Homeopathy offers a Rolodex of cold and flu-fighting remedies. Find the right one based on your symptoms and how long you’ve been sick. Vinton McCabe, author of Practical Homeopathy (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2000), gives these suggestions. Try a moderate 30c potency dose to start or ask a homeopath for an individualized prescription.

Aconite and Camphora. Both work best in the early stages of an illness, especially within the first 12 hours of showing cold or flu signs: heavy sneezing, a shallow dry cough, chills, and a flushed face.

Bryonia. Commonly used as a flu remedy. Ideal for those with body aches and pains and excessive dryness, such as stopped up nose, cracked lips, and a dry cough that hurts in the stomach.

Natrum Mur. Ideal for general colds: regular sneezing, clear and thick mucus, postnasal drip, and loss of appetite.

Kali BI. Clears out a cold’s last unpleasant phase—sinus headache, constant throat clearing, nose pain, and free-flowing mucus.
Nux. For the cold that’s slow to arrive and leave. The illness might include morning flair ups, heavy congestion, constant coldness, and a persistent dry cough that triggers frontal headaches.