Flu & Swine Flu Help

Homeopathy can be successfully used to naturally, gently and rapidly treat symptoms associated with Swine Flu. Homeopathy works by enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Homeopathy is derived from Latin words Homeo=similar and pathos=suffering. As the name suggests selection of appropriate homeopathic remedy for each individual is based on symptom similarity between individual’s symptoms and remedy symptoms. Thus to select any one of the following remedies for a person manifesting symptoms of flu, symptoms must match closely.

Homeopathy believes that signs and symptoms of any illness manifest themselves because the body has been unable to restore balance from its inner resources and needs helps. Well selected and well- matching homeopathic remedy for individual encourages a powerful strengthening of defense mechanism and helps restore a state of balance and well-being with disappearance of symptoms of illness.

#Gelsemium. This remedy corresponds to the commencement of the trouble, when the patient is weak, tired and aches throughout the body. It removes speedily the intense aching and muscular soreness. There is constant chilliness and the patient hugs the fire; the fever is less acute than that of Aconite, and the cough is hard and painful. There are paroxysms of sneezing with excoriating discharge, and great apathy. An extensive experience with this remedy in the great Epidemic of 1918 proved its usefulness. Simple cases were speedily helped.

#Baptisia. Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms may need this remedy, especially when there are present offensive diarrhea.

#Eupatorium perfoliatum. This remedy has much soreness and aching of the entire body; hoarseness and cough, with great soreness of the larynx and upper respiratory tract. Coryza with thirst and drinking causes vomiting. The cough is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and the client holds the chest with the hands. The bone breaking pains are characteristic of the remedy. Add to these symptoms acute bilious derangements, and it is all the more indicated. Many physicians rely on this remedy in influenza / flu almost exclusively in the early stages.

#Sabadilla. Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and tearing of eyes on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the whole body. Chills creeping up the spine is a prominent symptom. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth, without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms. It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of flu.

#Arsenicum. [Ars] This remedy covers more phases of flu than perhaps any other remedy. Hughes believes that it will cut short an attack, especially when there is a copious flow, prostration and paroxysmal cold. Its periodicity makes it suitable to epidemics, and it suits the early symptoms when the affection is in the upper portion of the respiratory tract. The burning dryness and copious watery irritating secretion and the involvement of the conjunctiva are unmistakable indications. Prostration with restlessness is a prominent symptom.

#Bryonia. The trouble here is largely bronchial and going down. When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is most useful. Headache, muscle aches, and cough or stomach pain may be the major symptoms. Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion. The person’s mouth usually is dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

#Phosphorus. This remedy may be indicated, especially when the trouble moves towards the chest. It is a very useful remedy for the debility following influenza, as it is usually of the pure nervous type. It is the great post-influenza "tonic."

#Rhus toxicodendron. Influenza, with severe aching in all the bones, sneezing and coughing. The cough is worse evenings and is caused by a tickling behind the upper part of the sternum. Especially is it useful in cases brought on by exposure to dampness. There is much prostration and depression, and the patient may have some symptoms which are suspicious as pointing towards typhoid fever, such as burning tongue, stupor and delirium. Aching pains, nightly restlessness are keynotes symptoms.

#Causticum.This remedy like both Rhus and Eupatorium, has a tired, sore, bruised sensation all over the body and soreness in the chest when coughing, but it has in addition involuntary urination when coughing.

#Allium cepa. Profuse catarrhal cold; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing, irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed.

#Sticta. Nasal catarrh; headache, thirst, nightly expectoration, great watering of eyes, running at nose, hoarseness of voice, frontal headache and depression of whole system. Flat, thin, narrow- chested individuals attacked by influenza. "There is no better remedy," says Dr. Fornias,"for the incessant wearing, racking cough.”

#Ipecac. Adapted to cases where the gastric symptoms predominate; tongue clean or slightly coated. Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white, shiny mucus in large quantities, without relief; sleepy afterwards; worse from stooping. Low thirst. Cough: dry spasmodic, constricted, asthmatic. Difficult breathing from least exercise; violent painful breathing, with wheezing and anxiety about the stomach. Cough, with rattling of mucus in bronchi when inspiring; threatened suffocation from mucus. Pains as if bones were all torn to pieces.

#Veratrum album. Adapted to diseases with rapid sinking of the vital forces; complete prostration; collapse. Cold perspiration on the forehead; with nearly all complaints. Thirst: intense, unquenchable, for large quantities of very cold water and acid drinks; wants everything cold. Diarrhea: frequent, greenish, watery, gushing: mixed with flakes: cutting colic, with cramps commencing in hands and feet and spreading all over; prostrating, after fright; worse with least movement; with vomiting, cold sweat on forehead during and prostration after. Vomiting: excessive with nausea and great prostration.

Recommended dose of well selected remedy: The author would like to warn the reader that it is best to follow the effective and natural homeopathic remedy protocol with a homeopathic practitioner with a notification to licensed physician. But if you choose to do it at home, here are few things to consider. General rule of thumb that has been found to be clinically helpful is 30C potency of well chosen homeopathic remedy. The remedy may be repeated every 2-3 hours apart based on symptom severity and may be continued for maximum of 5 doses to see if any relief can be noticed by the individual. When improvement is noticed, repeat the doses only when improvement starts going downhill. Discontinue the remedy after 5 doses if no relief is noticed. In acute flu situation, do not keep on taking remedy after 2-3 days without supervision from homeopathic practitioner. The goal here is to match the intensity and pace of symptoms and give the stimulus from natural homeopathic remedy to bring upon restoration of health.

Disclaimer: Homeopathic remedies when appropriately used under supervision are effective and nontoxic. Please be advised that FDA approves and categorizes homeopathic remedies as drugs.

Sujata Owens, CCH, RS Hom(NA), Homeopathic Master Clinician at Vital Force Consulting, Inc. Northfield, MN, can be contacted by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 507 645 4329 or www.vitalforceconsulting.com. Sujata Owens has been offering cost-effective, drug-free homeopathic approach for healthy mind and body for 22 years in Northfield.

“A flu pandemic is the most dangerous threat the United States faces today. It is bigger threat than terrorism.” says Richard Falkenrath, Ex Deputy Homeland Security Adviser to Bush Administration. One makes a threat assessment on the basis of following two factors: the probability of the event and the loss of life if it happened. On both counts, a pandemic ranks higher than a major attack by terrorist.

In May 1997, a vicious strain of avian influenza called H5N1 broke out in Hong Kong. Earlier in October 2005, it arrived in Europe. We, homeopathic community of Minnesota, members of MHA (Minnesota Homeopathic Association) are ready if bird flu was to strike us here in USA.

Homeopathy has proven track record to treat pandemics and flu.

A report to the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1921 documented the dramatic success of homeopathy in the worst flu pandemic in history. Of 24,000 flu cases treated with conventional medical care, the death rate was 28.2%; of 26,000 cases treated with homeopathy, the death rate was a nearly miraculous 1.05%. Similarly, many individual homeopathic physicians reported that they had treated thousands of patients with very few deaths.

In 1998, the French Society of Homeopathy conducted a survey of 23 homeopathic doctors concerning their use of homeopathic medicine Influenzinum as flu preventive. The survey included use of Influenzinum over a 10-year period (1987-1998) in 453 patients. Results of the survey were remarkable. In approximately 90% of the cases no instances of the flu occurred when Influenzinum was used preventively. Physicians deemed its effectiveness good to very good in 90% of the cases, and not effective in 5% of the cases.

One other remedy that has proven to help a person suffering from flu symptoms is Oscillococcinum. This remedy usually helps if it is taken at the onset of any flu. Oscillococcinum is made from the heart and liver of a duck. Biologists and epidemiologists have determined that 80% of ducks carry every known flu virus in their digestive tracts. Therefore, Oscillo (common name for Oscillococcinum) includes homeopathic doses of these viruses (and of their antibodies).

For the record the three studies that have confirmed the efficacy of Oscillococcinum are Ferley, 1989; Cassanova, 1992; Papp, 1998. Each of these trials was relatively large in the number of subjects (487 patients, 300 patients, and 372 patients), and all were multi-centered placebo-controlled and double-blind (two of the three trials were also randomized). Each of these trials showed statistically significant results.

Homeopathic approach.

Classical homeopathic approach:

This approach is to collect physical, emotional and mental symptoms of a client in details. Amongst physical symptoms most importance is given to strong, striking and peculiar way each client is manifesting the flu individually. We also pay great attention to modalities (factors that make the symptoms worse or better) as they are direct expressions of imbalance of energy field, vital force. We find a homeopathic medicine that most matches the unique symptoms and state of the client. Clients treated with this approach will always end up having a strong immune system. No wonder, I always hear in my practice, “oh, I used to get flu and winter bugs twice a year. Since I started doing homeopathy, it has been years since I got those.” On direct exposure and contact, when person ends up getting flu, the symptoms are milder. In a family where only one or two individuals are doing constitutional, classical homeopathic treatment, it is known in those families that those being treated by homeopathy will not get the flu at all or if they get it, it will be milder.

Genus Epidemicus:

History shows us that homeopathy was used by homeopathic physicians in USA to treat patients during 1918-1919 influenza epidemics. From information recorded by these doctors, homeopathic treatment was highly Successful. In most cases one or two homeopathic medicines were needed. These are known as the "genus epidemicus" in an epidemic and become known through the careful observation of a number of influenza cases.

Prevention through Genus epidemicus:

Once Genus epidemicus for the particular flu is established by successful treatment of number of cases, that remedy can be used to prevent mass media by just knowing few key note symptoms of the sick person.

Prevention and treatment through remedies like Influenzinum or Oscillococcinum: This can be done when one suspects or has few cases starting near where you live. A homeopathic practitioner will be able to choose the right remedy in right strength for you.

Homeopathic remedies for avian flu: From the symptoms of avian flu collected so far, homeopathic communities world wide are predicting use of following remedies to treat avian flu. Many more remedies may get added as the time passes and we collect more information on Avian flu. To give one of the following remedies to a sick individual, he or she needs to have characteristic symptoms of the remedy as described in Materia Medica (pharmacology books of Homeopathic Medicine).

Antimonium tartaricum:

Profuse mucus in bronchi with drowsiness. Asphyxia. Much secretion of mucus, coarse rattling but scanty expectoration. Suffocative shortness of breath; alternating with cough; Loose, coarse, rattling in chest. Chest seems full, yet less and less is raised, followed by vomiting or sleep.

• Nausea; in waves; and weakness and cold sweat, loathing or anxiety.
• Forcible vomiting, followed by exhaustion and sleep.
• Tongue coated thick white with reddened papillae and edges.
• Vomiting better lying on right side.
• Loud rattling and fullness of chest [mucus], but scanty expectoration. Asphyxia.
• Desire for acids, apples. White-coated tongue.
• Aversion to being looked at; wants to be left alone.
• Worse heat; warm room.
• Drowsiness, increasing weakness and perspiration.

Sanguinaria:

• Pre-eminently a right-sided remedy. Warm blooded. Sensitive to odors. Craving for spicy and pungent food. Worse Daytime.
• Burning heat [to head, chest, abdomen, etc.]; puts feet out of covers. Burning [eyeballs, cheeks, tongue, and throat, under sternum, stomach, spots, palms and soles].
• Dry mucous membranes [e.g. tickling cough and very dry throat].
• Acrid discharges [nasal catarrh, vomit, leucorrhoea, and diarrhea].
• Headache and many complaints and sinking, faint, all-gone sensation [yet no hunger for food; "it is a false hunger"].
• Lassitude during stormy weather [2].
• Prickling internally [2].
• Right-sided headaches, over right eye; commencing in nape of neck or occiput; and vomiting of bile; better free urination; Better vomitting; better darkness; better hard pressure. Headache and burning in stomach, burning of soles of feet and sensation as if eyes would be pressed out.
• Coryza; stopped, then diarrhoea.
• Pain right deltoid, worse raising or turning arm; Worse at night.
• Fever with burning in nose and throat, as if dry.
• Sensitive to flowers and odors.
• Asthma and burning palms and soles.
• Warm-blooded.
• Right side.
• Burning heat and congestion of blood. Dryness of mucous membranes.
• Acrid discharges.
• Desire for spicy and pungent food.
• Worse daytime; with the sun.

Ipecac:

Bronchiolitis, bronchitis or asthma with spasmodic, suffocative cough and retching and vomiting, rattling, great accumulation of mucus in chest, but no expectoration. Person stiffens and becomes pale or blue; gasps for breath. Dry, spasmodic cough ending in choking and gagging. Colds starting with stoppage of the nose at night, followed by hoarseness and suffocative, spasmodic cough; and retching and vomiting. The special form of nausea is a constant but desire to vomit or immediately after vomiting there is instead of relief, a desire to vomit again. With this there is a clean or not very dirty tongue. There is profuse salivation with the nausea. The nausea of Ipecac. Is often met with in disorders of the stomach and bowels of the respiratory organs and in fevers. In the stomach itself, there is a symptom which is very characteristic of the remedy, a feeling "as if the stomach were hanging down relaxed." There is disgust at the stomach for food, empty vomiting, vomiting of bile of blood. No better by vomiting.

• Ailments or pains attended with constant nausea and clean tongue.
• No thirst.
• Worse Heat.
• Profuse salivation during nausea.
• Spasmodic respiratory ailments.

Euphrasia:

A flu remedy with eye symptoms.

• Acrid lachrymation and bland coryza.
• Burning, smarting eyes and aversion to light and constant winking.
• Cough with large quantities of mucus only at daytime, better at night.
• Worse Evening. Worse Smoke.
• Catarrhal affections of nose and eyes.
• Swelling of affected parts. Bathing of affected parts makes a person feel better.

Euphorbium resinifera:

A great indication for this remedy is burning pains in the bones.

• Intense burning pains as if a live coal were on, or in the part.
• Pharyngitis & Sensation as if expired air were a burning flame.
• Burning pain in joints, esp. of lower limbs.
• Worse Touch; rest; sitting; beginning of motion.

Better Continued motion; cold applications.

In Homeopathy, we choose a remedy for each individual based on symptom similarity and totality of client’s state.

References:

Winston, Julian “The Faces of Homeopathy"
Homeopathy and Influenza: real research, real results; Dana Ullman
www.vitalforceconsulting.com Article: Homeopathy: an awesome, effective and natural alternative to flu vaccine; Sujata Owens and Marylu Miller Peterson.
Newsweek, October 31, 2005
Vermulen’s synoptic 2
www.Homeopathycourses.com: Graduate’s Forum: General Discussion

About Sujata Owens: B.Sc., L.C.E.H., R.S.Hom, C.C.H., H.M.C.

Sujata Owens is one of the foremost homeopathic practitioners in the United States. She passionately believes in the amazing powers of homeopathic healing. She is a systematic, scientific and intuitive homeopathic practitioner committed to a partnership towards health. She has over 15 years of experience as a homeopathic practitioner in the United States and India. She graduated from the Homeopathic Medical School in Pune, India in 1982 with outstanding honors. The Homeopathic Medical School gave her a unique perspective in understanding both modern medicine and homeopathy. Sujata has been practicing homeopathy in Northfield, Minnesota since 1987. She has been certified by leading homeopathic organizations in the United States, including North American Society of Homeopaths and Council for Homeopathic Certification. She holds a diploma in Advanced Clinical Homeopathy from Louis Klein’s Master Clinician course. She has studied extensively with Vega Rozenberg, Rajan Sankaran and Jayesh Shah, who are considered influential teachers in the field of Classical Homeopathy. She has made various presentations, facilitated many conferences, lectures and study groups and has written a variety of articles. She has published cured cases in leading homeopathic journals. She is a founding board member and current president of Minnesota Homeopathic Association (MHA), one of the first state-wide homeopathic organizations in the United States.

Sujata Owens CCH, RSHom, HMC, DHMS and Marylu MillerPeterson RSHom

In the light of recent events and news reports around the controversy related to flu vaccine: its efficacy, its shortage due to the fact that vaccine production was shut down at Chiron, a manufacturer of the influenza vaccine, impact of Thimerasol on a person's constitution because of live vaccine, its side effects, negative reactions, we want you to know about the alternative, natural and effective choice you have at your fingertips in homeopathy.

A report to the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1921 documented the dramatic success of homeopathy in the worst flu pandemic in history. Of 24,000 flu cases treated with conventional medical care, the death rate was 28.2%; of 26,000 cases treated with homeopathy, the death rate was a nearly miraculous 1.05%. Similarly, many individual homeopathic physicians reported that they had treated thousands of patients with very few deaths.

In 1998, the French Society of Homeopathy conducted a survey of 23 homeopathic doctors concerning their use of homeopathic medicine Influenzinum as flu preventive. The survey included use of Influenzinum over a 10-year period (1987-1998) in 453 patients. Results of the survey were remarkable. In approximately 90% of the cases no instances of the flu occurred when Influenzinum was used preventively. Physicians deemed its effectiveness good to very good in 90% of the cases, and not effective in 5% of the cases.

Is It Cold or Flu?

The flu tends to come on more suddenly than a cold and the symptoms are more extreme. Fever and chills, muscle aches and pains, severe headaches, exhaustion, painful dry coughs, and chest pain are very prominent with the flu. While those with a cold feel unwell and may have a slight headache and mild muscle aches, they are usually able to go about their normal routine with minor difficulty.

Those with the flu often cannot even get out of bed, feeling as though they have been "hit by a truck." Flu sufferers may have a runny nose, but they rarely have the kind of intense nasal congestion and stopped up nose that is typical of a head cold. While a cold usually runs its course within a week, the flu may last up to two weeks with additional time for recuperation. In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu occurs almost exclusively during the fall and winter months, whereas colds occur year around.

Preventing the Flu, Naturally

• Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Increase fruits and vegetables in diet. Reduce refined sugar.
• Continue to get regular exercise. It helps to keep you healthy by reducing or countering stress, enhancing circulation and offering another mode of elimination via perspiration.
• Wash hands often, especially before eating.
• If you are feeling run down, try to take a day off for rest and relaxation.

Reduce your risk by keeping your immune system strong. People who have a strengthened immune system because they are being treated with constitutional homeopathic medicine are much less susceptible to flu virus. Your homeopathic practitioner will decide whether a different remedy or the same remedy in different strength is needed for you based on your symptom picture and responses to your constitutional remedy. Many clients in this scenario, if end up getting the flu, exhibit quite mild symptoms confirming the evidence that homeopathic medicines strengthen the immune system.

Dealing With the Flu

Once a person comes down with the flu, your homeopathic practitioner will carefully take the case and prescribe the homeopathic remedy that best fits your symptoms. There are many homeopathic medicines that help treat the person who has flu and the key is to find your individualized homeopathic remedy based on totality of your symptom picture.

Homeopathic Flu Medicines

The following three homeopathic remedy descriptions will give you an insight into how an individualized homeopathic medicine is prescribed for a person.

Gelsemium: The most frequently indicated homeopathic flu medicine over the past 100 years. Flu comes on slowly over a 6-12 hour period. By the second day you have aching muscles, feel pretty bad and usually have a headache. Head pain is more in the back of the head with stiffness and aching in the neck and across the shoulders. You do not want to move but that is primarily because you are so tired. The characteristic state of and fatigue. Clients needing Gelsemium are not thirsty. Gelsemium are chilly and sensitive to cold, cold shivers go down the spine. Gelsemium is also clammy with fever and feelings of heat and cold may alternate. Gelsemium does not have the energy to be emotional. Gelsemium is too exhausted to respond.

Bryonia: Bryonia is also frequently indicated for flu. Bryonia flu comes on slowly over a period of 6-12 hours. And just like in Gelsemium has aching muscles, person feels pretty bad and usually has headache. The pain in head is more in front of the head which is definitely made worse by moving the head or moving the eyes, and feels better from pressing the hand on the head. Bryonia has tiredness but also restlessness. Discomfort is worse by motion, and has urge to move around due to restlessness. No position seems comfortable enough. Clients needing Bryonia are thirsty. Bryonia clients feel warm and dry. Bryonia wants air and cool temperatures to calm the heat. Bryonia has more coughing and chest symptoms, a painful cough that aggravates the sore throat. The Bryonia cough will also cause chest pains, and the inevitable reaction to this situation is to press the palm to the chest to minimize the movement caused by coughing. Bryonia is irritable, worried and fretful. Bryonia wants to be left alone.

Rhus toxicodendron: The Rhus toxicodendron flu immediately distinguishes itself by its extreme restlessness. With all of the aching pains, Rhus tox is better from moving. Constant motion, changing positions, and stretching provide the only relief. If you lie still with a Rhus tox flu you begin to ache, which forces you to move. Nighttime is the worst for those with Rhus tox flu because of the difficulty remaining in one position. You will toss and turn looking for relief. Mentally and emotionally, those who need Rhus tox are anxious with a restless mind, and a sudden depression with crying is common. Rhus tox is sweaty, chilly, sensitive to cold and better from warmth like Gelsemium. The headache has its focus in the back of neck and head with aching across the shoulders. Rhus tox has a very dry mouth, but despite the dryness is not very thirsty.

There are many other homeopathic remedies that may be indicated for influenza such as Baptisia (sudden onset, dull, delirious very quickly, offensive odor and flu accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting), Eupatorium (when the bones feel broken), Pyrogen (when the bed feels too hard), Arsenicum (when there is great prostration, chilliness and restlessness with burning pains).

In conjunction with a well-chosen, individualized homeopathic remedy, you could use following tips.

• Sponge bathing is effective and should be resorted to bring high temperatures down.
• Appetite reduction is usually a symptom. So do not force feed.

Dealing With Side Effects of Flu Vaccination

There are many homeopathic remedies that are proven in clinical research that reduce the symptoms that come as a result of taking flu vaccinations.

Note: Please do not use homeopathic remedies without proper supervision and consultations with health practitioners.

For web browsers, feel free to visit our website at www.vitalforceconsulting.com. For further information on the topic please refer to National Center for Homeopathy website www.homeopathic.org or through the link on our website and www.cure-guide.com.

Clincal research appendix: "A controlled Evaluation of Homeopathic Preparation in the Treatment of Influenza-like syndromes" Ferley, J.P. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 1989, 27, pp 329-225

Resources: Homeopathy Today, Dec. 2004 publication

• See "Optimizing health, Flu and Homeopathy"
• Keep Healthy During Flu Season
• Acute consult Remedy protocol