Homeopathy for Flu

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There are several homeopathic remedies available to combat flu effectively. At the very first sign that flu is developing, take 1/2 tube of Anas barbariae (marketed under various brand names, including Oscillococcinum) every two hours, for a total of five doses. Combination flu remedies work in majority of cases if you take one in the first 4 to 12 hours after you start having symptoms. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label of the remedy you choose. If it’s going to work, you should feel relief with a single dose.

If the flu persists, you’ll probably need a more specific remedy, such as a 12C or 30C dose of Eupatorium perfoliatum, which is good for a flu that causes aches and chills in your back and bones, fatigue, thirst and bad headaches. If you feel dizzy, drowsy and weak but momentarily better after urinating, try a 12C or 30C dose of Gelsemium. Take up to four doses of one of these flu remedies in 24 hours. Then if you don’t feel better, see a professional. Below listed are several specific homeopathic remedies that are useful for flu.

If you are feeling chilly, restless, and weak, choose Arsenicum album. This is for the person who feels worse in a cold room, but wants something cold to drink. You probably have a red nose with runny nasal secretions that burn the nose and upper lip. You also prefer to sit in bed with books, magazines, and a television, and be left alone, but would like a bit of attention every once in a while. Take one dose of Arsenicum album 30Xx or 9C, as directed on the product label, three to four times a day for up to eight doses.

Specific Remedies

Aconitum napellus: This remedy is useful for a flu that comes on suddenly and intensely accompanied by fever, anxiety, constricted pupils, and strong thirst. The person may feel fearful or agitated, and the fever can alternate with chills. Symptoms are often worst around midnight. Exposure to cold wind or a shock of some kind often precedes the illness.

Apis mellifica: If a person has dry fever that alternates with sweating, facial flushing, and a very sore throat with swollen tonsils , then this homeopathic remedy may be prescribed. Pain may extend to the ears, and the eyelids may be swollen. Exposure to cool air and cold applications may bring relief. Despite the fever, thirst usually is low. The person can be very irritable, disliking interference.

Arsenicum album: The person feels chilly and exhausted. Exhibits an anxious restlessness. He/she may be thirsty, but often only takes small sips. May experience nausea with burning pain, or vomiting and acrid diarrhea. If the flu is respiratory, a watery, runny nose with sneezing paroxysms and a dry or wheezing cough are often seen. The person’s head usually feels hot, while the rest of the body is chilly.

Belladonna: This remedy is indicated when there is sudden, intense symptoms including fever, red face, hot skin, and extreme sensitivity to light and jarring. Other symptoms include a very red sore throat, a pounding headache, a nagging cough, or other throbbing and inflammatory symptoms. The person’s hands and feet may feel cold despite high fever. Chills and heat may alternate.

Bryonia: Bryonia is good if symptoms include a headache, cough, constipation, thirst, and irritability. Take one dose of Bryonia 3OX or 9C three to four times a day for up to three days.

Symptoms: This remedy is often prescribed when a person feels very hot and dry, is thirsty for cold drinks, and experience aching all over.

Grumpy and feels miserable with the flu
Wanting only to lie still and be left alone
Headache, muscle aches, and cough or stomach pain
Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion.
Dry mouth, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

Eupatorium perforliatum: Eupatorium is helpful for severe aching deep in the bones that makes you feel sore allover. Take one dose of Eupatorium 12x or 6c three to four times a day for up to ten doses.

General Characteristics:
Great thirst for cold drinks

Specific symptoms:
Deep ache in the bones and muscles
Eyeballs hurt
Exhaustion
Desires cold food and drinks, which are vomited as soon as they warm in the stomach
Painful cough
Yellow tongue
Tremendous aching, as if bones are broken
Fever preceded by chills, especially from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy may be helpful during flu associated with the following symptoms:

Fever
Headache
Rosy cheeks
A feeling of weariness
Sensitive eyes
A short hard cough
Strong thirst
Vomiting after eating

This remedy is also prescribed in early stages of flu or fever, even if symptoms are not especially clear.

Gelsemium: Take Gelsemium if you have heavy, droopy eyes; feel weak and tired, with aches and chills up and down your back; and want to be alone. Take one dose of Gelsemium 12x or 6c three to four times a day for up to eight doses.

Symptoms: A hot head and face, but with chills that go up and down the back; burning headache without any real sense of thirst, etc. are symptoms for which this remedy is often prescribed. Other symptoms:

Fatigue and achiness that come on gradually, increasing over several days
The face feels heavy, with droopy eyes and aching.
A headache may begin at the back of the neck and skull
Chills and heat running up and down the spine.
Anxiety
Dizziness
Moderate fever
Trembling
Perspiration

Mercurius solubilis: Mercurius solubilis is useful when you suffer from a lingering flu that just doesn't seem to go away. You may have a sore throat, bad breath, and tender, swollen glands. Take one dose of Mercurius solubilis 12x or 6c three times a day for up to three days.

Nux vomica: Nux Vomica is often prescribed for flu associated with thoroughly chilled feelings, cannot get warm at all, limbs and back are aching, stomach upset. Other indications are:

high fever
violent chills
strong nausea
cramping in the digestive tract (or a painful cough and constricted breathing if the flu is respiratory)
headache
oversensitivity to sound, bright light, and odors
often very irritable
feels worse from exertion
Feels worse from being cold in any way

Oscillococcinum (also called Anas barbariae): Oscillococcinum is one of the common names used for a remedy that is widely used for prevention and treatment of flu in the United States and Europe. It has strong antiviral effects.

Phosphorus: This remedy is indicated for flu when it is accompanied by:

fever with an easily-flushing face
feels very weak and dizzy
headache
hoarseness
sore throat
cough
stomach pain and nausea or vomiting
strong anxiety
wanting others to be around to offer company and reassurance
strong thirst, with a tendency to vomit when liquids warm up in the stomach

Rhus toxicodendron: A person who needs this remedy during flu feels extremely restless and complain of achy, stiff muscles. Other indications:

fever is often accompanied by bone and muscle aches
teasing cough
sore throat
red tongue
nausea and bloating
soreness and stiffness may be felt all over,
feels better from hot showers or from getting up and pacing.
feels worse when waking up, after lying in bed, or from keeping still too long.
symptoms are often relieved by rubbing and stretching, but especially warmth and movement.

Take one dose of Rhus toxicodendron 30x or 9c three times a day for up to three days.

Sulphur: This remedy is often prescribed if a flu is very long-lasting or has some lingering symptoms such as the case when people have neglected to take good care of themselves. The person may feel hot and sweaty, with low fever and reddish mucous membranes. Symptoms, either digestive or respiratory, will often have a hot or burning quality. Heat aggravates the symptoms, and the person often feels worse after bathing.