Keep these five remedies on hand since they last a lifetime, and can be used to treat anyone, regardless of age, disease condition or other medications. The only contraindication is an anaphylatic type reaction to lactose, since this is the base of these tiny pellets. A person with the usual milder dairy intolerance will not be adversely affected. Use a 6x or a 30 ch potency. If no improvement is noticed in the first two days, a different remedy may need to be used. If the symptoms change, choose a different remedy.  If the person is much worse or much better, stop the remedy. To begin with, give one pellet under the tongue , apart from food or drink, a few times a day. As improvement occurs, give it twice a day, then once a day etc. Use a non-mint toothpaste and avoid coffee. Store the homeopathic remedies away from strong smelling perfumes, cleaners etc. I have written the keynote, (guiding symptom), of the remedy right after the name, so that you can quickly scan the list when looking for the right remedy. Remember that finding the correct homeopathic remedy is not based on the common symptoms of influenza –  fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, achy body, cough, but on what unusual feature one or more of these symptoms has for the person, something that isn’t as common or an exaggeration of a certain symptom. 

1. Gelsemium 6x or 30 ch ( profound apathy and fatigue)

                                          – this was the main homeopathic remedy

                                             used in the influenza epidemic of 1918

                                           – weak, tired and aches throughout

                                              body, trembling

                                           – great torpor and apathy, drooping of

                                              eyelids

                                           –  paroxysms of sneezing with burning

                                               nasal discharge

                                           –  constantly chilly and wants heat

                                           –  cough is hard and painful

1.                                    –  fever less severe than aconite 

2. Bryonia 6x or 30 ch (worse with any movement)

                                            – just wants to be alone and still,

                                              worse with movement

                                            – painful dry cough

                                            –  headache and pains

                                               which are better from pressure

                                            – very irritable and thirsty

                                               for cold drinks

.

3 . Eupatorium Perfoliatum (Eupatorium) 6x or 30 ch (think bone pain)

                                            – used almost exclusively

                                               in the early stages of flu

                                            –  much soreness and

                                               aching of whole body

                                               (a keynote is that it feels

                                                like bones are broken)

                                            –  runny nose with thirst

                                            –  throat and upper chest are

                                               very sore, high fever

                                            –  hoarseness and cough

                                               which hurts chest

                                             – drinking causes vomiting

4. Aconitum Napellus (Aconite) 6x or 30 ch (from a chill )

                                              – used in the early stage

                                                 of a cold or flu

                                                 caused by cold wind or chill

                                               –  great restlessness and anxiety

                                                  (may even feel that they will die)

                                               –  high fever and chilly

5. Baptisa 6x or 30 ch (think diarrhea)

                                                – influenza symptoms with

                                                  putrid diarrhea, stuperous

If there are life-threatening symptoms such as great difficulty breathing, or the person is very old, very young, or has an additional serious medical condition, seek professional medical help immediately. Dr. Wendy Presant-Jahn, ND, CFMP – November 2013