Natural Immune Therapies Against COVID-19

Presentation ID #10: Click here to view presentation.

Abstract: According to the Johns-Hopkins dashboard, there have been more than 238 million reported cases of COVID-19 infection globally, with almost 45 million of those cases occurring in the United States (Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, 2021). Primary measures to prevent COVID-19 have been implemented including proper handwashing, physical distancing, mask-wearing, and vaccination. The general population may present concerns of the use pharmaceuticals to treat COVID-19 due to safety concerns, fear of the unknown, and misinformation about the current treatments. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss complementary and alternative therapies that can be utilized to enhance the immune system, and therefore, decrease the risk of developing COVID-19. Additionally, nursing implications related to the use of these practices will be described. Complementary and alternative therapies have long been used to improve health, and there are many practices that have demonstrated enhancement of immune function. Natural products such as herbs may be favored in the place of commercial pharmaceuticals due to their antiviral properties. Herbs that are significant in managing COVID-19 symptoms include astragalus, echinacea, ginseng, peppermint, thyme, and garlic. With no known treatment for this virus, and rapid COVID-19 cases, it is imperative that individuals are informed about the different treatment options so that they can make informed decisions for their health. In this review, we have identified complementary and alternative methods to manage the COVID-19 virus and outlined nursing implications related to these practices.

Hello, my name is Malea Prestwood and I am from Lenoir, North Carolina. I am the daughter of Bobby and Leigh Ann Prestwood and I am a junior nursing student at Pfeiffer. I am also a member of the honors college. My passion is working with kids, and I hope to one day become a pediatric nurse practitioner. When I am not in school, I enjoy reading.

Hello, my name is Taylor Parrish, and I am from Rockingham, NC. I am a junior nursing student from Pfeiffer University. I am in the honors program as well as a member of Pfeiffer’s softball team. I am the daughter of Steve and Michelle Parrish. I hope to one day become a family nurse practitioner (FNP). When I am not in school, I enjoy activities such as going to the gym, painting, and fishing. I also enjoy volunteering with organizations such as the United Way of Richmond County and Habitat for Humanity. Malea and I thought it would be interesting to do a topic about the nonpharmaceutical ways to treat COVID in a world with so much uncertainty when it comes to modern medicine. We are pleased to share our results with you and hope you enjoy our presentation.