Medicine and Covid-19

The following excerpt is from the intro for “2020”, a small book I spontaniously penned down during the first shut down, and #7 of the series MINUTES, available at epubli.de. The following text is Chapter #11 of this book.

“Suddenly the world stood still. Weeks of silence followed.

Time to tidy up and tend to unfinished projects. Time to start new projects.

Unexpectedly a dry, sun-spoiled April was next. After the horror of the winter, which just passed we leave the fresh pasture grass to the horses. Even if this decision may endanger hay making for the upcoming winter.

But, what the heck, nobody knows what will happen.

Will anything ever be like before? We will see! And yet, — food supply chains are holding, internet and fresh water supply work, the country is quiet! Finally!

What else can one ask for!”

M e d i c i n e & C o v i d -1 9

1. Ibuprofen limits for a few hours the inflammation, which a healthy body generates, to protect itself from pathogens. It takes away pain. And it reduces fever. Ibuprofen hence does not heal. It provides comfort, while inhibiting natural defences. The question arises, why in the last 50 years, agents such as Ibuprofen have been used increasingly? And, have they helped? Studies indicate that Ibuprofen, like chemical and pharmaceutical products in general, not only cause environmental stress. They promote autoimmune responses.

2. Autoimmune responses are the body’s misdirected action not to fight pathogens but to attacks itself. How and why do these false reactions occur? Why is their tendency rising? In normal situations the body’s innate immune system recognises a pathogen, produces antibodies and destroys the enemy. If it succeeds not, a slower, highly specialised, so called acquired immune system activates. Its success, however, depends on proper enemy recognition.

3. Increasingly acquired immune systems are unable to recognise the enemy because deceptive strategies come into play. They are triggered by environmental toxins on pathogen surfaces. Using tricks in nanometer scale, they fool the body, causing antibodies to turn into health-threatening autoantibodies, which in turn inflict devastating damages to the body. The term ‘antigen’ for these pathogen coating substances is misleading. They have nothing to do with ‘genes’. The term gene here derives from generating. Antigens generate attacks of the body against its own cells. To repeat, mentioned toxins are introduced to the body on the surface of intruding pathogens. They seem to act on the nervous system.

4. Progressively such antigenic substances are detected in perfectly healthy people. There they act as so-called ‘primers’ for future autoimmune reactions. Experts hence now warn of an imminent autoimmune pandemic. In other words, the Covid -19 pandemic is not the only problem mankind faces. Climate change and global warming, threatening autoimmune pandemics and the current corona crisis can be traced back to environmental toxins and the destruction of natural habitats. The occurrence of new viruses and an increase in autoimmune reactions therefore are likely.

5. Ibuprofen is a drug approved by the World Health Organisation under the code number MO1AE0. It is manufactured from acid derivatives in six chemical plants in China, India and the U.S.A. Cheap and available without prescription in pharmacies and online worldwide. Since its approval in 1970, the use of Ibuprofen has risen steadily. However, in course of the 2020 pandemic, its use now is discouraged. Side effects occur mainly in the digestive system, in the blood and on the skin.

6. Ibuprofen was developed in 1960s England by the Boots Pure Drug Company Ltd. for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. It is produced from substances, which also provide a base for pesticides and many other chemical products such as synthetic textiles, rubbers, plastic materials, cosmetics, perfumes and materials present in man’s day-to-day. Ibuprofen is a legally approved product of the pharmaceutical industry.

7. The medicinal plant Echinacea (lat. echinacea purpurea), or red coneflower, originated in North America. This easy to care for and profoundly blooming perennial (equipped with a vertical post and numerous secondary roots) — whose flowers rise about 50 cm above the green foliage — loves compost rich soil and calm, sunny and warm places. It is easily multiplied by dividing the root. In the summer its red coneflowers are a feast for the eyes, as such found in many gardens and parks. It is a fright to snails.

8. Echinacea is an ancient herbal medicine. Depending on intended use, flowers, leaves and/or roots of three Echinacea variants are administered. The plant stimulates the immune system and is primarily effective against bacteria in the throat and pharynx in cases of flu-like effects. It is also helps to heal wounds and illnesses of the urinary tract, not the least because — in addition to fighting bacterial pathogens it enables the body to combat diseases caused by viruses and fungi. Echinacea hence is a classical healing agent, which is characterised primarily by a strengthening of the immune system. Best results are achieved by immediate application at on-set of a disease, and — if necessary — in high doses. Echinacea, in other words, is particularly suitable for acute disease states. Allergies are mentioned as possible side effects.

9. As with Ibuprofen, the use of Echinacea is not recommended for autoimmune patients, despite the fact that the National Institute of Medical Herbalists reports of successful treatments with Echinacea for bronchitis and blood poisoning; often most promising in combination with natural remedies such as Aconitum and Bryonia. So, what is the connection here? Why is the use not only of Ibuprofen, but also of Echinacea not recommended for Covid -19 patients? Is there a good reason for it?

10. In the course of rising autoimmune reactions, the so called cytokine storm was understood only as late as 1993. It is a sudden, violent release of a great number of messenger substances, which trigger a run-away inflammatory reaction in the body, comparable to shooting sparrows with cannons. Such storms occur in people with disorders of the acquired immune system. They are not the typical increased immune reaction of a patient marked by autoimmunity, but the chaotic reaction of a failing immune system.

11. The question, which of the two agents — Ibuprofen or Echinacea — is more promising in fighting Covid -19, therefore has three answers. Ibuprofen — due to its chemical composition can only weaken a patient. It bears the risk of triggering a cytokine storm. Echinacea, at least in the early stages, bears at least the chance of a cure because it can put the immune system back on its feet. In the final stages of a severe disease, and when a cytokine storm occurs both drugs are ineffective.

12. The question is this. Where as humanity do we want to go? Continue artificial substances or return to natural materials?