Cold and Flu Prevention

Homeopathic remedies act as a catalyst to strengthen your immune system and support your body’s natural ability to heal itself. My clients often tell me that when they take their individualized constitutional remedy at the first sign of illness, their symptoms disappear within hours—and they rarely have colds, flus, or sinus infections anymore.

If you don’t yet have a constitutional remedy from a classical homeopath, you can try one of these acute, over-the-counter remedies by matching the symptoms you’re experiencing. The key is to take a remedy as soon as you notice that first tickle or scratch in your throat.

Directions for taking remedies:

Choose the 30c potency at your health food store. Take 2 pellets, 3 times per day for about 3 days. Do not take for more than 5 days to avoid a “proving symptom.”** If you do not find relief after two doses, switch to a different remedy.

Oscillococcinum (Duck Liver)

Don’t worry—you don’t have to pronounce it to take it! When I lived in Paris, my professor recommended this remedy when I felt bronchitis coming on. I was skeptical—tiny sugar pellets? Really? But within a few days, my symptoms vanished, and I avoided antibiotics for the first time in years.

If you catch symptoms early enough,  Oscillococcinum packs a punch. It’s most effective only at the very beginning of an illness, so take it within 12 hours of feeling symptoms.

• Physical symptoms: sore throat, headache, body aches, nasal congestion, cough, fatigue, fever, or chills
• Emotional symptoms: none specific—it’s strictly for flu-like physical symptoms

Insider tip: You only need about 10 of the tiny pellets per dose—you don’t need the entire vial!

Aconite/Aconitum (Monk’s Hood Plant)

• Physical symptoms: First sign of illness after exposure to cold wind; dry cough; shortness of breath; frequent earaches with high fever, bright red ears, and restlessness.
• Emotional symptoms: Shock or anxiety after being frightened; sudden fear or panic about getting sick.

Allium Cepa (Onion)

• Physical symptoms: Cold symptoms that feel like you’ve been chopping an onion—watery eyes, runny nose with burning discharge, frequent sneezing.
• Emotional symptoms: Irritability, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating.

As you can see, each of the 4,000 remedies available have a different profile that is individually matched to how each person experiences symptoms. 

** What is a proving symptom?
If you take a remedy you don’t need for too long, you may “prove” the remedy and start experiencing the very symptoms it’s meant to address—never fun! If that happens, stop taking the remedy and apply a few drops of tea tree or peppermint essential oil to the insides of your elbows or knees to antidote the effects.

Lately, I’ve been asked whether taking too many or the wrong homeopathic remedies can cause harm. Unfortunately, yes—so please use them with care and stop once your symptoms resolve.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The remedies mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician.

Quick Definitions

Homeopathy: Homeopathy is a 200-year-old holistic system of healing that uses natural substances to bring the body back into balance. Homeopathic remedies reset your internal healing mechanism and allow your body to restore balance from within.

Acute Remedies: For conditions that come on suddenly such as the flu, food poisoning, or motion sickness. The examples in this newsletter are readily available over-the-counter.

Constitutional Remedies: For chronic, long-standing symptoms that have lasted more than six months such as PMS, migraines, or endometriosis. A professional homeopath has the necessary training to act as a detective and select the best constitutional remedy for each person.

Along with a homeopathic remedy, these can be very helpful in boosting your immune system.

Vitamin C: 500–2,000 mg per day

• Liposomal Vitamin C: Pure Encapsulations or Solaray
• Whole food forms: Pure Radiance C or New Chapter Vitamin C

Zinc Picolinate: 30–60 mg per day (no more than 90 mg)

• Pure Encapsulations Zinc or Solaray OptiZinc

Chicken Bone Broth: Look for frozen—not powdered, canned, or boxed. I keep Bonafide and Remedy bone broth in my freezer and sip three cups twice per day if I’m starting to feel run down.

I’m excited to share one of my favorite soups with you. When I created my Pure Radiance 21-Day Cleanse to help women balance their hormones through food, I wanted to provide recipes that were both healing and delicious. Years earlier, I had worked as a kitchen assistant at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York. I later met Chef Shane Kelly, a graduate of their chef’s training program. I knew she’d be the perfect person to bring my vision to life. She created this recipe, and it’s been a client favorite ever since.

This soup is rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene from the squash, supports digestion with warming spices, and soothes a sore throat. Like all the recipes in the Pure Radiance Cleanse Cookbook, it’s nourishing, comforting, and guaranteed to make your taste buds dance.

Butternut Squash Soup

Serves: 8

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon unrefined sesame oil
• 1 small onion, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed (6 cups, about 30 oz)
• 5 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 1 small apple, coarsely chopped with skin
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup coconut milk (optional)
• ½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds (optional topping)

For extra crunch, serve with Mary’s Gone Super Seed Crackers or Ella’s Flats Seed Crackers.

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat add the oils and the onion and cook until it starts to turn golden, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then add the honey and cook until it bubbles, about one minute.

2. Add the squash, apple, water/broth, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cayenne to the saucepan. Bring to a boil and lower to a strong simmer. Cover and cook until the squash is very tender, about 20-25 minutes, adding more liquid as needed. Remove pan from heat and cool for 5 minutes.

3. In a blender, puree a few cups of soup at a time. Or you can use an immersion blender and puree the soup right in the pot.

4. Return the soup to the pan if using a blender. Add coconut milk, salt, and pepper. Heat until very hot but not boiling and serve.