Treatment of Influenza

For most people 'flu is a self limiting acute illness, symptoms lasting up to a week. Allow yourself the time to rest in bed: 'flu indicates the body needs time to de-stress.

Drink plenty of fluids; keep warm; allow someone else to look after the kids; take homeopathic remedies; take Vitamin C and herbal echinacea to boost the immune system.

The DOH estimates 10-15% of the population develop influenza in any one year.

NATURAL PROTECTION AGAINST INFLUENZA:

ACONITE 30c or 200c

Use at the very beginning of feeling that you're coming down with something, especially if it comes on suddenly after being out in the cold wind. Take three doses in the first 24 hours.

OSCILLOCOCCINUM 30c or 200c

Useful at the very beginning of 'flu. Take one 3-hourly for up to 4 doses. You can alternate this remedy with Gelsemium: these two together are the best remedies for treating common 'flu symptoms. Stop when symptoms improve or follow with the next indicated remedy.

GELSEMIUM 30c or 200c

No 1 remedy for 'flu. Take one dose 2-hourly up to 6 doses or until symptoms improve. Heavy drooping eyelids, chills up and down the back, headache, 'flu with much muscular soreness, aching limbs. Gelsemium can also be considered if recovery from 'flu is slow or the tiredness continues once you are recovered.

BAPTISIA 30c or 200c (wild Indigo)

Take 3-4 hourly for 4 doses. Fever, soreness, heaviness, aching muscles, bleary eyes, severe prostration, unable to move from the bed, restless, delirious, foul odours from mouth or sweat. Good for gastric 'flu.

EUPATORIUM 30c or 200c (bone-set)

Take 3-4 hourly for 4 doses. Influenza with bone pain. Violent aching, bone-breaking pains. Great soreness of muscles and bones. Aching chest from persistent coughing.

ARSENICUM 30c or 200c

Take 3-4 hourly for 4 doses. Anxious restlessness with the 'flu; shivery, very cold; tight wheezy chest; dry irritating cough. For influenza and gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhoea: follow or alternate with China 200c if debility from loss of fluids.

RHUS TOX 30c or 200c

Take 3-4 hourly for 4 doses. Restless; aching muscles with the 'flu; feels bruised and sore all over; glands in neck swollen; worse for cold damp weather.

PULSATILLA 30c or 200c

Take 3-4 hourly for 4 doses. Thick yellow-green mucus from nose; loose productive cough; emotional, weepy, better for comfort; no thirst; worse for stuffy room; better for fresh air.

INFLUENZINUM 30c or 200c

This is the influenza nosode. Use as a preventative for 'flu or to treat any after-effects.

BACILLINUM 30c or 200c

Use this for recurring sore throats and coughs, weak lungs in the elderly, suffocative catarrh, bronchitis, colds and coughs.

TUBERCULINUM AVIARE 30c or 200c

Excellent for influenza, bronchitis, irritating incessant coughs and lung congestion.


On the whole, most people do not need a specific preventative for 'flu, as following the advice on natural protection is adequate. However, high risk groups such as the elderly may wish to use one of the following instead of an annual 'flu vaccination:


References:


[INFLUENZA3] © Liz Bevan-Jones SRN LCH RSHom: updated February 2006