Homeopathy and Influenza


Homeopathy has been used with great degree of success in influenza and other epidemics for 200 years all over the world. Homeopathic remedies can be used prior to exposure or for treatment in active cases. Homeopathic remedies are selected on symptom presentation regardless of the strain of influenza virus. Accordingly, the same remedies  will be effective year after year if the manifestation of the flu is the same. Conversely even though several people may contract the same strain of the virus each of them may need different remedies as their symptom presentation may be different.


The Homeopathic Approach:

  • Constitutional treatment: Homeopaths believe that if your body is generally healthy, you have a much higher chance of success in fighting any disease, including flu. Under the care of a homeopathic practitioner constitutional treatment reduces the likelihood of becoming seriously ill with an acute disease.
  • Homeoprophylaxs with Influenzinum: Influenzinum is a homeopathic nosode prepared from previous cases of influenza. This nosode can be taken at the beginning of the flu season  and repeated mid season if needed.  Suggested doasge is a single dose, (3 pellets) of 200C followed a week later with three doses in 24 hours. The development of a mild fever or transient malaise after dosing with Influenzinum is an indication that the remedy is stimulating an immune response and subsequent immunity (symptoms will pass in 24 hours or less).  Pregnant women are more susceptible to flu while at the same time being at risk with the vaccine. Homeoprophylaxis for the flu is safe for both the mother and child
  • Acute Treatment of Active Influenza: Homeopathic remedies are very effective in improving your body’s ability to fight off the infection, thereby reducing duration and intensity of the disease. Depending on the season and the manifestation of  flu symptoms different remedies may be more or less indicated in a particular case. The following list of remedies offers a guide. Aconite, Arsenicum, Baptisia, Belladonna, Bryonia, Eupatorium-perfoliatum, Gelsemium, Nux-vomica, Pyrogenium, Rhus-toxicodendron. Suggested dosage is 3 pellets repeated once or twice in the following 6 hours. Refer to the Homeopathic Materia Medica for differential between remedies. Contact a homeopath for case management. After the correct remedy expect a temporary increase in febrile symptoms along side a relaxation into the sickness. The increased fever is a sign that the immune system is doing the necessary work to clear the virus. Expect a resolve of the illness when the fever breaks with a sweat. If the fever keeps cycling then a different remedy needs to be selected.

 Anti-pyretics given during the fever may bring the fever down prematurely and lead to increased risk of pneumonia.

 Consult your local homeopath for your flu prevention protocol

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