Homeopathy for the current flu wave
An update on the current upper respiratory tract infection
by Paul Herscu ND, MPH 31.12.2019
I would like to make three specific observations about the current viral illnesses.
The first observation concerns what we would call a "simple cold". Unlike the cold wave I reported on a few years ago, which produced asthmatic symptoms in many patients without a history of asthma, the current colds follow the usual course. However, the severity of the illness is striking. Symptoms include a runny nose, mostly with mild clear discharge, and severe pressure pain over the frontal sinuses leading to a congestive headache and pronounced weakness. Patients are extremely exhausted and have joint and muscle pains. Fever is relatively low at 37–37.8°C. In many ways the symptom picture is a slightly altered version of Gelsemium. I want to draw attention here to what happens after taking Gelsemium. Usually one feels the next day as if "nothing has changed". One is still ill. It is precisely for this reason that I want to point out a mistake that occurs quite frequently.
But first I would like briefly to summarise the typical symptoms and course of a cold:
- Fever can last up to 7–9 days.
- Sore throat may persist for up to 9 days.
- Cough can remain for 2 weeks or longer.
- Runny nose can sometimes last longer than 2 weeks.
- Body aches can last between 10 days and several weeks.
The reason I mention this is that after giving a remedy people often expect to be well again in a very short time (minutes or hours, at the latest by the next day). If that does not happen, we are quick to give another remedy that seems to fit the symptoms better. I believe that this is not the right response in this cold wave. If you give Gelsemium because the symptoms fit, it is quite possible that you will not see a drastic change so quickly. But if you stick with the remedy and have some patience, you will find that the duration of the illness is significantly shortened. The nasal discharge may continue for another week or two. But the feeling of illness decreases markedly within the first days. It's as if the body recovers well with regard to exhaustion and headache while the virus is still active before it finally leaves the body. In short: choose the appropriate remedy – in this case Gelsemium is usually indicated – stay with it for a few days and you will probably find yourself much better. Many make the mistake of switching remedies too quickly because they expect a dramatic reaction to the medicine and lose sight of the overall course of the illness.
Secondly, I want to point out the currently rampant gastrointestinal infection. This infection is characterised mainly by severe vomiting, usually without accompanying constipation or diarrhoea, but with chills, sweating and fever. Most patients have a slightly yellowish, furred tongue (the whole tongue), the edges are swollen and slightly curved. They can neither drink nor eat, tolerate neither hot nor cold, with hot things markedly worse. These patients seem to respond better to Mercurius. Afterwards they vomit once or twice more and then the problem is over.
My third observation concerns the severe influenza-like infection. I should make it clear that I did not perform laboratory tests and therefore do not know which patients had true influenza and which did not. I relied solely on the presenting symptom picture. That should determine any choice of remedy. Of course it is also in my interest to know which virus is involved, since it is always useful to know the course of the disease, but for now let us stick to the symptoms. Headache, pressure and pain in the eyes, congestion in the frontal sinuses and severe limb pains that migrate from the hips to the back and into the extremities, not necessarily in that order. Also pronounced weakness, possibly some nausea and vomiting, but not as severe as described above, and fever between 37–38.8°C. No appetite and no thirst. Not particularly chilly, but not very hot either, with a tendency more towards chills than heat. The head and limb pains seem to be the main problem. The remedy that appears to help best in these cases is Eupatorium perfoliatum. Patients describe the illness as one of the worst they have had in recent years. The pains are so severe. It is reminiscent of Bryonia, but without the aggravation from movement. One might also think of Arsenicum album, but without the intense chilliness and without improvement from warmth. Eupatorium normally has great restlessness, which is not evident in the current infection. Also the strong craving for ice-cold drinks is absent. Many do not think of this remedy because the typical symptoms are missing. But in the current infection the Eupatorium picture is present in a slightly altered form.
It goes without saying that you should also take any herbal medicines and vitamins against viral infections that you know. Pay attention to a healthy diet, sleep as much as you can, and be cared for so that you can fully recover.
Update No. 2 on the current viral upper respiratory tract infection – as of January 2020
- January 2020
Here are the additions to my observations from last week that I would like to share. First I should note that Gelsemium still appears to be the main remedy for the current cold wave; the corresponding symptoms were described in the first blog, only the cough has become somewhat stronger. My observation that Gelsemium shortens the duration of illness still seems to be confirmed, since patients on Gelsemium feel better after 4–5 days compared with 9–12 days of illness for most others. The remedy is often changed too early; it is better to stay with the remedy and wait. The symptom picture includes the previously described complaints plus mild limb pains and a persistent cough.
The second addition relates to the severe gastrointestinal infection currently circulating, which is characterised by very violent, intense vomiting. The remedy of choice remains Mercurius, although there are also patients who respond well to Ars-alb (note: chilly, ameliorated by warm drinks), Colch (note: strong aggravation from smells) or Ip (note: no improvement from vomiting). The main remedy remains Mercurius with the typical symptoms, but without diarrhoea or constipation. Chills, sweating and fever are present.
With regard to the severe influenza-like Eupatorium infection, Bryonia is now added as a possible remedy. The main difference between the two is the marked aggravation from movement seen in Bryonia, which we do not have with Eupatorium. Otherwise the observations described in the first post remain unchanged.
Link to earlier posts about influenza
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Source: http://paulherscuepidemics.blogspot.com/2019/12/upper-respiratory-tract-infections.html
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