By: Dr. Halina O'Neill
The Flu is an acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Seasonal influenza spreads easily, with rapid transmission in crowded areas as the virus is passed from person to person. Influenza spreads by inhaling tiny droplets containing the virus, which gets dispersed into the air when someone with the flu coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of the flu include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, runny nose, cough and stomachaches.
The flu can come on suddenly and stop you in your tracks; but fortunately, there are many homeopathic remedies that can help bring relief and shorten the duration of the flu. Recognizing and treating flu symptoms early on can spare you time and misery.
In choosing homeopathic remedies, a person should match their symptoms with those of their chosen remedy. Some of the more popular homeopathic remedies for the flu include:
(You can also use the flow chart for flu and colds at the end of this article to get a hint
in finding the appropriate remedy.)
Arsenicum album: Use this remedy if you are having symptoms of great prostration with extreme chilliness and have a thirst for frequent sips of warm drinks. The eyes and nose stream are watery and acrid discharges. The person feels irritable and anxious
Baptista: Use this remedy if you are having symptoms of gastric flu with vomiting and diarrhea. Comes on suddenly. Feels sore and bruised all over. Profuse perspiration with a high fever and extreme thirst. The person feels and looks dazed and sluggish.
Bryonia: Use this remedy if the flu comes on slowly. Aching pains in all the joints are worse for the slightest motion. A painful dry cough that makes the head hurt. Extreme thirst at infrequent intervals. The person feels intensely irritable and wants to be alone.
Eupatorium perfoliatum: Use this remedy if the pains are so severe it feels as if the bones are broken. The muscles ache and feel sore and bruised as well. A bursting headache with sore, aching eyeballs. The nose runs with much sneezing, and the chest feels sore and raw. The person usually feels thirsty for cold water even though it brings on violent chills in the small of the back.
Gelsemium: Use this remedy if the flu comes on slowly especially when the weather changes from cold to warm. The muscles feel weak and achy. There’s a great feeling of heaviness everywhere especially in the head, (which aches dully), limbs, eyelids, etc. No thirst at all. Fever alternative with chills and shivers that run up and down the spine. The person feels (and looks) apathetic, dull, and drowsy.
Nux vomica: Use this remedy if you are having symptoms of gastric flu with vomiting and diarrhea. The limbs and back ache a great deal. The nose runs during the day and is stopped up at night. Fever with chills and shivering especially after drinking. Very chilly and sensitive to the slightest draught of air or uncovering. The person feels extremely impatient and irritable.
Pyrogenium: Use this remedy if you are having symptoms of a serious flu with severe pains in the back and limbs and a terrible, bursting headache. The person feels beaten and bruised all over, as well as very restless, and feels better when beginning to move. Chills in the back and the limbs with a thumping heart.
Rhus toxicodendron: Use this remedy if you are having symptoms of the flu in cold, damp weather. Suffers from a constant cycle of the aches and stiffness in the joints easing after continuous movement, but then returning after restlessness settles in. Pains are relieved with warmth. The person feels anxious and weepy.
OTHER REMEDIES: At times non of the above remedies will be effective in the treatment of the flu. The new group of remedies effective for this specific flu season called “ genus epidemicus” will become quickly apparent and can be found at NCH Flu Tracker at www. Homeopathic.org.
The above listed homeopathic remedies can be found in Whole Foods, The Vitamin Store or in other natural food stores. The 30 C potency is recommended for general use. A dose of remedy consists of 3-5 pallets taken sublingually. Simply start with a dose each hour for 3 consecutive hours, and then take one dose 3x a day, (non-consecutively), until symptoms are 70-80% improved.
Don’t touch the pellets with your fingers. Just tap them into the cap of the vial and pop them in the mouth to melt. If there is no relief after three doses, then re-evaluate symptoms and remedy choice.
Do not use strong smelling creams, toothpaste, perfumes and lotion on the days you take the homeopathic remedies to prevent these products from anti-doting the remedy. Do not eat or drink, (except water), 10-15 minutes before taking the remedies and 10-15 minutes after.
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National Center for Homeopathy. The flu is back! Help us track it!. https://www.homeopathycenter.org/homeopathy-today/flu-back-help-us-track-it
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