Considering that the Swine Flu virus produces symptoms similar to the human influenza virus, the following homeopathic remedies may prove useful in cases of swine influenza:
Nux Vomica: This is what homeopaths call "Genus Epidemicus" which most people will respond to this remedy especially those individuals which have incredible chills, which dominates the symptomatology, as well as the body aches and respiratory symptoms....... The irritability and chills are very marked.
Ferrum Phosphoricum: A good remedy to use in the first stages of flu. Ferrum Phos can be taken in the 30c potency. Even the 6x potency, sold as a tissue salt, can stop the flu in its tracks. Ferrum Phos can be alternated with Natrum Sulf during the first days of the flu.
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 torpor and apathy. Extensive experience with this remedy in the great Epidemic of 1918 proved its usefulness. Simple cases were speedily cured. Aconite will sometimes prove the better remedy for children, but the drug will never be a prominent one in influenza. Still, it may be prescribed when indicated; it will, perhaps, soothe and moderate the subsequent attack, but its action is not quick here as in simple fevers, as we have to deal with a blood affection.
Baptisia: Influenza with marked gastrointestinal symptoms may need this remedy, especially when there are putrid diarrhea stools. Clarke considers this remedy the nearest specific for the disease; he prefers the 30th potency. Hughes also praises it but uses it in the 1x and 2x dilutions, which seem to have more extensive testimony as to their efficacy.
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. Drinking causes vomiting. A cough is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and as in Drosera, the patient holds the chest with the hands. The break bone 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 lachrymation 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. Shudderings, with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards, are also prominent symptoms. A 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; other remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and Euphorbia.
Arsenicum: This remedy covers more phases of flu than perhaps any other remedy. This remedy will cut short an attack, especially when there is a copious flow, prostration and paroxysmal coryza. 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 excoriating secretion and the involvement of the conjunctiva are unmistakable indications. Langour and prostration are prominent symptoms.
Arsenicum iodide: Chills, flushes of heat and severe fluent coryza, discharge irritating and corrosive, sneezing and prostration. It corresponds to true influenza
Dulcamara: This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather, so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated.
Bryonia: The trouble here is largely bronchial and going downward. When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful. A 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 large cold drinks.
Phosphorus: May be indicated, especially when the trouble moves towards the chest. It is a very useful remedy for the debility following a grippe, 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. A 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 are 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 and nightly restlessness are keynoted symptoms. Causticum, 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 coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing, irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora. This remedy is often sufficient at the outset to cut short an attack, or at least modify the severity.
Sticta: Nasal catarrh; a headache, thirst, nightly expectoration, great watering of eyes, running at the nose, hoarseness of voice, frontal headache and depression of the whole system. Tuberculous subjects attacked by influenza. "There is no better remedy," says Dr. Fornias," for the incessant wearing, racking cough of this class of patients." Tuberculinum is an excellent prevention of recurring attacks of influenza/flu in those who have annual attacks.
Ipecac: Adapted to cases where the gastric symptoms predominate; tongue clean or slightly coated. Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white, glairy mucus in large quantities, without relief; sleepy afterward; worse from stooping. Low thirst. A cough: dry spasmodic, constricted, asthmatic. Difficult breathing from least exercise; violent dyspnoea, with wheezing and anxiety about the stomach. A cough, with a 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 (over the entire body, Tab. ) with nearly all complaints. Thirst: intense, unquenchable, for large quantities of very cold water and acid drinks; wants everything cold. Diarrhoea: frequent, greenish, watery, gushing: mixed with flakes: cutting colic, with cramps commencing in hands and feet and spreading all over; prostrating, after fright; worse by least movement; with vomiting, cold sweat on the forehead during and after prostration. excessive vomiting with nausea and great prostration: worse by drinking ( Ars. ); by least motion ( Tab. ); great weakness after.
If such symptoms present themselves in the current pandemic, the remedies that may prove useful would be Arsenic-album, Cantharis, Phosphorus, Cuprum-met, Camphora, Veratrum-album, Ipecac or Carbo-veg.
Ars-alb, Phosphorus, Ipecac, and Carbo-veg seem to have a more pronounced action on lungs and respiratory symptoms. Cantharis, Phosphorus, and Carbo-veg seem to cover the bloody stools better. Camphor and Verat-alb cover the acute collapse with bluish discoloration better.
If you are just not sure, you can take Oscillococcinum® every few hours as needed at the onset of flu. We are here to help you overcome your illness so please give us a call at (800) 669-0358 to schedule an appointment.
