Homeopathic remedy for fatigue and tiredness after having a cold and flu
Updated: Sep 21
Fatigue After a Cold or Flu: Supporting Your Recovery
After a cold or flu, the main symptoms may settle, but tiredness or low energy can sometimes linger. If you are finding it difficult to regain your usual energy, this article shares some gentle, practical ideas for supporting your recovery, including rest, nutrition, flower essences, tissue salts and homeopathy.
Over the past few years, many people have become more aware of how long it can take to feel fully recovered after an illness. Even when the main symptoms have settled, tiredness and low energy may sometimes remain for a while.
This blog will provide tips for alleviating tiredness and fatigue following a cold or flu.
#1 - Do not overexert yourself
You might say "I know, of course!" but you may be preoccupied with looking after your family or working from home, making it difficult to take care of yourself.
When you feel tired, it's important to take a break and get enough rest. Remember to prioritise your health and well-being.
When you eat, it is advisable to choose easily digestible foods.
It’s best to avoid heavy or difficult-to-digest foods if you're not craving anything specific, as they require more energy to digest.
When you are tired, you are better to focus on healing yourself.
#2 - Vitamins and Minerals
A balanced diet provides many of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Foods containing nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, B vitamins and magnesium can be part of a varied diet.
For a short period, some people may also choose to use supplements. There are many different products available, and it is important to choose them according to your individual needs and to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The supplements below are some products that I have personally used or kept at home over the years. I am sharing them here as examples of products I have experience with, rather than as recommendations for treating or preventing a cold, flu or other health condition.
Biocare Immune Intensive
This is one of the products I keep at home. I have used it at times when I have wanted to supplement my intake of vitamins and minerals, particularly during the winter months.
It contains vitamins A, D3 and C, as well as zinc, magnesium and elderberry extract, among other ingredients.
Biocare NutriGuard Plus
This is another supplement that I have used during the winter. I like it as a convenient way of supplementing certain vitamins and minerals during a time of year when I tend to pay more attention to my general nutrition.
It contains vitamins A, C and E, as well as zinc.
Terranova Mushroom Synergy
This is a mushroom-based supplement from Terranova. I have used it as part of my own supplement routine and find it an interesting option for people who are looking for a product containing a combination of mushroom extracts.
As with any supplement, individual needs and circumstances should be taken into account before using it.
Terranova Advanced Synergy B-complex
This is a B-vitamin supplement from Terranova, made using plant-based ingredients. I have used it when I wanted to supplement my intake of B vitamins.
N - Acetyl Cysteine
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a source of cysteine and is also a precursor to glutathione, an antioxidant produced naturally by the body.
I have used NAC as part of my own supplement routine at certain times. If you are considering taking NAC or other supplements, it is important to check the manufacturer's guidance and consider your individual circumstances, particularly if you take regular medication or have an existing health condition.
These products are sold by British supplement companies Viridian and Biocare.
These products are available from specialist supplement retailers such as Helios Homeopathy and Natural Dispensary, as well as from some health shops.
If you choose to purchase any of these products, please check the retailer's current product information, ingredients, dosage instructions and delivery options before ordering.
#3 - Flower essences
Flower essences are another gentle approach that some people choose to include as part of their wellbeing routine. In flower essence practice, different essences are traditionally associated with different emotional and physical experiences.
Here are a few examples that are traditionally associated with tiredness, feeling depleted, or difficulty concentrating.
Olive (Bach Flower Essences)
In Bach Flower Essence practice, Olive is traditionally associated with states of physical and mental exhaustion, particularly when someone feels they have used up their energy and need time to rest and recover.
Life Force (Findhorn Flower Essences)
Traditionally used in flower essence practice when someone feels physically and mentally depleted. It can be used when your physical strength is exhausted and cannot be recovered even by sleeping.
Dynamis (Australian Bush Flower Essences)
Dynamis is traditionally associated with states of accumulated tiredness or feeling that your energy has become depleted over time.
Focus (Australian Bush Flower Essences)
Focus is traditionally associated with difficulty concentrating, particularly when tiredness leaves you feeling mentally foggy or makes it difficult to organise your thoughts while working or studying.
#4 - Biochemic tissue salts
Biochemic tissue salt is a general term for the 12 types of minerals defined by Dr. Schussler. The process of grinding minerals and mixing them with lactose at a ratio of 1:10 is repeated 6 times (potency is 6X). It can be used for a variety of conditions due to its mineral properties.
The combinations below are traditionally used in relation to colds, tiredness and recovery. I am including them here as examples of the traditional approach rather than as treatments for a particular condition.
Twelve Tissue Salts
A mixture of 12 mineral salts. it may be considered when there is general weakness, tiredness or a feeling of malaise.
Combination F (Kali Phos, Mag Phos, Silicea)
This combination is traditionally associated with tiredness, physical lethargy and mental fatigue.
Combination J (Ferr Phos, Kali Mur, Nat Mur)
This combination is traditionally associated with the winter cold season and is used in Schüssler tissue salt practice when cold symptoms are present.
Kali Phos
In Schussler's tissue salts, Kali Phos is traditionally associated with the nervous system, mental activity and states of physical and mental exhaustion.
It may be considered when tiredness is associated with mental overwork or emotional strain, particularly when you feel that it takes time to recover from this kind of exhaustion.
#5 - Homeopathic remedies
In homeopathy, remedies are considered according to the individual characteristics of a person's symptoms rather than simply the name of a condition. Homeopathic materia medica describes the different patterns and characteristics traditionally associated with each remedy.
When tiredness or low energy continues after a cold or flu, the following are some examples of remedies that may be considered, depending on the individual's symptoms, health history and overall experience.
Gelsemium
Gelsemium is one of the remedies considered when there is marked tiredness, heavy eyelids, and a feeling of physical heaviness or sluggishness.
Kali Phos
Kali Phos can be used as a tissue salt and is also used as a homeopathic remedy.
It is associated with tiredness after relatively small amounts of work or activity, as well as fatigue associated with mental work or emotional stress.
Phosphoric Acid
Phosphoric Acid is one of the remedies considered when mental fatigue, a sense of emptiness, or a feeling of exhaustion is prominent.
It may be considered when mental fatigue is also experienced as physical tiredness or depletion.
Picric Acid
Picric Acid is considered when there is marked mental fatigue or exhaustion, together with a lack of motivation or a feeling of being too tired to engage with things.
Sarcolactic Acid
Sarcolactic Acid is one of the remedies considered when even a small amount of physical activity is followed by pronounced tiredness or weakness.
It may also be considered when significant fatigue or weakness remains after an illness such as influenza, depending on the individual's overall pattern of symptoms.
Sepia
Sepia is associated with states of mental and physical exhaustion, mental sluggishness or dullness, poor memory, and confusion.
A feeling of being disconnected or indifferent towards family members may also be part of the picture. Another characteristic traditionally associated with Sepia is feeling temporarily better from physical activity, although this can vary depending on the individual.
In homeopathy, these kinds of characteristics are considered together as part of the person's overall picture when a remedy is being considered.
The choice of a homeopathic remedy is not based simply on the name of a condition. The current symptoms, their individual characteristics, the person's health history, and their own experience are all considered.
Once you have considered a remedy, you may also want to learn more about potency and dosage. I explain potency and dosage in more detail in this article.
#6 - Conclusion
Everyone's experience of recovery is different. If tiredness or low energy continues after an illness, it may be helpful to look at the whole picture, including your physical symptoms, energy levels, sleep, emotional wellbeing and how you have been feeling since the illness.
A homeopathic consultation provides an opportunity to talk through your symptoms, your health history and your individual experience before considering whether homeopathy may be appropriate for you.
If you are interested in understanding what a homeopathic consultation involves, you can also read What happens when you have a consultation?
If you would like to talk first, you are welcome to book a 15-minute introductory chat.
Love and gratitude
Hiroko
Please note:
If your fatigue is severe, persistent or worsening, or you have other symptoms that concern you, please speak with your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional. This article is not intended to replace medical advice or diagnosis.
