Homeopathic Flu and Virus remedies - 2020 and beyond....

When we use homeopathic remedies for viruses, colds and influenza we give remedies that match the symptoms of the individual person. In fact we prescribe this way for most complaints whether it be colds, broken bones or even eczema! 
So how do we know which remedy? That comes down to training and experience, but for some acute complaints it can be managed by an amateur. Please remember though, that if this is a serious complaint, you have concerns or your symptoms aren't improving it is best to see your healthcare professional. The information below is not meant to replace advice or medications prescribed by them.  ​

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Which Remedies? 

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With a little guidance from the indications below, you may be able to find a remedy that matches your symptoms.
​By all means these indications are not all of the symptoms related to the remedy, just some of main ones associated to colds etc.​

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Bryonia

• nearly all symptoms worse for moving
• irritable - likes to be left alone
• thirsty for large amounts
• fever - comes on slowly
• dry mouth, throat, lips. Mucus membranes feel dry. 
• dry, painful, hard cough - often holds chest when coughing 

Phosphorus

• Inflammation and irritation of mucus membranes
• tickly cough - worse, change in temperature/weather, exhertion, talking
• voice hoarse
• burning cough
• Thirsty for cold drinks
• debilitated and very tired - tires easily
• desire (and better for) company
• fearful that something bad will happen
• bleeding noses
• feeling of weight on chest

Lycopodium

• Chills -  icy cold feeling - worse 3-4 pm
• tickling cough - feels constricted, burning
• deep hollow cough
• symptoms generally worse on the right side
• Sore throat better for warm drinks
• Dry throat without thirst - stitches on swallowing
• Dry mouth and tongue without thirst
• May be better for motion (opposite bryonia)

Mercurius sol 

• lots of sneezing
• nostrils raw
• metallic taste in mouth
• excessive saliva
• great thirst
• sore, raw burning throat
• desire to swallow
• intense thirst for cold drinks
• paroxysms of cough
• fever with perspiration - can be profuse

Kali carb

• a main remedy for catarrh of the respiratory tract
• sore throat - dry , rough, difficulty swallowing
• throat worse from draft and empty swallowing
• cough is spasmodic and tickling in throat - dry and hard
• cough is worse at night with thick sputum
• coldness of chest - wheezing
  
• worse lying on painful side (opposite bryonia) 

Arsenicum Alb

• Anxiety about health, may panic 
• Restlessness
• desire for company 
• chilly - desires heat or to be covered when sick
• prostration and exhaustion 
• nose feels obstructed but drips
• sore throat - prevents eating, burning pain better for warm drinks
• cough - feels like dust or smoke in lungs

Eupatorium Perf

• Aching bones - so sore bones may feel broken - worse moving
• High fever with chills
• Great thirst for cold drinks
• Nausea during chills
• Restlessness
• cough with hoarseness - sore chest
• sneezing with coryza

Breigers' Nosode

• Commonly used in acute respiratory infections
• Often used at the first sign of symptoms (compare Ferrum phos or aconite)
• Definitely one to keep on hand
• There is not a lot of referenced material on this remedy. 
• I personally use this in ripe colds before it goes into the chest or when I think it may go to the chest. Usually when there is green or coloured mucus but have also used this in cases of clear mucus when things aren't shifting. 

Gelsemium

• Feeling of weakness
• trembling , drowsiness
• droopy or heavy eyelids
• thirstless
• empty feeling in chest
• hoarseness
• chills run up and down the back
• difficulty swallowing - warm food especially - feeling of lump in throat
• throat feels rough and burning
• dry cough with a sore chest
• fluent coryza
• sore muscles

Justicia

• Used mainly for acute catarrhal conditions of the respiratory tract
• constant sneezing
• profuse, fluent coryza
• dry cough felt all over chest
• hoarseness
• paroxysmal cough
• cough with sneezing
• laboured breathing with cough
• dry mouth and mucus membranes (compare bryonia)
• thirst for cold water
• rattling in chest (compare antimonium tart)

Anas Barb

• Traditionally used before the influenza season - often taken 1 dose every 2 weeks before and during flu season
• the key to taking this remedy is taking it at the very beginning of symptoms
• fever
• achy body
• shivering

Camphora

• coldness with shivering
• doesn't want to be covered
• great fatigue and tiredness
• cold breath
• cold perspiration
• cold hands and feet (belladonna)
• fluent coryza
• violent, dry hacking cough
• suffocative cough
• bleeding nose
• This is a great remedy but is said to antidote other remedies.

Other remedies

Other remedies to consider
Aconite - symptoms come on suddenly - a good first remedy.
Ferrum phos - symptoms come on slowly, can have a high temperature. Good to take when there is no specific symptoms apart from fever and inflammation. Another good first remedy. 
Belladonna - the number 1 fever remedy!!

Selene Homeopathics has made an amazing new kit with most of these remedies in it. Let me know if you would like one and I can have one sent to you.  Individual remedies can be purchased by emailing me at [email protected]  

Information supplied here comes from personal experience, the Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica by W. Boerike, Desktop Companion to Physical Pathology by Roger Morrison, Dictionary of Materia Medica by John H Clarke
To find out more information on these remedies the Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica by W. Boerike is a great place to start.  There are also some great books by Miranda Castro which may be more user friendly.
If you would like to book an appointment to find out other ways you can use homeopathy or for a personalised consultation  please see the contact page or send me an email on [email protected]