Colds and Flu
“Well, one week on and I am feeling SOOOOO much better - more or less like my old self, and I'm so happy about it!” — Sarah
Echinacea, a beautiful pink daisy like flower from North America, is a wonderful herb to use at the beginning of winter. Taken as a herbal extract (or tincture), or as capsules, it helps to support our immune system so that we are less likely to catch every bug that goes around. There are echinacea products suitable for children aswell now, look in your local health food shop to see what is available.
Colds and flu are unpleasant for everyone, and can linger on for up to a couple of weeks. Often, catching a cold or flu is is a call for the body to slow down and rest. This is often the best cure, along with drinking plenty of soothing drinks and eating light nourishing meals. Appropriately selected homeopathic remedies, while they will not stop a cold or flu completely, can alleviate the discomfort, and will also help to speed up the body's natural healing process. Homeopathy is a natural system of healthcare; remedies are pleasant and safe for everyone to use, and are free from side-effects.
Here are a selection of the most commonly used remedies for colds and flu. All of them are easy and inexpensive to buy from a chemist or health food shop.
- For the cold that begins suddenly, perhaps after exposure to cold wind or rain, Aconite is the first homeopathic remedy to think of. There is usually a slight temperature, restlessness and anxiety. The nose can drip with watery mucus, and there may be bouts of sneezing.
- For a streaming, sneezy cold with a blocked nose and burning discharge from eyes and nose, think of Arsen Alb. There is chilliness, and a desire to keep warm. There is likely to be restlessness and some anxiety.
- Another type of streaming, sneezy cold will respond well to Nat Mur. The eyes may be sore, but there won't be any burning. The discharge is like egg-white for about three days, but then this is followed by congestion. The sense of taste and smell may be lost, and there is tiredness and weakness. There may be irritability, and dislike of any fuss.
- Nux Vomica is a good remedy for a cold that has congestion with a dry nose. The congestion is usually worse out of doors, and at night, but the nose is runny the rest of the time. There is irritability and sensitivity to noise, light, draughts, even odours.
- Probably the most commonly used remedy for babies and children with colds is Pulsatilla. The discharge is usually thick and yellow, and is worse in the morning, but better for fresh air. The child may be clingy or tearful, needing sympathy and attention. This also good for adults!
- Gelsemium is a useful remedy for colds and flu. It has a slow onset, with aching and heaviness. There may be chills or a shivery feeling along the spine. There is often a heachache, and little or no thirst.
“Sam has been much better. This is the first winter he hasn't had a bad cough. Every other winter he's had a bad cough that has hung on for ages.” — Julie
Alternatives to the flu jab
If you are particularly concerned about the possibility of catching flu, but are not keen on having a flu jab, there are homeopathic remedies that can be taken as a preventative throughout the winter season. Autumn is a good time for adults or children who are prone to colds, coughs and flu to have constitutional treatment. At the first consultation, a careful health history is taken to establish the best course of treatment, in order to strengthen the constitution as well as clear up any existing problems.
If you suffer from frequent colds, find that they don't clear but tend to settle in your chest, or have not regained your usual energy after a bad cold or a bout of flu, you would benefit from a course of constitutional treatment to strengthen the immune system, and address any underlying causes. Contact me.
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