Fighting the Flu with Homeopathy: 9 Remedies for Fast Relief

If you're new to homeopathy, let me give you a quick overview of what homeopathy is. Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that has been used for over 200 years to support the body’s healing process. It works on the principle of “like cures like,” meaning that a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can also help relieve those same symptoms in someone who is unwell when given in diluted doses. You can learn more about this principle here.

When it comes to the flu, you'll find that many people are beginning to turn to homeopathy because it is gentle, holistic, and non-toxic. Instead of masking symptoms like pharmaceutical drugs do, homeopathic remedies are chosen to match your unique flu symptoms. As you'll see in the remedy descriptions below, not all presentations of the flu are the same. And for this reason, your medicine should not be the same.

By supporting your body’s natural defenses rather than quieting them, homeopathy can help your body progress through all the stages of the flu with ease, reduce the intensity of the symptoms, and perhaps even shorten recovery time. Many people find homeopathy to be better than or at least as good as pharmaceutical drugs for helping bring relief from the flu.

Here are some of my favorite homeopathic remedies for the flu, personally tried and tested by me, my family, and my clients. Remember that you want to choose the remedy or remedies that match your symptoms the closest to get the best results.

While it may be difficult to pronounce, this little remedy can pack a big punch if you have the flu. It is one of the most popular homeopathic remedies for the flu and is often taken at the first signs of illness.

As you would guess, Oscillococcinum can help reduce fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue associated with the flu. It's best taken in the first 24 hours of onset of the illness, but can still be helpful if begun later.

This is a Boiron brand remedy and can easily be found at many local health food and drug stores, Walmart, and Amazon.

Gelsemium is MY flu remedy. It's the one that has the symptoms I most often experience when I have the flu. So if you're like me and deal with extreme weakness and fatigue, heavy limbs, a headache, and drowsiness to the point that you just can't keep your eyes open during the flu, this one would be your go-to as well.

I personally like to use a 200c potency for this remedy as the intensity of my flu tends to be great, but it can do well in a 30c potency also.

I like to call Bryonia, "DRYonia". So as you can tell, this remedy would be helpful during the flu if there's a dry cough and/or dry mucus membranes.

There might also be chest pain and a headache (especially in the eyes) that worsen with movement. As a matter of fact, ALL symptoms worsen with even the slightest movement.

If you like to lay still and send all family members out of your room when you have the flu, this would be a good remedy choice for you.

Bryonia can be used alone in a 30c potency for the flu, but I like to combine Bryonia 30c with Aconitum napellus 200c to use at the very first sign of ANY respiratory illness. It's a great little combination remedy protocol used by the Banerji family of homeopaths in India.

In contrast with Bryonia which was mentioned above, Rhus toxicodendron can be a helpful choice when the flu brings muscle stiffness and joint pain that improves with motion. But like Bryonia, there can be a dry cough and dry mucus membranes.

I rarely use this one in anything other than a 30c potency for the flu.

Known as "boneset", Eupatorium perfoliatum is often used when the flu causes intense, bone-breaking body aches. There can be a fever with chills and a cough that causes so much soreness in the chest that the person feels the need to hold their chest when coughing. Similarly, there can be a headache where the person also feels the need to hold their head in their hands to get any relief.

I use this remedy in lots of different potencies, namely 30c, 200c, and 1M. And many times I will alternate or mix Eupatorium 30c with Rhus tox 30c (another Banerji protocol) every few hours during the flu as my first go to with clients.

Belladonna is the remedy I most think about when someone tells me their fever is extremely high and/or the flu symptoms came on very rapidly. If either of these situations is accompanied by a throbbing headache, you've got a perfect flu picture to use Belladonna.

Also, take a good look at the person's face, eyes, and behavior. Their face may be flushed. Their eyes may be dilated. And the fever may be so high that the person will hallucinate or become violent.

Sue Meyer describes Belladonna as a "viral interruptor". So it's a great remedy to use in 3c, 6c, or 30c potency alongside any of the other remedies mentioned in this list for the flu.

Got the tummy flu? Arsenicum album is one of my go-tos when the tummy bug has hit your household. It helps with diarrhea and/or vomiting especially when there's associated burning pains. And the person who needs Arsenicum will be quite restless, maybe even to the point they are pacing the room or filled with fear.

And while this remedy is very useful for flus related to the digestive system, it can also be used for general flus where there is extreme chilliness, thirst, and anxiousness.

I would recommend having Arsenicum in both a 30c and 200c on hand to help settle the emotions and digestive complaints associated with the stomach flu.

My second choice for the tummy flu is Nux vomica. It is useful when there is nausea, vomiting, and irritability. They may have a stuffy nose at night but have a runny nose during the day. And if this flu came on after a night of binge drinking or eating, then you have a dead ringer for the use of this remedy.

A 30c potency will do well for this type of flu.

Ferrum phosphoricum is an ideal remedy in the early stages of the flu. You don't even have to know it's the flu at all to use it. So if there's a slow onset of an illness with a mild fever and a general unwell feeling, reach for Ferrum phos. It may help prevent the illness from developing further by giving your body a gentle boost.

I like to use this remedy in a 6x potency every couple of hours.

In addition to homeopathic remedies, there are several other natural ways to support your body prior to and during the flu.

Flu season doesn't have to be challenging. With the right combination of homeopathic remedies and lifestyle strategies, you can be comfortable while also supporting your body through all the stages of illness.

Keep this list handy as we approach the fall and winter months, and be sure to share this article with others that might need some additional tools in their flu fighting toolbox.