Here we go again! And this year they're especially early! News agencies are shouting it from the rooftops everywhere:
"FLU WARNING! This year will be much worse than in previous years!"
Yeah, right. I'm fairly certain they say that every year. Wasn't last year already called the "winter of death"?
I'm not worried! I have homeopathy on hand, ready for every eventuality and severity of a flu illness. A few years ago I wrote in my blog post about viruses and flu.
Lately I've been receiving enquiries about boosting immunity in preparation for the coming flu season, also known as homeoprophylaxis. For this, a homeopathic remedy is taken prophylactically against flu. So today let's talk about that.
Homeopathic prophylaxis for flu
There are several homeopathic remedies recommended for flu prophylaxis; homeopaths typically use different remedies. In recent years I've had good experience with a method recommended by my good friend Joe De Livera. The homeoprophylactic is Eupatorium perfoliatum 200, to be taken once daily. Joe's method is a little different from our usual administration, where a few pellets are given dry under the tongue. More information on dosage and potency of the remedy can be found here.
Joe has practised as a homeopath for many decades and is now 92 years old. He recommends dissolving one dose of Eupatorium 200 in about two cups of water. I use a water bottle that holds half a litre and dissolve a few Eupatorium 200 pellets in it. From that I take one teaspoonful each day and make sure to shake the bottle ten times before each dose.
The next question I'm often asked is: "Do we then take this prophylaxis for the whole flu season?"
Generally I answer no, but that doesn't mean this approach is the only one that works. Let me put it this way: as always, homeopathic remedies are medicines and not vitamins or dietary supplements. They must be used prudently and with moderation – whenever they are needed.
More is not always better
In homeopathy, more does not necessarily mean better. "Exactly right" means the correct number of days and the correct number of administrations. And those can vary.
Out of respect for the power of our remedies I would not start a course of Eupatorium simply because I read in the media that a flu wave is approaching. Taking a prophylactic in September to avoid a potential viral threat in November would be clearly excessive.
I would begin at the earliest when flu has arrived in my region. But very likely I would even wait until it affected my personal circle. That is, if someone in my family became infected and had a severe course, I would definitely treat the rest of my family prophylactically with Eupatorium.
In other words, I would wait until there was a real reason to give the remedy. I would not use it just to be "proactive".
In my view "proactive" is not necessarily a good word when it comes to healthcare. It tempts people to rush to the doctor, the dentist or A&E at the slightest thing. And it encourages them to have one test after another carried out.
I disagree.
Act appropriately
I believe that x-rays, mammograms, colonoscopies, etc. are sensible for diagnosis when actual symptoms are present. And not just "for the sake of it". You'd go mad trying to apply conventional medicine proactively! I've seen the consequences of that all too often.
The same can happen if we overuse homeopathy! There is no reason to take our remedies arbitrarily.
Dr Prasanta Banerji often told his patients: "Master your illness with ease. Don't blame yourself. Let everything bounce off you. If we don't do this, we take the weight of the whole world onto our shoulders."
For that reason I assume you will be well. And very likely you will be! But when the flu comes – or any other illness – you will be well prepared and can prevent or overcome it with the help of homeopathy.
Homeopathy helps – spread the word!
Warmly,
Yours,
.png)
