Natural Remedies for Adult Mono: Relief and Recovery

| Modified on Jul 31, 2024
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Mononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). While commonly associated with younger individuals, it can also affect adults. Symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. There is no direct cure for mono, but natural remedies can help alleviate symptoms and support recovery.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The fatty acids in coconut oil convert into monolaurin in the body, which may help fight the EBV virus.

Usage: Take 1-3 teaspoons of virgin or cold-pressed coconut oil daily. Start with a smaller amount to see how your body reacts. It can also be applied topically on the neck for sore throat relief.

Echinacea

Echinacea boosts the immune system and can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms.

Usage: Take echinacea in capsules, tinctures, or tea. Follow dosage recommendations and consult a healthcare provider if used long-term.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for immune function and has antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation.

Usage: Start with 500 mg of vitamin C and gradually increase to up to 2000 mg per day, divided into several doses. Consult with a healthcare provider for the appropriate dosage.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural antiviral agent. It contains allicin, which has immune-boosting effects.

Usage: Add fresh garlic to meals or take supplements. Crush or chop garlic and let it sit for a few minutes before consuming to activate its beneficial compounds.

Rest and Hydration

Rest and hydration are crucial for recovery. Adequate sleep and fluid intake help the body heal and maintain essential functions.

Usage: Ensure plenty of rest and drink water, herbal teas, and broths to stay hydrated.

Precautions

Always consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements, especially if you have health conditions or take other medications.

Conclusion

Natural remedies like coconut oil, echinacea, vitamin C, and garlic, combined with rest and hydration, can help manage mono symptoms in adults. Always seek professional medical advice to ensure safe and effective use of these remedies. Continue reading for feedback from our readers on how they treated adult mono and please let us know what helped you!

Related Links:

Natural Remedies for Mono: Effective Treatments


6 User Reviews


Posted by Katie (Wisconsin) on 07/15/2018
★★★★★

**If you take prescription sleep medication, please read***

A female relative of mine was feeling non-stop exhaustion and had experienced mono (for the first time) the year prior. The doctor believed she was experiencing mono again, possibly as a flare-up brought on by stress. She accepted it but then remembered something: she'd recently upped her RX sleep prescription dosage, from 5 mg per night to 10 mg. She did this on her own, without a doctor's RX... she didn't think it was a big deal. She did it because she was so exhausted all the time and thought a better/deeper sleep could be achieved with a higher dosage.

After much research online, she learned that higher doses- especially without a doctor's advice or monitoring - is highly dangerous as the drug can linger in your system the following day and cause this exhaustion. Even to the point of making driving in the morning very dangerous. This is especially true in women or men with low testosterone. So much so that the FDA lowered the recommended dose of this particular RX drug to 5 mg per dose recently for women. It's higher for men.

She felt better IMMEDIATELY after starting to lower her dosage... she said she feels like her old self again. She is in the midst of gradually reducing her dosage and hopes to come off it entirely.


Adult Mono Remedies
Posted by Mary (Phoenix, Az) on 07/04/2015

I was diagnosed with mono 2 weeks ago but have been sick for over a month. I have incredible heat that swells up inside of me and then breaks and I sweat severely. When this happens my heart races and it keeps me full of anxiety and unable to sleep. I am also very weak and tired. Has anyone else had these strange symptoms?? I have been taking coconut oil and it has helped some, but I am at my wit's end. I am 54 and I thought mono was a teenager's illness. Any suggestions from anyone out there??

Replied by Bj
(Michigan, Usa)
07/05/2015
★★★★★

Mary (Phoenix, AZ), having had mono three times in my life, as a preteen, as a teenager, and as an adult in my 40's I can attest that having it as an adult is in some ways is more difficult.

I was not healing as I should have from the third adult round of Mono. My liver studies were not great and my spleen stayed swollen, far too long. My conventional medical staff gave me one more week then we would have to talk about having my spleen out. That was not going to happen, so I searched the internet (which was in still pretty young at the time) and found numerous places that espoused Milk Thistle and dandelion (leaves and roots). The dandelion was easy but as I had no Milk Thistle growing in my area I went to the health food store and purchased capsules. I took the capsules three times a day for the rest of the week and made a tea of the dandelions found in my yard, and drank that once a day for a few days. I had more liver studies done and went to the next appointment the following week; all number were in the normal range. The Nurse Practitioner was speechless, she expected at 'best' that they may have been a little lower, but not 'normal'. She asked if I had done things differently, I told her, and she just looked a me in pity for my foolish thinking. It still took some time to recover my normal strength and I took care of myself, but was able to go back to work.

Replied by Mary
(Phoenix, Az)
07/05/2015

Thank you for your reply. I am trying anything that will work. I bought some dandelion tea and will add milk thistle to my regime. I had no idea mono was so debilitating. I am curious how did you know your spleen was swollen? I have a little discomfort in that area but don't know for sure if that is what it is. Curious also how long in total it took you to get well. I know we are all different and heal at different paces, but this is just no fun at all.

Replied by Al Hudson
(Homestead, Fl.)
07/06/2015
★★★★★

Monolaurin worked quickly on my daughter in college...4 days. Have sent her to school with a 90 count bottle each semester and she has passed it on as needed. It is a refined ester of coconut oil and safe for all.

Replied by Timh
(Ky)
07/07/2015
2048 posts

M: Any Liver disease causes immune suppression so anything to help in that area is a good start, but there are many other factors that cause immune dysfunction. So, just take one step at a time. Back to Liver. It is important to note any prescription or OTC pharma meds (like acetaminophen or statins) that might be causing toxicity.

There is also chronic nutritional deficiencies that can cause immune suppression, particularly Vit-A/Zinc/Copper. Start taking 50mg Zinc with 2-3mg Copper and 5,000iu Vit-A away from any fiber foods once daily. Raw Bovine Thymus Glandular plus placing a refrigerator magnet over the Thymus gland for about 1hr per day will also help. These two immune boosting remedies should show both immediate and long-term improvement.

If all-the-above is insufficient, whole body detox & cleansing will be needed.

Replied by Mary
(Phoenix, Az)
07/07/2015

Thank you for the info. I will try these vitamins. I'm wondering where my thymus gland is and is any kind of magnet going to work?

Replied by Anon
(Usa)
07/07/2015

Research large doses of vitamin C for mono.

Replied by Timh
(Ky)
07/08/2015
2048 posts

M: Yes, any magnet will work. The rule-of-thumb is the stronger the magnet the less time needed for therapy. I use a strong music speaker magnet about 1-2 minutes about once per wk. I forgot to mention also for immune boosting is "Thymus Tapping" These two therapies plus the Bovine Thymus Glandular will very much boost immunity.

Here is a link on the subject, and do let us know of your improvements.

http://www.20somethingallergies.com/boost-immune-system-thump-thymus/

Replied by Claire
(New York)
10/09/2015

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. You're post struck me because it sounds exactly like my symptoms. I'm 29 and was diagnosed with a different virus last summer, then this June I was diagnosed with mono and slight lymes. It's been almost 5 months and I still feel tired and weak all the time... I get sore throats all the time, I feel over heated sometimes and sweat a lot. I get random day sicknesses that feel like the flu...it's awful. I've been to a few specialists and my doctor many times and all they do is blood work and tell me it's getting better. I've been taking vitamins and I'm going to try some of these home remedies Bc I don't know what else to do! You're not alone! It's beyond frustrating not feeling like yourself for so long! Let me know if anything else works for you...

Replied by Mary
(Phoenix, Az)
10/09/2015
★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar and monolauren helped me a lot. I have been able to return to work, but I still have lingering achy joints, and some overheating. I'm curious what virus you were diagnosed with originally? I almost feel like I had something else that pulled my immune system down & then I got mono. I still have to be careful and I take lots of vitamins and of course say my prayers. Let me know what has worked for you also. Thanks!!

Replied by Kelly
(Washington)
11/12/2015

I too thought mono was a kid/teen virus. Nope. 32 and have never been so sick in my life. Nice to know I'm not alone and there are natural ways to help with symptoms. I've had a high fever for 4 days, z care twice, ER once and still am waiting for a confirmed diagnosis....got a most likely diagnosis with treatment of rest and pain killers. Wish docs could partner with naturopaths so patients don't leave feeling helpless when western medicine fails.

Thank goodness for coconut oil...took my first dose tonight and will be trying the other suggested remedies as well. Thank you all!

Replied by Alan Hudson
(Homestead, Fl.)
11/13/2015
★★★★★

Kelly, would like to suggest the use of Monolaurin for mono...it is an mono-ester of coconut oil that will give you higher concentrations to beat the virus...which is known to come back stronger the second time if not finished off.

Replied by Nechama
(Toronto, On)
12/06/2015

Hi Mary, I have the same exact symptoms! I heat up and feel like I'm going to faint. It's so scary. Just like you described. Do you still have mono?? I hope not. If you're all better, do you attribute it to something in specific?

Replied by Mary
(Phoenix, Az)
12/09/2015
★★★★★

Hi Nechama, Yes I finally recovered!! It was a horrible thing to go through. Those heat attacks are the worst. Hang in there. I prayed a lot!! I took loads of cocnut oil, monolauren, a liver cleanse capsule with milk thistle daily, dandelion tea, a good multiple, and vitamin C. I still take my vitamins, but rest is important also. I had to get a sleeping pill from my doctor because I had so much anxiety I couldn't sleep at night. It was a nightmare. It was 4 - 5 months in total. Hopefully yours won't be as bad or last as long. Apple cider vinegar tea is also good. A tablespoon in hot water with honey every day is good for the immune system. Let me know how you're doing. Best to you!

Replied by Mike
(Ohio)
07/20/2016

Yes, I have had all of that, the heat buildup is from a panic attack which I've given myself several... the best thing to do is to stay away from the symptom checkers because all they do is make ya paranoid. Mono is a SOB and requires a stress free period of rest!