Link to the update from 24 April 2020
Every winter it happens again; you could almost set your watch by it. A new pathogen is discovered and the press tries to make us break out in a sweat with ever-new updates about the looming danger.
Are we really that vulnerable?
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Should we be prepared?
Why not? What speaks against having a homeopathic medicine kit to hand in case your own family is hit by the flu wave?
I believe the current situation should give us no cause for concern, let alone panic. I would encourage you to view everything from a proportionate perspective. A watchful calm seems appropriate.
If fear nevertheless becomes too great – if it makes you nervous and irritable – Ignatia C200 has proven effective for me: one dose twice daily until I can think clearly again and confidence returns.
But nothing dispels fear better than information.
There are currently no definitive findings about the coronavirus (this is also because we homeopaths in the Western world have not yet treated any corona cases), but there are some helpful suggestions.
In my assessment this outbreak is no different from all the others we homeopaths have treated over the past 250 years. I have devoted several posts to this topic on Facebook and assembled a great deal of information there. I recommend you have a listen. Here I will give you a brief summary.
But first things first.
Most of us do not want to get ill at all, and so I receive many questions about homeopathic flu prophylaxis. At the time of writing this post (February 2020) the press is practically in a frenzy regarding the coronavirus. In India there was a press release from the Central Council for Homeopathy recommending Arsenicum album C30 for prophylaxis – one dose daily for three days, then repeat the dose once a month.
In fact, in my last podcast I recommended exactly this remedy for prevention, only the intervals between doses are different. I have found that the frequency of administration depends on the severity of the impending flu wave.
Arsenicum album C30 or D30 can either be taken daily for a week (once a day) OR possibly twice daily for a week. After that you should reduce the dose and take the remedy only once or twice a week.
I checked with a homeopathic colleague and friend in India, who told me that at that time (Feb 2020) there had been no corona cases in India and they had not gained any experience yet.
We should take that into account in our considerations. We must know that the current recommendations of the Central Council are rather speculative and not based on clinical experience.
Be that as it may, we know that the coronavirus has a long incubation period (10–14 days) and initially presents as a common cold. The slow course is indeed an indication for Arsenicum album 30, a remedy that has proven itself many times in severe cold illnesses.
With every epidemic (and there have been many over the centuries) homeopaths around the world try to find the so-called „genius epidemicus“ – the healing remedy that fits that particular disease and can help people worldwide.
The main remedy currently being discussed among homeopaths for the coronavirus is Gelsemium C30, because of the extreme fatigue we can observe with this illness.
But here too these are theoretical considerations.
As long as we do not have the opportunity to treat many cases and repeatedly confirm the effectiveness of particular remedies, we homeopaths must also work with our informed hypotheses.
Gelsemium has already established itself as the genius epidemicus in other epidemics (especially during the Spanish flu in 1918, where its effect could be observed worldwide). Gelsemium is best suited for extreme tiredness, malaise and muscle pain (all of which apply to the coronavirus). So it seems to fit well. In my clinic it has at least helped very well with ordinary colds.
Some homeopaths suggest the following prophylactic protocol:
- One dose Gelsemium C30 per week, as long as the immediate surroundings are not affected by the virus.
- As soon as there are acute cases in your vicinity: one dose Gelsemium C30 daily for seven days. Then one dose twice weekly until the danger has passed.
Other homeopaths again recommend the use of nosodes (that is, a remedy made from the pathogen itself). I have not found nosodes to be consistently reliable and prefer to use the simillimum, for example the remedies I present and discuss here. That is not to say that the use of nosodes is wrong; they are simply not my first choice! I know many people who achieve very good results in flu prophylaxis with Oscillococcinum.
All in all I am of the opinion that the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to eat healthily, drink clean water, wash your hands regularly and allow yourself enough rest. We people in the Western world seem to take the first three for granted, but generally ignore the latter. Human beings need sufficient rest! Unfortunately we have become accustomed to exploiting our bodies and then wonder why we have become so susceptible to illness.
My advice to you: take good care of yourself, rest, and with some luck you will avoid the flu.
But of course it does not always work and most of us will get ill from time to time. For those times I always have a Banerji protocol to hand and I suggest you do the same.
If I have the feeling that „something is coming on“, I take Aconitum napellus C200 twice daily in combination with Bryonia C30.
If I know I have been hit by a virus, I take the two remedies every few hours (this Banerji protocol also helps with flu illnesses with cough; I talk more about it in my podcast).
Suppose I were diagnosed with the coronavirus. In that case I would use the Banerji protocol for SARS (the disease has a similar course):
- Lachesis mutus C200, one dose every other day (this combats the lung symptoms)
- Chelidonium majus D6 (preferably in liquid form as a dilution) and Hepar sulfuris calcareum C6, one dose every two hours (to treat cough and symptoms in the lungs and throat).
- Kalium muriaticum D3*, in combination with Ferrum phosphoricum D3, one dose twice daily (supports blood health and relieves exhaustion).
*Often Kali-mur is only available as D6, but works just as well.
It is important that you do not automatically assume the worst. Consider your viral infection initially as a simple cold until the diagnosis is established. When thinking of flu symptoms first and foremost consider an ordinary influenza, which might respond well to Oscillococciunum.
Please do not believe that you are infected with the coronavirus just because you have heard so much about it in the media!
For the flu, in addition to the Arsenicum album 30 and Gelsemium C30 mentioned above, there is another Banerji protocol that I recently discussed in one of my podcasts: Rhus tox C30 together with Bryonia C30. The two remedies are usually taken alternately every three hours at the onset of illness OR, if the flu is already advanced (with limb pains, breathing difficulties etc.), you let both remedies dissolve together under the tongue every three hours.
I might additionally give Nux vomica C30 for chills and fever (particularly suitable for overexertion and muscle aches). Ferrum phos C30 is a proven remedy for low fever (one of the prominent features of the coronavirus).
Bone pain often occurs with the flu. I do not mean the slight ache here, but the feeling as if all the bones in the body were broken. The pain is very intense, especially in the back. This kind of bone pain brings a certain restlessness; there is an urge to move, but movement brings no relief. In addition the sufferer is very cold and somehow cannot get warm. In some cases the pain temporarily improves after vomiting.
If the flu presents with these symptoms, I can recommend Eupatorium perfoliatum C200, to be taken every 3–4 hours, depending on the severity of the pain. If the flu is accompanied by a cough, you can search my blog under the entry „cough“ for the appropriate remedy.
As you can see, I would like you to look carefully at which symptom is currently in the foreground and can lead you to the appropriate homeopathic remedy. This way you can work through each symptom in turn – when the respective remedy has finished its effect, stop it and begin assessing the next main symptom. Do this until you have fully recovered.
One final note: please do not be alarmed if you experience a mild depression following the flu – there is no need to feel embarrassed about it. Many people have this, but we seem to think we are the only ones affected. In such cases I rely entirely on Aurum metallicum C200, one dose every 2–3 days until I am completely myself again.
And one more thing: please do not forget that a viral illness does not respond to antibiotics. All too often patients demand that their doctor prescribe them an antibiotic. And unfortunately many doctors comply with this unnecessary request.
Antibiotic therapy only works for bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, otitis media or sinusitis. But – and this is a big BUT – we as users of homeopathic medicines know that antibiotics can have long-term side effects.
And here too there are alternatives!
For example there is Aconit200/Bryonia 30 following the Banerji protocol described above. It is effective in many cases even with pneumonia. Kali carb C200 is also an important remedy.
To be able to use these remedies effectively, one should study homeopathic application more closely. I strongly urge you not to continue relying on allopathic medications with their countless side effects. Often these lead to further health problems.
Homeopathy works reliably, gently, sustainably and effectively – as long as you know how to apply it. Perhaps now is the time for you to learn more about homeopathic alternatives. Spread the word!
Warmly,
Joette
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https://joettecalabrese.com/blog/ferocious-flu-fears/
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