Copper and Other Natural Immune Support

As reported by several media outlets, such as Vice.com, the metal copper has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties, first discovered by physician Victor Burq during the 1854-1855 cholera epidemics in Paris when he could not find any deaths of jewelers, goldsmiths, or boilermakers (those who worked with copper). He also found that musicians who played brass instruments—brass is partly copper—were protected.

From modern research, we now know that copper is antimicrobial. It kills bacteria and viruses as well as many microbes, including norovirus, MRSA (a staph bacteria resistant to antibiotics), virulent strains of E. coli that cause food-borne illness, and coronaviruses—possibly including the novel strain causing the COVID-19 pandemic. For 19th-century copper workers, regular exposure to copper would have been an early version of constantly sanitizing one’s hands.

Additionally, research has shown that brass doorknobs in hospitals and copper railings in places like NYC’s Grand Central Station have significantly lower levels of E. coli and other microbes on them due to copper’s antimicrobial properties. The modern-day switch from brass to stainless steel and plastic components in hospitals and public places is perhaps something we should rethink in our new reality of pandemics.

While wearing copper bracelets is unlikely to offer more than very minor protection – and we can’t go live inside the Statue of Liberty – there are many other natural ways to protect yourself and boost your immune system. Here are some helpful resources from our authors:

In Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals, naturopathic doctor Christopher Vasey writes, “over the last few decades, herbs have been shown to have a greater therapeutic effectiveness than was once believed, and they have been revealed to have a much greater spectrum of action. In fact, many of them are equally effective against viruses, which is not the case for the molecules of pharmaceutical antibiotics. In addition to this major benefit is the fact that their side effects—if they even have any—are benign and do not prompt germs to develop resistances against them.”

Vasey recommends many natural antivirals and antibiotics in his book, among them Camphor Tree:

Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora)

The camphor tree is native to Madagascar and Reunion Island. This is the medicine tree of the Malagasy, who have long known of the medicinal properties of its leaves and have benefited from them to treat a vast number of health problems.

The essential oil of the camphor tree is rich in cineol 1,8 and alpha terpineol. It is an extremely powerful antiviral with a broad-spectrum of action. This spectrum is, in fact, so broad, that it is recommended for all viral afflictions: herpes, hepatitis, viral enteritis, and chickenpox. It is a remedy that is especially effective against the flu virus, whether used to prevent it or heal it, shingles, and infectious mononucleosis. In addition to its antiviral activities, camphor tree essential oil is also an affective antibacterial and has both antifungal and anti-parasite effects. Its spheres of operation are primarily the respiratory and digestive tracts, and the skin.

Dosage

• Internally: from 3 to 5 drops, three times a day, in one teaspoon of honey or dispersant (see page 137).
• Externally: thanks to its complete lack of any caustic effects, the essential oil of the camphor tree is often recommended:

           - for massages, ointments, 3 to 5 undiluted drops

           - for baths: 10 to 15 drops per bath.

Note: like lavender, it is an ideal essential oil for treating children.

Caution: Don’t confuse the camphor tree with ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) which has similar properties.

In Colloidal Silver, authors Werner Kühni and Walter von Holst reveal how colloidal silver was widely used as a natural antibiotic and antiviral until the mid-20th century when its use was overshadowed by the development of pharmaceutical antibiotics. Offering both scientific research into colloidal silver’s actions in the body and guidance on using it safely, the authors also explain how colloidal silver kills viruses through the building of DNS- and/or RNA-silver complexes or destruction of a nucleic acid in the virus particles. The book serves as an excellent guide to the safe use of colloidal silver products.

In Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, clinical herbalist David Winston explains how adaptogenic herbs help the body “adapt” to the many influences it encounters and manage the stresses it experiences. He offers herbal remedies, backed by research, to increase stamina and energy, boost cognitive function, restore the immune system, and counter the effects of aging. One of the adaptogens Winston details is eleuthero, which may be the perfect herb to support our overextended healthcare workers right now. The author writes, “eleuthero increases endurance and stamina, enhances mitochondrial activity, speeds recovery, and prevents immune-depletion. It can be combined with cordyceps, rhodiola, or schisandra for enhancing athletic performance and for improving alertness and cognitive function when under severe stress or when working long hours. Physicians with long shifts who get little sleep, those with flex shift jobs, and students pulling ‘all nighters’ will likely feel better, perform better, and recover more quickly when using these adaptogenic tonic herbs.”

And to combat the massive waves of anxiety and stress each of us is experiencing right now, there are many easy natural methods available to calm your mind, including the simple practice of humming. As sound healers Jonathan and Andi Goldman reveal in The Humming Effect, “humming is one of the simplest and yet most profound sounds we can make. If you have a voice and can speak, you can hum. Research has shown humming to be much more than a self-soothing sound: it affects us on a physical level, reducing stress, inducing calmness, and enhancing sleep as well as lowering heart rate and blood pressure and producing powerful neurochemicals such as oxytocin, the ‘love’ hormone.”

The Goldmans’ book explores the science behind the benefits of humming as well as offering many practices you can do at home right away, without any special equipment or training. And it’s also available as an audiobook.

The Holistic Health section of our website features many other books that could be helpful at this time as well, even if you are just looking for a book to read as a distraction from the news or to entertain yourself while stuck at home. Happy browsing and be well!