One of homeopathy’s greatest – and least known- successes is in the treatment of epidemic illnesses.
This was true in the late 1800’s during several cholera epidemics. In the great Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, homeopaths lost less than 1% of their patients while the deaths in those treated by conventional doctors were over 30%.
The most well-documented current example is in Cuba, where homeopathic remedies are being given prophylactically during the Leptospirosis season, thus reducing the incidence of that disease dramatically.
Normally, homeopathy is known for its highly individual treatment – where a roomful of sick people with a similar disease may each require a different remedy.
In the case of a widespread epidemic, though, there are usually a few remedies needed by more than 90% of the patients. We call this the genus epidemicus.
In the case of the 1918 flu, the genus epidemicus was the homeopathic remedy GELSEMIUM, made from yellow jasmine. In my own practice, it is the remedy I have used most often to treat the flu, as well as other conditions.
GELSEMIUM’s homeopathic picture is of a patient who has heavy, drooping eyes, that are hard to keep open. There is general weakness and lethargy. On trying to stand, the legs feel like rubber and as if they can’t hold the person up. The fever is moderate and the onset of the symptoms is slow (as opposed to states that come on suddenly with high fevers).
There is a feeling of complete exhaustion and of a complete lack of energy to do anything but just lie there. The person feels very chilly, though they have a fever, and often have the sensation of chills or even the delusion of cold water being dripped up and down the spine. Passing urine makes the individual feel dramatically improved, as does fresh air.
Of course, there are hundreds of other remedies and flu pictures, but my experience is that giving Gelsemium to a patient with the above symptoms results in a quick and lasting recovery.
