The effects of the bug, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, with some people also suffering from fever and flu-like pains, can be eased with homeopathic remedies and the process of recovery speeded up.

In homeopathic medicine, the symptoms as they are experienced by the individual are taken into account to help find the best remedy. How the patient feels in themselves is also taken into account.

Because remedies are non-toxic, they are suitable for use by people of all ages, including babies and pregnant women.

Homeopathy is patient centred and remedies are prescribed to suit the particular individual and their set of symptoms.

There are many possible remedies that could help symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea and expert help is best. Any persistent symptoms should be seen by a doctor. However, here are a few remedies that might be useful and are easy to find in chemists and health shops.

Arsenicum: alternating between vomiting and diarrhoea, with a burning pain after stool. Aggravated by sight, smell or even the thought of food. Exhaustion which can be sudden and extreme. There can be a faint feeling, with a fever alternating with chills. Very thirsty for sips of water. Worse after midnight. There might also be a restlessness anxiety not easily reassured.

Nux vomica: constant nausea with lots of saliva and inability to vomit, with retching. May feel faint, with headache. Maybe a bloated feeling with belching and heartburn. Chilly and irritable.

Gelsemium: a very popular flu remedy. Symptoms come on slowly, with intense weariness, aching in the muscles, chills up and down the spine, hot flushes, sticky skin, acute nasal discharge and sneezing. The patient wants to be left in peace,  has a feeling of instability and feels better for sitting still with the head propped up. Nausea and burning in the stomach, with sour belching.  Diarrhoea with wind.

Ipecac:  violent and persistent nausea, worse at night. No relief from vomiting.  Worse for any movement, after eating and for smell of food. Hot or cold sweat.  Chills, pains in bones as though torn to pieces. Often with a cough, but mucus difficult to get up.

Phosphorus: great thirst for water and ice cold drinks but vomits up shortly afterwards. Vomits even the smallest amount of food and drink. Diarrhoea gushes out painlessly. Wants sympathy and reassurance. Exhausted.

My FREE information sheet on Homeopathy for Colds and flu might also be useful to you...order here.

At this time of year many people succumb to their annual date with flu.

Have you thought about using natural remedies to help you recover more quickly? Many people are aware of preventative measures that they can take whether they be nutritional supplements such Vitamin C, Zinc or herbal remedies such as Echinacea or grapefruit seed extract.

But what more can you do if you do catch a severe cold or have flu like symptoms?

There are a number of homeopathic remedies available that can help to speed your recovery and relieve some of the more annoying symptoms.

A homeopathic remedy needs to be selected to match your individual response to the virus. Even if everybody in your family or circle of friends catches the same virus they will all respond in their own unique way.

Some will be irritable and grumpy; some will want company, others to be left alone. Some will be restless; others want to keep still. Some will feel better for hot drinks, others for cold drinks; some will want occasional sips, others occasional large drafts. Some to be uncovered, others to wrap up. What sort of cough do they have? Is there a time of day or night that their symptoms are worse?

It is the answers to these types of questions that determine the choice of homeopathic remedy for your symptoms. Homeopathy means treating 'like with like' and the remedy needs to be matched to the individuals symptoms.

If you would like to find out more order my FREE factsheet Homeopathy for Cold and Flu. In this I discuss the homeopathic remedies Aconite, Arsenicum album, Bryonia, Belladonna, Ferrum phos, Gelsemium, Nux vomica, Phosphorus, Rhus tox, Pulsatilla and how to match them to your individual symptoms.

Do remember though that we often get colds or flu when we need a rest and to take time to recharge our batteries. It is important to listen to this rather than continuing to push yourself. However if you find yourself constantly getting ill this is obviously the sign of a lowered immune system and you need to seek professional help.

A professional homeopath, such as myself, is able to select a remedy to address a person's health and wellbeing as a whole. The choice of remedy takes into account medical history, family medical history likes and dislikes, temperament, reaction to significant life events and physical constitution. There are over 2500 remedies to choose from.

This Newsletter is for informational purposes only; not a substitute for professional medical advice. If symptoms are serious, prolonged or unusual, contact a qualified medical practitioner without delay.

To order your FREE factsheet Homeopathy for Cold and Flu. Click on the link.