Two Reliable Remedies:  Homeopathy for Colds and Influenza 

Joette Calabrese,HMC,CCH,RSHom

No two people are the same, and not every cold is the same either! Some come on suddenly while others take a few days to really hit us. Homeopathy is the medicine that addresses the illnesses based on the symptoms that present. It could be the “cold” or “flu”, but there isn’t one remedy per illness. So, put those syrupy concoctions aside and consider a couple remedies that are well-suited for colds and flu’s.

When you witness a quick onset of a cold or flu where one minute your child is well, the next he’s quite ill, and you take note within the first 24 hours of the onset, then Aconite (Aconitum) should be considered.

In a recent study, Aconitum (along with other remedies) was shown to relieve symptoms of influenza.[1]  And it’s especially useful when the illness is ushered in from exposure to cold.  Imagine your children swimming on a hot summer day.  They hop into the car with wet bathing suits on and the air conditioner cools not only the car, but the wet children. This is the perfect setting for an Aconitum illness to ensue. That night your child comes down with a fever, cold or influenza.  This can also occur when a cold wind blows on an uncovered head in winter months.

The old adage, stay covered or you’ll catch your death of cold, is wise.  In fact, if caught at an early enough stage, Aconitum can abort subsequent pneumonia.   As you can imagine, there might be accompanying anxiety because of the ferocity with which the illness presents.

The eyes become sensitive to light and the illness is or at least feels quite extreme. If you witness panic and these symptoms, consider Aconitum.

The fever is not as extreme as Belladonna, but a quite painful headache and a dry cough will often present, especially a croupy cough.  However croup isn’t the only type of cough that Aconitum covers. A watery nose and thirst can also be markers.

On the other hand, Gelsemium colds and flu come on gradually with accompanying low energy for several days.  However, the low energy is a distinct kind; it’s more like total exhaustion.   The person is droopy and dragging and this must be the predominant symptom in order to make this a Gelsemium case. Tickling in back of the throat, runny nose with watery and irritating discharge that accompanies chills on the back are all Gelsemium indicators. Watch for a headache just above the neck.

At the turn of the last century, Gelsemium saved hundreds of lives which would have otherwise been lost to the devastating flu epidemic that swept through the United States.[2]

This is an excerpt from Joette’s latest book, “How to Raise a Drug Free Family”, which she’ll be using to teach her first webinar course for mothers.

If you yearn to learn, contact Joette Calabrese at HomeopathyWorks.net for a free, 15 minute SKYPE or phone session and find out if homeopathy is a good fit for you and your family’s lifestyle strategy. For a download of our new, printer-friendly First Aid Chart, go to www.homeopathyworks.net and find it in the “Free Downloads and Articles” box. Don’t forget to check out all the information on Joette’s upcoming system designed for moms. Just click Yearn to Learn.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice.  The reader is encouraged to make independent inquires and to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare provider.

Joette Calabrese,HMC,CCH,RSHom

Do you ever struggle to get nutrient dense foods into your kids? My quick smoothie is a perfect opportunity to hide everything your family needs into a delicious breakfast. It doesn’t get any easier than this. (See below to learn why each of these ingredients is so important!)

Here’s what you’ll need: (This will make approximately 2 cups)

½ cup raw cream

½ cup raw milk

¼ cup yoghurt, kefir or any culture milk product

1 banana or raspberries, strawberries or frozen fruit

1 Tbsp X-factor or other high quality butter

2 Tbsp coconut butter

3-4 raw egg yolks (from a reliable source!)

2 Tbsp raw honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp flax seed oil

½ tsp fish roe

Pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon

Here’s what you do:

Place fruit and honey in food processor and process until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended.

Drink immediately or pour into Popsicle molds and freeze.

Blended together, this makes a refreshing, satiating breakfast. Each, individual ingredient provides nourishment for specific bodily needs! Allow me to break it down into what I like to call the Anatomy of the Smoothie.

Raw Cream contains fat soluble vitamins, such as B-6 and valuable enzymes

Raw Milk provides lactic acid-producing bacteria which protects against pathogens

Yoghurt or Kefir offers live enzymes necessary for quality digestion

X-Factor Butter is a catalyst for absorption of vitamin A and D, which are essential for the brain, central nervous system, lungs, eyes and skin

Coconut Oil promotes brain development, strong bones and is an anti-carcinogen

Raw Egg Yolks supply Omega 3 Fatty acids and cholesterol needed for mental development

Raw Honey is loaded with enzymes that aid digestion and ward of infections; the valuable pollens build against seasonal allergies

Flax Oil offers unsaturated Omega 3 Fatty Acids to support lungs, brain and skin

Vanilla supports the thyroid

Fish Roe is loaded with fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and B-6; this is particularly valuable for those living in northern climates

When all of these powerhouse ingredients are whirled together, they pack quite the nutritive punch!

This is an excerpt from Joette’s CD, “Secret Spoonfuls. Confessions of a Sneaky Mom,” available now from her site.

If you yearn to learn, contact Joette Calabrese at HomeopathyWorks.net for a free, 15 minute SKYPE or phone session and find out if homeopathy is a good fit for you and your family’s lifestyle strategy. For a download of our new, printer-friendly First Aid Chart, go to www.homeopathyworks.net and find it in the “Free Downloads and Articles” box. Don’t forget to check out all the information on Joette’s upcoming system designed for moms. Just click Yearn to Learn.

GrassfedCooking.com  also offers a free monthly newsletter, featuring articles about cooking grassfed and pastured meats, and informative stories and essays about the world of earth-friendly, humane meat production and consumption.  

For those of you who have had questions about cooking grassfed and pastured meats or about working more effectively with a local farmer or butcher, the site also has a Q&A section.  You can write to me with your questions, and I will research the answers for you, mail you directly, then post the findings.

Erik Knutzen and Kelly Coyne write Homegrown Evolution, a blog that explores a fast-growing new movement: urbanites are becoming gardeners and farmers. Kelly and Erik are the authors of The Urban Homestead … They have researched and experimented with small scale urban agriculture since moving to their tiny bungalow in Los Angeles ten years ago. Since 2006, in this practical, hands-on blog, we have shared our successes and failures and include step-by-step directions and links to resources that will get you started urban homesteading immediately, whether you live in an apartment or a house. Contact us at survivela [insert “at” symbol] sbcglobal.net.

What is a ‘hyperlocavore’?

A hyperlocavore is a person who tries to eat as much food as locally as possible. Growing your own is as local as it gets! We build resilience block by block with our neighbors friends and family.

What is ‘yard sharing or a yard share’?

Yard sharing is an arrangement between people to share skills and gardening resources; space, time, strength, tools or skills, in order to grow food as locally as possible, to make neighborhoods resilient, kids healthy and food much cheaper! The group can be friends, family, neighbors, members of a faith community (or any combination!) It’s also been called garden sharing or land sharing. It’s a bottom up model that allows people to get growing right away!

Why would I want to set up a yard sharing group?

Yard sharing is a way to connect people who love to garden, people who love healthy fresh food and people who have yards! Often people who have yards have little time time for a vegetable garden. And sometimes gardeners have trouble finding soil to garden in because they rent an apartment! Sometimes older people lack stamina and are socially isolated, finding younger people to partner in growing food together works wonderfully for all.