Homeopathy & influenza

Almost every day we are reading and hearing of conventional drug, Tamiflu, is an anti-viral, but it various types of flu viruses in their digestive the coming “bird flu.” The media, doctors, and is quickly losing its efficacy because it is being tracts, and because of this, epidemiologists have drug companies have been sadly effective in over-used for the common flu, rather than for its determined that ducks are one of the prime instilling great fear into the hearts and minds of carriers of flu around the world. It seems that the public. And they are adding fuel to the fear dangerous versions of the flu, such as the new homeopathic doses of the flu virus and of the by “warning” the public that there are duck's antibodies to these viruses provides inadequate amounts of the flu vaccine for people and that this is particularly a problem for people, especially the elderly, who are most vulnerable homeopaths and their patients are not afraid of While many mothers (and grandmothers!) have recommended chicken soup for the flu, the use of Oscillococcinum is akin to using “duck soup.” The problem here is that according to a new It seems that homeopaths have been on top of edition of the Lancet (1/10/2005), a systematic this issue of the “bird flu” way before the media review of all previous studies testing vaccines for First of all, homeopaths have proven treatments the flu show that they are NOT effective in for people with the flu. The strong word "proven" preventing the flu or “influenza-like illness” or is purposefully used because there have been at pneumonia in the elderly population. It is indeed least THREE large-scale double-blind, placebo- a sad fact that the media and the medical controlled trials using Oscillococcinum to treat The ‘flu injection is generally considered to be community is instilling fear into people and yet people with the flu or with influenza-like 68.2% effective on all people. A ten-year study not disclosing that the "prevention" strategy in France in collaboration with 23 French homeopathic doctors found Influenzinum to be For the record the three studies that have 90% effective. Flu injections are traditionally for The other “at-risk” group that the the US Centre confirmed the efficacy of Oscillococcinum are older adults (55+), while Influenzinum can be for Disease Control recommends getting a flu Ferley, 1989; Cassanova, 1992; Papp, 1998. vaccine is children, and yet, an important article Each of these trials was relatively large in the in the Lancet (26/2/2005) literally analyzed number of subjects (487 patients, 300 patients, So if you compare the Influenzinum Combination every available reference on the subject that and 372 patients), and all were multi-centered 30c to the conventional ‘Flu injections you’ll see they could find in the Cochrane Library, Medline, placebo-controlled and double-blind (two of the that the Influenzinum Combination is far Embase Biological Abstracts and Science Citation three trials were also randomized). Each of superior because it contains all the various Index to June 2004 - in any language. They these trials showed statistically significant known influenza viruses whilst ‘Flu injections included 14 randomized controlled trials, eight only usually contain the three influenza viruses cohort studies, one case-control study and one that are predicted six months in advance to be randomized controlled trial of intra-epidemic use What is also important to know about this research is that each of the large clinical studies injections are more effective than others.
were conducted by independent researchers, Surprisingly, they only found two small studies and a treatment is considered "proven" when at that assessed the effects of influenza vaccines least three independent studies verify positive on hospital admissions (the alleged reason for the CDC’s recommendation). And they could not If it is over 48 hours since you or someone close find a single study that assessed reductions in to you has already had the flu, you need to take The trick to getting the best results with mortality, serious complications or even Oscillococcinum is to use it within 48 hours of indicated for the flu. In most cases it is easy to onset of the flu. For the first signs of a cold or ‘flu choose between the ABC and AGE combination These studies provide significant doubt about the efficacy in preventing the flu with present One of the reasons that Oscillococcinum is so ABC (Aconite, Belladonna, Chamomilla) effective is because of what it is. It is made from For colds and flu’s with high fever, heat, redness, the heart and liver of a duck (Anas barbariae sore throat, rapid onset of symptoms (Wind- The conventional treatment strategies for the flu hepatis et cordis extractum). Biologists have are also problematic. In the US the most popular found that the vast majority of ducks have taken in conjunction with the Echinacea for (Arsenicum iodide, Gelsemium, Eupatorium) acute conditions). £13/€20 for 300ml at the For colds and flu’s with chilliness, aching, tiredness, paleness, more gradual onset of Echinacea in herbal tincture or tablets has a symptoms (Wind-Cold). Take 3-4 times a day.
reputation for boosting the immune system. Unfortunately it is often wrongly advised to be taken on a regular basis but it should be taken frequently at the start of a cold or flu. £5/€8 for 100ml at the clinic (patients only). Once a cold or ‘Flu has gone onto the chest or into the larynx resulting in a cough the homeopathic remedy needed has to be individualised for each patient. At this point it may be better to seek professional advice from a Consists of six useful combination remedies: homeopath. However some keynotes of a few Oscillococcinum, Influenzinum Combination, ABC, AGE, Injury Combination, Rescue Remedy Bryonia: Hard, racking, dry cough where the The remedies are in plastic vials in a ziploc bag person holds the chest during the cough because and cost £18/€27 at the clinic (patients only) and £27/€40 mail order by phone or email. They and the other remedies are also available temperature, from either warm to cold or vice separately at £3/€5 each at the clinic (patients only) and £5/€7 mail order by phone or email. Drosera: Prolonged bouts of coughing, worse at night, often with gagging, retching, or vomiting.
ReferencesEfficacy and Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccines in Elderly People: A Systematic Review. Lancet, Sometimes people fail to recover completely from the ‘flu. I have two combination remedies T Jefferson, S Smith, V Demicheli, A Harnden, A Rivetti, C Di Pietrantonj Assessment of the efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines in healthy children: systematic review. Lancet For weakness and slow recovery etc. 3-4 times a JP Ferley, D Zmirou, D D'Admehar, et al., A Controlled Evaluation of a Homoeopathic For chronic fatigue syndrome or M.E. Twice a Preparation in the Treatment of Influenza-like day and as needed. Only available on Syndrome, British Journal of Clinical Oscillococcinum in Patients with Influenza-like Syndromes: A Placebo Controlled Double-blind Some patients’ immune system may be deficient Evaluation, British Homeopathic Journal, April that in some cases they may need to take herbs in addition to homeopathic remedies. I prescribe the following in those situations: Immunodefence is a combination of twelve Western and Chinese herbs developed to boost the immune system and is taken daily (it can be

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