Homeopathic Flu Guide: October - November, 2007

by Domenick J Masiello, DO, DHt

It is much too early in the season for influenza but as always, there are small epidemics of viral upper respiratory infections. This one starts as a dry, scratchy or sore throat, low- grade fever and fatigue. Within 24-48 hours, the throat symptoms are gone and replaced by congestion in the maxillary and frontal sinuses and headache. For some, it is followed by laryngitis; for others it changes to a cough that is caused by thick, sometimes yellow, post-nasal discharge. There may also be muscle aches with the fatigue. Some patient even present with severe vertigo. The room spins when they turn their head or rising from the bed. This virus is rather indolent. Even with proper homeopathic care, three to four days of treatment are needed and the patient needs to rest for several more days after that. The remedy that has been most useful is Kali Bichromicum.

Some cases started as a Bryonia headache, some as a Gelsemium fatigue/body aches and others as a Hepar Sulph otitis media. However, no matter how it starts, Kali Bichromicum will be needed to cure it. This remedy can be used to prevent others from getting sick.

One must be aware of the following characteristic of Kali Bichromicum: it bears frequent repeating and changes in potency to be most effective in acute disorders. If starting out at the 30C potency, the subsequent doses should be 200C and 1M, each a day apart. If starting at 200C, then the following days the 1M and 10M are given. Patients who do not rest will relapse the following week. For some a further dose of Kali Bichromicum will salvage the case, for others Arsenicum album and Graphites have been used to rescue patients particularly when the relapse presents with diarrhea and cold sores in or around the mouth.