We are not medical professionals, information given here is based on Long Covid Advocacy Ireland members experiences as patients. You should always check with your doctor before starting any new supplement. It is also advisable to start one supplement at a time to be able to track side effects etc.

Some supplements are not advised for children.

Some supplements interact with medications. Check online for interactions or ask your pharmacist/doctor.

We have only included supplements for which there is SOME evidence of efficacy. Always research a supplement fully to be informed of any potential harms

Sleep issues

Magnesium

Some sleep experts suggest magnesium supplementation alone can resolve insomnia for many people, so might be worth trying first. However since sleep issues with Long Covid are quite severe, this often will not be sufficient for many patients. Magnesium comes in different forms, research the various forms, some can cause a laxative effect. Best to start at reduced dose and work up to recommended dose.

Note: There are many different forms of magnesium – magnesium citrate, oxide, glycinate, malate etc. Each one has slightly different benefits. One recommended commonly within the long covid community is Magnesium L-threonate, which may benefit brain fog.

Melatonin (prescription only in UK and Ireland)

Important: In Ireland melatonin comes in slow release form, in capsules and in a liquid form. Many patients report they find the slow release form does not work well. Slow release tablets are round circular ones, whereas the non slow release version comes in capsules and liquid. If you aren’t finding melatonin helpful check first if you are taking the slow release tablet. The tablets and capsules come in 1mg and 2mg. The benefit of the liquid is that you can start on as low a dose as 0.5mg/0.5mls and see if that is effective.

Finding as low a dose  as possible whilst being sufficiently effected will be ideal, because some people can experience grogginess the following morning.

The effective dose of melatonin varies hugely from person to person. In many people melatonin can work very well for a while and then the effect can wear off. If this happens, you can increase your melatonin dose (another reason why starting at lower doses is beneficial). When a higher dose of 2/3mg (or whatever dose your doctor feels comfortable with you going to), wears off, it is then recommended to take a break for at least a number of weeks if not longer. During that time, you may experience rebound insomnia particularly for the first few nights, so before taking your break, it may be useful to reduce your dose for a few days, rather than stopping it immediately. During your break, you could try some of the other supplements.

Melissa/Lemonbalm

As far as we are aware, the only way to purchase lemonbalm in Ireland is through a product called Melissa Dream (yellow box, sold in all pharmacies). It is extremely expensive in terms of how many doses it contains. Finding a reputable online supplement company and searching for lemonbalm in its pure form (comes in capsules) is more cost effective. Lemonbalm can be extremely effective for sleep. Note combining melatonin and lemonbalm is safe, they often act very well together

Gaba (may find it difficult to obtain in Ireland stores, can be shipped online)

Chamomile (for anyone who dislikes the tea, chamomile comes in capsules and drops , though may have to ship from US, easier to control the dose in these forms, the dosage in tea is often not displayed on the box).

Passionflower (may find it difficult to find in Ireland stores, can be shipped online)

Hops  (may find it difficult to find in Ireland stores, can be shipped online)

L-theanine  – an amino acid commonly found in green tea. Can take via green tea or can purchase as a supplement online

Valerian (not recommended for children) (available quite widely in pharmacies and health food stores, in drop form usually)

Glycine – an amino acid, may have to ship online

Lysine  – an amino acid, also known as l-lysine, can be purchased in some health food stores in Ireland

Some doctors prescribe ‘sleepy’ antihistamines for sleep issues on a short term basis, like piriton or phenergen. It is NOT advisable to use sleepy antihistamines in this way unless under the instruction of a doctor

Nytol is a product available OTC for sleep, it is also NOT advisable to use it long term/for more than a few nights, as per the box

CBD oil – some people find CBD oil useful for sleep. Note: the efficacy of CBD oil is thought to vary widely across products, therefore it is important to research suppliers.

Anxiety/Stress (for items also used for sleep, may need to reduce dose for day time use)

Valerian (not for children!)

Melissa/Lemonbalm (see notes above)

Gaba

Passionflower

Chamomile

Hops

Lavender capsules (these are made to be consumed, NEVER CONSUME LAVENDER OIL)

CBD (now available in gummies)

Low mood/Depression

Vitamin D
Rhodiola
Vitamin B12
Probiotics – There is some evidence that probiotic use may help with depression The strains Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum have been specified.

Gastro issues

DGL (this is liquorice root in a form safe for longer term use) – for gastritis and IBS type symptoms

Slippery Elm (gastritis, heartburn, acid reflux) – may only find online

Ginger root capsules (beware can also add to gastro issues if overused)

Probiotics (many doctors in the Long Covid community are recommending probiotic use daily for LC patients)

Aloe Vera (liquid or capsules) for constipation

Dandelion root for constipation (also used for fluid retention)

Marshmallow root (gastritis, reflux) – may only find online

Magnesium citrate for constipation

Zinc-carnosine – may help heal gastric lining (many patients during or after Covid can be effected by gastritis).

Probiotics – There is now some evidence that shows that probiotics may help with stomach pain linked to IBS type symptoms. Many people believe people with Long Covid have insufficient gut flora, and that probiotics would therefore benefit them.

Lactoferrin – may help regulate good bacteria in the gut (may also benefit the immune system).It is thought to also regulate the absorption of iron in the intestines, some LC patients report low iron store (ferritin levels). It has been observed in other patients with post acute viral illnesses, that there may be difficult absorbing nutrients particularly iron from their food.

Infections

If you suspect an infection ALWAYS contact your doctor, do not attempt to treat infections with natural methods alone, antibiotics etc may be required. Some people find that taking some of the below can help clear the infection faster when used alongside medications as appropriate.

Oregano oil in drop or capsule form (extremely good for throat infections) – take with food

Garlic capsules (can get odour free)

Caprylic acid (particularly for candida/thrush infections)

Cinnamon -candida/thrush

Cranberry capsules (not juice, cranberry juice does not have enough actual cranberries in it to be useful and is high in sugar)

High dose Vitamin C (eg 1000mg)

Most vitamin C comes in the form of ascorbic acid. However, some people can find this form hard on the stomach. There is also a form of this called Liposomal vitamin C  or L-Ascorbic Acid which is supposed to be more absorbable.

It may be recommended to use magnesium ascorbate, because it is a non-acidic buffered form of Vitamin C and a source of the essential mineral Magnesium. It is a natural neutral salt that has significantly higher gastrointestinal tolerance as they are less irritating and provide for better absorption of both vitamin C and the magnesium.

Brain Fog

CQ10

Vitamin D (it is now recommended that ALL adults and children in Ireland be on Vitamin D, this is even more important now since the pandemic. Research indicates that people with low vitamin D levels may be more likely to have a more severe Covid infection. Therefore it is particularly advisable for LC patients who are concerned about re-infection

Allergies

Quercetin with Bromelain (most of the time it comes with this, as bromelain is needed for absorption)

Chamomile

Low Energy

Quercetin

Revive/Revive active (you many or many not find this worth the high price tag but some people have good experiences), its just a handy collection of various supplements that you can buy individually)

Migraine

Feverfew (research re potential side effects)

PMS/PMDD

Agnus castus/Chasteberry (research re potential side effects)

Calcium

Fish Oil

Inflammation

Vitamin D – some research indicates vitamin D has an anti inflammatory effect

Cinnamon (available in tablets to achieve higher levels)

Turmeric (available in capsules to achieve higher levels)

Omega 3 – Recommended to try to use a 2:1 ratio of EPA to DHA. There are a lot of brands producing Omega 3 fish oils. Prices vary widely and some patients believe that higher cost products are higher in quality and therefore more beneficial

Lactoferrin – may have anti-inflammatory properties

Sea Buckthorn – comes in an oil.  (may be useful also for psoriasis which some Long Covid patients report as being triggered by their Covid infection)

Lion’s Mane mushroom extract – some animal studies have shown this to reduce inflammatory markers. Note, concern about slowing blood clotting 

NAC – whilst there is not a large amount of research on NAC, it is commonly being suggested for Long Covid patients, it is an antioxidant that may help to reduce inflammation in the body

Pine Needle Tea – some initial research has shown pine needle tea to have anti -inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Some people believe it may help with fatigue