What’s a ‘Bryonia Flu’ Like?

Case Report: A Bryonia Flu

Russell was feeling unwell.

Two days ago, he had developed a sore throat and runny nose. Initially he had been hopeful it may have been a passing cold but one by one, the symptoms of flu appeared.

Now, he had a severe headache and was wet with perspiration from his fever. Everything hurt and from time to time chills would run along the right side of his body. Whenever he moved, the aches and pains worsened – even breathing hurt.

For the most part Russell just wanted to lie still in bed. His wife said that he was extremely irritable. Whenever she went to check on him, he would grunt or snap at her to leave him alone.

Russell also complained of being very thirsty. Every so often, he would swallow large glasses of water to relieve the dryness in his mouth.

Russell was prescribed homeopathic Bryonia. Unlike Angie’s flu, Russell’s symptoms had developed slowly over a few days. This feature, along with other aspects, indicated that Russell needed a different remedy to Angie and that his return to health would be more gradual.

Within two hours of taking a dose, Russell was starting to feel a little better. By six hours, his fever had reduced and he was able to move around without ‘everything hurting’.

By the following morning and three doses later, Russell declared himself 80% better. The following day, all symptoms had resolved and Russell was able to return to work.

Symptoms that Respond to Bryonia alba

A Bryonia type flu has the following symptoms:

• Slowly progressing symptoms with severe aching.
• Symptoms worsened by any movement – the person wants to keep still.
• Symptoms often worse on the right side of the body.
• Intense thirst and desire for large amounts of water at infrequent intervals.
• Severe headache in the back of the head and forehead.
• Very irritable and wanting to be left alone.

Homeopathy for Flu-related Symptoms

Those unfamiliar with homeopathy are often surprised at how quickly the correct homeopathic remedy relieves flu symptoms.

In France, where homeopathy is well-known and prescribed by over 40% of French doctors, the leading flu medicine is a homeopathic remedy, Anas barbariae. Studies have shown it relieves the intensity and shortens the duration of flu symptoms – and without side-effects.

While Anas barbariae has a broad action over a large variety of flu symptoms, it is not so effective in the elderly and has to be prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.

For this reason, most homeopaths still prefer to treat the flu from a larger range of homeopathics as a homeopathic remedy that closely matches the symptoms of the individual sufferer often produces a better result regardless of age or time.

This approach was certainly seen with Russell’s ‘Bryonia flu’. It’s also demonstrated in three other types of flu cases in the links below.

Other Types of Flu

Many different sets of flu-related symptoms respond to homeopathy. The beneficial remedy has to match the symptom set. The following cases are just three among many potential remedy options.

Homeopathy for Max’s ‘Gelsemium Flu’

Homeopathy for Shilpa’s ‘Rhus toxicodendron Flu’

Homeopathy for Angie’s ‘Belladonna Flu’