There are many remedies to think of for flus, depending on the specific
symptoms. If there is fever, for example, Aconite and Belladonna should be
considered first.If the flu is predominant- ly gastrointestinal, strongly
consider such remedies as Podophyllum and Arsenicum album. For a general flu,
here are a couple more remedies to store in your homeopathic memory banks:
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Thoroughwort or Bone-set). This is an excellent
remedy for "bone breaking" fevers in which the flu is accompanied by extreme
and deep bruised feeling in the bones "as if they would break". Like China,
there may be a periodic fever, often starting at 7 to 9 a.m. There is great
thirst with Eupatorium, as with Bryonia. The patient may even be quite cold
with chills, but they still crave ice water and ice cream.
Oscillococcinum. This is a newly produced remedy introduced by a French
homeopathic pharmacy which is sold over the counter as the answer to the
common flu. It is made from duck heart and liver. We have found it to be most
useful when given in a 200c (the only potency in which it is sold) at the very
onset of a flu. Unfortunately, most patients do not come in at this point.
Otherwise, we have found it most useful to give the specific homeopathic remedy
indicated in each individual set of flu symptoms.
One final remedy to mention, at least in passing, is the homeopathic
nosode, Influenzinum. We have heard, anecdotally, of it being used
prophylactically at the beginning of each flu season in a potency of 200c but
have no data on it ourselves. If the flus continue to strike with a vengeance,
we may be tempted to experiment with this as yet unproven prophylactic
approach.
Dr. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Dr. Robert Ullman are licensed
naturopathic physicians and are board certified in homeopathy. They are
President and Vice President of the International Foundation for Homeopathy
where they teach homeopathy to licensed health care professionals. They
practice in Edmonds, WA at 131 3rd Ave., N., Edmonds, WA 98020 and can be
reached at (206) 774-5599.