Learn how to. Carolyn Graham, Noosa Homoeopathic Clinic, Noosa Heads, Queensland.

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2 Learn how to 1. Quickly and easily recognize important or key signs and characteristic symptoms in your patient. 2. Match those symptoms to the same or similar keynote characteristics of a Homoeopathic medicine. Learning how to recognize these characteristic signs during Influenza-like symptoms is essential when trying to assist or ease discomfort and illness. Discover what to look for so you can identify the most suitable Homoeopathic medicine correctly, thus easing distress, and regaining former health and wellbeing as quickly as possible. Always consult with a professionally qualified and registered Homoeopath if you are unsure about what to do, or see your GP without delay. (your Homoeopath may also refer you to your GP). Happy prescribing. Don t hesitate to call me if you need help! Carolyn Graham, Noosa Homoeopathic Clinic, Noosa Heads, Queensland. 1

3 ACONITE For the very first stages of flu-like symptoms, with SUDDEN, VIOLENT ONSET, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING IN COLD, DRY WINDS, or after a fright or shock. The onset of symptoms can be alarmingly sudden, and there is commonly noticeable restlessness, fear and anxiety, or even an unfounded fear of death. The pulse is rapid, with a red face, sore throat, chills, shivering and shuddering, or a high, burning fever. You may observe a thirst for cold drinks, but everything seems to taste bitter, except water. The patient feels better in fresh air and for resting. Symptoms are worse in the evening and around midnight. Aconite may only act if given at the first sign of symptoms. If there is no change, choose another more suitable remedy. IT S A FIRST STAGE REMEDY, for nipping symptoms in the bud! KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTICS: a sudden, violent onset of symptoms with restlessness, fear and anxiety, and a rapid pulse with the fever. 2

4 BELLADONNA Again, a RAPID OR SUDDEN ONSET of symptoms or fever with a throbbing headache and a red, sore throat, usually worse on the right side, perhaps with shooting pains to right ear on swallowing. The tonsils may also be swollen, worse on the right, and the right ear painful. The fever produces a red, dry and burning (to the touch) face and head, although the limbs can feel cold. The eyes appear glassy, with dilated pupils, and they may experience hallucinations. The cough is dry and barking, sometimes coming on at 11pm, causing bright red or bloodshot eyes. The patient can be sensitive to light, noise and sudden movement. The patient feels better in a quiet, dark room, and feels sleepy but is unable to sleep. You may also observe that the patient is a bit angry. They can crave lemonade, or refreshing lemon drinks. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS: burning fever, bright red discoloration, throbbing pains that come and go suddenly, glassy eyes and a hot head with cold extremities. 3

5 BRYONIA An excellent remedy for influenza-like symptoms that come on SLOWLY, with severe aching and discomfort of the entire body. The head is sore, aching and painful, worse from even the slightest movement, especially coughing, but feels better from firm pressure, or lying on the painful side. The patient may hold their head (or their chest) when they cough to lessen the impact, or movement. They dislike being disturbed, are often irritable and would rather be left alone. The body aches and pains are also worse from the slightest movement. The patient feels better for staying completely still, and taking plenty of rest. Similarly, the cough is worse from any movement, is hard and dry, and may be very painful, with stitching pains in the chest when coughing, or when breathing deeply. There is a need for large drinks at long intervals. The lips may be dry and cracked, and the mouth can taste bitter. BRYONIA PATIENTS HATE BEING FUSSED OVER OR QUESTIONED! KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS: the patient is irritable, worse from the slightest movement, and may want to keep absolutely still. 4

6 GELSEMIUM Languor, drowsiness, apathy, exhaustion, very tired, and TOO much effort to move WEAKNESS. The patient can feel weak and shaky, or have trembling limbs, and be dull, drowsy, dizzy and lack thirst. A Gelsemium patient also wants to be left alone, but this is because it s almost too much effort to talk, due to a total lack of energy. There may be a vacant indifference everything is such an effort. You may observe yawning and sleepiness, along with the typical early symptoms of flu, such as a headache, sore throat, aching body, runny nose, and heaviness, especially of the limbs and upper eyelids. The eyes look droopy and are hard to keep open. A distinctly drowsy, or sleepy look. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS: weakness, drowsiness, lethargy, apathy, exhaustion. 5

7 HEPAR SULPH Influenza symptoms starting with a sore throat and swollen glands. There is a sharp sensation in throat, like razor-blades, or a splinter-like sensation. Coughing comes from the throat. It s an irritated, tickling cough with mucus that comes up into the throat and sticks there, or a choking cough, ending with gagging, vomiting or sneezing, or even coughing and sneezing at the same time. The voice can be hoarse or husky. A Hepar Sulph patient is worse from any form of cold. cold air, cold drinks, drafts, cold evening air setting in, cold early morning air, touching cold things, any form of cold, even uncovering the smallest part of the body. You may observe an irritability and annoyance at every little thing, particularly pain. They feel better for warm drinks, warm applications and becoming warm. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISITICS: markedly worse from any form of cold whatsoever, and great oversensitivity or annoyance from every little thing. Sensitivity to pain. Sharp pains in throat. 6

8 RHUS TOX Influenza symptoms with great stiffness and soreness of the body and joints. Everything feels sore and stiff consequently, the patient is extremely restless, and constantly changes position in an attempt to get more comfortable. There is no rest in any position. You may also observe a desire to STRETCH. The symptoms may come on after over-exertion, from getting cold and wet, or in wet, cold weather. Other typical symptoms include a sore throat and swollen glands, and hoarseness which improves from talking. The joints, in particular, feel stiff and sore, are worse after rest during initial movement, but loosen up and feel much better from continued walking or motion. The symptoms are worse from any form of cold. However, the patient feels much better from heat, and often desires a hot bath or shower which really helps the aches and pains. Restlessness is due to discomfort, not anxiety. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTICS: restlessness, worse from cold or after rest, and better from continued motion, walking around, and warmth in any form, particularly hot showers or baths. 7

9 NUX VOMICA Very cold and chilly - MUST COVER UP WITH BLANKETS TO THE NECK, BUT STILL THEY FEEL CHILLY, and can hardly get warm. Chilliness from the slightest uncovering and movement of covers, or can become too hot and need to uncover, but then quickly have to cover up again. Chills felt mostly in the back and limbs. Dry, raw and sore throat, particularly the back of the throat, and a sore, painful chest. The throat feels better for warm drinks. The mouth, throat and lips also feel very dry, and the lips may be cracked. Body aches and tiredness, but there is no change or difference in comfort levels from either lying still or from movement. Very cold and sensitive to drafts or cold air. Feels dull, flat and indifferent, or may be very irritable and oversensitive, especially to noise. The nose is often runny during the day but stuffs up immediately upon lying down at night. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTICS: Very cold and chilly, can t get warm, must cover up. Dry, raw throat and painful, sore chest. Dry and cracked lips. Sensitive and irritable, dislikes noise. 8

10 ARSENICUM Chilliness, fatigue, restlessness due to anxiety. Anxious about their condition, and not easily reassured. A child may say "I need to go to the doctor" and may even ask to be taken. Dependence on others. Thirst for frequent, small sips of water. Very restless and uneasy. The patient wants to go from one chair, or bed, to another, with pacing around, or just needs to be busy, despite the illness. There may be a lot of sneezing, with burning, watery discharge, and a tight, constricted, and burning chest. The cough and breathing are better for sitting propped up. Profound weakness which is worse from any exertion. Symptoms are worse from any form of cold cold drinks, cold air, or change of air from warm to cold. They feel better for, and desire warm drinks, reassurance, and wrap up with multiple layers. They might also be fussy, exacting, and want things done precisely in their own particular way. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTICS: Restless, anxious, desires company, cold, weak, burning, sneezing. 9

11 EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM Not prescribed as often as Bryonia, Gelsemium etc., but irreplaceable if the symptoms dictate. Flu-like symptoms with bone-breaking pains. There is so much pain, the bones feel as if they will literally break. The pains are worse in the lower back, limbs, back of neck and behind eyeballs. Usually there is a terrible headache, which can be worse just above, or in, the eyeballs. The chill is accompanied by a marked thirst and restlessness, or rigor (intense shivering and shaking), followed by heat and fever without thirst. The fever can sometimes come on each day between 7 9am, preceded by thirst, as if they cannot drink enough. The standout feature is the terrible pains in the bones which cannot be relieved in any position, as well as a shocking headache, and a stiff neck. The patient might be moaning from the pain, and be unable to sleep due to such discomfort. (Be sure to contact your GP if your patient has a terrible headache and a stiff neck which is almost impossible to turn). KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTICS: Bone-breaking pains, terrible headache, worse over or above the eyes, fever with marked thirst, sensitivity of the skin, moaning from the pain. 10

12 PHOSPHORUS An exhausting and violent, dry and tickling cough with irritation deep in the throat. The cough can be triggered by laughing, talking or by a change in temperature from warm to cold, or cold to warm. The voice can be hoarse or husky. There is a bursting pain in the head, a tight painful chest, and the pain may extend to the stomach. The patient may hold their head, chest or stomach on coughing. The patient is worse from lying on the left side. Phosphorus needs reassurance, wanting to be held and soothed and rubbed. They feel chilly, but want cold drinks. KEYNOTE CHARACTERISTICS: Symptoms can go straight to the chest, which is painful, with a tight dry cough. They need company, reassurance, physical contact, soothing and affection. 11

13 A QUICK COMPARISON: ACONITE - sudden, violent onset of symptoms with restlessness, anxiety, rapid pulse and a burning fever. Easier to reassure than Arsenicum, but may have an unfounded fear of death. BELLADONNA sudden onset, burning, bright red discoloration, throbbing pains that come and go suddenly, glassy eyes and a hot head with cold extremities. Congestion and inflammation. May hallucinate with the fever. Possibly angry. Desire for refreshing lemonade. BRYONIA slow, gradual onset. The patient is irritable, worse from the slightest movement, and may want to keep absolutely still. Wants long drinks at long intervals. GELSEMIUM lack of thirst, weakness, drowsiness, droopy eyes, lethargy, apathy, exhaustion. May have trembling limbs or very heavy limbs. HEPAR SULPH - worse from any cold, the least uncovering, and annoyance from every little thing. Sensitivity to pain. Sore throat with sharp, splinter-like pains, and swollen glands. RHUS TOX - restlessness from discomfort. Worse from cold or after rest, and better from continued motion, walking around, and warmth in any form, particularly hot showers or baths. Continuously moves around in bed trying to get comfortable due to pain and soreness. 12

14 NUX VOMICA - very cold and chilly, can t get warm, must cover up. Dry, raw throat and painful chest. Dry, cracked lips. Sensitive, irritable, dislikes noise. Irritated and impatient about their condition, or flat and dull. ARSENICUM - restless, anxious, hard to reassure, cold, very weak, sneezing profusely, with watery discharge. Tight, constricted, burning chest. Better propped up in bed or sitting up. Restless due to anxiety, wants company. Desires warm drinks, or thirst for small, frequent sips. EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM - bone-breaking pains, terrible headache, worse over or above the eyes, fever with marked thirst, sensitivity of the skin, moaning from the pain. PHOSPHORUS - Symptoms will often go straight to the chest, which is painful, with a tight dry cough, and husky voice. Needs company, reassurance, soothing and affection. Thirst for cold drinks. 13

15 DOSAGE: Give one dose (two small pills). Suck them in your mouth until they dissolve. Try not to put anything else in your mouth for 15 minutes before or after the dose, such as eating, drinking, cleaning your teeth or smoking. Water is fine. Wait to see if this brings any relief, or response. If the response is either a worsening of symptoms, or an improvement, do not repeat the dose. Only repeat the dose if the symptoms relapse and come back before you fully recover, or if you simply stop improving. Keep repeating the dose, if necessary until you are fully recovered, or another remedy is indicated. If more symptoms arise, and it appears that they are significantly changing or different, then select another remedy according to the new symptom picture. If you are not sure, and have any doubt, then wait. Give it more time. Or consult with your professionally qualified Homoeopath. Never take risks, and be sure to consult with your Doctor if you continue to worsen. 14

16 The most suitable potency (strength) to use is a 30c. If the symptoms are more severe, you can use a single dose of a 200c. The key is always to wait and observe the response, before repeating either the same remedy or selecting another according to the new symptom picture. Ensure that you keep the Homoeopathic medicines well away (at least 1 metre) from electrical appliances that are switched on, and mobile phones. Do not allow them to sit in direct sunlight. Try not to open them with strong and volatile substances on your hands such as aromatherapy oils, heat rubs, Vicks or other creams containing Camphor and Eucalyptus. These substances, as well as EMF and UV radiation, may render the remedies less effective if there is a substantial or prolonged exposure. 15

17 COMMON-SENSE INFORMATION AND PRECAUTIONS: As you can see from the above diagram, flu symptoms develop from droplet infection, and from contagion via hand to mouth, or face. With this in mind, always wash your hands when you go out into public places, or if you are with people who have symptoms of influenza. Wash them frequently (without being obsessive of course). Try not to mix with others who have influenza if you don t really have to. If you develop symptoms, warm drinks with grated raw ginger and Manuka honey can be helpful, as well as Zinc and high doses of Vitamin C. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical advice immediately. Influenza can be more impacting and harmful for the very young, the very old, those with already compromised immune systems (such as persons suffering from chronic disease, heart conditions, lung conditions, diabetes, HIV, liver disease, kidney disease, etc.), as well as pregnant women. It is therefore essential that no risks are taken and that you take all necessary precautions by seeking medical advice if your illness worsens. 16