KiwiParent from Parents Center NZ Test Volume | Page 58
Homeopathic remedies
flu
fighters
Homeopathy for Winter Flus
Flus, coughs and colds are a natural part of our
winter cycle – the trick is to try and keep our
immunity as high as we can to prevent them and
then use a method of treatment which supports
the individual. Orthodox drugs and regimes can
certainly give some relief from the symptoms of flu
but do not always assist the body to restore itself
to a healthy balance.
For generations, homeopathy has been successfully
utilised all over the world to assist sufferers of
winter flus. Records as far back as the 1918 influenza
epidemic indicate that death rates for those receiving
homeopathic treatment then were significantly lower
than those using the conventional therapy of the time
(mostly aspirin). One report noted that there was
a 1.05% mortality rate in 26,795 cases of influenza
treated by homeopathic physicians compared to an
average death rate of 30% for cases treated by regular
doctors of the time (1). These same remedies used
in the early 1900s are still just as successfully utilised
today.
The list of common flu symptoms vary slightly between
individuals but often includes many of the following:
fever, chills, sweats, aches, fatigue, headache, cough,
sore throat, diarrhea and so on.
One of the main features of homeopathy is observing
the unique way in which each individual manifests his
or her symptoms. Whatever the ailment, the prescriber
gathers clues needed for an appropriate prescription, by
determining which symptoms are most prominent, or
characteristic, in any given case. In the case of flu, the
unique symptom pattern of the sick individual allows
the prescriber to choose a corresponding homeopathic
medicine that closely matches the strongest symptoms.
Often what has preceded the illness in terms of other
health issues or stresses can be a clue to the correct
remedy too.
Learning to use some basic homeopathic remedies
and building up your own homeopathic “first aid” kit
at home can give you gentle relief from otherwise
debilitating symptoms.
56 kiwiparent – supporting kiwi parents through the early years
In a series of articles over the next few issues we hope to
bring you some practical information on some of the most
common homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy can be safely
used, in the home, for minor ailments. In most areas of New
Zealand, you can find professional homeopaths in practice
who are able to provide you with the support and advice
you may need to individualise prescriptions for yourself or
your child. You may also wish to do some training, for acute
prescribing, either with a local homeopath or via some of
the short courses available by distance learning. This will
empower you to use homeopathic remedies alongside
other natural methods of healthcare.
All remedies can be purchased in suitable strengths
(potencies) and safely used at home – your local
homeopath or health food assistant will help you with
prescribing correctly. In general, a 30c potency is a safe
one to use and for acute symptoms, can be given at
half hourly intervals for up to six doses. If the patient
has not experienced some change or improvement in
symptoms by then, it is likely you have a close remedy
but not the correct one. It is then that you need to
differentiate the specifics of remedies further to find a
more suitable one.
Remedies to use with fever or flu
Aconite: The main clue here is the sudden onset of
symptoms, usually high fever, especially after exposure
to very cold, dry, windy weather. The person is often
anxious, and feels worse in a warm room and worse at
night, especially approaching midnight. They may have
a tickly cough, sneezing and a clear runny nose.
Belladonna: Again, symptoms come on severely
about 3–4 pm, with bright red or flushed cheeks and
a sudden fever where they feel as if all the blood has
rushed to the head giving them a throbbing headache.
As the time progresses, the patient may have dilated
pupils and a little bit of delirium – they can also
be irritable and snappy. They will be thirstless
except perhaps for lemon drinks and may have
a strawberry red or spotted tongue.
Nux vomica: The person who needs this medicine
is very chilly and usually has some type of digestive
complaint like nausea or intestinal cramping pains. The
person may be so cold that just moving the hand to
a cool spot on the bed may send chills through the
body. Unlike Arsenicum, which is also quite chilly, this
person is usually unafraid. Onset of Nux Vomica flus
can be after a period of overwork, lack of sleep or
overindulgence in rich foods or alcohol.
Gelsemium: Onset of symptoms when this remedy
is needed, are often slower. The emphasis here is on
drowsiness, sleepiness and fatigue. The person often
sleeps all night, additional hours during the day, and is
still exhausted. They experiences chills and complain
of being cold and achy. Often their cheeks are flushed
a dusky red and there is a decrease in the normal
level of thirst. It is as if the person is just too tired to
bother to drink. This medicine may be easily confused
with Bryonia, which lies in bed all day because motion
aggravates the symptoms. Gelsemium lies there all day
out of sheer fatigue.
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