Seasonal Illnesses
Treating Seasonal Illnesses with Homeopathy
The weather and seasons can affect our health in a variety of ways. In the winter there is a general increase in acute respiratory illnesses, which in several recent studies has been linked to vitamin D deficiency (see ‘Vitamin D deficiency is why you get Flu’ on Mercola.com), especially notable in climates such as ours in the UK where we have limited hours of sunshine. It makes sense to supplement with Vitamin D in the winter months therefore, and also to maximise your exposure to the sun by getting out in the fresh air as often as possible.
Some individuals are especially susceptible to respiratory infections. This can include recurrent coughs, colds and ‘flu; sore throats; sinusitis; and deeper infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. We each have different sensitivities, and vary enormously in our response to seasonal changes and the weather. Homeopathy has an important place in treating acute respiratory infections, as well as long term lung conditions including asthma.
The homeopath will take into account the character of your health problem
in context of your whole health history. There are many possible homeopathic remedies that may be needed, including for example Calc carb (individuals needing this remedy tend to be chilly, and aggravated by cold and damp; are prone to sluggish metabolism and are aggravated by exertion; as well as being anxious about their health) or
Dulcamara (strongly aggravated by damp, and prone to repeated coughs, colds and asthma from living in damp houses)
Some people are strongly affected by winter weather and less daylight, to the point where it affects their whole outlook. Depressive illness that appears during the cold, dark months of the year and tends to disappear in spring, has been called Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you are susceptible to persistent low mood in the winter, homeopathic treatment can be very beneficial. Among the many remedies that can be helpful are Aurum (individuals who benefit from Aurum tend to low mood, and are conscientious and responsible; prone to heart and circulatory disturbance, and feel worse in winter) and Arsenicum (persons
who tend to fall ill if chilled, are typically chilly and can become weak from exertion, and are aggravated from darkness - both at nighttime and in the winter).
A cold and damp climate may also trigger or exacerbate joint pain in those susceptible to rheumatic conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Homeopathic treatment will consider all factors involved in your condition, including the way you experience your symptoms, and prescribe a course of treatment tailor made for you.
Homeopathic treatment can also be very effective in acute illnesses brought on by exposure to cold, wet or windy weather, or in health problems that are exacerbated by cold or wet - these can include earaches, rhinitis, exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory conditions, joint pains, Raynaud’s syndrome.
