Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH):
How My Family Beat COVID-19
We knew catching COVID was inevitable, so we strengthened ourselves and prepared a protocol. |
by Dr. Sina McCullough
My family contracted COVID-19 in
mid-summer of 2021. We fully recovered within 2 1/2 weeks and haven’t
experienced any long-term symptoms, or what’s commonly referred to as long COVID.
Others haven’t been as fortunate.
As of November, according to a report from the American Academy of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, between 3 million and 10 million Americans are
experiencing symptoms of long COVID, which can include fatigue, pain, brain fog,
neurological issues, mobility issues, and shortness of breath. I’d like to share
how we kicked COVID-19’s butt in the hope that our story brings encouragement to
others.
I’ve divided our COVID-19 journey into three sections (pre-COVID, sick from
COVID, and post-COVID) based on the different strategies we implemented during
those specific time periods. This information is for educational purposes only.
I’m not diagnosing or treating COVID-19: I’m simply sharing remedies that worked
for my family.
Pre-COVID
In early 2020, when the world was
in a panic and the United States went into lockdown, my husband and I analyzed
the situation and came to the conclusion that COVID-19 would follow a similar
fate to the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918, in which descendants of the original
virus are still around today. Consequently, while we took precautions, we
believed that no matter how long we quarantined, socially distanced, or wore a
mask, we would eventually contract COVID-19. Therefore, while our family was
already healthy and free of comorbidities, we decided to take precautions by
preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally. We focused on several key
factors:
Consuming Nutrient-Dense Foods: We already consumed nutrient-dense,
organic meals on a daily basis, so we simply continued that practice. We also
continued to abstain from eating foods that tend to be inflammatory, such as
refined sugar and dairy.
Supplementing When Needed: Roughly twice a week, we supplemented our
diets with vitamin C, B vitamins, and a multi-vitamin and mineral.
Reducing Stress: We added more rest into our daily lives by removing any
unnecessary tasks or appointments from our schedule. Additionally, we added more
laughter and play on a daily basis by doing things such as telling jokes at
breakfast, playing board games in the afternoon, and chasing our children in the
yard while playing a youthful game of tag.
Increasing Microbial Diversity: We consumed extra helpings of probiotics
in the form of fermented foods and raw vegetables grown organically -- or
regeneratively, when possible. We also increased our intake of raw prebiotics,
which are food for probiotics. Our favorite prebiotics include celery, onion,
and jicama.
Moving Our Bodies: From yoga to walking to Pilates, every day, we moved
our bodies with intention in order to nourish our joints and stimulate our
lymphatic systems to assist in the removal of toxins.
Practicing Gratitude: We already practiced gratitude daily, so we
continued that practice. For example, before every meal, we each express
gratitude for three things.
I believe our pre-COVID preparation plan was critical for our full recovery.
Yet, this essential time period is often ignored by mainstream and social media,
as well as health care practitioners. In our experience, following our pre-COVID
preparation plan not only helped our bodies build resilience, but it boosted our
mental health as well. Instead of taking a passive role and allowing fear to
take over, we took charge and focused on something positive. We didn’t realize
it at the time, but our “can do” perception would ultimately be the most
critical factor in our healing journey once we contracted COVID-19.
Sick From COVID
My two boys were the first in our
family to present with symptoms, followed by myself and then my husband. In each
case, the first symptom was extreme fatigue, which appeared suddenly and knocked
us off of our feet. Aside from fatigue, each member of our family experienced a
different combination of symptoms and required different remedies. Therefore,
I’ve divided this section accordingly.
My Boys, Ages 11 and 7
Both of my boys presented with
minimal symptoms, namely fatigue and fever. We diligently tracked the fevers,
but we didn’t suppress them. Instead, we assisted their bodies in the
detoxification process, which is the intended purpose of a fever. We made sure
that they remained hydrated and eased their discomfort by applying cold rags to
the forehead and neck while also providing emotional support through soothing
words and physical touch, such as holding them and rocking them in our arms.
The fevers persisted for a few hours, leaving fatigue as the only remaining
symptom. After resting for roughly a week, while consuming nutrient-dense meals
and supplementing daily with vitamin C, both of my boys fully recovered.
My 10-Month-Old Daughter
Fortunately, my daughter didn’t
present with any symptoms of a viral infection. I did supplement her diet with
organic acerola powder to increase her vitamin C intake, but otherwise, I made
no changes to her daily routine or lifestyle.
My Husband and Myself
Our first symptom, fatigue, was
more extreme than what our children experienced. One moment, we felt great, and
the next moment, it felt as though all of our energy had instantly drained from
our bodies. Even keeping our eyes open was exhausting. All we could do initially
was lie on the floor.
Consequently, we immediately began following the “COVID-19 Healing Protocol”
that I had prepared in the event that we contracted the virus. There were also a
couple of things not on the protocol that our bodies seemed to particularly
crave:
Supplements: We consumed a supplemental form of vitamin C, vitamin D, B
vitamins, zinc, and turmeric each day, along with herbal supplements, including
black elderberry extract, Echinacea purpurea extract, Astragalus membranaceus
root extract, Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, and Myrciaria dubia.
Essential Oils: Certain essential oils have also been shown to assist
with COVID-19 infections. Consequently, each day, I rubbed diluted melaleuca
essential oil on our lymph nodes. I also rubbed diluted peppermint essential oil
under our noses to help clear the sinuses. We also utilized nasal rinses with
salt water for congestion when needed.
Nutrient-dense Foods: At every meal, we consumed nutrient-dense, organic
food. We were too fatigued to cook, but fortunately, we keep a supply of
homemade, organic meals in the freezer. Therefore, I simply reheated those
meals.
Salt: Interestingly, we both craved salt -- a lot of salt. This wasn’t
part of the plan. We already liberally salt our food. However, our bodies wanted
more. In fact, if I added those large quantities of salt to our food today, I
don’t think we could eat it.
Onions: Also of interest was my body’s craving for onions. I love onions.
However, my body wanted at least one large onion every day -- usually raw.
Interestingly, after I was healed, I discovered that onions have been proposed
by some scientists as a possible early treatment for COVID-19 due to their
anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiviral effects.
Herbal Tea: I drank various organic, herbal teas, depending on what my
body needed at a given moment. The most helpful teas were dandelion root,
burdock root, stinging nettle leaf, and lemon.
Fluid: We drank at least 70 ounces of clean, structured water each day.
Rest: We quickly learned that the fatigue came in cycles. I experienced
extreme fatigue for the first three days, which was followed by one day of
feeling better. Then the fatigue settled in again.
There were a total of three fatigue cycles for each of us. Fortunately, my
husband was two days behind me in terms of the cycles, so we were able to trade
off with “baby duties.” On the days where all I could do was lay down, he tended
to the baby and vice versa.
We also made sure not to overextend ourselves, even when we began to feel
better, because you didn’t know if another cycle of fatigue would begin the next
day. So, we conserved our energy by only doing the bare essentials, such as
taking care of the kids and reheating food. Tasks such as cleaning the house and
mowing the yard were put on the back-burner.
Movement: We realized by day two that moving our bodies was important. We needed
to find a balance between rest and movement, because our bodies were aching from
the infection as well as from immobility. It was difficult to find that balance,
because each time we started to feel like we had energy and we began to move
around, the energy quickly drained. Consequently, instead of “work-out
partners,” my husband and I became “movement partners.”
We began by encouraging each other to walk around the house, which quickly
progressed to walking up and down the driveway. We both discovered that once we
overcame the initial hump of fatigue and pain associated with the initiation of
walking, movement was a key component of our recovery. Every time we began our
walk, within roughly three to five minutes, the pain subsided and our energy
improved. Therefore, even though we didn’t want to move our bodies on most days,
we gently added movement to our daily healing protocol.
Additional Measures
Using the above protocol, I
recovered by 90 percent in roughly two weeks. I was back to my daily routine and
only suffered from periodic episodes of decreased energy and mild brain fog --
both symptoms of long COVID. So, what was the final missing piece of the puzzle?
What helped me achieve the remaining 10 percent of recovery so that I could be
fully healed and not be a “long-hauler?” Fasting.
I fasted on water for 24 hours, and everything changed. I felt amazing! My mind
was razor-sharp, and my energy level was through the roof! Since that fast, I’ve
had no symptoms or residual effects from COVID-19 -- and it’s been five months.
Interestingly, some scientists have recently begun supporting fasting for the
possible prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
My husband, on the other hand, required additional interventions beyond my
original protocol. As expected, he was affected the most by COVID-19, presumably
because he has a genetic susceptibility to respiratory infections. He developed
a deep cough, as well as fluid in his lungs. For roughly two days, the cough was
so deep that he nearly vomited. Since COVID-19 infections can turn into serious
conditions quickly, I tracked his cough diligently and, at one point, decided
that if the cough hadn’t improved within 24 hours, I would insist that my
husband go to the hospital. To address the cough, we added two key steps to his
healing protocol:
Natural Medicines: Three times per day, he breathed in natural medicines.
I sliced red onions, placed them in a pot with filtered water, and brought them
to a low boil. Then, I added two drops of melaleuca essential oil. Next, with a
towel over his head, my husband leaned over the pot and breathed in the steam as
deeply as possible for three to five minutes.
Garlic: Every night and two to three times throughout each day, we
applied garlic to the bottom of his feet. Specific compounds in garlic have been
shown scientifically to help fight COVID-19 by preventing the virus from
entering your cells and activating antioxidant pathways to help your body fight
the infection.
According to the American Chemical Society, one of the primary healing compounds
in garlic can penetrate your skin, enter your bloodstream, and travel to various
parts of your body, including your mouth, lungs, and nose. Consequently, I
sliced garlic cloves in half, rubbed the cloves with olive oil, and taped them
to the bottom of my husbands’ feet. That might sound unusual, but it was
ultimately the most effective treatment for his persistent, deep cough.
He never lay flat during the day. When he needed to rest, we made sure that he
was propped up using pillows. Additionally, he continued to move his body even
when the cough was serious.
Fortunately, by adding these additional steps, the cough became productive, his
lungs cleared, and his condition improved quickly. Like me, my husband recovered
in roughly 2 1/2 weeks, and he has experienced no long-hauler symptoms.
Post-COVID
As I reflect on my family’s
healing journey from COVID-19, I’m convinced that while our protocol was
effective, it was missing a critical piece of the healing puzzle: perception.
On day three of our healing journey, my husband and I realized that we were
unknowingly holding onto the fear of COVID-19. After seeing footage from China
and hearing numerous devastating stories on the news, we were afraid. What if we
were among the people who seemed “healthy” but died anyway? What if months
passed and we were still sick? At times during the sickness, we began to
mentally spiral down the abyss of worry.
However, we knew that holding onto fear could keep us sick. Consequently, we
made a pact. We decided to change our perception from fear to gratitude. We told
our minds and our bodies that the infection was no more serious than the common
cold and that we were completely equipped to beat it. We told ourselves that we
would fully heal. And, with that shift in perception, the fear was released,
which made room for gratitude.
We became grateful that we had contracted COVID-19. In fact, every day, our
family spoke words of gratitude for being sick and gratitude for the ability of
our bodies to fully heal. That might sound odd, but until we became sick, we
didn’t realize how tightly we held onto the fear of “what if.” However, now we
could finally release that fear and experience the mental freedom we had known
before the pandemic. We no longer had to worry about if or when we would
contract COVID-19 or if we would become a statistic. We had the virus, and we
would beat it.
In that moment of release, a weight was lifted from our bodies. I felt as
though, for the first time in nearly a year and a half, I could finally take a
deep breath. We were all going to be OK; we were safe. Roughly two weeks later,
that belief became our reality.
It’s now been five months, and we never worry about COVID-19. It’s in the past.
We kicked COVID’s butt and never looked back!
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