This is my approach to flu treatment. As homeopaths we are taught that that when a person develops an acute illness, one of two things may be going on: first, this could be an exacerbation of their chronic complaints.
If that’s the case, generally speaking, the chronic symptoms may persist during the acute illness, but with the cold, or flu, symptoms added on. In this case, what often helps the patient is a repetition of their constitutional remedy.
We are warned, however, not to administer that remedy at the onset of the illness, but at the end, because the flu symptoms may get aggravated initially. From my experience, yes, this does happen, and sometimes it doesn’t happen.
What I have seen is that there often is a ‘spike’ in symptoms for a number of hours, followed by a rapid improvement in symptoms, and also in the chronic health situation as well.
Pure Acutes
The second thing that can happen is that the acute illness is what we call a ‘pure’ acute. In this case, the chronic symptoms of the patient are suspended. For example, if they suffer from chronic back problems, or chronic bad temper, all of a sudden these symptoms are much better, and they are a joy to be around.
The chronic symptoms are replaced by a new set of symptoms, which are the symptoms of the cold, or flu. When this happens the patient usually needs an acute, or typhoid, miasm remedy.
Acute Miasm Remedies
How does one know which acute remedy the patient needs? The acute miasm remedies are characterised by a sudden onset of symptoms. They were feeling fine and now they are terrible.
This type of illness usually happens to healthy children. They come down suddenly, violently and dramatically with the illness. Two of the most commonly used acute miasm remedies are Belladonna and Aconitum napellus.
Belladonna
Belladonna is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, high temperature, redness of the face, dilated pupils and the patient is hot to the touch. This remedy has a 3:00pm ‘aggravation time,’ a desire for lemons, or lemonade, and excited mental activity, which can include hallucinations.
The symptoms come on suddenly, acutely and violently, and the patient can also be aggressive, with a desire to kick, bite, or strike. They are aggravated by the jar of the bed too. They can have throbbing right-sided headaches, and pulsating carotids.
Aconitum Napellus
Aconite is characterised by tremendous restlessness and fear of death. They can have panic attacks and unaccountable fears. Tossing and turning in bed is one of the big signs of the need for this remedy.
The pains are terrible and drive them crazy. The face is red, hot, and flushed, or they can have one cheek red, the other flushed [like Chamomilla]. The parts can feel numb, tingle and burn. They are worse at night. This illness can often come on after a frightful experience.
Another important thing to be said when selecting an acute remedy for a person is to keep in mind the relationship of remedies. For example:
- Calcarea carbonica will often go to Belladonna, Pulsatilla nigricans, or Rhus toxicodendron in acute illnesses
- Natrum muriaticum personalities often go to Bryonia alba, or Apis mellifica in acute illnesses
- Sulphur types often go to Nux vomica or Arsenicum album in acute illnesses
- Sepia officinalis often goes to Nux vomica in acute illnesses
- Some constitutional remedies are also excellent flu remedies, such as Rhus toxicodendron, Nux vomica, Arsenicum album, and Pulsatilla. In this case, repeating the constitutional remedy during the flu can lead to good results.
Flu Remedies
We have some outstanding ‘flu’ remedies in homeopathy. They are most useful for the flu, because their symptoms match flu symptoms well. The main flu remedies are:
Gelsemium Sempervirens
This remedy is a great remedy for anticipatory anxiety, and for people who are really having a hard time recovering from a flu. They have never felt well since a bout of influenza.
The symptoms calling for it are a great feeling of weakness and of heaviness in the lower limbs. They are so weak that they can tremble from weakness.
They feel dull, drowsy and dizzy. They are usually thirstless, with profuse urination and their face looks flushed, or dark red. They have heavy droopy eyes. They can have a headache that begins in the back of the neck, extends over the head, with pulsating pains in the forehead and eyeballs.
Bryonia Alba
One of the big symptoms calling for Bryonia is irritability. The patient often wants to be left alone. They are worse from movement, so they prefer to lie still. They are also worse from pressure and lying on the affected parts.
This patient is usually thirsty for large quantities of cold water. They also feel better from perspiration and wet weather.
They have to hold their head, or chest, during cough, due to the aggravation from the coughing motion. The mucous membranes are excessively dry. They are often worried about business, or finances.
Eupatorium Perfoliatum
The symptom that will usually guide you to Eupatorium perfoliatum is the bone pains. The patient has an aching in the bones, with a feeling as though they are broken, aching, or bruised.
They have to move constantly to relieve the soreness. This is in contrast to Bryonia, which needs to lie still. Another difference between the two remedies is that Eupatorium has scanty perspiration, while Bryonia has profuse perspiration.
They can have an intense backache, as if it is broken. Like Bryonia, they also have to hold the chest when coughing and are thirsty. This is a good remedy for flus and other febrile illnesses characterised by bone pains.
One way to help determine, which of these flu remedies to prescribe, is simply to ask, what is the worst thing about this flu for you? If they say the weakness, prescribe Gelsemium, if they say the bone pains prescribe Eupatorium; if they say the aches and pains in the body that are worse on motion, it is Bryonia.
Sore Throat & Asthmatic Bronchitis
What if your cold, or flu, has other remarkable features, such as a sore throat, or asthmatic bronchitis, and breathing difficulties? In the case of a flu with a strong sore throat component, remedies such as Mercurius and its salts, Lachesis muta, Lac-caninum and Phytolacca decandra come to mind.
If the asthma component is very high, remedies like Arsenicum album, Ipecacuanha and Antimonium crudum and Antimonium tartaricum are more than handy.
It is, of course, imperative to consult a professional homeopathic physician for the best treatment outcomes in flu, or any other illness.
