A “Blanket” Remedy for Epidemics and Each Year’s Flu Symptoms: Genus epidemicus
Many of the same symptoms appear over and over in a general population during an outbreak of seasonal and epidemic flu. By tracking these symptoms, homeopaths can pinpoint a single remedy that can often help most people. A remedy that stands out as the one that would benefit most cases and protect the general population is called genus epidemicus. A genus epidemicus can also be used as a preventative during outbreaks, to strengthen natural defenses.[i]
Homeopathy at WorkDuring the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the homeopathic Gelsemium sempervirens was the primary remedy available to a factory employing 8,000 workers. Among those workers who took Gelsemium, only one death was reported due to the flu.i |
A current season’s genus epidemicus will very likely be a familiar, easy-to-find remedy. Over the years, Gelsemium sempervirens and Bryonia alba have each come up often as genus epidemicus.[ii] The “Remedy Pictures Guild” download can help you understand these powerhouses in depth. The chart on the following page shows some of the main differences in the symptom profiles between Gelsemium and Bryonia, making it easier to choose the better fit in a particular case.
| SYMPTOM PROFILES FOR TWO COMMON FLU REMEDIES | |
| Gelsemium | Bryonia |
| Lethargy, fatigue, too exhausted to move | Tired, restless; all symptoms worse with motion |
| Chilly, chills down your spine; sensitive to cold | Warm, dry, with desire for cool air |
| No thirst | Thirsty, dry mouth |
| Dull, sleepy, heavy; too exhausted to complain | Dull, but irritable and worried; want to be left alone and quiet |
| Worse from movement because of tiredness | All symptoms worse/more painful from motion |
| Headache mainly at the back of your head | Headache in forehead; better from pressure, worse with motion |
| Slow onset over 6–12 hours | Slow onset over 6–12 hours |
| Painful cough and chest symptoms | Painful cough and chest symptoms |
| © 2011 Kimberly Woods | |
Note: If your symptoms are more severe than indicated for Gelsemium or Bryonia, and if you feel pain in your bones, you may want to consider Eupatorium perfoliatum.
In general, you’ll notice a lot of similarities. If your symptoms fit either remedy, a homeopath looks for a deciding factor. One of these is thirst. Use Gelsemium, nearly as a rule, if you have a definite lack of thirst. Bryonia, while similar in other details, is best if you are not thirsty. In narrowing the choice with clear, simple details like this, a homeopath can quickly zero in on the right remedy.
For the latest news on the current year’s Genus epidemicus remedies for a particular outbreak, see diymedicinerevolution.com.
[i] Epidemic Diseases And Homeopathic Prophylaxis: Fact Or Fiction, http://toddhoovermd.com/articles/epidemic-diseases-and-homeopathic-prophylaxis.html, “The Prevention of Epidemic Diseases by Homeopathy, Part One: The Origin of Homeoprophylaxis” by David Little, HOE: Homeopathic Online Education, http://www.simillimum.com/education/little-library/case-management/pedh/article.php.
[ii] For the latest genus epidemicus remedies in any particular outbreak, see www.diymedicinerevolution.com.
