Influenza: The Complete Survivor’s Guide

With flu season in full swing, it’s time to prepare if you haven’t started already. Influenza can be a hard-hitting virus, particularly for the very old, the very young, and for those with compromised immune systems, and now is not the time to be caught off guard.

Natural medicine has much at its disposal for both prevention and treatment. I’ll review some of my own favorite strategies in this post. There are likely many more, and if you have some tried-and-true favorites of your own, please share!

I’m going to discuss some evidence-based antiviral approaches in what follows.* For those of you who would rather not wade through this somewhat technical disquisition, you can skip to the end for a summary of my recommendations. There is also a table of contents listed below for easy navigation to each topic of interest.

Table of Contents

Conventional Approaches
Vaccination
Rx Antivirals
Healthy Habits
Avoidance
Natural Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Elderberry
Garlic
Ginger
Herbal Tinctures
Homeopathy and Homeoprophylaxis
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Colostrum
Proline-Rich-Polypetides (Viralox)
Nutritional and Antioxidant Support
N-Acetylcysteine
Humic Acid
Umcka
Lauricidin
Summary of Recommendations
Where to Purchase Supplements
      Fullscript
      Colostrum-LD
      Lauricidin®
      Herbal Tinctures
      Ginger

Conventional Approaches

Conventional medicine has no real prevention strategies other than 1) the flu vaccine, 2) antiviral medications (e.g. Tamiflu), and 3) healthy habits.

Vaccination

Out of these conventional strategies, the most emphasis is placed on the flu vaccine. However, the flu vaccine does not carry any guarantee of effectiveness, even in the best of years. Vaccine/viral mismatch is a common problem with influenza, and even at its best, it appears to offer only modest protection. In fact, a 2014 review of 90 flu vaccination studies found that it really is just a numbers game, with 71 people needing to be treated to prevent 1 case of influenza (this is known as the NNT — the “number needed to treat.” In this case, the NNT is 71. This does show a small degree of efficacy at the population level, but offers little chance of benefit at the individual level). The authors also concluded that vaccination had “no appreciable effect on working days lost or hospitalisation.”

This year’s vaccine effectiveness (VE) had an early estimate of about 10% based on the interim estimate coming out of Australia, while the CDC now projects the VE against H3N2 to be closer to 32%. The actual VE is impossible to predict, but even the best estimates fall far short of the efficacy we would like to see.

In theory, the vaccine should offer some protection. But RNA viruses can evolve rapidly, and lack of viral specificity can lead to mismatched immunity. This appears to be a bigger problem with influenza than with other infectious diseases. There is also the problem of “influenza-like illness” (ILI). When flu season hits, there are actually about 200 different viruses that cause what we collectively experience as “the flu.” Influenza is certainly one of these viruses, but according to all the CDC’s cumulative data (as of this writing on “week 2” of the year) for this flu season, only 14.7% of the almost 500,000 tested specimens are actually positive for influenza. The rest are the ILI viruses, against which the flu vaccine offers very little protection. The NNT for the flu vaccine against ILI viruses has been shown to be very high, just like it is for influenza.

This is all complicated by a couple of other factors:

1) Those who have a history of repeated influenza vaccinations have a declining response rate over time. Those who have received frequent vaccinations in the past have approximately 63% less protection than those with no vaccination history.

2) Influenza vaccines tend to make you more susceptible to non-influenza respiratory viruses. This is not a minor concern, as those who have received the influenza vaccine have a 340% increased risk of catching non-influenza respiratory viruses compared to those who haven’t been vaccinated.

But as far as preventing actual influenza (the predominant and most virulent virus here being influenza A, or H3N2), the projected efficacy is extremely low since most of the viruses causing “the flu” are viruses other than influenza. Even if the CDC is correct and the VE for this year’s vaccine is 32% against H3N2, we have to remember that only 14.7% of those with “the flu” are actually infected with influenza (and about 12.2% of total infections are H3N2). This means that, at best, the vaccine is effective against H3N2 only 3.9% of the time. That means that the vaccine is ineffective 96.1% of the time.

These estimations are all pretty rough, of course. It’s possible that the vaccine will turn out to be significantly more or less effective. Different viruses peak at different times, and no one can predict exactly how much the virus(es) will mutate. Right now it doesn’t seem to be working well, despite a similar vaccination rate as in previous years (today’s headline reads “CDC Says Influenza Activity as Widespread as 2009 Pandemic“). But what the weight of the evidence does show beyond all doubt is that we should not be putting all our eggs in one basket. Vaccination is not a magic bullet for flu prevention. Not this year and not in any other year. We need to prepare in other ways, whether our plans include vaccination or not.

Rx Antivirals

Antiviral medications like Tamiflu are also not panaceas once the flu virus causes infection. Tamiflu has dubious efficacy and has been linked to many serious and even deadly side-effects. At most, it might reduce the duration of the flu by 1 day compared to placebo.

Healthy Habits

Here we have some hearty agreement. Healthy habits are obviously important. The CDC does recommend personal “good health habits” as non-primary flu prevention strategies (at the top of the page they maintain that getting vaccinated is “the single best way to prevent seasonal flu”). Nevertheless, they offer good advice:

1. Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Avoidance

This brings up an important point. While practices like hand washing are obviously important, other habits like avoiding others who are sick and staying home while sick are equally important (and arguably more important). While hand washing may help to protect against large droplet exposures such as might occur on the hands, at least half of all influenza transmission events occur via small particle droplet aerosols in the air.

Natural Medicine

Natural medicine has much at its disposal for both prevention and treatment. I’ll review some of my own favorite strategies in this post. There are likely many more, and if you have some tried-and-true favorites of your own, please share!

First of all, I would agree with the above recommendations regarding healthy habits. The first line of defense is to practice avoidance. Whether you are the one who’s sick, or whether you’re trying to keep from getting sick, stop the spread of these viruses by taking reasonable precautions. Wash hands, avoid close contact with those who might be sick, keep surfaces clean, etc. Compared to many other viruses, influenza doesn’t remain infectious for all that long outside the body (and person-to-person aerosol transmission is more likely a bigger problem), but it’s still not a bad idea to address surfaces and objects that might have been exposed to it or other viruses. A good non-bleach disinfectant is Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide. This is effective against a wide range of infectious agents and kills influenza in 30 seconds (faster than bleach and it won’t stain fabrics).

Other practices such as staying active, reducing stress, getting good sleep and eating healthy, nourishing food (with lots of berries!) are also extremely important. Just a single large serving of sugar can blunt immune system responsiveness for at least 5 hours!

Herbal Medicine

Herbs have a long history of treating viral infections. The advantage to these remedies is that they are often quite broad in their scope of action. Given the multitude of viruses that contribute to the rise in the incidence of illness during the influenza season, it’s nice to have remedies that can act against many different viral types and strains simultaneously.

Elderberry

This is one of my absolute favorite antiviral remedies that I think deserves some attention.

A standardized elderberry extract called Sambucol® has been studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials to evaluate its effectiveness against influenza. In vitro (test tube) testing has found that it inhibits at least 10 different strains of influenza, which makes this a very useful remedy when we’re talking about encountering a multitude of influenza strains and other viruses during flu season. Elderberry reduces the duration and severity of non-influenza respiratory infections (e.g. the common cold), so we know it has a wide range of application — not just against several strains of influenza, but against entirely different viral groups and different viral morphologies (influenza is an enveloped virus while rhinovirus is nonenveloped).

In one human clinical trial, Sambucol was able to reduce the duration of the flu to just 2-3 days in around 90% of the people who took it. Those taking the placebo took at least 6 days to recover.

In another clinical trial, those with influenza who took Sambucol recovered an average of 4 days faster than those taking placebo (recovery time took an average of 3.1 days in the elderberry group vs 7.1 days in the placebo group). The placebo group also ended up using about 4 times more rescue medications (painkillers and decongestants) than the elderberry group.

Elderberry consistently reduces the duration of the flu by around 4 days. Compare this to Tamiflu (the prescription antiviral drug that is linked to psychosis and sudden death), which reduces flu duration by 1 day.

Elderberry improves the immune response against viruses by increasing cytokine levels. While inflammatory cytokines are very helpful for fighting infections, this would seem to be potentially risky in this context since some people who die from influenza do so because cytokine levels increase way too much (what’s known as hypercytokinemia, or a “cytokine storm”). However, cytokine storms occur more frequently in other less common strains of influenza (e.g. H1N1 and H5N1). Also, a subtype of flavonoid in elderberry (anthocyanin) has such a strong and simultaneous anti-inflammatory effect (surpassing even aspirin and other NSAIDs in some tests) that it is probable that a dangerous inflammatory cytokine cascade would be mitigated. In any case, I have never once heard of, nor can I find in a search of the medical literature, a single instance of elderberry being linked to hypercytokinemia.

Apart from elderberry’s cytokine-stimulating effects, it acts as an antiviral in other ways, most notably by preventing the virus from being able to stick to cellular receptors (hemagglutination inhibition).

How to take it:

Sambucol® is the standardized extract that was used in the above studies, and other elderberry preparations aren’t guaranteed to have the same effect since flavonoid content (which is probably the primary antiviral component) can vary widely. If you want to ensure that you’re getting the right dose of flavonoids, it’s best to stick with Sambucol syrup if you can find it. Other high-flavonoid elderberry syrups are also likely effective, and I have personally seen equivalent results with Gaia Black Elderberry Syrup.

It is best to use the elderberry as soon as you suspect symptoms coming on. Certainly within the first 48 hours.

While the Sambucol “intensive use” instructions on the label list the adult dose to be 2 teaspoons (10 ml) four times per day, this is inconsistent with the proven dose in the medical literature and is only two-thirds of the studied dose. In the human clinical trials cited above, the effective adult dose was 1 tablespoon (15 ml) four times per day (half that for children). This is the dose I recommend whether using Sambucol or Gaia elderberry syrups. Most people using Sambucol are underdosing, and better results will be experienced with the higher dosing.

Garlic

Garlic seems to be good for almost everything, so why not try it for the flu? Garlic exhibits potent antiviral effects and reduces the infectivity potential of influenza at non-toxic doses in vitro. In children, daily garlic supplementation resulted in 2.4 times reduced morbidity scores from acute respiratory diseases compared to children receiving placebo. Aged garlic extract (e.g. Kyolic) modifies immune system activity and responsiveness, and while it doesn’t seem to reduce the number of cold and flu infections, it does result in decreased severity of those infections.

The primary antiviral constituent responsible for garlic’s direct antiviral effects is probably allicin. This is possibly why aged garlic extract, which contains no allicin (but many other bioactive compounds), is ineffective at preventing the overall incidence of infection (even though it reduces severity due to its effects on immune function).

If using garlic, a pure allicin extract would be the ideal antiviral. There is, as far as I am aware, only one pure, stabilized allicin extract on the market. The one I use is called Allimax. While it comes in various potencies (from 180 mg to 450 mg per capsule), I use the 180 mg version for antiviral prevention. 180 mg is equivalent to the allicin produced by dozens of cloves of garlic (each clove of garlic, when crushed, can produce between 3-5 mg of allicin). In 2001, a placebo-controlled clinical trial found that taking one 180 mg capsule per day of Allimax resulted in almost 3 times fewer colds than taking a placebo. Even more impressively, when someone in the Allimax group did get sick, they were only sick for an average of 1.5 days instead of being sick for 5 days in the placebo group. Granted, this study was looking at the common cold, not influenza, but the results are still pretty impressive and we can probably presume that allicin supplementation offers some protection against influenza in real live humans given the other research cited above.

It’s probably important to be using this before you’re exposed to the flu virus. At least in mice, those who were pretreated with garlic for 15 days prior to influenza infection had significant antiviral protection, while the mice who were given garlic at the same time as infection were not significantly protected.

How to take it:

If using Allimax (recommended), clinically significant antiviral effects have been proven at a dose of 180 mg per day, at least for protecting against the common cold. This is one capsule per day, usually taken with food. It does not cause an odor after ingestion. Allimax is generally very well tolerated, even in very high doses. At the first suspicion of symptoms, I suggest a single dose of 10 capsules. I have seen this halt an impending infection on several occasions.

Ginger

Fresh ginger can be a very useful antiviral remedy. It is easily accessible almost anywhere and thus treatment can be initiated after a quick run to the grocery store when there is no time to lose. But it is not for the faint of heart!  Fresh ginger is very spicy and is overwhelming to some. For those who can tolerate it, however, it is a helpful addition to the antiviral war chest.

Ginger in many forms is beneficial for all kinds of things, but for viruses, it’s best to use fresh ginger instead of dried. Only fresh ginger appears to have a significant antiviral effect. In the words of master herbalist Stephen Buhner, “Dried ginger is useless.”

How to take it:

Buhner’s recipe for “ginger tea” is as follows (somewhat pieced together from a couple different passages in his book):

At the first signs of an infection that is not going to stop, juice one to two pounds of ginger. (Squeeze the remaining pulp to get all the juice out of it, and keep any leftover juice refrigerated.) Pour 3 to 4 ounces of the juice into a mug, and add one-quarter of a lime (squozen), a large tablespoon of honey, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne, and 6 ounces of hot water. Stir well. Drink 2 to 6 cups daily. Ginger in this form is potently antiviral for influenza. This will usually end the infection within a few days. If it does not it is still tremendously useful as it will thin the mucus, slow the spread of the virus in the body, help protect mucous membranes from damage, and act as a potent diaphoretic, lowering fever during the infection.

Comment: Some people find that an elderberry syrup will provide the same effects.

Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections (2013)

This is an intense drink and should be sipped slowly, allowing the tea to trickle down the throat. If it’s too spicy I suggest reducing the cayenne and letting the tea cool before drinking. You may dilute the ginger juice more if you absolutely have to, but try to keep it fairly concentrated for a more potent effect on local tissues.

I will often add elderberry syrup to the ginger juice for a synergistic antiviral effect.

Herbal Tinctures

Countless herbs could be applied as antivirals. Buhner lists at least 50 plants that have shown anti-influenza activity in vitro, in vivo, and in human studies, but regards the following as the top antiviral herbs:

• Chinese skullcap
• Elder
• Ginger
• Houttuynia
• Isatis
• Licorice
• Lomatium

For mild influenza infections, Buhner recommends ginger tea, as discussed above. This should be started at the first sign of impending illness, along with whatever other strategies you have available to you.

For moderate to severe infections, Buhner recommends the following combination of herbal tinctures.

In equal parts:

• Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis, not Scutellaria lateriflora or any other American skullcap)
• Isatis
• Licorice
• Houttuynia
• Lomatium
• Red root
• Yerba santa (Eriodictyon spp.)
• Elephant tree (Bursera microphylla)
• Osha (Ligusticum porteri)
• Inmortal (Asclepias asperula) OR pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa)

The most significant and potent antivirals in the above formulation are Chinese skullcap, isatis, licorice, houttuynia, and lomatium. The other herbs are helpful but not strictly necessary.

How to take it:

For moderate influenza, Buhner suggests 60 drops (~1/2 tsp) of the above formulation every hour.

For severe influenza: 1-2 tsp every hour.

There are other nuances to using herbs like this for influenza that are beyond the scope of this article. For more comprehensive advice on managing specific symptoms during the flu, adaptogenic support, cytokine management during severe infections, etc., please consult Buhner’s very helpful book, Herbal Antivirals.

Some of these herbs are difficult to locate, and some of the more obscure antivirals (e.g. Chinese skullcap, isatis, houttuynia, etc) can be found at Woodland Essence.

Homeopathy and Homeoprophylaxis

Homeopathy is certainly controversial, but given its low cost, lack of harm, and some of the intriguing research on influenza prevention, I think it is worth using.

I used to be a major homeopathy skeptic on what I thought were scientific grounds. Homeopathy is high-dilution medicine and is often assumed to contain “nothing” as far as active ingredients are concerned. In one sense this is true if you’re talking about the bulk source material. Once you pass a certain dilution threshold (Avogadro’s number– 6.02 x 10^23) there shouldn’t be any of the original bulk source molecules left in solution. Therefore, homeopathic dilutions passing 12C or 24X would be thought pointless since they have passed Avogadro’s number. But this is no longer a valid objection. The authors of this paper explain:

However, new data indicate that while the specific manufacturing methods for classically prepared remedies probably remove the bulk source materials early in the process of serial dilutions, they leave a layer of detectable source nanoparticles across all dilutions.

So while high-dilution homeopathic remedies might not contain bulk source molecules (and we wouldn’t expect them to), they do contain source nanoparticles and are thus a form of nanomedicine. Even conventional medicine acknowledges that exogenous nanoparticles influence gene signaling and inflammatory pathways, among other effects, and we could reasonably expect the same of homeopathy, which (stripped of the weirdness that often accompanies it) is just a natural form of exogenous nanoparticle medicine. At the very least, the lower potency dilutions cannot be dismissed. If endocrine disrupting chemicals can exert such significant biological effects that sex reversal in animals can occur in the parts per trillion dilution range (and it does), why should we dismiss all homeopathic dilutions, which often operate within similar dilution ranges (e.g. a 6C potency is a 1 part per trillion dilution)? Small doses can indeed be very powerful.

Luc Montagnier et al. propose that at least some high-dilution nanostructures (derived from bacterial and viral DNA and/or RNA in this case) actually produce structural changes in the water that lead to measurable resonant electromagnetic signals.

Montagnier, who won the Nobel Prize in 2008 for his discovery of the AIDS virus, has gone on the record in (qualified and cautious) support of homeopathy as a result of this research:

“I can’t say that homeopathy is right in everything. What I can say now is that the high dilutions are right. High dilutions of something are not nothing. They are water structures which mimic the original molecules.”

But regardless of exactly how it all works, it is almost certainly more than the placebo effect, and the most intriguing thing for our purposes here is the evidence showing that homeopathy does, in fact, seem to work quite well for preventing the flu.

In 2015, a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was published that involved 445 children and the effect of homeopathy on the incidence of influenza and other acute respiratory diseases. The children were between the ages of 1 and 5, and the study period was 1 year. There were three groups in the study:

1) The placebo group, which received the same biotherapy vehicle (ethanol 30% (v/v)) as the active groups (identical in appearance and taste), absent the homeopathic ingredient.

2) A “Homeopathic Complex” group, which received a 30X homeopathic dilution of inactivated influenza virus sample A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2), Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus.

3) An “InfluBio” group, which received a 30X homeopathic dilution of inactivated influenza virus sample A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2).

While almost a third (30.5%) of children in the placebo group ended up developing three or more influenza or other acute respiratory infections, none of the children in the Homeopathic Complex group developed infections of any kind, and only 1 infectious episode (0.7%) occurred in the children in the InfluBio group.

This is a massive risk reduction. It seems almost too good to be true, and indeed the study has been rightfully questioned, even by those within the alternative medicine community. Some of the criticisms are valid, but most cannot be resolved with the information that is available. Nevertheless, if these results are even partially correct, homeopathy would still be worth employing. There is very little cost involved, and the risks are non-existent.

How to take it:

In the above study, the homeopathic preparations were administered twice daily in the 30X potency. The exact remedies used are not, to my knowledge, available in the United States.

The use of homeopathy for prevention of disease or infection is known as homeoprophylaxis. In my practice, I use a German homeopathic formula called Muco Coccinum, which shares some similarities to the “Homeopathic Complex” used in the above study in that it is a blend of homeopathic influenza as well as various bacterial species. The ingredients are as follows:

• Klebsiella pneumoniae K2 200K
• Branhamella catarrhalis 200K
• Micrococcus tetragenes 200K
• Influenzinum 200K

I typically advise 1 tablet once per week (some practitioners suggest once every 2 weeks), dissolved under the tongue. Children take half a tablet per dose.

If symptoms of the flu develop despite the homeoprophylaxis, you can increase intake of the Muco Coccinum to 1 tablet every 2 to 3 hours, or you can apply other homeopathic remedies (and of course don’t neglect other remedies discussed in this guide!).

In the Banerji Protocols (an evidence-based and standardized form of homeopathic medicine from India), the first line protocol for influenza is as follows:

• Rhus Toxicodendron 30C and Bryonia Alba 30C — alternate one dose of each medicine every 2 hours.
• Belladonna 3C in liquid once every hour as needed for high temperatures.
• Arsenicum Album 3C in liquid every 30 minutes if there is nausea and/or vomiting.

Oscillococcinum is also a popular homeopathic remedy for influenza that deserves to be mentioned, at least on account of its prevalence. I know a lot of people swear by this remedy, and if it seems to work for you, great! It can’t hurt. But I personally have just never been all that impressed with it, though my experience with it is admittedly pretty limited. Research shows that it’s probably more effective than placebo, as the relative risk reduction compared to placebo is about 86%. This sounds great until you learn that the absolute risk reduction overall is only 7.7%.  So it’s statistically better than taking a placebo, but clinically you’re not reducing your overall risk by even 10%. Efficacy will almost certainly vary between individuals, but it seems as though our efforts should lie elsewhere.

Vitamins, Nutrients, and Other Nutraceuticals

Vitamin D

One very elegant explanation for the rise of influenza and other respiratory illnesses during the winter months involves the seasonal increase in vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency impairs innate immunity and allows for an increase in influenza viral replication. Mawson notes that the vitamin D hypothesis of seasonal influenza makes sense of the following observations:

(i) the appearance of influenza in winter, when vitamin D levels are at their lowest,
(ii) the disappearance of influenza following the summer solstice,
(iii) the increased prevalence of influenza in the tropics and other areas during rainy seasons,
(iv) the inverse association between influenza and outdoor temperature,
(v) the decreased incidence of colds among children exposed to sunlight.

Further observations would include:

(i) volunteers inoculated with live influenza virus in winter were more likely to develop fever and serologic evidence of an immune response than in summer months;
(ii) vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infection;
(iii) ultraviolet (UV) radiation reduces the incidence of viral respiratory infections;
(iv) vitamin D supplementation reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children.

Cannell et al. also propose that influenza is basically a dormant disease that is triggered seasonally by vitamin D deficiency. Mawson recounts John Cannell’s very interesting epiphany that led to the increased interest in the vitamin D hypothesis:

While working as a psychiatrist at a maximum-security hospital, John Cannell screened his patients for vitamin D and found that all had very low levels. This led him to recommend that they take 2000 IU/d of vitamin D, the US “upper limit of tolerability”. Several months later an epidemic of influenza broke out at the hospital. Cannell noticed that none of the patients on his own ward developed symptoms, yet sickness was rampant among patients on adjacent wards, despite intermingling between patients and nurses. This observation suggested to Cannell that vitamin D supplementation protected against influenza…

Clinical trials and meticulous reviews of the literature have confirmed the usefulness of vitamin D for preventing influenza and other infections:

On the basis of studies reviewed to date, the strongest evidence (in the form of rigorous clinical trials) supports further research into adjunctive vitamin D therapy for tuberculosis, influenza, and viral upper respiratory tract illnesses.

Vitamin D for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (2009).

Children receiving vitamin D (1,200 IU/day) were 42% less likely to get infected with influenza A than children administered a placebo.

In a clinical trial published just this month, infants (between 3 and 12 months) were given either “low-dose” (400 IU) or “high-dose” (1,200 IU) vitamin D for 4 months. The high-dose group had significantly better protection against influenza A, with 44% lower risk of acquiring influenza compared to the low-dose group. Moreover, when those in the high-dose group did get sick, they had shorter fevers, less coughing, spent less time wheezing, and had an over 8-fold lower viral load by the third throat swab detection on day 7. These are impressive benefits, despite the fact that vitamin D levels — even in the high-dose group after 4 months of supplementation — did not exceed around 25 ng/ml! (levels started out at around 17 ng/ml.) This is a level many would consider to still be insufficient, yet even this small increase afforded significant protection. Imagine what higher levels might have accomplished!

Proper dosing of vitamin D is essential for the most impressive outcomes. Vasquez and Cannell assert that “subphysiologic doses of vitamin D are subtherapeutic,” and we would see better results even more frequently if the doses used in clinical trials were sufficient to produce serum levels of vitamin D in the optimal range of at least 40 ng/ml. In adults, a dose of around 4,000 IU per day is necessary just to maintain a vitamin D level of ~28 ng/ml heading into winter when blood levels normally decline. Higher dosing is, of course, necessary to reach optimal levels, which are estimated by some to be between ~40-65 ng/ml.

Those with the lowest levels at the start benefit the most from supplementation. A meta-analysis in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed that in those with very low levels (<10 ng/ml), vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of acute respiratory infection by 47%. In this population, the NNT (number needed to treat) was just 3.5. Compare this to the flu vaccine this year, which has a VE of 32% (and, by my calculations, an effectiveness rate of 3.9% against H3N2, specifically. Though that is subject to change as more data comes in). Also recall that previous flu vaccine meta-analyses report an NNT of 71.

It is important to note a significant finding from the above BMJ review, which is this: Only those who were given frequent doses of vitamin D obtained the benefits of reduced infections. Those given large and only periodic bolus doses (e.g. once monthly or once every 3 months) were not protected from infection — even those who started out with very low blood levels. Why is this? While the research on vitamin D has focused for decades on its effects on the endocrine system (e.g. calcium metabolism and bone health), recent research has found that it also plays a large role in the paracrine/autocrine system. Since vitamin D has a serum half life of around 3 weeks, it is often administered in large, infrequent doses, which are sufficient to exert clinically-significant endocrine effects. But for non-endocrine effects, the dosing interval must be more frequent since the half life of vitamin D in the autocrine system is a mere 24 hours. Hollis and Wagner assert that vitamin D’s role in the prevention and treatment of infections depends on its autocrine effects, and this is why studies using infrequent, bolus dosing show little to no effect against infections. With an autocrine half life of 24 hours, daily dosing is vital!

How to take it:

If you don’t know your current blood level of vitamin D and you haven’t been supplementing, I think 5,000 IU per day is a reasonable starting dose for the average adult. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, overweight, or have dark skin, you might need more than that. Breastfeeding women require at least 6,400 IU per day to supply their nursing infants with vitamin D in the breast milk.

Individual needs can vary widely, so testing vitamin D blood levels would be prudent. It’s best to start supplementing before the advent of flu season so that levels can be checked approximately 3 months after dosing begins (it takes 3 months for serum levels to plateau after the commencement of supplementation or a change in dose). You can also test first and then calculate the approximate dose that is needed to produce serum levels in the desired range. This calculation/estimate is based on body weight and current vitamin D intake.

For example, if you are 150 lbs, taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day, and your current vitamin D level is 20 ng/ml, adding 70 IU/lb (10,500 IU) to your current dose (12,500 IU per day total) will produce a serum level of at least 60 ng/ml 90% of the time (based on data of over 7,000 people). A more modest addition of 8,000 IU would accomplish this serum level 50% of the time. GrassrootsHealth provides a helpful vitamin D dosage calculator for those who would rather not do the math.

Vitamin D is best taken daily as vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in an oil-based form (softgels or oil-based drops) in a meal containing fat for best absorption. I prefer to administer vitamin K2 alongside the vitamin D. Vitamin D increases the expression of matrix Gla-protein (MGP) but does not activate it. MGP is an important inhibitor of vascular calcification, but it only performs this function in its activated state, which is a vitamin K2-dependent process. Unactivated MGP is a major risk factor for vascular calcification, and giving vitamin D on its own does not work as well in slowing the progression of calcification as giving a combination of D and K2, and some studies even show that vitamin D without K can even lead to a loss of arterial elasticity (which does not occur when vitamin K is given with the D). Vitamin D exerts antiviral effects with or without vitamin K2, but we should always be thinking in terms of balance and the best possible outcome for overall health.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been a popular home remedy for colds for decades and is certainly worthy of mentioning here. While a review of the available literature has found very little overall benefit, there are significant flaws in the analysis (such as most of the studies were limited to doses under 3 grams per day). The main issue is this: Most people are not taking high enough doses and they’re not taking them often enough.

What happens when you use higher doses at more frequent intervals? One clinical trial had subjects take 1 gram of vitamin C every hour for 6 hours at the onset of cold or flu symptoms, and then continue to take three 1 gram doses daily thereafter. The group that did this had a remarkable 85% reduction in cold and flu symptoms compared to the control group. Almost half of those in the vitamin C group reported a relief of symptoms after just the first 6-hour treatment of hourly vitamin C. Also, not a single person in the vitamin C group reported symptoms during the last 2 days of the 10-day study, while 27 people in the control group did.

Anderson et al. found that taking 8 grams of vitamin C just on the first day of a cold reduced the duration of the illness by 20%, and 8 grams worked significantly better than 4 grams. Interestingly, in the research cited earlier on Tamiflu, length of illness was reduced from 5 days to 4 days (20%). If vitamin C reduces the length of the flu by the same amount or more as it does with a cold (and the previous study, which included colds and flu together, suggests it does), then vitamin C might represent a viable alternative to Tamiflu without the dangerous side effects. A 1-day (20%) reduction in the duration of illness isn’t usually worth it when we’re talking about a potentially dangerous medication, but it is definitely worth it when we’re talking about something as harmless as vitamin C.

But there are additional benefits to taking vitamin C during the flu. Pneumonia, which is sometimes a complication resulting from viral respiratory infections, is a major cause of influenza deaths. And this is where vitamin C really shines. At least three separate clinical trials have shown an 80% or greater reduced incidence of pneumonia in those taking vitamin C. This is astounding, and it means that every person with the flu needs to be using vitamin C. Since pneumonia is a major cause of death in fatal cases of influenza, the therapeutic use of vitamin C could provide a valuable safeguard and lead to a significant reduction in influenza morbidity and mortality.

How to take it:

If using regular vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or buffered vitamin C (both have been used in the previous trials), the dose needs to be high and frequent.

Both of the cold and flu clinical trials used hourly 1-gram doses at the onset of symptoms for at least 6 hours. The first study followed this 6-hour dosing schedule with 3 more daily doses. It isn’t quite clear to me whether this 6-hour dosing was repeated again each day or whether it just occurred on the first day followed by 3 doses per day thereafter for the remaining duration of the study. The language seems ambiguous. In any case, my suggestion is to dose as frequently as possible within the range of individual tolerability. If you can dose every wakeful hour for the duration of the illness, that would be preferable, though some might not tolerate such high doses due to gastrointestinal side-effects.

If gastrointestinal side-effects are a problem, or if it is difficult to achieve frequent hourly dosing, consider using liposomal vitamin C, which is able to produce higher and longer-lasting blood levels. This is really the ideal way to supplement vitamin C, but use what you have and what you can afford. We know that “regular” vitamin C works, so a liposomal form not strictly necessary to produce a clinically meaningful effect, but it would be a superior option if it is available to you. I consider Quicksilver Scientific to be the leading producer of liposomal supplements. Their liposomal vitamin C has the smallest particle size in the industry (small unilamellar vesicles between 50-100 nanometers), and smaller is better. Reducing liposome size from 236 nanometers to 64 nanometers results in 34-fold greater cellular uptake.

If you can afford heavy usage of the liposomal vitamin C, I would absolutely use it frequently in the event of influenza onset. Keep it in the fridge or freezer and take 1 tsp (1 gram) every hour when flu symptoms appear. If you want general vitamin C support or for prevention of unlikely secondary complications from the flu (e.g. pneumonia) and don’t want to use frequent doses of regular vitamin C, I would take 1 tsp of the liposomal vitamin C every 4 to 6 hours. This might be just as or more effective than hourly dosing of regular vitamin C due to the enhanced absorption and more sustained blood levels. Hold it in the mouth for at least 30 seconds (longer is better if possible) before swallowing to enhance intra-oral absorption into the bloodstream for faster results.

Colostrum

Bovine colostrum (the “first-milk” lacteal secretion of mammals after giving birth) holds great promise for immunomodulation and antiviral effects. Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, complement proteins, and proline-rich-polypeptides, many of which possess antimicrobial properties and potent antiviral effects. Colostrum is a major source of acquired passive immunity (“ready-made” antibodies), and as such is effective for immediate use in the humoral immune response. This is in contrast to active immunity, which relies on endogenous antibody production that can take weeks to develop after antigen exposure. Passive immunity holds promise in the treatment and prevention of influenza.

In 2007, an Italian clinical trial found that supplemental colostrum was at least 3 times more effective than the influenza vaccine for preventing influenza, even in high-risk cardiac patients. Over a 3 month time, the colostrum group reported 13 events (“days of malaise”) while the vaccination group reported 57. And the average number of actual flu episodes was almost 5 times higher in the vaccination group than the colostrum group. Another group in the study that combined vaccination with colostrum therapy did not benefit more than the colostrum-only group.

A subsequent study in 2010 showed similar results. Colostrum is consistently more effective than the flu vaccine.

How to take it:

After experimenting with various colostrum supplements for several years, I have been most impressed with Colostrum-LD by Sovereign Laboratories, and it is now the only one I recommend.

To reproduce the dosing used in the Italian study cited above, you would need to supplement with between 1/2 – 1 tsp of Colostrum-LD daily in the morning. This would supply roughly the same amount of immunoglobulins as the supplement used in the study.

However, many people use more than this. If dealing with moderate health challenges, 1 tsp twice daily is often used, while those with more challenging concerns, such as autoimmunity, gastrointestinal permeability issues, etc., might do well to use 2 tsp to 1 tablespoon or more twice daily. Take colostrum away from other proteins. You may mix it with plain water, or if that’s too boring mix it with water, ice, berries, and stevia for a tasty “colostrum smoothie.”
Sovereign Laboratories also carries a concentrated proline-rich-polypeptide spray called Viralox that would likely enhance the antiviral effects of the colostrum. Dr. David Markowitz, MD reports his impressive clinical experience with using Viralox in his pediatric practice:

We have just finished a review of our first 12 months’ Pediatric experience with Viralox’s PRPs and the review confirms our initial feelings. 88 children who used PRP daily at the recommended doses for six or more months were compared to the same aged and same sexed children who did not use PRP, and their illness and antibiotic use were compared. We found in this retrospective study a 74% reduction in reported illness and an 84% reduction in antibiotic use. Using any measure, these are very significant results. No untoward reactions were reported.

If using Viralox, the usual dose is 3 sprays in the mouth up to 4 times per day, with at least 4 hours between doses.

Colostrum-LD powder and Viralox may be ordered directly from the manufacturer (with free shipping) HERE.

Nutritional and Antioxidant Support

Dr. Alex Vasquez argues in his helpful book, Antiviral Nutrition, that an effective antiviral strategy should include the following elements:

1) Direct antiviral targeting

2) Inhibiting viral replication

3) Antiviral immune support (“Immunonutrition”)

4) Cell-system support

While several of the strategies I have already covered touch on each one of these areas (e.g. many of the herbs are directly antiviral and inhibit viral replication, vitamin D and colostrum allow for a robust antiviral immune response, getting good sleep and avoiding sugar provides cellular support, etc.), there are a number of nutritional elements that should be mentioned.

Antiviral minerals like zinc and selenium can be very helpful for targeting viruses directly, preventing their replication, and supporting the immune response. Zinc supplementation can reduce the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections by 45% in young children, and selenium deficiency causes viruses to become more virulent. Malnourishment impairs the immune response and increases susceptibility to infections.

Zinc and selenium supplementation improves immune responsiveness in elderly patients and results in fewer infections (including influenza). Those with subclinical micronutrient deficiencies to begin with are the most likely to benefit from supplementation. Diabetics in particular (who are frequently deficient in micronutrients) appear to have the most to gain. When given a multivitamin and mineral supplement, only 17% of type 2 diabetics reported acquiring an infection over a year’s time versus 93% of those given a placebo!

Nutrients and antioxidants both play important roles in ensuring an optimal immune response and in decreasing the pathogenicity and mutagenic potential of viral infections.

Other antioxidant treatments can also be helpful for inhibiting viral replication and reducing symptom severity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is particularly useful for respiratory infections. It decreases inflammation, increases glutathione levels, thins mucus, and mitigates the cytokine cascade. In one study, only 25% of those taking NAC who were infected with influenza A (H1N1) developed symptoms in contrast to 79% of the placebo group. NAC didn’t prevent infection, but it substantially reduced the incidence of symptomatic disease.

How to take it:

Especially in the winter months, a basic (but high quality!) multivitamin/mineral is a good idea to compensate for unknown nutritional gaps, especially if you are elderly or have diabetes. Make sure it contains zinc and selenium.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was supplemented in the above-referenced study at a dose of 600 mg twice daily. This is fine for basic support (especially if you are using other strategies simultaneously) and it obviously has a clinical effect in reducing infectious symptomatology. I suggest dosing 600 mg three times daily between meals if the flu is going around, and double that dose if symptoms appear.

Humic Acid

Humic acid is a component of ancient organic soil deposits. It is rich in trace minerals and is being researched for its antiviral properties. I am including humic acid in this list of recommendations, not because there are mountains of human clinical trials proving the antiviral effects, but rather because I have observed some rather remarkable effects while using it personally and in clinical practice. For influenza, I have (on at least half a dozen occasions) seen humic acid either abort symptoms or reduce the duration of the illness to around 2 days.

Humic acid exerts antiviral effects against influenza in part by acting as an endonuclease inhibitor, which blocks mRNA transcription. This prevents viral replication. Endonuclease inhibition is currently being suggested as a promising new antiviral alternative to neuraminidase inhibitors (e.g. Tamiflu) due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and safety.

At least in vitro, humic acid appears to be a very potent antiviral against a very wide variety of viruses, including influenza, HIV, HSV, and others. An experiment in 1972 showed that humic acid reduced coxsackievirus viral yield 100-fold compared to untreated infected control cultures.

Humic acid also binds to viruses directly through hydrogen bonding, keeping the viruses from attaching to cellular targets. Humic acid authority Dr. Richard Laub compares this sticky effect to “Velcro” for viruses. This binding is so strong that some experiments show that viruses (in this case, HSV) can be displaced from cell surfaces by humic acid even after they have already attached! This is extremely significant, because if viruses cannot fuse or cannot remain fused with host cells, they will not be able to replicate. And if they cannot replicate they will die off. Viruses need host cells in order to exist and reproduce. Influenza will die out in approximately 1.5 to 2 days if it is not allowed to replicate. Non-fused viruses are also more vulnerable to elimination by the immune system.

How to take it:

I use and recommend Allergy Research Group’s Humic Acid exclusively. Not all humic acids are purified or will have an antiviral effect, but this one does. It is the same product that has produced the positive outcomes that I have witnessed. While human clinical trials are lacking, I feel confident using and recommending humic acid based on the preliminary in vitro evidence combined with the clinical results I have seen.

According to Dr. Richard Laub, humic acid will peak in the blood after about 4 hours and will be eliminated from the bloodstream after about 8-12 hours. For chronic low-grade viruses or for prevention of acute viral infections, 1 capsule twice daily is helpful for general antiviral support. For acute use, my suggestion has been to take 2 capsules every 4 hours to ensure that blood levels stay elevated and to prevent viral fusing and replication. This has seemed to work very well.

Honorable Mentions

Umcka

A favorite remedy of mine for the common cold is a special extract of pelargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630, or “Umcka”). Umcka has amassed an impressive amount of human clinical data, and is most notorious for its efficacy against acute bronchitis and the common cold. Preliminary research demonstrates that it exerts anti-influenza activity, but there aren’t any human clinical trials for influenza that I know of. However, it’s a good remedy to have on hand for colds, and I wouldn’t hesitate to try it for the flu based on the in vitro and animal research. It is safe and easy to take.

Lauricidin®

Similar to humic acid, I have observed significant clinical benefit from using monolaurin even though there are not any human clinical trials to prove efficacy (there is one study in HIV patients showing reduced viral loads, but this was not formally published in the medical literature). Nevertheless, a large number of in vitro studies show monolaurin to have profound antiviral effects against enveloped viruses (influenza is an enveloped virus). Monolaurin also has antifungal, antiprotozoal, and antibacterial effects. Its antibacterial effects are mostly limited to gram-positive bacteria, though there are some exceptions (such as H. pylori, which is gram-negative). It has also shown antibacterial effects against borrelia species (the bacteria that cause Lyme disease). In one in vitro study, 14 different RNA and DNA enveloped viruses (including influenza) were treated with monolaurin. Astonishingly, the infectivity of all 14 viruses was reduced by >99.9%! Monolaurin dissolves the lipid envelope of these viruses which prevents them from binding to cells. I use monolaurin in the form of Lauricidin®, which is the patented form of monolaurin developed by Dr. Jon Kabara (the scientist who discovered monolaurin and performed much of the original research). Lauricidin® is administered by scoops (via small pellets), which allows for large dosing. A therapeutic dose is 1 scoop (3 grams) 3 times per day with food. Pellets are swallowed (without chewing!) with cool water. Monolaurin capsules are impractical since they generally only contain around 300-600 mg per capsule. While there are no formal human clinical trials on Lauricidin for influenza, there is a substantial body of anecdotal evidence, and my own experience has been positive for both chronic and acute infections. I often use it alongside humic acid. Monolaurin has not demonstrated significant antiviral effects against nonenveloped viruses, so I would not bother using it for infections such as the common cold (rhinovirus). Lauricidin® may be ordered directly from the manufacturer (with free shipping) through my professional portal HERE.

Summary of Recommendations

The key to effective prevention and treatment is preparation. Choose which remedies you want to use and then make sure you have them on hand for the duration of flu season.

You do not necessarily need to use all of the remedies in this guide, though in cases of acute infection I do recommend using as many strategies as you have available to you to increase your odds of reducing the duration and severity of the infection.

In addition to lifestyle modifications to build resilience (sleep, diet, stress-reduction, moderate exercise, etc.), as well as common-sense avoidance practices, the following supplements may be used for prevention and/or treatment of influenza. For more details, go to the “How to take it” section in the relevant discussion on each supplement above.

• Elderberry Syrup: At the onset of symptoms, take 1 tablespoon of syrup 4 times per day (children take half to two-thirds this dose). Use elderberry with verified high-flavonoid content such as Sambucol® (original) or Gaia Black Elderberry Syrup.
• Allimax: For prevention, take 1 capsule (180 mg) per day with or without food. If symptoms of infection appear you may take 10 capsules at once.
• Ginger Tea: Use fresh ginger root only (dried will not work). Pour 3 to 4 ounces of the juice into a mug, and add one-quarter of a squeezed lime, a large tablespoon of honey, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne, and 6 ounces of hot water. Stir well. Drink 2 to 6 cups daily.
• Herbal Tinctures: Top antiviral herbs for influenza would include tinctures of: Chinese skullcap, isatis, licorice, houttuynia, and lomatium. Optional (but recommended) supportive herbs to add to this would include red root,  yerba santa, elephant tree, osha, and inmortal. Combine equal parts of each tincture into a single formula. For moderate influenza take 1/2 tsp every hour. For severe influenza take 1-2 tsp every hour.
• Homeopathy and Homeoprophylaxis: For prevention, take 1 tablet of Muco Coccinum once per week dissolved under the tongue. Children take half this dose. If using to treat influenza, take one dose every 2-3 hours. Alternatively, the influenza-specific Banerji Protocol treatment consists of: Rhus Toxicodendron 30C and Bryonia Alba 30C — alternate one dose of each medicine every 2 hours. Use Belladonna 3C in liquid once every hour as needed for high temperatures, and Arsenicum Album 3C in liquid every 30 minutes if there is nausea and/or vomiting.
• Vitamin D: Calculate your most likely ideal dosage and take whatever amount is needed to produce serum levels between 40-65 ng/ml. This is usually at least 5,000 IU for adults. Test levels after 3 months of supplementation and then adjust accordingly. Vitamin D should be taken in the D3 form (not D2) as an oil-based preparation (softgels or oil-based drops) every day with a meal containing fat. Infrequent dosing does not exert significant antiviral effects. Taking vitamin K2 with vitamin D is recommended.
• Vitamin C: At the onset of symptoms, take 1 gram (1,000 mg) once every hour for at least 6 hours and then three more doses over the course of the rest of the day.  Repeat each day while sick, but reduce the dose if loose stools occur. If you can take more then take more. Take a dose every wakeful hour if tolerated. For optimal results and to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal side-effects, use liposomal vitamin C (Quicksilver Scientific). Even if you don’t do hourly dosing, almost every person with the flu should take at least 3 grams of vitamin C per day (in divided doses) for prevention of pneumonia as a secondary complication of the flu.
• Colostrum: For prevention, take 1/2 – 1 tsp every morning apart from meals. Blend in plain water or with ice, berries, and stevia. Do not take at the same time as other proteins. If using Viralox (proline-rich-polypeptide concentrate from colostrum), use 3 sprays twice daily for prevention or 3 sprays 4 times daily at the onset of symptoms (there is no additional benefit to dosing more frequently than every 4 hours).
• Vitamins/Minerals/Antioxidants: Use a multivitamin and mineral supplement to ensure adequate nutrient support, especially zinc and selenium. Multivitamin and mineral supplementation is particularly important for diabetics and the elderly. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) dramatically reduces influenza symptoms and may be used in doses of 600 mg 2-3 times per day up to 1,200 mg 2-3 times per day.
• Humic Acid: For prevention, take 1 capsule twice daily. At the onset of symptoms, take 2 capsules every 4 hours.
• Umcka: Take 1.5 ml (there are graduated markings on the dropper) 3 times per day at the first suspicion of sickness.
• Lauricidin®: Take 1 scoop (3 grams) 3 times daily with food (if possible) at the onset of influenza symptoms. For prevention, use 1/2 to 1 scoop twice daily. Swallow with cool water and do not chew the pellets.

Where to Purchase Supplements (And a caution about supplement quality)

I recommend stocking up on the supplements you want to use before you actually need them (once viruses replicate past a certain point they are very difficult to stop, so time is of the essence). While some supplements (e.g. Sambucol®) can often be found locally and legitimately at health food stores or even grocery/drug stores, others need to be ordered.

I strongly advise against ordering supplements through third-party websites such as Amazon, eBay, etc., unless you are sure that it is the manufacturer that is selling directly through an Amazon store. Counterfeit supplements are common and quality is not guaranteed or easily discerned. Outright fraud, breaches of contract, and gross inconsistencies have been documented by myself and other practitioners. I’ve seen this firsthand several times from clients who have ordered from Amazon and received what was obviously the wrong product (e.g. one time something came in tablets that is actually only manufactured in capsules). Others have gotten bottles that were opened, partially empty, or even completely empty in one case. In most cases, however, you would never know the difference by appearance.

Professional brands are not allowed to be sold on third-party sites, yet this happens frequently due to contract violations or through the production of counterfeit products.  Labels, barcodes, size, texture, color, taste, etc. can all be immaculately reproduced by a good counterfeiter.

For example, the manufacturer of Lauricidin® states: “We do not permit the sale of Lauricidin® or Epi-Shield® on Amazon, Ebay, and other third party marketplaces.” And “Violations of these terms may lead to a permanent suspension of the supplier’s account.” Yet, we can easily find what appears to be Lauricidin® on Amazon. The seller name is even listed as the brand name “Lauricidin” — a very sneaky tactic to feign authenticity. It might be what it says, but there is no guarantee, and even if it’s real the seller is breaking contract and selling it illegitimately and under false pretenses.

One can also find other products, such as the Allergy Research Group Humic Acid supplement on Amazon and in blatant violation of ARG’s policies.

Some professional manufacturers have gone to great lengths to prevent pirated and/or counterfeit sales and to maintain product authenticity and traceability. Sophisticated forms of 2D (matrix) barcodes have been developed, but even this hasn’t stopped counterfeiters, who often employ very clever countermeasures.

I love Amazon and I shop there all the time. But you should never buy supplements there.

The supplement industry in general is poorly regulated and label claims frequently fall short of reality. Even big-name stores (e.g. Walmart, Walgreens, Target, and even GNC) frequently carry supplements that either contain no active ingredients, or worse, contain harmful ingredients.

In my practice, I supply supplements to my clients by 1) ordering on their behalf through a verified professional dispensary or from the manufacturer, or 2) allow them to set up a personal account with one of my dispensaries so they can make their own orders and have access to otherwise-restricted professional brands. Some manufacturers (e.g. Sovereign Laboratories and Lauricidin, mentioned above) also have professional portals where orders can be made from the manufacturer through a practitioner’s account.

Professional supplement dispensaries acquire their inventory directly from the manufacturers and employ stringent quality-control practices. Every single brand is cGMP compliant and usually far exceeds pharmaceutical quality standards.

If you would like to order any of the supplements discussed in this guide, please do so from your trusted practitioner. You are also welcome to set up an account with my dispensary and/or order through my professional portals for those items that are not available via the dispensary.†

Fullscript

You can create a Fullscript account by clicking here:

Supplements discussed in this guide that are available through Fullscript would include:

• Gaia Black Elderberry Syrup
• Allimax
• Some of the herbal tinctures (not all)
• Muco Coccinum and other homeopathic remedies
• Vitamins D and K2
• Vitamin C (including liposomal vitamin C by Quicksilver Scientific)
• NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
• Humic Acid (Allergy Research Group)
• Multivitamin and mineral supplements (I like Designs for Health’s “Twice Daily Multi” or Life Extension’s “Two-Per-Day” capsules for basic support or “DFH Complete Multi” for more comprehensive support)
• Umcka

Colostrum-LD and Viralox

Colostrum-LD powder and Viralox may be ordered directly from the manufacturer, Sovereign Laboratories (with free shipping), by clicking HERE.

Lauricidin®

Lauricidin® may be ordered directly from the manufacturer (with free shipping) through my professional portal HERE.

Herbal Tinctures

Some of the more obscure antiviral herbal tinctures discussed in the Herbal Tinctures section can be obtained through Woodland Essence, an herbal formula manufacturer which produces several of the hard-to-find herbal tinctures recommended by master herbalist Stephen Buhner.

Ginger Root (Fresh)

Check your local grocery store!

*Disclaimer: The contents of this site are based on the opinions of David Rostollan, ND, BSc. alone and are intended for educational purposes only. Nothing in this guide or anywhere on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  If you have a question regarding a medical condition or are seeking a diagnosis you should always seek the advice of a qualified physician or other healthcare providers. Do not disregard the advice of your physician or delay seeking treatment for any suspected disease or condition based on anything that you have read on this website. The use of any information on this website is solely at your own risk.

†Full Disclosure: I may receive a small percentage commission for some of the products you purchase using the links in this guide. While you may purchase elsewhere through other trusted sources and practitioners, your purchase helps to support my practice, research, and future writing projects. Thank you for supporting me!