Homeopathy in Mid Devon, a healthy alternative

HINTS AND TIPS

Includes:

*  Flu: to vaccinate or not to vaccinate
*  Flu: Homeopathic alternative to the vaccination
*  Oscillococcinum - cold and flu remedy for adults and children
*  ABC - Cold and cough remedies
*  Echinacea as a cold preventative
*  Instructions for taking Homeopathic remedies


FLU Vaccination

To vaccinate or not vaccinate, that is a very big question and not one entred into lightly.

In general, in my practice, if an individual has had experience of the flu in the past that they are afraid of repeating itself, or if they are anxious about the flu regardless of their current or past health, I suggest they consider having the flu vaccination. 

If they are not worried or have never had the flu, then I would ask them why they would have it now.

Flu Remedies

For people who are in between these two -  who are concerned but don't want to take the vaccination, I provide homeopathic flu powders and other supporting remedies such as Oscillococcinum (Oscocc for short).

Homeopathic flu powders are produced each year by Ainsworth Homepathic Pharmacy for the Winchcombe Homeopathic Group and I purchase from them.  The flu powders consists of a homeopathic remedy that relates to many years worth of flu virus, including viruses from the early 1900s.  See below for information about oscillococcinum.

I am happy to talk through these options with you. 

If you would like to take advantage of the flu powders and Oscillococcinum, you do not have to come for a full consultaion.  Having said that, I would take notes relating to your health, present and historic before providing the remedies.


Oscillococcinum

Oscillococcinum is a patented, commercially available homoeopathic medicine. The rationale for its use in influenza comes from the homoeopathic principle of 'let like be cured by like'. This medicine is manufactured from wild duck heart and liver, which are said to be reservoirs for influenza viruses.

Homoeopathic Oscillococcinum does not prevent influenza but might shorten the length of the illness

Following a number of studies registered on the Cochrane Central REgister of Controlled Trials (2006) to ascertain whether Oscillococcinum will prevent the flu it was found that  homoeopathic Oscillococcinum can't prevent influenza.  However, taking homoeopathic Oscillococcinum once you have influenza might shorten the illness.  More research is underway.

So, that is what science says.  In my experience and that of many of my patients, it is very effective at preventing cold symptoms from materialising and, in the event that the cold is underway before they take the remedy, that the cold is less severe than expected and last for a shorter time, if it is not halted in its tracks.

Oscillococcinum is useful for both children and adults.

ABC

Another homeopathic remedy, or in this case, combination fo remedies, that can be extremely effective in keeping colds and coughs at bay is ABC - a combination of homeopathic Aconite, Belladonna and Chamomilla.

This combination is usually only available from a Homeopath.

If a remedy is taken as soon as a symptom arises, or if a mother thinks her child 'is not quite right', it too can halt it in its tracks.


Adults: 

If you are one of the ones who have frequent colds through the winter, it might be useful for you to take several drops of ECHINACEA Tincture twice daily in juice or warm water to help prevent a cold and to reduce its impact if you can't prevent it.

Early this year (2007), the results of a study conducted by Dr Shah and colleagues based at the University of Connecticut, School of Pharmacy, USA to determine the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold. 

Their findings were very significant:  Echinacea has a beneficial effect in decreasing the incidence and the duration of the common cold.  Echinacea was found to reduce the incidence of catching a cold by 58% and reduce the duration of a cold by an average of 1.4 days; both reductions were statistically significant.

Instructions for taking Homeopathic remedies:

Avoid handling pillules - use the lid of the container to tip the remedy into your mouth or use a spoon.

Pillules to be held in the mouth until dissolved or they can be chewed after several minutes.

Pillules should be stored away from direct sunlight, heat or strong odours.

Avoid any strong flavours or odours 30 minutes before and after, especially mint (toothpaste), coffee, spices, menthol (Vicks), etc.