Current times: part 2

I've been thinking a lot about homeopathy recently, as I often do.

I'm learning to slow down and enjoying the things I mentioned in my last post which has been a real gift in itself. I even had an afternoon nap yesterday - and today a cheeky half hour one. Our schooling, which is a mix of home ed and a democratic school has gone online. So that means less travel, less rushing to come for the next few weeks. I've taken my work online and it will remain that way for a while. I do feel lucky that I'm able to do so and really feel for others who don't have that option. I hope there is support out there for them.

I'm still on my research mission on this topic, learning from others and I imagine that will evolve over this period of time, with another seminar just booked in for the weekend. The homeopathic community feels to be coming together, sharing information as they learn it and I'm really enjoying the spirit of sharing.

Speaking of that, my purpose in this blog is that I do want to share some homeopathic medicines that may help with symptoms if you're experiencing them. Generally I like to find the one remedy to suit best, but if you're deciding between two or three, there are options. Pick the one that feels closest to your symptoms if you can, but if you really can't decide try one, take it a couple of times, see if it helps and move onto the next if not. The other choice is that you could simply take two remedies at a time. It's not my favoured course by any means, but is something I've been known to do on occasions. If I'm bruised and with crushed nerves for example, I'll take arnica and hypericum. That said, I'm still a bit of a puritan and if you can find 'the one' to help with the symptoms you're experiencing then great.

Of course, and once again, I'm sure it goes without saying but in these strange times I feel I need to... ALWAYS go with the conventional advice for medical conditions - I'm not trying to replace a medical service, phone/look online at 111, speak to a doctor if needed. DO NOT use the suggestions following as your only treatment.

That said, the conventional advice currently for non-urgent cases of viral flu is paracetamol and not much else, so if you do want some additional help, or you're someone who doesn't use paracetamol (I've not taken one for over 12 years) then you may wish to take note of the following remedies.

I'm going to start with 10 remedies that I am aware are being used at this time. I may add to this blog as time goes on with more that look to be proving useful, and will likely add additional information to it. However I'm aware people are looking for remedies to help and wanted to get it shared now so they can order/check kits etc and be aware of what they have to hand if needed. I can't say enough how much I value both my Helios Homeopathy 36 remedy kit, and my Ainsworths 42 remedy kit and would love for every home to have one. Most of the medicines follow are in the kits, though not all of them.

Another thing that's really useful is the Homeopathy UK app which you can download for free on both apple and android gadgets. Loads of really helpful info on there.

So let's dive in...

Aconite - is so often known as a remedy that can head off a cold. It can be really useful when symptoms come on after getting cold, especially when they do so suddenly. It was AMAZING when my daughter had croup - she went from struggling and me thinking we might need an ambulance to sleeping calmly with no issues within minutes. It can be taken at the first sign of a cold and sometimes that'll be all you know about it. There can be a high fever, shortness of breath and often a lot of anxiety, patients may predict the time of their own death even (which is generally not the case but gives an insight into how much worry and anxiety there can be). Much restlessness and as mentioned earlier, a croupy, dry cough.

Antimonium Tart - there can be a bubbling, crackling sound in the lungs, white mucus that is hard to cough up. Short, difficult, and oppressed breathing. The patient may feel as if they would suffocate, feel better sitting up. There may be nausea and they may try to vomit.

Arsenicum Album - this is a big remedy right now for the fear and anxiety that is strongly present. I'm one of the least anxious people out there but was really affected by the constant news on the topic (see earlier blog and the mention of unfollowing lots of things on the book of face - it's to be recommended). Much of the fear isn't necessarily around the virus, it's around the economy, is there something we're not being told, how will everyone cope, will there be enough food etc. Or that's the people I've been talking to anyway. As with any of the remedies mentioned here - or the conditions discussed, it's not just one remedy per thing, but each could be a good starting point to think of. People who need arsenicum may have an 'unquenchable thirst', drinking little and often. Breathing may be anxious, and there will often be great anxiety in general. Cough will be worse lying on their back and there may be burning all over. Burning pains, which are often relieved by heat.

Belladonna - much dry heat - often the fever came on suddenly. I can't think about belladonna without thinking about beautiful (bella) ladies (donna = lady). Atropine from the plant has the property of dilating the pupil - and was one of the conventional meds we used to use when my horse was experiencing attacks of uveitis. That is until we used homeopathy and she never experienced it again.. So a tangent, for a change - sorry! Think dilated, wide pupils. Belladonna can help where the fever is such there are hallucinations and the patient may be jumping, or starting in sleep. Cough can be dry, barking, and sometimes spasmodic and often worse at night.

Bryonia - I don't recall who described this remedy as 'the bear with the sore head' but so the description goes. Think of the person who holds their chest when they cough as it's so painful. A dry, hacking cough and there may be sharp, stitching pains in the chest. They want to lie perfectly still and any movement hurts. Really irritable. Think about the bear! Pain is worse on the least motion.

Camphora - as mentioned above the spirit of sharing is strong and earlier today I was reading cases from a colleague in Iran who had used this remedy in several cases to great effect. There is extreme weakness and prostration and there may be sudden collapse. Desire for cold drinks. Sleepiness before or during the fever and there may be a low grade temperature.  Colleagues are using the 1m potency in general - in more severe cases the 10m. They've seen perspiration with shivering and chills, cold hands.

Ferrum phos - often useful in early stages of infection. Can be used where there is a temperature but not many other symptoms to go on. Weakness and tired feeling. Cough can be hard and dry, and the chest is painful. Cough is worse on going into open air

Gelsemium - think about that typical flu-y feeling - the ache in the joints, fatigue, weariness. Gelsemium is a great remedy to think about at that point. It may be good for the early stages of the infection, there may be sinus issues and perhaps feelings of numbness. It can be good in acute flu or sore throats, with weakness, limp limbs, chills, fever, headaches with double vision, and heavy, drooping eyelids. There may be a lack of thirst, even during fever.

Merc Viv - (there are other types' of homeopathic mercury, but a colleague has found Merc Viv to be the one he's used most so far). Merc can be helpful where the temperature is up and down, they may struggle to regulate it properly. Flu like symptoms may have lots of sweating and increased saliva, both with a bad smell. Violent, racking, dry cough, especially at night. Better in the morning, when at rest and lying down.

Phosphorus - there may be a tightness across the chest, cough can be dry and unproductive. Cough can be worse from going from warmth inside to outside and is a hard, tight, racking cough. There can be great weariness, indifference and apathy. I remember many years ago treating someone who had had meningitis and been discharged from hospital. They had no energy to do, no enthusiasm - within a short while after the remedy they were back with their sparkle for life. Really great to see. Think exhaustion - and if this is severe, you may be looking at phos-ac as a remedy for them. They crave cold drinks and may feel as if they have a weight on their chest.

So there's a starter - it's definitely not exhaustive, and there can be pages written on each remedy (and there are - I have books and books full of descriptions). Hopefully though it's a starting point. To reiterate, none of what I've written replaces professional medical advice, but if you're sat at home, a non-urgent case, with no treatment suggestions and managing without additional care, these remedies may help you at different stages of your cough/flu like symptoms.

There are around 4000 different remedies we use as part of our homeopathic pharmacopeia. These are 10. If you need more help with homeopathy, may I suggest finding a practitioner to work with. www.findahomeopath.org may help you to find someone near to you.

With all good wishes for your health and happiness in these interesting times, 

Em x

PS I thought these charts may be helpful to share again here too.