With the winter season in full swing runny noses and coughs are cropping up everywhere. Seniors in particular are more vulnerable to contracting influenza and developping potentially more serious effects from it due to age-related immune system weaknesses.

Even the flu shot is not a sure bet and occasionally may lead to flu symptoms or other complications such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system usually triggered by an acute infectious process.

It causes ascending paralysis beginning with weakness in the legs and later involvement of the arms, face and respiratory system.

Of course the flu itself or other acute infections can trigger this. Luckily it is a rare occurrence.

There are many ways in which to support the immune system, including eating a good diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in sugar, regular exercise, enough sleep, frequent handwashing, and getting enough vitamin C and other important nutrients.

 There are also many herbal remedies which are time tested in their immune-system supporting effects, including Echinacea, astragalus, Reishi mushrooms and others.

Today however,  I’d like to mention my favorite and time-tested homeopathic remedies for the prevention and treatment of colds and flus.

Prevention

Many health food stores, pharmacies and naturopathic offices carry the homeopathic remedies Influenzinum 7 or 9CH and Thymuline 9CH. Influenzinum is a homeopathic preparation from the most current strains of flu viruses, not unlike the flu vaccines. However, due to the repeated dilution and shaking of the solution during the homeopathic preparation there is no active flu virus left in the preparation and it is taken orally rather than by injection which prevents side effects. Thymuline is a homeopathic preparation made from thymus extract. The thymus gland is very important for immune system health and ‘trains’ T-cells which are always looking for viruses as well as cancer cells. Thymuline naturally stimulates healthy thymus gland function.

To prevent colds and flus one can take one dose of Influenzinum one week and a dose of Thymuline on alternating weeks throughout the flu season.

Treatment

The other remedy to have on hand is Oscillococcinum, a product made my Boiron, or Homeocokinum, a similar product is made by HomeoCan. These remedies work like a charm and are much more effective than the large doses of Echinacea, vitamin C and zinc I used to recommend to patients in the past. The trick to using these remedies is to start taking them as soon as the first cold or flu symptoms are noticed and to repeat a dose every 2-3 hours, less frequently as improvement sets in. It is not necessary to take a whole vial at once as the package instructs. About ten grains at a time are sufficient; the frequent repetition is the key to success.

I can honestly say that these are fabulous products. They are both best-sellers and for good reason.

Of course it is best to involve professional help if symptoms worsen or if the person is experiencing residual weakness after a cold or flu. There are some very good remedies for people who have ‘never felt well’ since a bad cold or flu or suffer from recurring bronchitis or pneumonia. You can read about these conditions under my ‘Cases’ section if interested.