‘Common Viral Infections including the Herpes Viruses (HSV, EBV, VZV & CMV) & HPV‘ sponsored by Rio Health

To download a PDF of the presentation, click here.

Q&A

COMMON VIRAL INFECTIONS including THE HERPESVIRUSES
(HSV, EBV, VZV & CMV) & HPV: NATURAL THERAPIES WITH RIO HEALTH

Rose Holmes, Nutritionist, BSc, Dip.ION, PGCE, MBANT
Rio Health, Education and Training Manager

I have a client who ends up with chicken pox yearly and potentially has EBV from teenage years. She is currently aged 63. How can latent chicken pox disease be removed? (there were other queries re latent EBV and VZV)

Herpes Zoster (Singles) is the recurrent form of Varicella (Chicken pox) and can be very painful and distressing. The NutraMedix generalized protocol for high-viral load chronic infections (such as HSV, Coxsackie, EBV and CMV) is available by clicking HERE (this link requires sign in to the Rio Health Practitioner website). The protocol includes Takuna, Samento, Burbur-Pinella and Serrapeptase (dosages and timings online).

We also have a number of other very useful anti-viral products, mainly from the epigenar® range, relevant to these viral infections. Personalised protocol might include: Pau d’Arco (Rio Amazon® capsules or tea), VIR (Olive Leaf Extract, Astragalus, St John’s Wort with Lemon Balm), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), CHLA (Usnea barbata with Goldenseal, which is high in Berberine), Chinese Skullcap, Echinacea-Sambucus, Clove, Garlic, Matcha Tea (EGCG), and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica).

Curcumin Forte, Quercetin, Best Choice Rhodiola rosea may also be useful additions to protocol.

Liposomal Vitamin C by epigenar and vitamin D (oral spray or liquid drops) should also be included in anti-viral protocol.

Specifically with regard to Shingles, aka Herpes Zoster (the recurrent form of Varicella/Chicken Pox), the following natural and botanical options should be considered: Cecropia strigosa and Ginger.

EBV activation is strongly inhibited by Usnea barbata. Andrographis (Kalmegh) also effectively inhibits the expression of EBV lytic proteins. Also active against EBV are the following: Chinese Skullcap, Cecropia strigosa, ginger.

Antivirals usually reduce temporarily WBC count. What to do if a patient has WBC count already slightly below normal range? Natural remedies (especially if patient needs to take it for a longer period may negatively affect kidney function – what is your recommendation and experience with such cases

Thank you for this question. I am not currently in clinical practice as my work for Rio Health is full time and full-on, requiring weekend work at times, so have no clinical experience with botanical antiviral use on those with known low WBC count.

I have researched this issue and can find reference to specific pharmaceutical antivirals causing low WBC count (neutropoenia) although this seems to be when administered intravenously and/or used long-term (Kimberlin & Whitley, 2007 , specifically mentions ‘prolonged’ use following neonatal disease). Here is the link: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/antiviral-therapy for this article about pharmaceutical antivirals and their effect which specifically mentions the pharmaceutical ganciclovir having a major side effect of lowering WBCs (neutropoenia) thus requiring monitoring.
This article also mentions that this effect is reversible on cessation of use. Furthermore, use alongside other pharmaceuticals appears to increase likelihood of this effect. Advice is that if WBC count is low to start with then these pharmaceuticals should perhaps not be considered and would definitely require monitoring. Some of these pharmaceuticals are marrow-suppressive so not advised for some individuals.
Regarding botanical use, I have found the following information:
• Chronic use (longer than 6-8 weeks’ duration) of Echinacea purpurea may result in lowered WBC count (leukopoenia). Its use is contraindicated in those with autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and those on immunosuppressant therapy as it is an immune stimulant when used short term
• Botanicals like Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Centella asiatica (Gotu kola) show immunomodulatory effect have been shown to increase WBCs. Mukherjee et al (2014) discusses immunomodulatory activity of several botanicals including both of these as well as Piper longum, finding these increase WBC count .
• Traditional Chinese Medicine may have useful protocol suggestions to increase WBC count—through diet as well as herbs and lifestyle. For example, use of shiitake mushrooms as a meat substitution.
Botanical antivirals appear to work in different ways to pharmaceutical antivirals. Clearly, a client with low WBC count requires close monitoring. Use of Echinacea in cases of auto-immunity might be best considered in rotation with other immune stimulants, rotating every few weeks.

How do I obtain access to the previous webinar on viruses and other webinars offered by Rio Health?

All practitioners and student practitioners can register with Rio Health and will receive access to the website, practitioner discount, eligibility for special offers and regular newsletters as well as their Welcome Pack and Welcome Gift of choice. Fully qualified nutrition professionals also gain access to the webinars which are posted in the Resources section of the website. Currently there are 15 webinars posted (including this latest one on Common Viral Infections–Herpes Viruses).

Use this link to register: www.riohealthpractitioners.co.uk

How do I obtain a Rio Health Kinesiology Kit?

Kinesiologists and those practitioners who use muscle testing may order the Rio Health Kinesiology Kits via the website. This requires registration in the manner described above.

The Blog about Coronavirus COVID-19 and the PDF Helpguide which gives natural and botanical suggestions for use during the current pandemic are now available on the website: www.riohealthpractitioners.co.uk All registered practitioners, including students, have access to this blog and PDF Helpguide.
Here is the link to the Blog and PDF (note this requires log in)

Kimberlin DW, Whitley RJ (2007) Chapter 64: Antiviral therapy of HSV-1 and -2. In Human Herpesviruses: Biology, Therapy and Immunoprophylaxis, ed by Arvin A, Campadelli-Flume G, Mocarski E, et al. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kemp DE, Franco KN (2002) Possible Leukopenia Associated with Long-term Use of Echinacea. JABFP 15(5):417-419.
Malik et al (2009) Immune modulation and apoptosis induction: Two sides of antitumoural activity of a standardised herbal formulation of Withania somnifera. European Journal of Cancer 45:1494-1509.
Jayathirtha MG, Mishra SH (2004) Preliminary immunomodulatory activities of methanol extracts of Eclipta alba and Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine 11(4):361-365.
Mukherjee PK, Nema NK, Bhadra S, Mukherjee D, Braga FC, Matsabisa MG (2014) Immunomodulatory leads from medicinal plants. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 13(2):235-256.