Guest guest Posted October 15, 2004 Report Share Posted October 15, 2004 Thoughts? - Hello, I have found the media hype over flu pretty offputting/scaremongering and am sharing this info in hopes that it may help anyone who is concerned about the flu, wants the shot but can't get it, or doesn't do vaccinations and wants alternative strategies. It includes both homeopathic and chinese medicine methods. Hope you find it useful. Please feel free to forward this to friends, family and anyone else you know. Lorrie Leigh Alternatives to flu vaccination this year ~~ INFLUENZINUM ~~ We have it as of 10/7/2004 Influenzinum is made each year from the influenza vaccination shot. Here's how it is made, and how we have made it for years. It is in the HPUS (Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States). We take the shot itself and place it in 9 parts water and succuss (25 thumps)- the result is 1x - We then take that 1x, put in 9 parts alcohol and succuss it again and make a 2x ( & a 1c). The 3x or 2c are then made separately - 1:9 (x) or 1:99 ©. We continue in this manner up to 30x and 30c (by hand and from the 30c on to the 200c using the Helios potentizing machine). I doubt that it makes much difference whether you take an x or c - whatever you usually do keep doing it. Following Dr. Torok's (MD in Ohio) instructions to his patients we recommend taking the Influenzinum once a month each month through the flu season. One bottle has enough pills for many doses - thus you can easily share the bottle with the rest of the family. If you already have the flu, his instructions are to take it 3 or 4 times until the symptoms back off then repeat as needed. Dr. Torok has also told his patients who have side effects to the flue shot to use the Influenzinum once or twice as needed Last year there was a mild run on the Influenzinum and this year with the shortage of vaccine we expect a bit larger number of sales - especially since it works. If you order and take the remedy PLEASE go to the National Center for Homeopathy's web site:homeopathic.org - they have information on the history of using homeopathy with the flu. They are also collecting data on efficacy. You can participate by simply checking whether it worked or not, or go on into the entire project. If and when a single remedy for this flu (genus epidemicus) becomes known they will have the information. (When I get it I'll also send it along) If there ever was a way to get people to try homeopathy this might be the way, however, I want to note: We do not believe in scaring the hell out of people in order to make a sale. In this case I think they have already been scared by the news that the vaccine's availability has been severely compromised - It's quite a show - they essentially tell you not to take it if you are breathing - well, not quite, but..... We also have Oscillococcinum, Longevity's Cold and Flu, our own Influenza # 26 combination, and the Pflueger remedies Naranotox (recurring) and Eucalyptus (flu now). They all seem to work. All available online - I'd love it if you let me know what you do and results. We have moved the Bethesda store to Berkeley Springs. 800-336-1695 - www.homeopathyworks.com The shop is recommending the 30c for general household use. Also, I bought some Longevity Cold and Flu, apparently the whole shop uses this stuff when they feel something coming on and it works like a charm. AND 30 infuenzinum IS safe for one year olds. >From techniques It's that time of the year again - flu time. This year there are several factors gearing up for an exciting flu season. First of all, a hiccup at the British firm Chiron, our major supplier of flu vaccinations, has resulted in a 50% reduction in flu vaccines available to the US market. It looks like only the most immune-suppressed members of our population will receive the vaccine this year. Secondly, the avian flu is making headlines in Thailand with the makings of another SARS-like saga. Between the two, the press is spreading doom and gloom. Should we be afraid? No. Better yet, be prepared. To be prepared, you need to understand a third factor set to make this flu season unique. Unfortunately, it requires a short review of Chinese theory in order to make any sense. Chinese Theory Overview Chinese medicine focuses on energy and how it moves inside and outside of our bodies. Qi, what we call energy, has two main polarities: Yin and Yang. Yin is the cold, slow form of energy that creates substance. In contrast, Yang is the hot and fast form of energy that creates functionality and action. In reality, Yin and Yang are always found together. For instance, the physical organ of the Heart is Yin and its pumping movement is Yang. It turns out that there are five basic ways that Yin and Yang combine in nature. We call these five ways, the Five Elements. Fire, Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth are metaphors for how energy behaves when it becomes aligned with one of these five basic phases. Qi can accumulate together -- Earth. It can rise up -- Metal. It can sink down -- Water. It can spread out -- Wood. Finally, it can flow, and we call this Fire. We experience these five phases every day within our bodies and outside of our bodies. Within our bodies, we need to have a balanced homeostatic state among the Five Elements in order to maintain health. If we have too much of one movement, or not enough of another, we develop symptoms we never had before. For instance, too much flowing energy, Fire, in the head causes throbbing, distending headaches. Whereas not having enough accumulating energy, Earth, in the head can cause late afternoon, low-grade eye-headaches. When homeostasis is restored, the symptoms resolve. We also experience these Five Elements outside of our bodies every day. Cold (also rain), wind, dryness, heat, and humidity reflect the Five Elements in weather. Furthermore, every year, season, month, and day has at least one Element associated with it based on a complex understanding of astrology. The Sun emits photons of light throughout the cosmos. Some of this light reaches distant planets and some of this planetary light is reflected back towards Earth. The wavelength of these photons that we receive from other planets is shifted higher or lower than the original wavelengths from the Sun as a direct result of the planet's proximity to the Sun and/or the Earth. While we are not aware of it and only experience sunlight and the light of the stars as constant, in fact, we experience slight fluctuations in wavelength year in and year out, day in and day out. Over 2500 years ago, doctors of Chinese medicine discovered that these shifts have a direct and profound affect on the Five Elements within our bodies as well as nature all around. A Metal Excess Year While this may seem like a rather long digression, here's the point. The year 2004 is a Metal excess year. Remember how Venus was closer to us this year than at any time in recorded history? Well, that is actually an important factor in the form and virulence of the flu. Venus shifts light towards Metal. As a result, this flu will be a Metal flu and it means this flu will pack a stronger punch than normal. In addition to a Metal excess year, the Fall season happens to be a Metal season. Add one excessive form of Metal to another and you can see why the flu will be intense this year. If you happened to notice the sudden and unusual increase in hurricanes at the very start of the season, you may get an idea of the impact of excess Metal on our environment. At some point this year, you may have noticed unusual difficulty in sleeping or an increase in headaches. Liver problems, Lung problems, eye problems, nose or sinus problems, menstrual problems, skin problems, joint problems, candida issues, and more intense allergies all can be related to an increase in Metal this year. In my practice, I've been battling Metal excess all year. Migraines have been spiking, psoriasis has worsened, yeast infections abound, tinnitus has intensified, and so on. For many people, excess Metal is just plain bad news. What does excess Metal mean for the Flu season? First of all, it means the flu is coming early this year - with more cases starting in early Fall than normal. Second, it means the flu is going to express itself with unusual symptoms. You'll see all the normal flu symptoms: sore throats, fevers (in this case higher than normal), sweating, and fatigue. However, there will also be an increase in digestive problems (vomiting/diarrhea), nasal congestion (usually more of a cold sign), coughs, emotional sadness, increased irritability, eye problems, and a more pronounced decline in one's overall immunity thereafter. Unlike other flues, this year's flu symptoms may move around the body and not stick to a single focal point. You're just as likely to have foot pains as you are to have tingling hands. Metal creates boundaries. When it is excessive, it cuts through boundaries. A Metal flu will actively move all around the body without paying any notice to boundaries. Finally, this will be a long flu. Because it moves without boundaries, it is harder for the body to fight it. Complete recovery may take several weeks. And it may feel as if you keep getting it repeatedly on and off during that time with periods of false recovery. What can you do to avoid the flu? First of all, avoid stress. Eat healthy foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Exercise, but not to exhaustion. Avoid consuming too much sugar. Secondly, if you feel sick, don't push yourself. Work less, sleep more, watch funny DVDs. Your productivity will suffer for the short term if you slow down. However, if you get the flu, it will suffer for much longer and you will have to miss work days altogether. According to the Neijing, the original classic of Chinese medicine, the only way to really treat cosmic influences is through diet. This same cannon tells us that Fire controls Metal. Bitter foods are Fire foods. So, the best thing to do this year is to increase bitter foods in your diet. Rye flour is the best flour right now as it is bitter and neutral. Chamomile and Black tea are the best teas as they are bitter and cooling. Other bitter foods include alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, burdock root, dandelion greens, watercress (probably the best food of this particular season), radish, marjoram, and elderflower. Usually, in the Fall it's best to avoid cold, raw foods. However, this season, I would recommend avoiding Metal as much as possible, even if that means you might eat some more raw and/or cold foods. Foods high in Metal such as ginger, garlic, onion, spring onion, coriander, mustard greens, kumquat, rice wine, plum wine, parsley, parsnip, basil, oregano, rosemary, and sage - while delicious - should be minimized. If people are sick around you, take Vitamin C - which is cold, sour, and goes to the Heart and will therefore be extremely cooling for your entire body. (According to the Five Elements, sour foods will eventually generate the bitter taste, so sour and neutral/cool foods are acceptable - such as lemon and lime). If you start to feel hot, taking several cups of Black tea in quick succession can also cool you down very quickly. There are also homeopathic products that are good for combating the flu. I am not a homeopath, so before you use any remedy, it's best to discuss it with a homeopath. That said, taking 30C of Arsenicum Album immediately upon falling ill is exceptional at stopping the progress of both colds and flues. Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy that dramatically reduces fever and heat symptoms (this product is an animal derivative). These tools have been used at my household for many years in lieu of flu vaccinations - and they have been very effective for us. This year the media may be right - the flu in all likelihood will be a whopper. I wish you a season of good health and, if necessary, quick recoveries. Funny how a little bitterness can make for a sweeter year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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