(Updated with new information on February 1, 2022) In this article, learn about the symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and how the symptoms differ from the previous COVID-19 variants. Then learn about practitioners who have been using homeopathy for Omicron, and about the homeopathic remedies that have been used successfully for Omicron.
Introduction
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 was first discovered in South Africa in late November 2021. This variant has a very high infectivity rate compared with other variants, but is overall far less threatening, with a lower fatality rate than other variants such as Delta. Many experts agree that due to its high infectivity rate, Omicron will soon overtake the Delta variant.
Omicron Symptoms
Typically, the symptoms of infection with the Omicron variant resemble those of a common cold or flu. Common symptoms include coryza, throat pain (either mild or severe), a scraping sensation in the throat, severe or mild body pain, headache and low grade fever. 5-6 days after the fever breaks, there can be post viral scrapy throat and cough. In some cases there is nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or stomach pain. Omicron tends to infect the upper respiratory tract vs. Alpha and Delta which tend to infect the lower respiratory tract. With Omicron, the infection tends to be localized around the nasal mucosa and the throat. There are very few cases of breathlessness or low oxygen levels. Loss of smell is rare. The fevers tend to be low grade, though there may be high grade fevers, especially with younger children. With severe cases there may be may be mental confusion and dullness, breathing difficulties, chest heaviness, and chest tightness.
Dr. Bhawisha and Dr. Shachindra Joshi have divided the most common Omicron symptoms into 3 main groups:
- Mainly only throat symptoms. They have a scrapy sensation in the throat. They need to clear the throat often. Sometimes there is a feeling of a lump in the throat. Always hawking or coughing. Postnasal drip. Cough that is aggravated from lying down and from cold air/weather.
- They do not have very many throat symptoms but instead they have headaches, low grade or high fever, and body ache.
- Mainly nasal symptoms. Coryza and runny nose. Then they may have a sore throat following the runny nose.
Disclaimer: The homeopathic remedy or protocol for Omicron should be selected in consultation with a professional homeopath. In case of infection, an individualized consultation with a professional homeopath is strongly recommended.
Omicron Homeoprophylaxis
If someone has been exposed to family who are COVID positive, or has been exposed to a lot of people who are COVID positive, Bryonia is the homeopathic remedy of choice for Omicron homeoprophylaxis. Give the 200C potency once a day for 3 days every week for 2-3 weeks to boost the immunity. 200C matches the pace of the Omicron variant which is very fast. The COVID-19 nosode has also shown promising results in research trials.
Homeopathic Remedies for Omicron
Remedies as per the Joshis: Bryonia, Phosphorus, Rumex, Arsenicum album, Dulcamara, Eupatorium, Abrotanum, Pulsatilla, and Merc sol. Dr. Herscu recommends giving Gelsemium and/or the client’s constitutional homeopathic remedy for the Omicron variant. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Gupta has helped the majority of his 803 Omicron cases so far with homeopathic Hepar sulph 200C. Additionally, Dr. Rajan Sankaran has had good success with Nux vomica, Rhus tox, and China. Ferrum Phos and Influenzinum were used successfully by Dr. Dhanipkar.
The Joshis feel that Bryonia, Phosphorus and Rumex will cover most cases of Omicron.
Bryonia is the first choice for the #2 (see above) cluster of symptoms – fever, headache, and malaise. Use Bryonia 200C for milder cases and 1M for the stronger cases. Use the 1M 3 times per day for rapidly developing cases.
For cases of fever and chill during Omicron, Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad has often used China, as well as Phosphoric acid.
If there is sore throat and no fever and no body ache, just a scraping sensation in the throat, then the drug of choice is Phosphorus. Then the next remedy to think of would be Rumex. Once the cough sets in Rumex is the better choice. The Rumex cough is worse from cold air and change of weather to cold. Note that the Omicron variant first emerged when winter set in. Rumex is a good remedy in areas where there is a change to winter and change to cold air (for example, in the northern hemisphere). Dulcamara is also indicated in colder climates, as well as Aconitum.
After the fever breaks, sometimes Pulsatilla is the indicated remedy for Omicron. This is a great remedy to give post influenza. It is also a great antiviral remedy. Pulsatilla is more effective in warmer weather locations and in southern climates.
Merc sol is for when the throat pain is intense, with a lot of redness and swelling in the throat. Other remedies for burning throat pain include Merc-i-r, Merc-i-f, Hepar sulph, Arsenicum album, and Baryta carb. If the throat symptoms are vague, the top remedy used by Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad is Streptococcinum 1M.
For cough, the main indicated remedies are Rumex, Phosphorus and Pulsatilla. Also consider, in some cases, Bryonia, Drosera, Spongia or Senega. For dry cough Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad also recommends Hyoscyamus and Bromium and for loose cough he recommends Manganum aceticum if the cough is better from lying down.
Dr. Andre Saine has helped most of his Omicron cases with the homeopathic remedy Carboneum oxygenisatum (Carbn-o). The most characteristic symptoms Carbn-o are great to extreme lethargy, apathy, loss of will, mental dullness and prostration, confusion, weakness, great sleepiness and extreme shortness of breath that are worse from the slightest exertion and better from open air. Another interesting symptoms that can be present when Carbn-o is indicated are disorientation in time and space and awkwardness.
To dry up mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and/or lungs, Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad recommends giving Kali mur 6X homeopathic cell salt along with one of the above indicated remedies.
Post COVID Homeopathic Remedies
For fatigue and weakness post COVID, Eupatorium and Abrotanum are the main remedies, according to the Joshis. Think of Abrotanum for elderly people who have tremendous weakness and dullness and fatigue after COVID, who are irritable and angry. Abrotanum 200C can be a good remedy for irritable, weak children after COVID – irritable weak children. Abrotanum is a great remedy for children and/or elderly post COVID. If there are a lot of joint and body pains then use Eupatorium. If there is bone breaking body pain and weakness, take Eupatorium 200C once per day for even a week, post flu or post COVID. Dr. Andre Saine recommends using Bryonia or Carbn-o for COVID long-haulers. For cases of depression and/or anxiety post COVID, Dr. Girish Gupta has found that most cases respond well to Arsenicum album.
Homeopathic Potency Selection for Omicron
Though the Joshis favour the 200C potency and sometimes the 1M potency, I have found that using the 30C potency also works very well for Omicron.
Natural Remedies for Throat Pain
In addition to using homeopathic remedies, there are a number of ways to ease throat pain. Some find that gargling with salt water, diluted oregano oil or diluted hydrogen peroxide is helpful. Propolis spray, colloidal silver spray, and/or throat lozenges can relief the pain. Make sure to stay away from menthol lozenges since they will interfere with the effectiveness of your homeopathic remedy.
Natural Supplements for COVID
The World Council for Health recommends taking the following natural supplements for COVID-19 infection:
References
Joshi Webinar 8 Jan 2022 on current management of symptoms with homeopathy
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.