ideal for detoxifying the blood. However, the active ingredients in olive leaves can interact with antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications. Medical advice is therefore recommended to people under treatment.
You can turn to the olive leaves in the galenic form of your choice.
30 to 50 g of leaves in a liter of water for an infusion;
30 to 50 drops of mother tincture per day, diluted in a large glass of water;
400 to 1500 mg per day in capsule form.
Garlic is another plant with purifying properties. It can also be taken in different forms:
fresh garlic: 1 or 2 cloves per day (4 to 8 g);
standardized extract with 1.3% allicin: between 600 mg and 1200 mg in 3 doses;
garlic mother tincture (1:5, 45% ethanol): 6 ml to 12 ml in 3 doses.
2. Strengthen the respiratory system
8 g of noble laurel
10 g of thyme
15 g oregano
Mix and infuse in 1 liter of water. Add honey and drink 2 to 3 cups per day.
En curatif : lors de symptômes grippaux
Many recipes are available for flu-like conditions to fluidize mucus, disinfect the lung passages and thus improve breathing.
First of all the garlic syrup at a rate of 1 teaspoon every 3 hours. This acts against coughing.
Then, for dry cough, it is possible to prepare an infusion based on
5 g of thyme
10 g dry flowers of Malva Sylvestris
5 g Ceylon cinnamon powder
8 g dry plantain leaves
To this you can add a little honey to sweeten and drink 3 to 4 cups over the day.
If you have a wet cough, this is another infusion that you need.
In this case mix:
8 g of thyme
10 g of eucalyptus leaves
10 cloves (A possible digestive irritant)
10 g of Scots pine buds
Add honey and drink up to 3 cups a day.
Finally, if you have a fever, 3 cups of yarrow and black elderberry infusion will help you to evacuate the excess heat by sweating. This will not stop the fever, but will make it pass more quickly.
10 g of yarrow (Do not use in case of allergy to the Asteraceae family)
15 g of black elderberry flowers
Pour conclure
The phytotherapy is the origin of modern medicine. The active ingredients of medicinal plants have proven themselves as allies to our health both through the centuries and in different cultures around the world. This is something we would do well to remember in these confusing times.