Treat seasonal illnesses with natural homeopathic remedies. Learn how to use homeopathic remedies to treat coughs, colds, flus, fevers and other respiratory infections such as RSV and COVID-19 naturally. Homeopathy is safe, non toxic, and has no side effects. All remedies can be found online, at natural health stores, or at your local homeopath’s office. Homeopathic remedies can be self administered but for serious cases consulting with a professional homeopath is strongly advised. Information on dosing and potency (strength) is included in the articles.
Homeopathy for Flu
History of Success During Flu Epidemics
Homeopathy has a long, successful history for the treatment and prevention of the flu. Homeopathy was used effectively to treat one of the deadliest strains of flu in history, the 1918 Spanish flu. During the Spanish flu, Americans who were treated with traditional medicine had a mortality rate of 28.2 percent, while those who were treated with homeopathic medicines only had a mortality rate of 1.05 percent, according to a report by the American Homeopathic Institute in 1921.
Homeopathic Flu Prevention
For at least the past 150 years homeopathic practitioners have used the homeopathic medicine Influenzinum as a flu preventive. Influenzinum is a homeopathic medicine (nosode) made from flu viruses, rendered completely safe and non-toxic by a homeopathic pharmacist. A nosode is the term for any homeopathic remedy that is made from disease material. Homeoprophylaxis is the term used for the homeopathic prevention of disease.
Homeopathic Remedies for Flu
Some of the most common homeopathic remedies for flu that have been used successfully year after year include:
Oscillococcinum by Boiron: Particularly useful at the beginning stages of the flu. When in doubt about what homeopathic remedy to use for flu, try this remedy. This is the #1 selling remedy for the flu in Europe. The Canadian Homeocan version is called Homeocoksinum.
Gelsemium: The most common remedy for the flu. People needing this remedy are weak, achy and tired. There is constant chilliness and the cough is hard and painful. Gelsemium was the genus epidemicus (the most commonly used) remedy for the Spanish flu of 1918 and is still a very commonly used remedy for flu today.
Bryonia Alba: The second most used remedy for the flu after homeopathic Gelsemium. Bryonia flus come on slowly and people needing this remedy are worse from any kind of motion. People needing this remedy may also have a very painful cough. They are thirsty, hot, and desire cool fresh air. Many homeopaths consider Bryonia to be the genus epidemicus remedy for COVID-19.
Eupatorium Perfoliatum: Another common flu remedy. This remedy is indicated when there is a lot of soreness and aching of the entire body. There is so much aching in the bones that it feels like the bones could break. People who need this remedy are thirsty, whereas people needing Gelsemium are not.
Belladonna: Usually this homeopathic remedy is most useful at the beginning of a flu. A Belladonna flu has a rapid onset with a very high fever. The person may be fearful and delirious with the fever. People who need this remedy usually have a red, flushed face and have throbbing pains in the head or throat.
Rhus Toxicodendron: Someone who needs this remedy for flu is restless, with aches and pains that are worse lying still and better with continued motion. Other symptoms may include chilliness, thirst for sips of water, a dry mouth and dry sore throat.
Nux Vomica: A person with Nux Vomica flu symptoms is very chilly and always wants to be covered with a blanket; they are irritable and may have a queasy stomach.
Arsenicum Album: Useful for treatment of the flu when the virus affects the upper respiratory tract with copious watery secretions from the nose and eye inflammation. There is a lot of lethargy and prostration, nausea, vomiting, and chilliness.
Baptisia Tinctoria: Like Belladonna flus, the Baptisia flu comes on suddenly with a high fever. People who need this remedy have offensive smelling sweat, breath, and stool. Offensive diarrhea is a very characteristic symptom of people who need this flu remedy.
Please note that the above list is not an exhaustive list of homeopathic flu remedies and is only a list of the most commonly indicated flu remedies.
Dosage and Potency of Flu Remedies
Select and give only one of the above indicated homeopathic flu remedies 3-4 times per day. If there is no symptom improvement within 24 hours, you have picked the wrong remedy and a more suitable remedy should be selected. Do not give more than one remedy at a time. Once the symptoms improve, decrease dosage to 1-2 times per day until full recovery. It is best to use a 30C potency (strength) of the indicated remedy. For serious cases of the flu, it is best to consult a classical homeopath in your area.
Homeopathic Cell/Tissue Salts for Flu
Homeopathic Schussler tissue salts (aka cell salts) are low potency homeopathic remedies that are commonly available in most local health and supplement stores. Ferrum Phosphoricum 6X homeopathic cell salts are useful to bring down a fever. For high fevers, give 3 pellets once every 15 minutes to half hour until the fever starts going down. Thereafter, give 3-4 times per day until the fever dissipates. For very high fevers, instead of using cell salts, use homeopathic Belladonna 30C or 200C (see above).
To get rid of clear runny mucus, give Natrum Muriaticum 6X cell salts. For tougher, thicker white mucus, give Kali Muriaticum 6X cell salts. If the mucus is thick and yellow, give Calcarea Suphuricum 6X cell salts. 3 pellets of Nat Mur, Kali Mur or Calc Sulph cell salts can be taken 3-4 times per day.
Constitutional for Weak Immune Systems
People with low immunity should consult a classical homeopath to inquire about constitutional homeopathic treatment. Constitutional treatment is the most effective way to boost your overall immunity. Contact the clinic to find out more about constitutional treatment.
References and Further Reading
Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines by Dana Ullman
Homeopathy offers an alternative for the flu by Sonya McLeod
Homeopathy for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
For the latest information about using homeopathic remedies for COVID-19, please refer to Part 2 of this series.
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection
People with COVID-19 generally develop signs and symptoms, including mild respiratory symptoms and fever, on an average of 5-6 days after infection (mean incubation period 5-6 days, range 1-14 days).
Most people infected with COVID-19 virus have mild disease and recover. Approximately 80% of laboratory confirmed patients have had mild to moderate disease, which includes non-pneumonia and pneumonia cases, 13.8% have severe disease (dyspnea, respiratory frequency 30/minute, blood oxygen saturation 93%, PaO2/FiO2 ratio <300, and/or lung infiltrates >50% of the lung field within 24-48 hours) and 6.1% are critical (respiratory failure, septic shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction/failure). A study done in Wuhan China reports a mortality rate of 86% with covid-19 patients who are treated with invasive ventilation (ventilators) in hospitals.
Notably, the COVID-19 infection rarely seems to cause a runny nose, sneezing, or sore throat (these symptoms have been observed in only about 5% of patients).
Using Homeopathy for Epidemics
Homeopathy has had a long and successful history of use for risk reduction for epidemics such as smallpox, cholera, diphtheria, malaria, yellow fever, and leptospirosis. Homeopathy had a 98% rate of risk reduction during the deadly Spanish flu of 1918, compared to the 30% mortality rate of patients treated with Western allopathic medications.
Risk Reduction
Note that it is important to select one protocol and to not use all of the following remedies at once for risk reduction. The remedy or protocol should be selected in consultation with a professional homeopath.
In January 2020, the AYUSH Ministry in India issued a recommendation for risk reduction of coronavirus transmission. The Ministry recommended that homeopathic Arsenicum album 30C was to be taken once per day for 3 days as a risk reduction measure.
Under ‘The Banerji Protocols’ with Homeopathic medicines: For risk reduction of COVID-19 the best medicine is ‘Thuja 30‘. The suggested dose for this medicine will be, once daily for 7 days, then once a week for 3 weeks.
Dr. Bhatia recommends Bryonia alba 6CH or 30CH. It can be given (only to affected population) once a day, till days become warmer and the epidemic subsides (hopefully).
The Amma Resonance Foundation recommends Gelsemium based on the experience of around 30 homeopaths with confirmed cases of coronavirus in China (Source: Hong Kong Association of Homeopathy and Macau Association of Homeopathy). Their advice is to use Gelsemium C30 once a week as long as the outbreak is not near to where you live, and change to once daily for one week once it gets near and then change to twice per week. Justica adhatoda 3X (or D3) (Malabar nut, India) is also recommended, taken once daily 10 drops in a teaspoonful of water (increases your IgE levels to fight the virus).
Dr. Rajan Sankaran’s recommendation: Camphor 1m 4 pills twice daily 2 days..keep under tongue until melt..nothing but water 30mins before after.
Jeremy Sherr recommends taking Aconite twice daily for two days, then take Ant tart 200C alternating with Phos Ac twice daily each.
According to Dr. Andre Saine, in Hong Kong they were able to give 4-5% (about 300,000 out of 7 million people!) of the population Gels 30: the first week once a day, then once a week. 4-5% took at least one dose. No sick people were recorded. In Hong Kong the Corona incidence was relatively low. Now new people are coming to Hong Kong, and the incidence is rising. They now give Gels and Bry for risk mitigation. Macao (600.000 people) 50% got Gels. No sick people recorded.
Homeopathic nosodes (homeoprophylaxis) have been used for risk reduction during disease epidemics for hundreds of years. This is another possible viable option instead of or along with using the above remedies.
Management
In case of infection, an individualized consultation with a professional homeopath is strongly recommended.
Prof. Aaron To Ka Lun (PDHom, MARH), president of the Hong Kong Association of Homeopathy has gathered data from 30 homeopaths and tentatively speculated on a few possible genus epidemicus remedies: Gelsemium, Bryonia and Eupatorium perf.
In terms of the larger remedies, Dr. Paul Herscu has found that the main effective homeopathic remedies have been, in order of likelihood: Sulphur, Lycopodium, Bryonia, and then less likely Phosphorus, and Arsenicum album. By far, at this moment, he has found that the most common remedy is Sulphur. The more acute remedy seems to be Bryonia.
Dr. Bhatia believes that the remedy that covers the initial symptoms better is Bryonia alba; and that this remedy will work well as risk reduction too. He also believes that the remedy that covers the later symptoms best is Lycopodium and could be expected to help a large majority of people who develop Pneumonia.
Amma Resonance Healing Foundation’s current remedy recommendations are Bryonia, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Gelsemium and Eupatorium perfoliatum (ordered in likelihood of being called for).
As of March 22, 2020, Dr. Massimo Mangialavori has treated 84 patients. His first choice is Chininum muriaticum, followed by Grindelia robusta and thirdly Camphora.
In consultation with his teacher, Dr. Rajan Sankaran, Iranian homeopath Dr Aditya Kasariyans has been successfully using Camphora 1M.
As of March 28, 2020, Jeremy Sherr has successful consulted and supervised over 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases from around the world, and has had no fatalities. Jeremy Sherr recommends giving Aconite at the very first signs of illness. Ant tart (stage 2, 3) has been his most useful remedy. The next most useful remedies used in his practice have been Phosphorus (stage 1, 2), Phosphoric Acid (stage 2) and Bryonia (all stages), Arsenicum (stage 1) and Mercurius (stage 1). Other remedies that may prove useful include Gelsemium, Croton tig, Spigelia, Kali bi, Pyrogen, Ars-i and Ant-ars.
Dr. Robin Murphy recommends giving Gelsemium, Arsenicum, or Camphora during the first stage of the illness. He recommends Aconite, Belladonna or Ferrum Phos for mild coronavirus infections. Arsenicum, Bryonia and Gelsemium have been Dr. Murphy’s top remedies during this pandemic. Other remedies that may prove useful include Bapt, China, Drosera, Eup per, Oscillo, Merc, Pyrogen, Rhus tox, and Pulsatilla.
Dr. Andre Saine feels that the better indicated remedies for the current COVID-19 pandemic are Bryonia, Beryllium metallicum, Gelsemium, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Camphora, Lobelia purpurescens, and Arsenicum. Other useful remedies (though this list is not exhaustive) include Ammonium mur, Mag mur, Carbo veg, Bapt, Cuprum met, Ferrum phos, Rhus Tox, Sabadilla, Sambucus, and Sanguinaria.
For dietary advice on how to protect oneself from any virus (including coronavirus), Sally Fallon of the Weston A Price Foundation has written two excellent articles: How To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus (Or Any Virus)
as well as another article that follows up on her earlier one: More on Coronavirus
For more lifestyle and supplement advice about keeping one’s immune system in optimal condition, please refer to Dr. Amy Rothenberg’s latest article: COVID-19 Thoughts and Recommendations: April 1, 2020
References
Coronavirus – analysis of symptoms – prevention and treatment by Dr. Bhatia
Editorial – Corona Virus – Alan V. Schmukler
Jeremy Sherr’s Second Update on the Coronavirus (Webinar). March 23, 2020
Jeremy Sherr’s Third Update on the Coronavirus (Webinar). March 29, 2020
Three Remedies I Have Used for COVID-2019 by Massimo Mangialavori. Hpathy. March 23, 2020.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (CoVID-19): Part VIII by Dr. Paul Herscu. March 13, 2020.
Disclaimer: This article is a compilation of homeopathic professionals’ experiences with treating their patients with individually selected homeopathic remedies. This article is not intended as medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of a health practitioner. Health Canada has not authorized any NHP to treat, prevent or cure COVID-19.
Natural Cold & Flu Remedies
Medicinal Herbs and Supplements
Echinacea is the top selling herb in North America used for treating and preventing the common cold. This herb has a long history of use by Native Americans who have a long successful tradition of using echinacea for boosting the immune system, going back for hundreds of years.
Silver is an ancient remedy that has a two thousand year tradition of use. The ancient Romans and Greeks used silver to keep their immune systems strong. In the 1930’s Colloidal silver was the preferred immunity boosting remedy used by doctors but its use declined after antibiotics came on the market.
Curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric, has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It’s best taken in supplement form since you would need to eat a lot of turmeric to get the full benefits found in a concentrated supplement.
Vitamin D3, best absorbed from sunlight, is essential for proper immune system function. However, sunlight tends to be scarce during cold and flu season, which means that most of us tend to be deficient in D3 during the winter months.
Zinc is a common ingredient in most natural immunity supplements. Research shows that it plays a vital role in fighting off infections.
Oregano oil is a well-known herbal antiseptic remedy. Like turmeric, it is best taken in concentrated supplemental form in order to receive its immunity strengthening benefits.
Astragalus is a Chinese herb that has recently started gaining popularity in the West. This herb has been used for thousands of years in China for its immune boosting properties as well as for general vitality.
Mushrooms are rapidly gaining popularity for their immune boosting properties. Many types of mushrooms have been shown to have immune-boosting properties including shiitake mushrooms and there are currently many potent mushroom extracts available on the market.
Andrographis paniculata is a popular Chinese herb used to treat the common cold. It is also a popular Indian ayurvedic medicinal herb. It is one of the most widely used popular natural herbs used to treat colds and flus worldwide.
Olive leaf extract fights off colds and flus because they contain compounds such as oleuropein (widely regarded as one the most important constituents of olive leaves) and hydroxytyrosol, which are found to be effective against a number of disease-causing microbes.
Buy Immune Boosting Supplements and/or Book an Online Immune System Consultation
Homeopathic Flu Prevention
For those with very weakened immune systems or with chronic immune disorders, constitutional treatment by a classical homeopathic professional is recommended. Otherwise, for a general boost of the immune system, homeopathic Thymuline 9C should be taken once per week for 5 weeks at the beginning of cold and flu season. A combination of high potency homeopathic Influenzinum and Thymuline 9C are the best defense against flus. Please note that in Canada, high potency Influenzinum and Thymuline 9C are only available by prescription from a professional homeopath.
Cook with These Food Ingredients
Garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, hot peppers (cayenne, jalapeno, etc), lemon and honey have immune boosting properties. I recommend that you cook regularly with these food ingredients during cold and flu season. As well as taking them in concentrated supplemental form, it can also benefit the immune system to cook using turmeric, oregano and shiitake mushrooms.
Immunity-Boosting Tea Recipes
Ginger tea made with fresh ginger is a good natural remedy for colds. Heat a few cups of water in a pot with about an inch of fresh grated ginger, boil for at least 10 minutes; take off the element and add some milk and honey if desired; drink fresh.
Ginger and onion tea is another natural cold remedy. It can be made with a few slices of fresh ginger and onion. Place the onion, ginger and a pinch of salt along with 2 teaspoons of green or other herbal tea into a teapot. Pour boiling water into the pot and allow to steep for a few minutes.
Ginger, lemon and honey tea can be made by boiling a few slices of ginger in a pot and letting it steep for 10 minutes. Pour 1 cup of the hot ginger water into a mug and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon; sweeten with honey to taste.
Homeopathic Remedies for Colds
Homeopathic remedies can help you and your family recover faster from the common cold. In cases of fever, try Homeopathic Remedies for Fever. In cases of flu, try Homeopathic Remedies for Flu.
Along with homeopathic remedies, remember to Use the Neti Pot to Clear Sinus and Nasal Congestion
These are the most common homeopathic remedies to treat a simple head cold:
Allium Cepa: The most common remedy for a simple head cold. The eyes and nose run. There is burning discharge from the nose, making the upper lip red and sore. This person feels better in the open air.
Euphrasia: Nonirritating discharge from the nose with burning tears. There may also be a cough that is worse in the daytime.
Arsenicum: Like allium cepa, the nasal discharge burns and reddens the skin. These people are very chilly and restless.
Nux Vomica: This person is very chilly and irritable. The nose is stuffy at night and runny during the day.
Pulsatilla: This person is weepy and craves company. The mucus is thick yellow-green and the person craves the open air.
Dulcamara: This person gets a cold after exposure to cold damp weather. These colds are more common in autumn when the seasons change from warm to cool.
Natrum Muriaticum: Nasal flow with mucus that looks like raw egg whites. There may be blisters around the mouth or nose.
Kali Bichromicum: Usually at the later stages of a cold, when the mucus is thick, yellow, ropey and difficult to expel.
Dosage and Repetition: Give a 12C or 30C potency (strength) of the indicated remedy every one or two hours, depending on the severity of symptoms. If a few doses of a remedy has brought no relief, try a different remedy.
If the cold develops into a cough, try Homeopathic Remedies for Cough
Homeopathic Remedies for Cough
These remedies are useful for coughs due to an acute infection and for bronchitis, croup, and whooping cough. In cases of chronic coughs and/or low immunity, it is best to consult a professional homeopath for constitutional treatment.
Aconite: Useful at the beginning stages of a cough. A dry cough with sudden onset due to exposure to dry, cold wind.
Belladonna: Useful at the beginning stages. This person is extremely hot with a flushed face.
Ferrum Phosphoricum: Also useful at the beginning stages, but more gradual onset with less intensity. A short, tickling cough with few other symptoms.
Bryonia: A hard dry cough that may hurt the chest. There is thirst for cold drinks and the person’s symptoms are worse from movement. This person may be irritable and may want to be alone.
Rumex: Dry, short cough set off by a tickling in the throat. The cough is worse from the inhalation of cold air.
Arsenicum: Anxious, restless person who is weak and chilly. The cough is worse at night, and from cold air and drinks.
Phosphorus: This person has thirst for cold drinks. They are chilly, crave company and have a fear of the dark.
Pulsatilla: A cough that is dry at night and loose in the daytime. They feel worse in a warm room and better with fresh air. They can be weepy, affectionate and want company.
Hepar Sulphuris: The person is very chilly and worse for anything cold. They are irritable, oversensitive and prefer warm drinks.
Ipecacuanha: Spasmodic coughing sometimes with nausea and/or retching. The chest is full of rattling mucus and there is wheezing.
Antimonium Tartaricum: The chest is full of rattling mucus. Usually indicated toward the end stages of a cough. This person is drowsy, pale and sweaty.
Drosera: A frequently indicated remedy in croup and whooping cough. A dry, barking cough. The cough is worse when lying down and it may end in vomiting. It is worse from eating or drinking.
Spongia: A dry, harsh, hoarse cough. The cough sounds like a saw going through wood. The person may wake from sleep feeling suffocated.
Rhus Toxicodendron: A dry cough with a tickling behind the breastbone. There is restlessness and the cough may be better from motion. Exposure t cold damp aggravates the cough.
Potency and Repetition
Give a 12C or 30C potency (strength) of the indicated remedy every four hours for four to six doses. Stop, or increase the time between doses upon improvement of the cough. If there is no improvement after a few doses of the indicated remedy, try selecting a different remedy.
The remedies listed above are the most commonly indicated cough remedies. Another remedy not listed in the article may be needed. For professional help, book an acute consultation for cough.
Homeopathic Remedies for Fever
A fever is the body’s way of fighting an infection. All healthy people will occasionally have fevers. The body will naturally heal itself of a fever, without any sort of intervention. Homeopathic remedies can speed healing and will aid the body’s natural process of healing itself.
All remedies listed in this article can be used for adults as well as children.
Childhood Fevers: When to Seek Professional Help
- If your child is 6 weeks old or younger and has a fever of 101 or higher: Go to the doctor or hospital immediately
- If your child is 7 weeks to three months with a fever of 101 or higher: See your doctor within a few hours
- Has signs of meningitis infection: Stiff neck or neck pain, vomiting, headache, bright lights hurt the eyes.
See your doctor if your child has a fever of 104 or more and does not respond to the following treatment:
Belladonna: The first remedy to try in cases of high fevers. This person will have a flushed, red face. The fever has a quick, rapid onset. The skin is burning hot and the eyes are red and pupils are dilated. They may also have a throbbing headache.
Aconite: These fevers look similar to Belladonna fevers. This person may be thirstier and is extremely fearful and anxious. Whereas someone needing Belladonna will be more irritable, a person needing Aconite will be more fearful and may even believe they are going to die.
Dosage: Give the above homeopathic remedies in a 12C or 30C potency (strength) every 15-30 minutes. As the fever starts to improve, dose less frequently. If there is no noticeable change within an hour, try another remedy.
If your child’s high fever of 104 or more has not responded to homeopathic remedies, try acetaminophen or ibuprofen before seeing your doctor.
With medium to low fevers, try Ferrum Phosphoricum 6X Homeopathic Cell Salts. This remedy is a good specific remedy for moderate fevers. Give every 15-30 minutes for a few doses, then space apart doses less frequently as the fever improves.
Other Homeopathic Remedies for Fever
Nux Vomica: This person is extremely chilly and needs to be covered with a lot of blankets. The fever will often begin after overeating, going without sleep, or using too much alcohol or drugs. This person may also have digestive symptoms and there is irritability. Their symptoms are worse in the morning.
Pulsatilla:This person is clingy, weepy, and craves affection. They are worse when warmly covered or in a warm room. The fever often begins after eating too much rich or fatty food. There is no thirst.
Dosage: Give the above homeopathic remedies in a 12C or 30C potency (strength) every 15-30 minutes. As the fever starts to improve, dose less frequently. If there is no noticeable change within an hour, try another remedy.
See Homeopathic Remedies for Flu to learn about other homeopathic remedies that may be useful for a fever.
References
Feldman, Murray and Gabrielle Pinto. “Homeopathy for Children,” C.W. Daniel, Saffron Walden, UK, 2000.