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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