Homeopathy for Colds and Flu

As the weather changes and the nights begin to draw in, our bodies have to adapt to cooler, windier and damper weather as we move into autumn. It’s also the time of year when children return to school, routines become busier and colds and flu begin to circulate more widely.

For some of us, this seasonal change can leave us feeling more tired and run down. When we are exhausted or not giving ourselves enough time to rest and sleep, it can be especially important to slow down, listen to our bodies and give ourselves the care and support we need.

There are many simple ways we can support ourselves through the colder months. Nourishing, warming foods such as homemade soups, stews and plenty of vegetables can provide comfort and nourishment. Staying hydrated, prioritising good-quality sleep and making time for rest are all valuable parts of looking after ourselves.

Here are some remedies for support as we enter the colder months. 

Remedy support for colds and Head colds.

Aconite - This is usually best taken at the sudden onset of a cold, that may have been caused by sudden exposure to the cold.

Allium cepa - There is a lot of sneezing with hot watery discharge from the nose, making the top of the lip and nose sore. The eyes are watery. They also have headaches and feel worse in a hot room. Brought on in cold damp weather. 

Arsenicum Album - Someone who catches a cold easily. There is a lot of sneezing with a runny nose that runs clear which burns the upper lip and nostrils, blocked nose. The person feels cold, and they feel better for heat, warm drinks and food. They also feel better for warm applications such as a heat pad, and they feel better for being wrapped up warm. 

Ferrum Phos - Use at the first signs of a cold and a runny nose, where a person feels chilly and has a frontal headache. They feel better for lying down. They may also get nose bleeds. 

Hepar Sulph - Symptoms are brought on from the cold wind. The person feels very chilly and is better for the warmth of the bed and wrapping up with the heating on, as they are very sensitive to the cold, easily lacking internal heat, they may start sneezing when uncovered, they do not want to be disturbed. They catch colds easily. Nose may start running but then it becomes blocked, with slimy mucus they may be yellow in colour. There may be a fever also present . May be accompanied with a dry barking cough in the day and may turn into a loose cough in the night with slimy yellow mucus.

Kali Bich - This remedy is great for someone that has a cold and their nose is blocked up with thick yellow/ green mucus with the sinuses blocked up with pain in the forehead. 

Natrum Mur - A headcold that starts off with violent  sneezing and runny nose turns into a blocked nose, or may alternate between running and being congested. The mucus is usually egg white. There may be some pain in the cheekbones. There may be a loss of taste and smell. The person may feel very thirsty with a dry mouth and want to eat salty snacks. 

Pulsatilla - The nose is stuffy with lots of green discharge and they are worse in a hot hot stuffy room. When they feel better in the open fresh air and their nose becomes watery. There may be a lot of sneezing too with loss of taste. Someone may need this remedy if their symptoms keep changing. For example moving from a blocked nose with thick mucus then becomes watery when in the open fresh air. 

Homeopathic support for Influenza (Flu)

Aconite - Is best to take at the sudden onset of symptoms brought on from exposure to cold. Symptoms of flu include a feeling of chilliness and fever, earache, dry and burning sore throat and is very thirsty, has a dry, croupy cough with stiffness in the neck. They feel worse in a warm room at night and feel better in the open air. 

Arsenicum Alb - Feels chilly and exhausted with weakness, and is thirsty for only sips of water. Eyes and nose are streaming and there is lots of sneezing. Worse for the change of cold weather. They are better for heat and warm drinks and worse for the cold and cold drinks. 

Bryonia - A remedy for flu symptoms with a bursting frontal headache and the headache is worse even by rolling their eyeballs, made worse when coughing, dry cough, with a dry throat and is sore when swallowing, sore stiff neck, feeling irritable especially when moving around, they are extremely thirsty. Better for rest and cold and are worse for warmth. 

Eupatorium Perfoliatum - A remedy for flu when severe aches and pains in the muscles and the bones are predominant, a feeling of the bones being broken, with shivering. 

Gelsemium - A great remedy for the Flu, exhaustion and weakness, with muscle aches. There is some shivering and feelings of chilliness with general aches, headaches with heavy or droopy eyelids with weakness with low energy and exhaustion where they just want to lie down and rest. 

Oscillococcinum - For all types of influenza, this can be used in the early stages of the flu, particularly when symptoms include body aches, bursting headaches and fatigue. It can also be useful for people who are prone to getting the flu regularly.

Rhus Tox - Severe aches in the muscles with  the feeling of feeling bruised and battered with restlessness, with a need to move about to find a comfortable position and feel better for changing position. They feel worse at night. There are swollen glands and a sore throat with inflamed eyes and a headache and a sore neck. No appetite but very thirsty and a feeling of wanting to keep warm. Worse for the change of weather to autumn and worse for being cold and sensitive to damp conditions.

Homeopathic remedies are selected according to the individual’s overall symptom picture. These descriptions are intended as a guide only and are not a substitute for personalised professional advice. Please seek appropriate medical advice if symptoms persist.