Natural Remedies to Fight the Flu

October 2, 2015
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

The best homeopathic flu treatments to keep you healthy this season.

It’s that time of year again—the fall flu season. Since flu shots can be less than 40% effective, its time to consider some natural flu remedies that you may have overlooked.

In my view, homeopathy is one of the most highly efficient safeguards against seasonal virus.  It is inexpensive, it is simple, and surprisingly effective.

With that in mind, I asked Kimberly Woods, a classically trained homeopathic to share her thoughts on the best homeopathic flu remedies:

Virus, Flu and Colds Oh My?  No Problem!

For more than 200 years, homeopathic medicine has been remarkably successful in lessening the spread and severity of disease during epidemics, including influenza. Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that uses minute doses of specially prepared remedies to stimulate the body to heal itself.

It acts as a catalyst to spark the vital force and initiate the process of recovery, which allows the body to heal from the inside out. It is known to heal, not just control most chronic and acute illnesses, increase energy and enhance the sense of well-being.

By 1900, homeopathy was more prominent in America than it was anywhere else in the world. Fifteen to twenty percent of American doctors specifically called themselves homeopaths, and there were over 1000 homeopathic hospitals, medical colleges and pharmacies!

Unfortunately, in 1910 the publication of the Flexner Report standardized medical education which withdrew funding from homeopathic medical colleges and forced a shift toward conventional medicine and synthetic drugs (and the beginnings of what we know today as “big pharma”).

When the most severe epidemic of all time, the great Influenza pandemic of 1918 hit, twenty percent of the entire world population was infected and 20–40 million people died. The mortality rate under conventional treatment was 28% while homeopathic physicians only had a 1% mortality rate.

These same reliable homeopathic flu remedies used in 1918 have been known to work just as effectively today for all types of flu including H1N1, avian and swine flu.

Homeopathic Flu Preventatives

Simply arming yourself with basic homeopathic knowledge can help you and your family stop the flu in its tracks this year.

Certain homeopathic flu remedies are shown to prevent or reduce the severity of infection after exposure to virus, cold, shock, or other triggers for illness.

Some of the most recognized preventative (prophylactic) remedies are:

Arsenicum album 30C
One of the first remedies considered for the avoidance of the flu. It’s shown to be effective when used once a day for three days, then repeated after a month. During a flu outbreak, it’s used once a week or as needed if symptoms start to appear, as recommended by most homeopaths.*

Influenzinum 30C (2015-2016)
Prepared with the same three main viral strains as the annual conventional flu vaccine but it is diluted to one part per billion. This removes the potential of side effects and provides effective coverage for a variety of flu types, without risk of infection.

This flu remedy is made new each year from the vaccine so be sure to ask for the current year’s preparation. It’s usually available in mid-October or early November at local health food stores or homeopathic pharmacies. Its effectiveness in preventing the flu is well documented. There are two popular ways of taking this remedy preventively—either once a month during flu season or once a week when the flu is rampant in your local area.

When it’s flu season, I alternate Arsenicum album 30C and Influenzinum 30c flu remedies by using them in the same way as suggested above, but use them on different weeks or days.

TIP: Address Chronic Issues Now To Optimize Flu Prevention
Being in an optimum state of emotional, mental and physical health so that you can ward off the flu is one of the best preventive measures. Long standing health issues are red flags that something needs correcting. Homeopathy is all about treating the core causes of disease and then stimulating your vital force so your body can fully and naturally heal. Controlling symptoms with medications, supplements or herbs is usually just a band-aid and does not resolve the problem.

I’m beginning to feel sick…now what?

If you fail to prevent the flu, don’t despair. There are great homeopathic flu remedies that can help you recover quickly, without side effects.

For the initial stages of cold or flu-like symptoms try:

  • Oscillococcinum® (“os-sill-o-COX-see-num,” or Anas barbariae)
  • Aconitum napellus

These remedies are effective in averting full-blown cases of cold or the flu when used during the first 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms (as package labeling instructs). Oscillococcinum® (“Oscillo”) is the number-one over-the-counter flu medication in the world today, and is easy to find at health food stores or pharmacies. As actress and health advocate Terra Wellington has aptly stated, “It acts quick, it’s economical, and it’s also kid-friendly.”

Facts about Oscillo®

  • Oscillo doesn’t cause side effects or adverse drug interactions.
  • Clinical trials show Oscillo to be helpful in making flu-like symptoms less severe and shortening their duration.
  • Sixty-three percent of patients studied show “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” within 48 hours.

Personally, I’ve seen dramatic results in more than 20 years of using Oscillo for early flu-like symptoms. Most of my clients opt to carry this remedy in their purse or car during flu season. When they start to feel the least bit sick, even abnormally fatigued, they’ll take a dose of Oscillo and usually feel better soon after. Package instructions suggest dissolving the contents of a tube in the mouth every six hours, up to three times a day. However, it works as effectively (and lasts much longer) prepared as a water dilution. Learn how to make a water potency.

Aconite napellus 30c can be used when there has been exposure to cold dry wind and that creates the start of cold or flu like symptoms. Usually symptoms come on suddenly and there is a cold chill in the body. It is best used ASAP or within 24-48 hours.

I have the flu and it’s been over 48 hours since the onset…

Homeopathic medicines have also been known to reverse established flu symptoms.  At this point, the most important key is to observe your exact symptoms and then match them to one of the top 17 homeopathic medicines.

Consult a Professional
Call an experienced homeopathic consultant and tell them your most bothersome symptoms. They will ask pertinent questions to your specific case and match your exact symptoms to a homeopathic medicine that is known to work for the flu.

Take the DIY Approach
I’ve put together four easy to use reference charts on my website for “Flu-Like Symptoms.” You can quickly cross reference your symptoms to figure out which remedy can give you the fastest relief.

What if I have to or choose to get a flu vaccine?

For anyone about to receive any vaccine, the following remedies can be beneficial.

Hypericum perforatum 30c and Ledum palustre 30c are known to lessen pain and side effects when taken together preventively before a vaccination. The dosage is usually four to six doses each, taken 30 minutes apart, from two to six hours before a vaccination is administered. Then two to six doses are also taken again, after a vaccine. This preventative measure can be used for any type of vaccines. Call an experienced homeopath for what remedy to take for any negative side effects after a vaccine. Note that side effects may not show up for one to three months after a vaccination.

To help your body deal with vaccine reactions, a homeopath may also suggest Thuja occidentalis or Silicea (Silica).


About Kimberly Woods

Kimberly is an expert in homeopathic care. She has worked with chronic, acute and first aid conditions over the phone worldwide for over 25 years.  Her user friendly guide on treating yourself for the flu and colds, DIY Medicine Revolutions for Colds, Flu and Beyond with Homeopathy” will be available in late 2015. For more information about homeopathy and how it works, clinical studies, flu reference charts, and downloads, visit her website.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not establish a consultant-patient relationship and contains no specific recommendations for any illness you may have. Those with significant healthcare concerns should consult a qualified health practitioner.

Excerpted from “DIY Medicine Revolution, Colds, Flu and Beyond with Homeopathy”, © Kimberly Woods C. Hom., 2015.

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

15 Comments

  1. Lisa

    Thank you for this informative blog. I’m so glad to know about these remedies. I know homeopathy really works.

    Reply
  2. Debbie

    Where is the best source to stock up on these things?
    Just wanting to make sure everything I buy is real.

    Reply
  3. Team ALG

    A good health food store should have them.

    Reply
  4. cis

    But what potencies for the oscillo and Aconitum napellus?
    You didn’t indicate any that I can see…

    Reply
    • Kimberly Woods

      Thanks for asking, great question.
      Oscillo is sold in many pharmacies, dept stores and health food stores in 200c potency only.
      If you know that you are super sensitive to homeopathic remedies, it could be ordered from a homeopathic pharmacy in a 30c potency. 30c is not as strong and you could take it as needed as the 200c. I prefer the 200c because it’s easy to find and is strong and usually knocks out my symptoms quickly.
      Aconitum nap. is easy to get in a 30c potency and you could take it every few hrs.
      30c is a great potency to start with for most remedies (except Oscillo) it is common and made for at home use.
      Enjoy,
      Kimberly

      Reply
  5. Team ALG

    Cis — We will email Kimberly and have her answer you directly. We do know the Oscillo is easily available in most health food stores although we are not certain of the exact potencies Stay tuned.

    Reply
  6. SuzieQ

    Just what we were looking for — This is WONDERFUL stuff. Thank you and your team and your brilliant associates. Love to hear your latest nuggets every week. SuzieQ

    Reply
  7. Kimberly Woods

    You might want to purchase the 2015/16 Influenzinim at the same time.
    It’s a homeopathic vaccine with no side effects.
    A famous study by the French Society of Homeopathy followed 23 homeopathic doctors using the homeopathic Influenzinum
    in 453 patients from 1987 to 1998 for prevention of the flu. It found:
    ♦ In about 90 percent of the cases, no instances of the flu occurred.
    ♦ No side effects were noted in 97 percent of the cases that did develop.
    ♦ The three percent who experienced side effects reported only mild nasal discharge.

    From the French Homeopathic Society, “Investigation on Influenzinum Prescription Techniques for the Prevention of the Seasonal Flu, The Coulamy Study — 1998.”

    Here’s another unknown fact….homeopathy appears to be responsible for the well-being of the French, who are ranked #1 in the world, in the performance of their health care system. In France, 40% of the population uses homeopathic medicines. Americans, most of whom do not use homeopathy, are ranked #37 in the performance of their health care system.

    Reply
  8. Dr. Ellie Kochek

    Kimberly is a wise and seasoned healer. Happy she is in our community in WNC>

    Reply
  9. Dr. Bruce Callahan

    Thank you ALG for providing the most up-to-date and balanced insights regarding integrative medicine and functional medicine. I have used homeopathy for over 40 years and attribute my 75 years of good health to it!

    Reply
  10. Marina

    My compounding lab can order the influenzinum 9C. Can you explain the difference between the 9C and the 30C mentioned in the article? Thanks very much. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Kimberly Woods

    The Influenzinum 9c is a lower potency(not as strong as the 30c) so it could be taken more often. In general if the instructions are to take a 30c once a month, then you could take the 9c…3 times a month.

    Reply
  12. Marina

    Thank you, Kimberly! I’m guessing they are equally good as long as taken appropriately.

    Reply
  13. Kimberly Woods

    Yes.
    I’ll be away until Oct 12 and can answer more questions after that.

    Reply
  14. TheMedsFly

    I was impressed in this content! Thanks for sharing your story

    Reply

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