Hello! This is a question from some of the aides and nurses I work with that have had COVID and now have scarred lungs. Is there any herbal formula that could potentially strengthen their lungs in those whose lungs have incurred an assault due to COVID. As you know, we are seeing other long-term effects from COVID. Would you recommend any herbal formula to help alleviate these syndromes? I know it is specific to the person's constitution. Just wondering if there is anything "generic" you would recommend. Thank you!

First I would be giving them Vitamin A (20,000 iu p/d) and D (2000-5000 iu p/d depending on their Vitamin D status),as well as N-acetyl-cysteine (500 mg BID). Herbs that could be of some use include Prince Seng, Astragalus, Mai Men Dong, possibly Licorice, it depends on what symptoms they have and with the licorice blood pressure.

Thank you so much. The person I am thinking of in particular has a very yang personality and takes stimulants for ADHD, so I would want to avoid licorice, I would think.

No, ADHD, a yang personality or adderall would not necessarily be a CI for licorice.

Thank you so much.

Hi David, I'm curious as to the reasoning for recommending Vitamin A and NAC here? Thanks.

Hi David, I have seen the studies, too, which describe NAC as very helpful to reduce oxidative stress and improve glutathione synthesis, and therefore contribute to lowering the risks of cytokine storms, i.e. Covid disease severity. However, I have also seen animal model studies which found that antioxidants such as Vit E and NAC reduce oxidative stress not only in healthy cells but also in tumor cells ( https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/6/221/221ra15 ). Another study found – but hesitates to generalize – an increase of melanoma metastasis from using antioxidants. Since NAC has also been recommended as an aid to thin and get rid of phlegm in the lungs for early Covid outpatient treatment, I am interested in your opinion: Do you feel that the benefits of reducing chances for severe Covid do outweight the risks of supporting a (maybe undetected early stage) cancer in persons more prone to lung cancer (e .g. heavy smokers) or with either a personal or a family history of any type of cancer? In case such a person becomes infected with Covid or has “Covid lung damage” after general recovery, would you advise against using NAC? Thank you.

Based on preliminary research studies.

I do not think that short term use of NAC has any significant downside and the research suggesting NAC and “antioxidants” may increase lung cancer risk are animal studies so it is unclear if they are relevant for humans. Below is a human study suggesting NAC inhibits cancer. Science Newsfrom research organizations Decongestant revealed as 'highly effective' in starving cancer cells Date: November 20, 2017 Source: University of Salford Summary: Cancer researchers seeking non-toxic alternatives to harmful chemotherapy are reporting a highly significant result for a humble cold remedy. I might avoid it in someone who is high risk as a former smoker.