Homeopathy

Homeopathic Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
By Cindy L. Griffin, DIHom., FBIH

Homeopathy can be a welcome alternative for self-care of coughs, colds, flu, and related problems such as sinusitis, earaches, etc. Its beauty is that it does not suppress symptoms, but truly heals the underlying causative factors. Hence, when you get symptom relief, it's not a matter of just holding them at bay, to have them return when the medicine "wears off". Homeopathy does not wear off; it works with the body's natural healing mechanisms to eliminate the problems!

The key to homeopathy, for any use, is the understanding that 'like treats like.' Symptoms brought on by a large amount of some chemical or substance can be eliminated when one takes a diluted, potentized, homeopathically prepared remedy made from that same substance. This system of dilution and succussion, called "potentization", has a wonderful benefit. Unlike certain herbs which could be toxic or produce illness, or chemical drugs which also are capable of creating new pathology (referred to as "side effects"), homeopathic remedies are not toxic and can produce no new pathological changes in the body. Now, if there is something in the body already that needs that remedy, it will resonate, and it will surface, but it does so as the result of the natural healing processes of the body

Homeopathic remedies for colds and flu must be matched, symptom by symptom, to find the best remedy for a problem. If this match is not close, then there is no response. However, once a close match is achieved, the results can often be dramatic. For instance, I was recently called by an opera singer who had total voice loss. She had two hours before the opera. A remedy was chosen based upon her symptoms, and she began taking it in water, every 15 minutes. By curtain, she was able to speak and sing well! Cold and flu season is a great place for homeopathy to shine. Follow the guidelines below for good health through the season!

For the earliest onset of a cold, flu, or fever, immediately begin taking Ferrum phosphoricum 6X or 12X, or 30C, in water, every 15 minutes until symptoms are gone. Also, another remedy for early onset is Aconitum napellum30C, especially if one has been exposed to cold weather or wind, or if there is fear, restlessness, sensitivity to light, thirst, and a watery nasal discharge, sneezing, headache. It can also be great early in croup. Use this remedy only in the first 24 hours of a cold. Also, though not homeopathic, zinc lozenges, dissolved in the mouth, are very effective against colds. Additionally, there are homeopathic nasal sprays now available that are zinc-based.

For later stages of colds and flu, failing stopping the cold dead in its tracks in this way, there are many good choices for treating once symptoms get a foothold. For upper respiratory colds, the following remedies are great to keep on hand, in either a 6X, 12 X, or 30C potency, which are all readily available at most health food stores: Aconitum napellus for colds with a sense of fear or dread; Allium cepa, for colds that resemble the response to peeling onions - burning, profuse discharge, red, watery, burning eyes; Arsenicum album is a good remedy for flu or colds where there is chilliness, exhaustion, and lethargy. There may even be some nausea. Pulsatilla is used for "ripe" colds, with creamy yellow discharges from nose, corners of eyes, or cough. There is often a keynote feature of whining, or wanting to be cuddled and taken care of. Bryonia is a cold remedy for people who wish the opposite: "don't touch me, don't move the bed, don't even come near me. I'm much worse if I move." If you violate the space and move the patient, you will find a growling bear coming back at you!

Nux vomica is useful for illnesses that sneak up slowly, after an exposure to cold. There is a keynote of tickling sensations, of the nose, throat, or in the chest. The need for Nux is often made evident when there is a piling on of covers due to the chills, usually to no avail. There is also a raw throat, and a teasing cough that is usually worse from midnight to dawn. And there is extreme sensitivity to odors, noises, and other sensations. Nux is also a hangover remedy, and as such, is useful where there is some nausea or dizziness in a cold, as well. Finally, for a cold with bad breath, or for a person who smells sick, with a raw sore throat, a coated tongue, and who has violent sneezing, try Mercurius vivus.

For fevers, consider Belladonna for sudden onset, where there is redness and shininess to the skin or to the eyes. There tends to be a radiation of warmth with the fever. Another remedy, especially where there is a fever that refuses to go down with Belladonna would be Ferrum phosphoricum. Either of these remedies can be put in water and sipped on every 15 to 20 minutes until the fever breaks. Aconitum napellum is also effective in fevers, but usually is most effective only within the first 24 hours.

For flu, with its body aches, fever, and lethargy, try the following: Eupatorium perforatum is a wonderful flu remedy, especially useful when there is a deep aching pain, as if emanating from the bones themselves. Another good flu remedy is Gel-semium. It is indicated where there are drooping eyelids, a mental dullness, lethargy, and where the reaction is from bad news, or the anticipation of some future event. Yet another flu remedy, which works best early in the onset, is Ocillococcinum, sold in most health food stores. If all else fails, call your homeopathic practitioner to get some Influenzinum 200C. This cannot be purchased locally, and is usually only available to practitioners. It is available in different strains, or in combination, too, depending upon what flu bug is responsible at the time.

For complications of colds, such as earaches, sinus infections, or coughs, here is a short list. To go into all the symptoms would require a book, and at the end I will list some excellent reference sources to add to your homeopathic arsenal.

For earaches try Belladonna or Chamomilla. To clear the Eustachian tubes after a cold, use Kali muriaticum 6X. Sinus infections with green, sticky mucas, with hoarseness, or loss of voice: Kali bichro-mium. For coughs, the first remedy I usually turn to is Antimonium tartaricum, which is great at making an unproductive cough productive, to bring the cold out of the chest. Others to think of are: Rumex crispus, Spongia tosta, or Bryonia. Laryngitis: Kali bichromium; Phosphorus; Aconitum napellus.

Needless to say, these are only self-care measures for self-limiting illnesses. For persistent, or unusually high fever, breathing problems, especially difficult breathing or shortness of breath, yellowing of the skin or eyes, marked weakness lasting more than a week or so, severe headache, stiffness of neck, confusion or marked irritability, chest pain, rapid breathing, wheezing, bleeding, or any foul-smelling discharge, or if the symptoms persist, consult a doctor or other healthcare professional.

The above given information is for education in self-care, and is not to be construed as medical advice, nor a replacement for medical treatment. If you are concerned or feel uneasy, please consult a healthcare professional or hospital emergency room.

For additional information on homeopathic self-care, the following two books are useful, easy to use references: Homeopathic Medicine at Home by Panos and Heimlich and Everybody's Guide to Homeopathy, by Cummings and Ullman, available in some bookstores, health food stores, or from this article's author. Both are worthwhile, along with a homeopathic first aid remedy kit. Equip yourself for the season today!

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