by Gregg Kirk

During this next phase of the Coronavirus saga, the many people dealing with chronic Lyme may feel like walking targets. It is being made very clear on news reports across the country that the population base most vulnerable to COVID-19 are the elderly and those with impaired immune systems. All Lyme patients fall into the latter category, and while we are also hearing early reports of doctors having success with Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and Azithromycin (Z-Pak) in treating the virus, many Lyme patients can have sensitivities to antibiotics or may have trouble getting to a doctor to get a prescription for them. 

What are the natural alternatives for treating this potentially deadly illness on top of an equally challenging chronic illness? Fortunately, because most individuals with Lyme are already taking a collection of supplements, natural antimicrobials and immune boosters for their pre-existing condition, they may already have several solutions at their fingertips. As is usually the case, if we look back at what doctors were using to treat viruses and other deadly illnesses 100 years ago—with treatments that pre-dated our modern antibiotics and pharmaceuticals—we can find a list of powerful, natural remedies that are also free of the multiple side effects caused by the newer drugs.

To take the target and fear off the backs of Lyme patients reading this, the author has successfully helped a half dozen chronic Lyme patients who tested positive for COVID-19 regain their health using the following remedies.

• 30 drops of Takuna every hour (during waking hours): Patients of Lyme disease may recognize this tincture from the Cowden Protocol created by Lee Cowden, MD. Takuna is an extract produced from the bark of Cecropia strigosa, a tree that is found throughout South America. It has been reported to have very powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties. Patients taking Takuna at the dosage of 30 drops (in a four- to six-ounce glass of water) every hour to resolve influenzas, shingles and herpes outbreaks have shown improvement in a matter of one to two days. Keep on these high doses until symptoms subside, then treat for four to six more hours to ensure success.

• High doses of liposomal vitamin C: You may have heard recent reports coming from China that several medical teams are currently testing and reporting success treating patients of COVID-19 with high doses of vitamin C. You may have also heard from mainstream news sources that this information is bunk. What to believe? Those familiar with mega-dosing vitamin C understand that there is little to no risk using doses well above the RDA requirements (90mg per day for adult men) to prevent and treat many diseases from flu to cancer. The dosage Chinese doctors are finding effective to fight and prevent COVID-19 is at least six to eight grams (6,000mg to 8,000mg) of liposomal vitamin C per day. This dosage can raise the immune system and knock out the virus if used consistently. Note that there are many kinds and ranges of quality of vitamin C, and the recommended versions are liposomal or lipospheric, which are more easily absorbed and digested. These are typically drops taken into the mouth, where they are absorbed by the membranes. Taking liposomal versions at evenly divided doses (three to four grams twice daily) of six to eight grams total per day is recommended.

• Four to six cups of Cistus tea per day: Cistus tea (Cistus incanus) grows in arid Mediterranean regions and is a genus of flowering plants in the rock rose family. The harsh growing conditions cause the plant to produce high levels of polyphenols to protect itself, and it’s these micronutrients that give the plant its healing properties. This tea is especially suited to addressing upper-respiratory bacterial and viral infections. It may be a little difficult to drink this much tea per day, and patients may have early die-off reactions because Cistus tea is also a strong antifungal and is phenomenal at removing intestinal yeast, mold and biofilms. It is a good idea to drink one cup of the tea and wait an hour or two to see if it has been tolerated. The tea bags or loose tea used in tea balls or diffusers can actually be used up to three times during hot brewing (steeping for at least 5 minutes in boiled water), as the extra brewing unlocks more polyphenols and micronutrients with each brew. 

• Three grams of magnesium chloride every six hours: This form of magnesium chloride (not to be confused with magnesium malate, magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate) has been reported to cure polio and diphtheria and was the main subject of Dr. Prof. Pierre Delbet’s book, published in 1915. This mineral has been reported to have cured flu cases within 24 to 48 hours at the higher doses of three grams every six hours, and it must be taken orally to be effective. Note that early doses can have a laxative effect, but that is no reason to stop treatment. 

• 200 to 300mg of iodine daily: This once-commonly-used, all-but-forgotten curative that was used to treat tuberculosis in the early 1900s is capable of killing all classes of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and protozoa within 15 to 30 seconds of contact. At doses of six grams (6,000mg) per day, it has been used to cure syphilis, skin lesions and chronic lung disease. Patients taking higher doses need to be aware of die-off reactions that can occur (toxin overloads caused by killing high amounts of pathogens), so doses need to be reduced (cut in half) in that case. Since poor immune response is correlated with impaired thyroid function, many patients can benefit from taking higher doses of this wonder substance to also support the thyroid. It was common practice a hundred years ago to use iodine aerosol therapy to protect students in their classrooms. So, adding iodine to a nebulizer, neti pot or spray bottle is highly recommended to protect and treat individuals from viral and bacterial flus.

• Five milliliters of colloidal silver three times per day: Specific to colloidal silver, the FDA warned the public in a 1999 Final Rule that it isn’t safe or effective for treating any disease or condition. And yet patients of Lyme disease have been using it for years to effectively drive off multiple pathogens when treating chronic Lyme disease and co-infections. Extended research on silver and its effectiveness as an antimicrobial has been conducted and published all over the U.S. and Europe, starting in the early 1900s with Alfred B. Searle, the founder of Searle Pharmaceuticals, which later became Monsanto Chemical Co. His book, Use of Colloids in Health & Disease, was published in 1919 and in it, Searle writes, “the application of colloidal silver to diseased conditions of the human body is distinctly encouraging, but like all other new ideas it has had its share of drawbacks and discouragements, due in almost every instance to ignorance.” So again, what do you believe? 

The author has had personal experience with Lyme patients who are also treating COVID-19 using up to five milliliters of colloidal silver, three times per day, along with other natural treatments mentioned above, to regain their health. These individuals did not have to resort to pharmaceutical use or going to the hospital. 

Other Supportive Measures:

• 20,000 to 40,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per day: Stay at these doses for a week to 10 days, then cut doses in half.

• 5,000 IUs of vitamin A per day

• 150 to 200mg of zinc gluconate per day: Lozenges are fine but zinc sprays or nasal gels should not be used because they can permanently impair a person’s sense of smell.

• One to two grams (1,000 to 2,000 mg) Liposomal Glutathione per day. Glutathione is important for cellular defense, and it helps the body prevent and fight infections and disease. It is a naturally occurring substance in the body that  boosts the production of white blood cells, so it is considered an immune booster. However, it is not easily absorbed in the body so liposomal versions of it must be taken for it to be effective.

The above material is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The material is not nor should be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Gregg Kirk is a Lyme disease advocate, a former patient, and the current practitioner who runs the Lyme Recovery Clinic in Darien, CT. He is also the author of the book, The Gratitude Curve, and the founder of the Ticked Off Foundation patient fund, an advocacy group that raises funds for Lyme disease patients in financial crisis. Connect at 203-858-9725  or LymeRecoveryClinic.com.