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Homeopathy for Cold and Flu Season
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Chris Jensen Homeopathic remedies have a long history of use worldwide, but can they really help at this time of year? And are they okay to use with immune-supportive formulas? Tune in to this encore interview for the answers and some expert recommendations. Dr. Christophe Merville is the Director of Education and Pharmacy Development for Boiron USA.
- Homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo meaning “similar” and pathos meaning “suffering.” It was first used by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1796.
- Homeopathic medicines are therapeutically active micro-doses of mineral, botanical, and biological substances. Similar to other over-the-counter medicines, homeopathic medicines can treat acute health conditions such as allergies, coughs, colds and flu symptoms.
- Homeopathic medicines are regulated as drugs by the FDA and are made according to the specifications of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS), which lists approximately 1,280 medicines.
- If one chops several onions in a small kitchen, one will experience symptoms such as spasmodic sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. All these symptoms will be improved by breathing fresh air. A patient experiencing these same symptoms, including feeling better when breathing fresh air, whether caused by allergy or a cold, will be relieved by a homeopathic preparation of the onion also known as Allium cepa. It is as if a very small amount of the onion helped the body to react better against symptoms of cold or allergy similar to those caused by the onion.
- Sometimes more than one medicine is needed for treatment. These combinations are available in a variety of dosage forms such as tablets, gels, creams, syrups, eye drops and suppositories.
- The sooner cold and flu symptoms are treated with homeopathic remedies, the better chance there is for a quick recovery and minimum disruption of lifestyle.
- Homeopathic medicines are among the safest choices for self-treatment and are generally free of side effects. They do not interact with conventional medicines or immune-building herbs or formulas.
- Many supplements or vitamins take some time to show their effect, whereas homeopathic medicines work very quickly.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E. Foods containing these vitamins like nuts, seeds, citrus and broccoli are believed to help support the immune system.
- Stay hydrated. When you are feeling under the weather, drinking extra fluids prevents dehydration caused by cold and flu symptoms.
- Exercise regularly. Not only can regular exercise lower stress, but research indicates that exercise can stimulate the immune system and promotes healthy sleep.
146 Comments
Comments
I really like all this information on a pod cast. It is so easy to do.
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10/23/2011 11:05:23 PM CDT
I've had great results with alternative medicine, with my own health and my cats. Good strong immune system can beat just about every health problem.
10/24/2011 5:39:44 AM CDT
Thanks for the great tips and explaining Homeopathy!
10/24/2011 6:51:20 AM CDT
I had no idea that homeopathic drugs were regulated by the FDA! That doesn't make me think that they work any better, but it's interesting to know. I haven't used homeopathy on my family but I do use natural remedies when they get sick. My favorite is Elderberry, which we use in conjunction with peppermint tea sweetened lightly with honey.
10/24/2011 8:18:51 AM CDT
I've never tried a homeopathy remedy. Maybe I will.
10/24/2011 11:09:08 AM CDT
I much prefer to go natural with remedies when I can. I like knowing that generations of people have used these natural methods with great result.
10/24/2011 2:36:04 PM CDT
Great information. Especially now that the cold and flu season is upon us! The podcast is a cool way to share information. THANKS!
10/24/2011 2:46:57 PM CDT
Great podcast! It's amazing how far back homeopathy goes and how many people are still against it today!
10/24/2011 3:02:01 PM CDT
I'm interested to give these a try this winter!
10/24/2011 3:02:51 PM CDT
So many times we must be reminded of the simple truths and common sense. Eat healthy, drink water, and supplement when needed.
10/24/2011 4:29:48 PM CDT
Thanks for this! I am testimony that homeopathic medicines work. I have never had a flu shot because I use the preventative measures outlined in this podcast.
10/24/2011 6:03:54 PM CDT
Thank you for the information!!!
10/24/2011 7:29:50 PM CDT
I've had a cold for a week, and I'm pregnant. My 3 yr old has one too. Thanks for giving options beyond chicken soup.
10/24/2011 7:49:21 PM CDT
This is so useful!
10/24/2011 7:54:00 PM CDT
I've been curious about homeopathy, but have never tried it.
10/24/2011 10:06:00 PM CDT
There is some interesting information about healthy living in addition to homeopathy.
10/24/2011 10:18:21 PM CDT
Here is a quick guide to how homeopathy works... http://youtu.be/BWE1tH93G9U
How do you define "therapeutically active"? Are there any large studies that are double blinded that show that homeopathy has any effect beyond the placebo effect? http://virou.gr/vvX1PZ
Homeopathy is not regulated by the FDA any more than water or sugar pills would be. As long as there are no detectable active ingredients the FDA isn't involved.
The scandal that people concerned about their health should be talking about is the fact that the FDA has given homeopathic products a pass when it comes to health claims. A product can say that it's homeopathic and it can make any claims it wants to and there is no need for it to defend those claims. They can put sugar pills in a bottle and claim they treat a headache without demonstrating that they work. Then they can put sugar pills in another bottle that are identical in every way that any lab in the world would be able to detect and they can say that it will treat an earache. Can you imagine buying a bottle of ibuprofen that says it has pills with 250mg of the active ingredient, but it's really sugar pills...that manufacturer would be shut down in a second.
The danger of homeopathy is not that people waste money on something that claims to cure a headache. It's that people grow to depend on homeopathy, and when something serious comes along they default to depending on it, and since it doesn't work they can die... http://whatstheharm.net/homeopathy.html Whole Foods is contributing to this dangerous situation by selling and promoting homeopathy.
10/24/2011 11:26:47 PM CDT
Wow lots of mixed reviews and conflicting statements regarding Homeopathy!Personally, I think it's all nonsense and I haven't found enough substantial evidence to persuade me to actually try it on myself. However, if there are people out there who do find relief from their ailments using these techniques or medicines, even if it is just a placebo effect, then I say leave them to it!
10/25/2011 12:25:32 AM CDT
I love whole foods, Thanks for the great tips and explaining Homeopathy
10/25/2011 2:14:54 AM CDT
Thank you so much! nothing is worse the a sick child!
10/25/2011 10:00:33 AM CDT
Great Podcast! Thanks for sharing!
10/25/2011 10:48:44 AM CDT
I'm a skeptic about alternative medicine, but I stand by a healthy diet as preventing colds and flu. A couple of years ago I started a habit of buying and eating an orange a day, every weekday, and I'm always healthy throughout cold and flu season even when friends and co-workers are sniffling away.
10/25/2011 12:28:00 PM CDT
Thanks for the great tips! When I feel like I am getting sick I start taking garlic pills or eating more things with garlic and it seems to help.
10/25/2011 12:30:31 PM CDT
I never knew homeopathic remedies were regulated by the FDA, That makes me feel better!
10/25/2011 4:09:42 PM CDT
Thanks for the overview of homeopathy, and the other suggestions to stay healthy during the cold season! Things like exercising are easier to forget when its colder outside.
10/25/2011 4:19:40 PM CDT