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, or bronchitis - any infection - you're often dealing with a pathogen, plus a little something extra.  

This "extra" thing is 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 show 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 someone who ends up being 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 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 will help break up and move pathogenic residue out of your body. 

If you enjoy the taste, sip it all day long.  

2.  Raw garlic - 

I cut 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 - 

Have you experienced the healing effects of ACV yet?  If not, get yourself a bottle right now.  Make sure it's ACV "with the mother," which has a cloudy appearance.  

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 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 (similar symptoms to an ulcer, but opposite cause), ACV will become your new best friend.  

4.  Antronex (bovine liver fat)  - 

Bovine liver fat is a Traditional Chinese Medicine cure for phlegm.  Fortunately, we have it in tablet form!  

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.