Flu and influenza syndrome: is homeopathy useful?

As the flu epidemic begins in France, boxes of Oscillococcinum and Influenzinum continue to feature prominently on the counters of certain pharmacies. These homeopathic granules, sold as treatments against influenza, are sometimes even misrepresented as “homeopathic vaccines”. However, they have never demonstrated their effectiveness. What do they contain? How are they made? We take stock.

Oscillococcinum - flagship product from Boiron laboratories - is prepared from the organs (heart and liver) of a breed of domestic duck, the Muscovy duck. The instructions tell us that it was “energized at the 200th K”. A funny formula which means that the initial mixture was diluted 200 times according to the so-called “Korsakovian” dilution principle. This means that the vial containing the duck extract macerate was completely emptied the first time, before being filled with pure water; then emptied again, and filled; and this 200 times. At the end of this process, a drop of the last dilution obtained is poured onto granules composed of sucrose and lactose. In other words, sugar. As for Influenzinum 9 CH, it is made from a very high dilution of the current year's influenza vaccine. This time, the dilution is called “Hahnemannian”, named after the inventor of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann. “1 CH” means that one drop of active ingredient has been diluted 100 times. To obtain 9 CH, we repeat the operation 9 times in a row.

Where did the idea come from that dilutions of duck organs could protect against the flu? At the origin of Oscillococcinum, a theory developed at the beginning of the last century (1925) by a French doctor, Joseph Roy. In the midst of a flu epidemic, the latter believes he has identified the responsible microbe in the blood of patients. He calls it “oscillococcus”. He thinks he sees this same pathogen in duck viscera. However, Joseph Roy is a supporter of homeopathy. The principle ? Administer very low doses of substances similar to those causing the symptoms to allow healing. He then decides to make a homeopathic medicine from duck offal which he considers to be contaminated by the famous microbe. Oscillococcinum is born! A century later, the recipe has not changed.

But in 1933, three British scientists proved the French doctor wrong, by managing to show that human flu is caused by influenza-type viruses. The size of these viruses is so small that Dr. Joseph Roy would never have been able to spot them with the means of his time: he only had an optical microscope. Moreover, its supposed microbe, “oscillococci”, probably never existed! No one other than Joseph Roy ever observed it.

Also read: Homeopathy: “Let’s stop saying it’s a medicine!”

The manufacturing processes and composition of Oscillococcinum should be enough to convince us that it can do absolutely nothing against the flu. Researchers have nevertheless made sure of this, and all properly conducted independent studies agree that there is no proof of the effectiveness of these granules. At least, no more than a placebo (sugar or water, for example). This is also why homeopathic products have no longer been reimbursed since January 1, 2021. Influenza has no proven effectiveness as an anti-flu vaccine, and moreover does not have the right to 'be qualified as such. Indeed, the principle of a vaccine is to present inactivated viruses (or virus fragments) to the immune system in order to allow it to build its defenses. However, a 9CH dilution is equivalent to diluting two drops of the vaccine in Lake Geneva! Suffice to say that the probability of coming across an active molecule is zero.

In recent years, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) and the Order of Pharmacists have issued several calls to order. These products “cannot be considered as vaccines, nor can they claim the designation of homeopathic vaccines. Their use instead of the flu vaccine therefore constitutes a loss of opportunity, particularly among people at risk of complications,” recalls Health Insurance on its website.

Also read “Charlatan”, a word that already angered homeopaths in 1858

To avoid the flu, simple actions are better than illusory remedies: washing your hands regularly, limiting close contact with sick people, regularly ventilating collective spaces to reduce the concentration of microbes... In addition to these barrier gestures, the flu vaccine every year is a good means of protection, although its effectiveness varies from year to year depending on the viral strains in circulation and their suitability for the vaccine. Although it does not always prevent the disease, vaccination reduces the risk of serious complications or death. This is why it is particularly recommended for fragile people, pregnant women, healthcare professionals and those around infants and immunocompromised people.

If despite this you fall ill, don't panic. For otherwise healthy people, the flu is just a bad time to get through. It heals spontaneously within a few days. You must take rest and use paracetamol to relieve your symptoms.