Nail This Final Step in Recovering from a Viral or Bacterial Infection
If you’ve ever had an infection – a head cold, the flu, COVID, or even a UTI, STD, SIBO, or bronchitis – any infection – you’re often dealing with a pathogen, plus a little something extra. It’s the residue the virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite leaves behind.
The residue, or “virulence factor,” is a combination of enzymes the pathogen makes; the pathogen’s waste products; toxins; and phlegm.
Virulence factor shows up when you’re mostly recovered – the fever or burning or whatever is gone – but you’re not quite 100% yet. You still may notice some symptoms: fatigue, brain fog, unusual urination or bowel movements, a lingering cough or congestion.
We want to make sure all the virulence factor is gone because then you’ll certainly feel better. And also because it’s less likely to infect your body again.
It’s like this: Let’s say you rent your home to a bad tenant. After you kick them out, if you don’t clean up the trash they left on the lawn, fix the broken window, and replace the cabinets they ruined, you’ll end up with – you’ll attract – another crappy tenant.
Here are my favorite ways to get ALL the virulence factor out of your body after an illness:
1. Green tea or peppermint tea –
The tannic acids in these teas break up and move pathogenic residue out of your body.
If you enjoy the taste, sip it all day long.
2. Raw garlic –
Mince a clove of garlic and use around 1/8 teaspoon (a teeny, tiny amount).
It can be a little rough taking it this way, so if you have any issues with garlic, either skip this one, or take these enteric-coated garlic tablets instead.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar –
Once, I was exposed to a particularly virulent stomach virus. Everyone in my home got it. As I waited for “my turn,” I took 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) twice per day with a little water to chase it with. I never got sick!
The acid kills pathogens. Your digestive tract is naturally very acidic. If your stomach is not producing enough acid, it’s hard to digest food. Things like parasites, fungi, viruses, and bacteria pass right into your body. Digestive acids reduce in strength with age and also when you’re under stress.
Make sure it’s ACV “with the mother,” which has a cloudy appearance. “Bragg’s” is an easy to find brand of ACV.
The dose is 1 teaspoon 2 times a day. I combine mine with the bit of garlic and take it like a shot. 😉
⚠️ If you have an ulcer, ACV will aggravate it. If you have an ulcer, skip the ACV. (Also, this is a great way to self-diagnose if you have an ulcer or low stomach acid. Take a shot of ACV and see if you feel better or worse.)
If you have low stomach acid (also symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, burping, bloating, constipation, etc.), ACV will become your new best friend. 1 Tablespoon mixed with a bit of water, right before or after a meal helps you digest.
4. Antronex (bovine liver fat) –
Bovine liver fat is a Traditional Chinese Medicine cure for phlegm. Fortunately, we have it in tablet form! 2 tablets every 3-4 hours when you’re sick is great. It’s like an all-natural anti-histimine.
I usually combine it with Congaplex for the common cold, flu, or any other type of virulent illness. I’ve even used it for sinus infections. Take 3 every 3-4 hours while you’re awake.
5. Reduce phlegm-producing foods –
The most common phlegmy foods are wheat / gluten, dairy, and sugar. That means, either avoid or cut back on sugary drinks, cheese, pizza, pasta, ice cream, sweet yogurts, cakes, pastries, and bread.
If you need any additional help with an infection (of any kind) or its lingering effects, reach out and let me know.