Currently we appear to be having another burst of Omicron, with people who escaped it the first instance coming down with Covid, and there have been a small number of re-infections. For this reason I am reposting this treatment of Omicron, which I have updated with a few other remedies that I have been finding useful.
Omicron has a long list of symptoms.
These include sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headache and fatigue. However it can also cause nausea or diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and a lack of appetite. The loss of smell seen in previous variants is much less likely. Some people also find they get mental fogginess during and after infection.
A note about Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs). They may not be positive until day 2-3 of Covid, so a negative test does not mean that it is not Covid. Homeopathically however, whether it is a negative or a positive RAT, we treat on symptoms. It doesn’t matter if it is Covid, a garden variety cold or influenza, you look at the symptoms you have and treat accordingly.
Before we get into homeopathic remedies I want to touch on nutrition and supplements.
A diet of whole foods has many nutrients, which help our immune system function. When you have a varied diet you also have a varied gut flora, and a lot of our immunity is mediated by our gut. Lowering processed food, as well as inflammatory foods like sugar and gluten will also support your immune function. Glucose particularly will compete for vitamin C on white blood cell receptors, so a diet low in sugars and refined carbohydrates will support those white blood cells to kill infected cells before they reproduce the virus.
There are many early treatment protocols from integrative doctors on the internet. They all talk about several key nutrients, the same nutrients we have been using for respiratory viruses for years:
Vitamin C – I like liposomal C as you can take it less often (3-4 times daily when acutely unwell), but sodium ascorbate or a combination of sodium ascorbate and Ascorbic acid is also helpful, it just needs to be taken more frequently, up to every hour until you reach bowel tolerance.
Zinc – another essential nutrient for immune functioning a deficiency is associated with increased infections and poorer outcomes. Daily supplementation of at least 15mg from the first point you suspect you have contracted Covid.
Vitamin D3 (if possible in combination with Vitamin K2) – not just important for bones and calcium, this vitamin has an important role modulating both innate and adaptive immunity. We are in summer and if we have been getting plenty of sun vitamin D levels should be ok, but those who avoid the sun or have darker skin should supplement with this if you suspect Covid infection at 1000IU daily, or up to 5000IU daily.
There are a couple of other supplements that you can add to the nutrients above:
Quercetin- this is a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, and has antioxidant properties. It is also anti inflammatory and supports immune function. One of its proposed mechanisms as an antiviral is as a zinc ionophore- that it facilitates movement of zinc into the cell, increasing the pH and decreasing the replication of RNA viruses. Recommended dose is 500mg once daily for prophylaxis or twice daily for treatment.
Another compound with a similar zinc ionophore action is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is found in green tea extract. It is a polyphenol like Quecertin but from the catechin family, not a flavonoid. It also has antioxidant, anti inflammatory and immune modulatory activity. The dose for EGCG is 400mg daily. I would recommend either Quecertin or EGCG, you do not need to take both.
Over the counter Pharmaceuticals
One option you have for both prevention and treatment is Povidone Iodine- brand name Betadine. This can be used as a gargle once or twice daily as prevention if you are exposed and at risk from close contact with someone positive for Covid, or two to three times daily from first signs of infection. Please check when you buy Betadine if you are getting the concentrate – which you need to dilute – or the ready-to-use solution.
Another simple option from a Pharmacy is a nasal rinse or nasal spray. Flushing the area reduces the viral particles in the mucus, and can also be used as a preventative.
Homeopathy
The key with Homeopathy is to match your symptoms to the remedy. In general remedies in the 30c potency are safe and effective for home use. Discuss with your Homeopath if you have or want to use a higher potency. For acute use you can take one dose every 15 minutes for up to six doses. If you have had no change in anything (including mental emotional symptoms) after three or four doses then do not continue that remedy, and if you are finding it hard to find the right remedy then contact myself or another Homeopath for help. Even if it’s 2am you can still connect to a Homeopath via www.homeopathy247.com
Aconite – first signs of illness or in anticipation of getting ill. Symptoms may start after exposure to a cold, dry wind. Best taken in first stages, symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, and they are thirsty and restless at night. May also feel anxious at night or even have panic attacks.
Belladonna – sudden onset of symptoms, with a high fever, flushed face with glassy eyes with dilated pupils, and they can be either delirious or explosively angry. They may have a throbbing, bursting headache, and be sensitive to noise and light.
Arsenicum – restless, anxious and irritable, they are thirsty, and better for warm drinks. Burning pains, may have a watery nasal discharge, blocked nose (especially indoors), sore throat and dry cough. They feel worse after midnight. Diarrhoea and burning pains in stomach can be part of the remedy, and they are only thirsty for small sips of water. They are often not hungry.
Bryonia – someone needing this remedy wants to be left alone and lie perfectly still. They are irritable and may even snarl like a bear of disturbed. They have a hard, dry cough that hurts the chest, they need to sit up and may need to hold their chest while coughing. Worse in a warm room, and for movement, they are thirsty for cold drinks.
Eupatorium Perfoliatum – symptoms come on suddenly, and they will be flushed, with a throbbing headache and chills. They have a lot of aches all over their body, that feel like their bones are broken, and even their eyes may ache. They are very restless, may be nauseous, and are usually thirsty.
Gelsemium – slow and gradual onset, with chills, fatigue and fever. Everything feels heavy and tired, even the eyelids droop. They have no thirst and are also indifferent to everything.
Rhus Tox – another remedy for slow onset, they may have a fever but they really suffer from muscle aches, and can feel stiff when they wake up or if they have been lying too long in one position. Despite their weakness they are better for moving and very restless. They may be sweaty and will be very thirsty.
Kali Bichromicum – nasal discharge which is thick, yellow and stringy. They can have pressure and fullness at the root of the nose, through the sinuses, a nasally sound to the voice, and a headache which can feel like it is in one spot and the size of a 50c piece. They are chilly, can have burning pains in the stomach, and diarrhoea.
Phosphorus – not many nasal symptoms, they can have a hoarse voice or lose it entirely, and sensitive throat, but symptoms are mostly in the chest, particularly a dry cough with tightness in the chest. Can feel very weak and be thirst for icy cold drinks. Phosphorus can also be useful for the lingering cough and fatigue after recovery from Covid.
Carbo Veg – spasmodic coughing fits, that may leave them gagging and vomiting up mucus. There can be itching in the larynx triggering the cough, and wheezing or rattling of mucus in the chest. In addition to the cough, they have very low energy, and feel worn out, heavy and very fatigued. They have air hunger, wanting windows open and to be fanned.
It is likely that some people will respond well to other remedies, and if you have a constitutional remedy or one that you find usually works for you then consider trying that remedy.
It is important to note with the supplements that if you suspect you have Covid-19, start the supplements and appropriate homeopathic remedies at that time, do not wait for a positive result.
Please contact me if I can help, or contact another Health Professional. You can talk to a registered nurse if you are concerned at any times on Healthline, 0800 611 116.