I witnessed and would like to share some effective natural herbal treatments for cytokine cascade and respiratory inflammation.

I have a close relative who was under the care of a licensed naturopathic physician, trained and certified in Traditional Chinese Medicine, in the treatment of long-term late-stage Lyme and mycoplasma pneumonia co-infections. I read many books about this and the doctor explained that a cytokine cascade — causing an intense increase in symptoms — can be triggered by treatment with antibiotics (called Herxheimer reaction, first described about 100 years ago in treatment of the spirochete infection that causes syphillis.) In my relative’s case, this reaction did occur, in the third week.

To relieve the intense pain caused by cytokine cascade, the doctor prescribed supplementation with Chlorella, a blue-green algae available OTC from health food stores and online. Dosage: “Take enough to turn the stool green,” the doctor said. “For some people that might be 5 capsules; for others it might be 25 capsules a day.” For my relative it was about 15.

The doctor explained that Chlorella has been found to bind with cytokines in the bloodstream, and then they can be flushed from the body, in the stool. (Note: Important to stay fully hydrated for this process to work!)

Checking PubMed for “chlorella” I found a 2019 study (Jana Barboríková et al. Int J Biol Macromol. 2019) concluding: “Biological activity tests showed that EPS [extracellular polysaccharides] caused significant bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory and antitussive effects in test animals. Chlorella EPS appears to be a promising agent for the prevention of chronic airway inflammation, which is the basic pathogenic mechanism of many respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma.”

For our relative, it was tremendously effective in stopping the cytokine cascade, resulting in relief of symptoms within 24 hours. (An incredible, after 9 months of worsening, debilitating pain!)

Another exceptional herbal treatment for respiratory inflammation and congestion is a supplement called D-Hist, by Orthomolecular. Having developed dairy-allergy-triggered asthma in recent years, this supplement has literally saved my life. I never go anywhere without it. It contains N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, Bromelain, Stinging Nettle, Quercetin Dihydrate, and Vitamin C. D-Hist is also supportive of kidney function.

Finally, numerous essential oils are confirmed anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, supportive, and restorative to the respiratory system. I highly recommend aromatherapy using third-party tested pure oils from doTERRA (most tested) particularly their respiratory support blend (Breathe) and their protective immune support blend (On Guard).

Studies on PubMed: 21 “essential oils antiviral” and 26 “essential oils respiratory.”

At this time of pandemic, these safe and effective natural remedies will be a blessing to many.