At the first sign of a cold or flu, many people quickly reach for over the counter medicines. Though these may temporarily make you more comfortable, they also make it harder for your body to effectively fight off the illness, and can have an extremely negative effect on your internal organs. What’s more, using them with children can be dangerous, and detrimental to their growing systems. The good news is, homeopathic medicines are not only much safer (even for babies!), but they support the body in making a more complete and quick recovery. After having several months off from cold and flu season, you may be surprised to find your medicine cabinet bare the first time you or a family member comes down with a cold or flu. We want to help you to be as prepared as possible to combat the viruses that lie ahead, so we have put together a list of our favorite homeopathic medicines to help you fight off illness quickly and effectively this season!
1. Condura (liquid) or Traumeel – tabs or ointment
What it is: Condura is a combination remedy. It has herbal extracts and energetic imprinted frequencies (like a homeopathic remedy).Traumeel is a homeopathic medicine for relieving pain. It is a much safer alternative to NSAIDs. Made up of fixed combination of biological and mineral extracts, it aims to apply stimuli to multiple targets to restore normal functioning of regulatory mechanisms. How to use it:
- Drops: Take 1 dropper full every 2 hours as needed for pain/inflammation.
- Ointment: Apply generously to the affected area. Gently massage the medicine into the skin until it disappears. Wash your hands immediately. *Do NOT apply to burns, open wounds, damaged, broken, or irritated skin.
- Tablet: Allow one tablet to slowly dissolve under the tongue three times a day.
Benefits:
- Relieves aching, sore joints
- Reduces inflammation and swelling
- Reduces pain
- Good for sprains and bruising
2. Burbur Pinella and Parsley Detox
What they are: Homeopathic medicines with antimicrobial properties. They are not a cure but will aid in lessening symptoms and fever. Burbur and Parsley help the liver, colon, lymphatic system and kidneys detoxify. The emunctories are the main routes of detoxification within the body – where the body removes inflammation and toxins. When someone has a cold or fever, using these is essentially like opening the doors when you are dusting to get the dust out. When to use them:
- Anytime: as a general detox aid; to improve energy levels; for reducing inflammation and toxins;
- Onset / Duration of Illness: to boost immune function; to reduce fever.
How to use them:
- General Detox Aid: Take 10 drops in 4 oz of water 1-2 times daily.
- For illness / fever: Using the dosage guidelines below, repeating every 15 minutes, 4-6 times over an hour/hour and a half. If there is a lot of heat felt on the forehead or back, it can also be rubbed into the skin.
- Infants: 3 drops
- Children under 4: 10 drops under tongue.
- Ages 4+: A dropper full under tongue.
Benefits:
- Assists in lymphatic drainage
- Encourages fever reduction
- Helps with relieving symptoms of indigestion, allergies, heart palpitations, and inflammation
- Helps breakdown kidney stones and gallstones
- May help act as a natural bug repellent.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide Drops in Ears
When: This may be used for the treatment of middle or outer ear infections, or to prevent and treat excessive wax buildup. You will need to use 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, using a 3-5 ml medicine dropper or syringe. How: Place your head on the side, with the ear that needs treating face up. Use the syringe or dropper to fill up the ear with the solution (this may be around 1-3 ml.). ‘Pump’ the solution within the ear canal using the ‘triangle’ of skin and cartilage in front to the ear canal for about 10-15sec. Allow it to bubble and fizz before tipping it out onto a tissue. The ear canal will dry itself in the next minute or so. Benefits:
- Improves hearing by removing excess wax
- May eliminate the need for antibiotics for ear infections
- Soothes earaches
- Prevents cold and flu
4. Quinton Minerals
The human body cannot receive or process vitamins without a sufficient supply of minerals. Similarly, minerals will be largely ineffective if not supplemented with a vitamin rich diet. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you consume a diet that is high in both vitamins and minerals. When: Ongoing How to use them: Take 1 vial on an empty stomach daily, at least 10 minutes before eating. Swish the liquid around your mouth for at least 30 seconds as nutrients are more easily absorbed through your gums and mucosa. Benefits:
- Builds and maintains strong bones and teeth
- Assists in the regulation and rhythm of the heart
- Regulates the passage of nutrients into and out of the cells
- Promotes normal blood clotting
- Maintains nerve and muscle function
- Lowers blood pressure
- Promotes normal kidney function
- Lowers cholesterol levels in the blood
- Reduces the probability of contracting colon cancer
- Alleviates the effects of insomnia
5. Burbur
What it does: Gets inflammation out of the nervous system. How to use it: Using the dosage guidelines below, repeating every 15 minutes, 4-6 times over an hour/hour and a half. Repeat every 2 hours for 3 doses, and when you begin to feel better you can reduce it to 4x a day, winding down over a several day period.
- Infants: 3 drops
- Children under 4: 10 drops under tongue.
- Ages 4+: A dropper full under tongue.
Benefits:
- Aids in reducing stuffiness in the head
6. Takuna by Nutramedix
What it does: Assists the body in fighting viruses. How to use it: Preventatively and/or at the onset of symptoms. Using the dosage guidelines below, repeating every 15 minutes, 4-6 times over an hour/hour and a half. Repeat every 2 hours for 3 doses, and when you begin to feel better you can reduce it to 4x a day, winding down over a several day period.
- Infants: 3 drops
- Children under 4: 10 drops under tongue.
- Ages 4+: A dropper full under tongue.
7. Nux Vomica
What it does: Assists with stomach upset due to anxiety, illness, food poisoning, or pregnancy. How to use it: Using the dosage guidelines below, repeating every 15 minutes, 4-6 times over an hour/hour and a half. Repeat every 2 hours for 3 doses, and when you begin to feel better you can reduce it to 2-3 times a day for a couple of days.
- All ages: 3-5 pellets per dose
Benefits:
- Helps the body overcome nausea and reduce vomiting
8. Noni from Nutramedix & Arsenicum Album 30C or 200C
What they do: Assist in addressing symptoms relating to vomiting caused by a viral infection. How to use them: Using the dosage guidelines below, repeating every 15 minutes, 4-6 times over an hour/hour and a half. Repeat every 2 hours for 3 doses, and when you begin to feel better you can reduce it to 4x a day, winding down over a several day period.
- Babies: 3 drops in water
- Children Ages 1-5: 5-15 drops
- Ages 5+: 15-20 drops
9. Homeopathics: GUNA & UNDA
What they do: These homeopathic medicines are highly diluted and potentized substances which encourage our natural immune response to an illness. How to use them: Using the dosage guidlines below, repeating every 15 minutes , 4–6 times over an hour/hour and a half. Then give dosage every 2 hours for 3 doses, followed by 4 doses/per day until symptoms subside.
- Infants: 3 drops in a little water
- Ages 1-5 yrs: 5 – 15 drops
- Ages 6+: 15-20 drops
GUNA
- Fever, Pain: Anti IL-1
- Digestive upset: GUNA Digest Plus
UNDA
10. Essential Oils
What they are: Essential oils are extracted from plants into highly absorbable substances. Each oil has a unique chemical composition which will interact with and/or aid specific body systems in function. Which Brands to Use: We recommend both On Guard by doTERRA or Thieves by Young Living during cold and flu season. Only purchase them through a sales consultant because those online (on Amazon, for example) may or may not be pure/undiluted. How to use them: Put a drop or two on the bottom of the foot 2-3 times a day. For children under 6, dilute with organic coconut oil, 1 drop of oil to 1 tsp. coconut oil. Benefits:
- Boosts the Immune System
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