Coloradans turn to homoeopathy to fight H1N1

With the H1N1 virus on the rise in Colorado and a vaccine still weeks off, people are seeking out alternative remedies that claim to fight the flu.

Certified classical homeopath Sue Boorn, of Denver's Consulate Healing Center, has seen an uptick in clients seeking natural treatments to alleviate or prevent H1N1 symptoms.

"I have a lot of clients who ask me what can homeopathy offer them in regard to flu and swine flu," said Boorn. "[There is] much more interest this year around that."

Last spring, the Food and Drug Administration sent out warnings about the prevalence of new products that purport to cure or alleviate H1N1 symptoms. Indeed, many so-called remedies found online appear to be gimmicks, but Boorn said the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in fighting flu has been well-documented.

Boorn said during the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918, doctors administered natural drugs like Oscillococcinum or Oscillo, made from duck liver extract, to sick patients. Boorn said data from homeopathic medical journals shows that mortality rates among the patients dropped to well below 1 percent.

"Those people who had homeopathic remedies, it was very effective for them in saving lives," Boorn said.

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