COVID-19 Update: Supplements to Suppress Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Before Late-Stage Severe Coronavirus Infection

Patients with severe COVID-19 infection can develop fatal lung damage from a cytokine storm, a marked increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-1 beta (ILB1), Interleukin-6 (IL6), Interleukin-8 (IL8) and other cytokines.

The following supplements can help to suppress the multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause severe lung damage (ARDS) in patients with COVID-19 infection caused by coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2.

NOTE: Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry):

There is evidence that elderberry inhibits replication and viral attachment of Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), different than COVID-19, but a member of the coronavirus family. Sambucus appears most effective in the prevention or early stage of coronavirus infections. Sambucus significantly increases inflammatory cytokines, including IL-B1 so it should be discontinued with symptoms of infection (or a positive test) despite its ability to decrease TNF-alpha.

*See also “Will Elderberry Induce a Cytokine Storm?”

IL8 inhibitors: Cordyceps, ECGC (from green tea), Isatis spp, NAC, Polygonum cuspidatum

IL 8 (aka CXCL8): produced by macrophages and epithelial cells, airway smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Induces the migration of neutrophils.

IL Beta-1: produced by activated macrophages. Stimulates cell proliferation differentiation and apoptosis. Upregulates COX2 in CNS

IL Beta-1 Inhibitors: Cordyceps, Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed), Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage), Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap).

IL 6: crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and stimulates the production of PGE2 in the hypothalamus altering the body’s temperature regulation process. Affects pituitary/adrenal/hypothalamus axis. It can cause damage to neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system. Common in Alzheimer’s, MS, depression, lupus, cognitive decline, progressive hearing loss, decreased hippocampal function, seizures, and stroke.

Il 6 inhibitors: Andrographis paniculata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Scutellaria baicalensis, Isatis spp

TNF-alpha produced by macrophages, lymphocytes, NK cells, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, and neurons. TNF-alpha tends to be elevated in Alzheimer’s, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. It is synergistic with IL 1 and IL 6, with similar effects on the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis (HPA axis), temperature regulation, appetite, liver function, and insulin resistance. It causes heat, swelling, pain, and redness.

TNF-alpha Inhibitors: Andrographis, Cannabis, Cordyceps, Eupatorium, Houttuynia, Sambucus, Scutellaria, Salvia, Zingiber off. (ginger)

NLRP3 inflammasome Inhibitors: Melatonin

Dr. Myriah Hinchey
Tao Vitality
Hebron CT

IL8 Inhibitor Supplements:

• Cordyceps
• ECGC (from green tea)
• Isatis Spp BACKORDERED – available at our office
• NAC
• Polygonum Cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed)

IL Beta Inhibitor Supplements:

• Eupatorium Perfoliatum (Boneset)
• Polygonum Cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed)
• Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Red Sage) BACKORDERED– available at our office
• Scutellaria Baicalensis (Skullcap)

IL 6 Inhibitor Supplements:

• Andrographis Paniculate
• Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Red Sage) BACKORDERED– available at our office
• Scutellaria Baicalensis (Skullcap)
• Isatis Spp BACKORDERED – available at our office

TNF-alpha Inhibitor Supplements:

• Andrographis Paniculate
• Cannabis
• Cordyceps
• Eupatorium Perfoliatum (Boneset)
• Houttuynia
• Sambucus (Elderberry)
• Scutellaria Baicalensis(Skullcap)
• Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Red Sage) BACKORDERED– available at our office
• Zingiber officinale (ginger)

NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitor Supplements:

• Melatonin

Optimal Immune Function Supplements:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D3