Influenza, commonly called "the flu," causes a variety of symptoms including fever, chills, aching and coughing. Homeopathic remedies, which stimulate the body's healing mechanism to facilitate a cure, may help alleviate flu symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Because they are so diluted, homeopathic remedies don't usually produce side effects, notes the UMMC, and they are safe for home use. In some cases the flu can progress to pneumonia, so if your symptoms worsen or do not start to resolve in a week or so, consult your health care professional.
Oscillococcinum
Perhaps the most well-known influenza remedy, oscillococcinum appears as an over-the-counter remedy in many traditional drug stores. Take oscillococcinum at the first sign of flu to minimize symptoms and speed recovery. The symptom picture for oscillococcinum--a list of all the symptoms associated with the remedy--corresponds with flu accompanied by chills, paleness, anxiety or obsession, a stuffy nose or a dry painful cough.
Gelsemium
Homeopathic practitioners tend to dispense gelsemium for flu more than other remedies, notes Flu Solution. Flu that comes on slowly and brings significant weakness and fatigue--the feeling some people compare to having been run over by a truck--matches the symptom picture for gelsemium. Severe headache with double vision may also occur. A characteristic symptom for gelsemium is a lack of thirst.
Aconite
A standard remedy for fever, aconite addresses a flu that comes on suddenly with high fever, dry skin and inflammation. This remedy may apply if you feel tightness in your chest after you've been out in cold winds. A feeling of fearful anxiety combined with a dry, racking cough and extreme restlessness indicate that you should take aconite.
Arnica Montana
Arnica typically addresses bruising and trauma. The remedy applies to flu accompanied by aches and pains, as if you had internal and external bruising. The symptom picture is similar to aconite, except the arnica cough is wet and croupy, rather than dry and racking, and may develop into pneumonia.
Bryonia
Severe cases of influenza often point to bryonia. The symptom picture for this remedy includes a severe throbbing headache, deliriousness, body pains and dryness of the mucus membranes that may lead to nosebleed. Extreme irritability and constant worry about and discussion of business are strong indicators for bryonia. All bryonia symptoms are worse with motion.
Nux Vomica
The nux vomica symptom picture also includes extreme irritability, but the patient is usually also angry and easily offended. Nux vomica as a first-aid remedy addresses vomiting for any reason, and a flu that includes vomiting suggests this remedy. If you have a violent headache and rough raw cough, or you feel severely chilled and cannot get warm, consider nux vomica.
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