The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster. Influenza constitutes the most widespread and significant respiratory infectious disease in the world, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality and economic loss each epidemic year. Pandemic influenza is a worldwide epidemic usually caused by a new virus variant to which the majority of the population has no immunity.

A pandemic virus may infect 30 to 50% of the world's population and kill 1 to 2% of those infected. Pandemic control must be a concerted and co-ordinate world strategy and under the auspices of the World Health Organization. Pandemic preparedness plans have been formulated, including: intensified surveillance for more rapid identification of new reassortant viruses with potential human virulence and infectivity, laboratory characterization of the new viruses so that vaccine may be prepared, development of techniques for more rapid vaccine production and the manufacture and stock piling of antiviral drugs. Perhaps the most recent use of homeopathy in a major epidemic was during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918.

The Journal of the American Institute for Homeopathy, May 1921, had a long article about the use of homeopathy in the flu epidemic. Dr. T A McCann, from Dayton, Ohio reported that 24,000 cases of flu treated allopathically had a mortality rate of 28.2% while 26,000 cases of flu treated homeopathically had a mortality rate of 1.05%. This last figure was supported by Dean W.A. Pearson of Philadelphia (Hahnemann College) who collected 26,795 cases of flu treated with homeopathy with the above result.

The most common remedy used was Gelsemium, with occasional cases needing Bryonia and Eupatorium reported. Dr. Herbert A. Roberts from Derby, CT, said that 30 physicians in Connecticut responded to his request for data. They reported 6,602 cases with 55 deaths, which is less than 1%. Dr. Roberts was working as a physician on a troop ship during WWI. He had 81 cases of flu on the way over to Europe. He reported, "All recovered.

The following substances are some of most often prescribed by Homeopaths:

Gelsemium, Zincum Gluconicum, Zincum Metallicum, Aconitum napelus, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Asclepias vincetoxicum, Influenzinum,Anas barbariae hepatis and cordis extractum.

The above named substances are manufactured in FDA approved facility under Good Manufacturing Practice, as Homeopathy is more regulated than herbal supplements.

Next to the name of the substance is a number followed by an X or by CH. For example Sulphur 1X indicates that the mineral has been diluted at 1 part per ten. A 2X has been diluted at 1 part per 10 then re diluted at one part per ten.

CH indicates a dilution at one part per 100. 1 CH = 1/100, 2 CH the 1CH has been re diluted a second time (CH stand for centesimal Hahnemanien by the name of the inventor of Homeopathy Samuel Hahnemann).

While the scientific evidence is open to discussion millions of users worldwide have used homeopathy during flu epidemics without side effects.

Facing the risk of a pandemic, emerging new viral strain with resistance to antiviral medications it is urgent to evaluate the medical and economical benefit of Homeopathy as an adjunct to established Flu treatments.

Many formulas exist on the market, which combine several homeopathic substances realizing a Homeopathic antiviral cocktail, they do not require a prescription and are affordable.

I created such a formula in 2000 based on my 17 years experience in Homeopathy the formula is called Flu Terminator®.

· Gelsemium 3X (a dilution of Yellow Jasmine) Influenza, fever, chills

· Zincum Gluconicum 3X (a dilution of Zinc Gluconicum) Flu, fever

· Zincum Metallicum 3X (a dilution of Zinc Metallicum) Flu, fever

· Aconitum napelus 4X (a dilution of Monkshood) Influenza, fever, inflammation

· Eupatorium perfoliatum 4X (a dilution of Thoroughwort) Influenza, coryza, fever

· Sulphur 4X (Dilution of the mineral Sulfur) Fever, Cold

· Phosphorus 5X (Dilution of Phosphorus) Fever, Cold, Chills

· Asclepias vincetoxicum 6X (Dilution of vincetoxicum) Antiviral

· Influenzinum 12X (a safe dilution of the inactivated and sterilized virus of influenza) Fever, Flu, Viral infection

· Anas barbariae hepatis and cordis extractum 200 K (The ingredient of OscollicocinumTM the leading product of the Boiron Laboratories) indicated for flu and fever

Our feedback has been extremely positive among patients and physicians, however a study is necessary to confirm the impression.