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A naturopathic treatment approach for mild and moderate COVID-19: A retrospective chart review
Melissa S Barber1, Richard Barrett1, Ryan D Bradley1
1National University of Natural Medicine, Helfgott Research Institute, 2220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR, United States.
Insights
This study explored a naturopathic treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 using supplements and herbs. The approach was well-tolerated, with symptom resolution in most patients, suggesting potential clinical benefits.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Infectious Disease Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant global health issues.
- While vaccines are available, effective therapeutic options for COVID-19 remain crucial.
- Naturopathic medicine offers potential complementary treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a naturopathic treatment protocol for mild to moderate COVID-19.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of a multi-nutrient, herbal, and probiotic approach.
- To identify factors influencing illness duration in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 30 patients with mild/moderate COVID-19.
- Treatment included multi-nutrients, herbs, and probiotics in a primary care setting.
- Primary outcome: treatment safety; Secondary outcomes: symptom changes, progression, long COVID, recovery time.
Main Results:
- The naturopathic treatment was well-tolerated with no reported adverse events.
- All patients experienced symptom resolution; one hospitalization occurred after a prolonged illness.
- Delayed treatment and symptom severity correlated with longer illness duration.
Conclusions:
- A multi-nutrient, herbal, and probiotic strategy appears safe and potentially beneficial for mild/moderate COVID-19.
- Early intervention and fewer initial symptoms are linked to better outcomes.
- Further prospective trials are warranted to confirm the clinical utility of this naturopathic approach.
Objectives:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to significant morbidity and mortality. Although COVID-19 vaccination is available, therapeutic options are still needed. The goal of the present manuscript is to report on a treatment strategy used in a naturopathic medical practice for mild and moderate COVID-19.
Design:
A retrospective chart review was conducted of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with mild and moderate COVID-19 who were provided multi-nutrient, herbal, and probiotic treatment in a rural, out-patient, naturopathic primary care setting.
Main Outcomes Measures:
The primary outcome was treatment safety; secondary outcomes included changes in symptoms, progression to severe COVID-19, incidence of long COVID, and recovery time.
Results:
No side effects or adverse events were reported from treatment and all patients experienced resolution of symptoms presumed to be associated with COVID-19 infection. One patient who had been ill for 28 days prior to presentation was hospitalized. Five patients had an illness duration of more than one month. Time to treatment was correlated with duration of illness post-treatment (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) and more symptoms at presentation was correlated with a longer duration of illness (r = 0.52, p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
In this retrospective chart review, a multi-nutrient, herbal, and probiotic therapeutic approach for mild and moderate COVID-19 appeared to be well-tolerated. Delay in seeking treatment after symptom onset, as well as more symptoms at presentation, were correlated with a longer duration of illness. This treatment strategy may have clinical benefit, warranting prospective clinical trials with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
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