Penn Herb Wellness Guide

Influenza

Also indexed as:Flu, H1N1 Virus, Swine Flu
Influenza: Main Image

Arsenicum album

A person who needs this remedy during flu feels chilly and exhausted, along with an anxious restlessness. The person may be thirsty, but often only takes small sips. If the digestive system is involved, nausea with burning pain, or vomiting and acrid diarrhea may occur. If the flu is respiratory, a watery, runny nose with sneezing paroxysms and a dry or wheezing cough are often seen. The person’s head usually feels hot, while the rest of the body is chilly.

Belladonna

This remedy relieves high fever of sudden onset with profuse sweating, and hypersensitivity to light and noise.

Bryonia alba

This relieves high fever with body aches improved by staying immobile.

Eupatorium perfoliatum

This remedy relieves bone pains and body aches associated with flu and severe colds.

Ferrum phosphoricum

This relieves low-grade fever with weakness and tendency to nosebleeds and earaches.

Gelsemium

This remedy relieves flu-like symptoms with fever, headache, dizziness and general weakness.

Nux vomica

When this remedy is indicated in influenza, the person may have have high fever, violent chills, strong nausea and cramping in the digestive tract (or a painful cough and constricted breathing if the flu is respiratory). Headache usually occurs, along with oversensitivity to sound, bright light, and odors. A person who needs Nux vomica is often very irritable, feeling worse from exertion and worse from being cold in any way.

Oscillococcinum and Children's Oscillococcinum

This remedy relieve flu-like symptoms: feeling run down, body aches, chills and fever.

Rhus toxicodendron

This remedy relieves fever with restlessness: The patient is continuously moving to find a comfortable position and relieve the body aches. Other Remedies

Aconitum napellus

This remedy relieves high fever of sudden onset, with a hot face and dry skin. <

Apis mellifica

This remedy may be helpful if a person has dry fever that alternates with sweating, facial flushing, and a very sore throat with swollen tonsils. Pain may extend to the ears, and the eyelids may be swollen. Exposure to cool air and cold applications may bring relief. Despite the fever, thirst usually is low. The person can be very irritable, disliking interference.

Phosphorus

When this remedy is needed during flu, the person has a fever with an easily-flushing face, and feels very weak and dizzy. Headache, hoarseness, sore throat, and cough are likely. If the focus is digestive, stomach pain and nausea or vomiting usually occur. A person who needs this remedy often has a strong anxiety, wanting others to be around to offer company and reassurance. Strong thirst, with a tendency to vomit when liquids warm up in the stomach, is a strong indication for Phosphorus.

Sulphur

This remedy may be useful if a flu is very long-lasting or has some lingering symptoms—often after people have neglected to take good care of themselves. Symptoms, either digestive or respiratory, will often have a hot or burning quality. The person may feel hot and sweaty, with low fever and reddish mucous membranes. Heat aggravates the symptoms, and the person often feels worse after bathing.

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The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of USregistered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.