Abstract: This disclosure provides a technology for managing elevated cytokine levels and the risk of cytokine storm in viral infection, exemplified by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A special mixture of cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and cannabidivarin (CBDV) is extracted from the flowers and leaves of Cannabis sativa (industrial hemp). The purified oil is packed with a surfactant into small micelles, which considerably increases absorption by the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in higher potency and a more rapid onset of action. Daily treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 reduces the circulating level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF?) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) by 25 to 50% or more. The level of circulating markers of ongoing inflammation, such as C reactive protein (CRP) and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (EST) are also reduced.