Madeleine Morrison, ND

01/07/2026

Support Your Health in Winter with Homeopathy – Twelve Remedies
by Karen Leadbeater | Dec 28, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Homeopathic remedies are a great way to support your family’s health through the winter. I recommend having a remedy kit at home to help you deal with a range of acute ailments as they arise. Helios and Ainsworth’s homeopathic pharmacies in the UK supply some good options.
I have highlighted below some of my favourite and most useful homeopathic remedies for winter health support. These are among the remedies I have found can make the biggest difference in winter acute ailments. Some can be found in a regular remedy kit, others will need to be purchased separately. Unless otherwise stated, the recommended potency is 30c for acute/first aid use, and this is also the regular potency found in pharmacy remedy kits.
You can also search my blog for specific acute conditions, including coughs, sore throat, flu, bronchitis and sinusitis.
Ferrum phos tissue salt
The use of homeopathic tissue salts (also known as cell salts) is based on the work of the German doctor Wilhelm Schuessler in the nineteenth century. His research led to the theory that there are twelve basic mineral compounds that the human body requires for optimal functioning, and that illness results from an imbalance of these salts in the cells. Homeopathic potencies of these salts – usually in 6X or 9X (D6 or D9) is said to regulate cell function.
Ferrum phos is the first remedy to think of in the early stages of an acute respiratory infection with fever (eg a cold or flu). Signs are often vague at this stage, with tiredness, flushed cheeks, sore throat, headache. For greatest effectiveness take a few pellets in a cup of warm water, and sip regularly.
Aconite
Aconite is a remedy also indicated for the first stage of a chill, bronchitis or croupy cough. Onset is typically rapid, and may follow exposure to a cold wind or draft. Signs include a fever that spikes during the night (most typically around midnight), flushed face, dry heat with thirst and restlessness.
Gelsemium
Among the many homeopathic remedies for flu, I find that Gelsemium is a more frequent match than other remedies. In a Gelsemium flu case the person feels weak and heavy limbed. On getting up and moving around they may experience dizziness and trembling. If there is a headache it will tend to feel dull and heavy, often with pain in the eyes and forehead. There is typical drowsiness and fatigue – the person can hardly keep their eyes open.
Another aspect of Gelsemium is in a ‘freeze’ response to acute stress. It is one of the main remedies for stage fright, or when facing any major challenge, where the person is overwhelmed by fear, leading to a freeze or shutdown state. Where Gelsemium matches, this is typically experienced in feelings of weakness, heaviness of limbs, drowsiness, and difficulty in thinking. There may be trembling, and a fear that the heart will stop beating. If you are dealing with chronic nervous system dysregulation it is worth considering professional homeopathic care.
Bryonia
One of the main homeopathic remedies for coughs, Bryonia is an essential remedy in your winter kit. A Bryonia cough is typically hard, dry and can be painful. It will be worse for any kind of movement, including deep breathing, talking or eating. The person may need to hold their head or chest while coughing. It is frequently indicated in acute lung infections of all types. There will be dry heat with fever, and if there are pains in the chest they will tend to be stitching pains, aggravated by coughing or deep breathing, and better for lying on the painful side (as this serves to minimise movement).
Nux vomica
This remedy is one of the key homeopathic choices for overstimulation. A really common state in the festive holiday season, this can result from long hours of work, including Christmas prep and hosting; too much alcohol and rich food; caffeine to keep going, when you need rest but there is too much to do. This can result in early signs of burnout: irritability, waking at three am, nausea and indigestion, oversensitivity to noise (including music) and light.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is a top choice for upper respiratory infections with a key set of indications: quantities of thick yellow-green mucus (from the nose, or coughed up), where symptoms feel better in fresh open air, and worse in a warm or closed room. If there is a cough, it will typically be looser and more productive in the morning, and drier in the evening and at night.
Rhus tox
Rhus tox is a remedy which is useful to have on hand in the winter season, and is indicated for pain and stiffness in muscles and joints that are aggravated in cold damp conditions. This might include acute symptoms after working outdoors in cold weather, for example, or an acute flare of your longer term arthritic pain. The Rhus tox symptom pattern typically includes aggravation of the pain and stiffness on first movement after rest, and easing with continued movement. If you have arthritis, you may wish to consider professional homeopathic care to address this chronic long term condition.
Thymuline
Thymuline is a homeopathic remedy made from a thymus gland hormone extract. The thymus is responsible for producing white blood cells, and thymuline stimulates the creation of T-lymphocytes (T-cells), a type of white blood cell crucial to immune function. T-cells help the body fight infection. Taken through the winter season, Thymuline has been used by homeopaths to strengthen the body’s defences, especially where adults or children have a history of recurrent respiratory infections, or compromised immunity. A typical dosing protocol is a 9c potency once weekly, but you may wish to check with your homeopath for a personalised recommendation.
Sambucus
The homeopathic remedy Sambucus is made from European black elder. Black elderberries have been used to support winter health from ancient times to the present. They were used in ancient Greece, and latterly from the Middle Ages onwards they were used in herbal medicine for the treatment of colds and catarrh. In homeopathic potency Sambucus has a strong affinity for the respiratory system, and is used in the treatment of colds, catarrh and asthma, where the picture matches. It corresponds to asthma where heavy perspiration accompanies the symptoms, and colds with pronounced nasal obstruction, especially in infants.
Influenzinum
This remedy is the nosode of flu, and is used homeopathically in both treatment of flu and also to strengthen the body’s defences when cases are prevalent. It can be taken regularly through the winter season.
Tissue salt combo E (aka Combination 5)
This is a combination of the five Phosphorus tissue salts – Calc phos, Ferr phos, Kali phos, Mag phos and Nat phos. It is used in fatigue due to acute illness, convalescence, or stress. Tissue salt potency is 6X or 9X (D6 or D9), and they can be taken several times daily or as required.
Passiflora
Passiflora is a useful remedy for sleeplessness after a period of overwork or stress. It settles the nervous system, and helps to re-establish a regular sleep pattern. It can be taken in low potency regularly (eg 12X or 6c).
In addition
Alongside homeopathy for acute winter illness, there are other things you can do to support the body. Fresh air and regular hydration are important. And on a clear day, morning sunlight is good – get outside then if you can. Rest is crucial – any number of well indicated homeopathic remedies will not help if you don’t listen to your body and rest when you are unwell. Reduce your tasks to the essentials only, and delegate as much as possible.
Avoid orange juice, but try hot water and lemon, home made elderberry cordial with honey, fresh ginger tea, diluted apple juice or clear soup.
Search here for blog posts on specific acute conditions: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/blog/
The practice is closed for the Christmas break until December 30th 2025. You can book an appointment for the new year via my online calendar here: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/

12/31/2025

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR BETTER HEALTH and HAPPINESS
Many people start the New Year with resolutions such as dieting, quitting smoking or drinking, or committing to regular exercise. However, it’s common to find these goals difficult to maintain. Setting reasonable goals, especially those linked to positive activities or rewards, can make a significant difference in sticking to your resolutions.

Creating Enjoyable Exercise Goals
Attaching exercise goals to enjoyable activities can help you stay motivated. For example, consider only watching your favorite TV show while exercising at the gym. Alternatively, you can walk and listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook. For example, I used to run in the woods while listening to True Crime podcasts.

Making Healthier Eating Choices
Eating can be personal and can become habitual. If your lab results show elevated blood sugar or hemoglobin A1c, below diabetic levels, managing carbohydrate cravings becomes important. Begin by keeping a diet diary to check if you are consuming enough protein. Many people find that increasing their protein intake reduces carb cravings.
When shopping for groceries, focus on buying essential carbohydrates and leave items like chips and grain-based pasta on the shelf. Instead, opt for bean-based pastas, Ezekiel or sprouted bread, and a variety of raw, unsalted nuts and seeds. Aim to consume five servings of vegetables and fruit each day. A smoothie with greens and fruit can count for two servings. Consider using non-dairy protein powders. Think of your vegetables as a rainbow and try to include a variety of colors in your daily meals.

Meditation and Mindfulness Practices
Taking time for meditation or mindfulness is another valuable resolution. Plan to spend 20 minutes in the morning or evening sitting or lying down and listening to a guided meditation. Techniques such as visualization or body scans are readily available through apps and online resources. Apps like Insight Timer and Calm offer a free tier and provide a wide range of practices to try on your phone. Other websites, such as compassion.org, also offer free mindfulness practices.

Reducing Screen Time
Another common resolution is to reduce time spent watching TV, using the computer, or being on your phone. Instead, pick up a book and carry it with you in your car or purse for moments when you’re waiting. Set boundaries for device usage, such as turning off the TV or going to bed by 9 PM and reading a book instead. Restrict TV/downloading to times when you’re working out. Use book reviews to find titles that interest you and visit the library to browse books or magazines.

Building Community Connections
Community involvement is an area not often considered when making resolutions. Join group exercise classes such as yoga, dance, weight training, rock climbing, pickleball, or tennis. Attend healthy cooking classes or demonstrations to learn new ideas and skills. Participate in book clubs, which are often available at local libraries. Even online platforms like Insight Timer offer worldwide communities for meditation and communication.

Setting Reasonable and Holistic Goals
This New Year, consider making or adapting your resolution to be reasonable and to address multiple areas of your life. All of the suggestions above contribute to better health, supporting cardiac care, reducing inflammation, and lowering the risk of diseases such as cancer. Stress is closely linked to disease, and these changes can improve your body’s stress response. Healthy exercise, eating, meditation and mindfulness, reduced device time, reading, and community involvement lead to improved health and greater happiness.

Blessings and Happy New Year !
Dr Maddy

08/27/2025

Best Probiotic for Menopause
Pelvic Health
February 11, 2025
Best Probiotic for Menopause
Probiotics are ‘friendly’ or ‘good’ bacteria that improve digestion and the absorption of minerals and vitamins. Given the strong connection between the gut and brain function, and the gut’s help in metabolizing estrogen, current research shows that a daily probiotic may also help manage some perimenopause symptoms.

Hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, low moods, poor sleep, reduced cardiovascular health, and loss of bone density could potentially ease with a daily probiotic, though more research is needed.

This article explains how probiotics help balance the gut microbiome and possibly relieve menopause symptoms. It also outlines which probiotics are best for menopause, why prebiotics are important, and our top probiotic recommendation for symptom relief.

What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live and beneficial bacteria from the same or similar genus to the ‘good’ bacteria which naturally exist in the gut microbiome. Although bacteria are habitually associated with infections, both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria live in the body. The ‘good’ ones are vital for gut health and keeping various body systems working efficiently.

What Is the Gut Microbiome?
Although many may believe the gut’s only role is to digest food, the gut microbiome influences almost all body systems. Located within the GI tract, the gut microbiome is a delicately balanced environment consisting of trillions of microbes including ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

When balanced, the gut microbiome creates the perfect environment for digestion, metabolism, and the assimilation of nutrients to keep the body working efficiently. The gut microbiome is also known to communicate with the brain via the gut-brain axis, through which it impacts the immune system, central nervous system, heart, skin, moods, and sleep.

How the Gut Microbiome Can Change During Perimenopause
When estrogen and progesterone production begin to decline during perimenopause a myriad of symptoms can occur in response. Irregular menstruation, hot flashes, altered moods, interrupted sleep, and dry skin are often obvious.

Brain fog, lowered heart health, and a loss of bone density and muscle mass are less obvious, but also known symptoms of low estrogen.

Fluctuating hormones during perimenopause can also alter the diversity of bacteria in the gut microbiome. In some, if this imbalance remains unaddressed, the immune system can weaken and certain perimenopause symptoms might worsen.

Therefore, a daily probiotic may be recommended during perimenopause and post-menopause to help ease symptoms, boost metabolism, and keep the immune system strong.

Why a Healthy Gut Microbiome is Important During Menopause?
The estrobolome, which exists within the gut microbiome, metabolizes estrogen and helps in its enterohepatic circulation - the process of recycling estrogen through the liver to maintain more stable estrogen levels.

Although estrogen production will continue to fluctuate throughout perimenopause, ensuring the gut microbiome is balanced helps estrogen to circulate and the connection between the gut and the brain to regulate. This may ease perimenopause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, hot flashes, poor sleep, and weight gain.

The va**na also has a microbiome, which medical experts believe can be influenced by bacterial changes in the gut and vice versa, particularly when hormone fluctuations occur during perimenopause.

Closely linked to the va**nal microbiome is the va**nal pH, which reflects the acidity levels in the va**na. A healthy va**nal pH is mildly acidic, ideally within a range of 3.8 to 4.5 to keep infections at bay.

If the va**nal pH is altered by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses, va**nal infections like yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bacterial vaginosis (BV) can more easily and more frequently develop. Low estrogen levels during menopause also result in decreased friendly bacteria known as lactobacilli, which can further contribute to the recurrence of va**nal infections.

Maintaining a balance of healthy and harmful microbes in the gut microbiome is therefore vitally important for va**nal health during perimenopause and menopause.

Gut microbiome imbalances can also influence bone health during perimenopause and post-menopause due to calcium and vitamin D absorption, a vital process for strong bones and preventing the onset of osteoporosis.

Lastly, probiotics are recommended for their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties to boost heart health and lower cholesterol amid declining estrogen levels.

How Do Probiotics Work?
Probiotics balance the gut microbiome and optimize digestion to prevent bloating, constipation, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, and weight gain. They also assist in mineral and vitamin absorption to boost bone, brain, heart, skin, and va**nal health. And they prevent the overproduction of harmful bacteria or parasites that can develop into an infection.

Probiotics are also known to bind to harmful viruses and convert plant-based foods into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which aid in managing the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation that could lead to more serious conditions.

What Are the Best Probiotics for Menopause (Backed by Science)?
Although all probiotics are helpful, research has concluded that different probiotic genera are more beneficial for certain symptoms than others. Each probiotic strain below has been proven effective for enhancing female health and easing perimenopause and postmenopause symptoms.

Ideally, the best probiotic supplement for menopause would include all 4 of the following strains.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) proven to boost the immune system’s response to infections by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and promoting the development of beneficial gut bacteria.

During perimenopause and post-menopause, when many women are more susceptible to va**nal infections, lactobacillus acidophilus is known to prevent UTIs.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is also a LAB and has been proven to improve digestion, protect the gut lining, and ease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

During perimenopause and post-menopause studies have shown that lactobacillus rhamnosus can improve the gut-brain axis connection. When combined with lactobacillus reuteri, lactobacillus rhamnosus also helps prevent yeast infections, UTIs, and BV.

Lactobacillus plantarum helps to improve digestion and relieve constipation, IBS, and excessive flatulence. During perimenopause and post-menopause lactobacillus plantarum supports a healthy va**nal microbiome, prevents va**nal infections like yeast infections and BV, and reduces va**nal itching or irritation.

Early research suggests it may also boost cardiovascular health and help lower cholesterol, however, more robust research is required.

Lactobacillus reuteri helps to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, a balanced va**nal environment and boosts the immune system.

During perimenopause and post-menopause this type of probiotic is known to prevent BV and may lower the risk of osteoporosis. When taken with lactobacillus rhamnosus, it stops UTIs and yeast infections from developing. You can learn more about Flora Bloom Feminine Probiotic.

What’s the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that boost the body’s overall health when ingested. Prebiotics are special fibers and sugars found in plant-based foods that feed probiotics. Ingesting probiotics and prebiotics together will ensure that probiotics survive long enough to take effect where needed.

Just like probiotics are abundant in fermented foods and drinks like kimchi, kefir, kombucha, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, and yogurt, prebiotics are found in plant-based foods like almonds, asparagus, berries, chia & flax seeds, leafy greens, and tomatoes.

However, different prebiotics feed different probiotic strains so it’s not always easy to regulate an effective intake of both through food alone. For this reason, the best results are typically found in a probiotic supplement that also contains prebiotics to feed it.

What is the Recommended Daily Dose of Probiotics During Perimenopause?
Probiotic strength is measured in colony-forming units (CFUs) with most probiotic brands ranging from 10 billion to 50 billion CFUs. Probiotics containing fewer than 10 billion CFUs may not provide benefits, however, a probiotic containing 50 billion CFUs does not necessarily guarantee relief either.

Research shows that up to 99% of commercially-produced probiotics can die before reaching the digestive tract or va**nal canal if not fed by prebiotics. A probiotic capsule that takes longer than 5 minutes to dissolve in the gut has also been highlighted as more beneficial.

Therefore, a dose of probiotics containing 10 billion or 50 million CFUs is irrelevant. What’s vital is that the probiotic supplement includes prebiotics to feed the live bacteria. Or probiotics are ingested with adequate prebiotic foods known to fuel them.

It’s also more effective to ingest probiotics within delayed-release capsules to give the bacteria more time to reach their destination and work their magic.

Whether you take one daily probiotic with food, or two, depends on the product instructions and advice from your healthcare provider.

Our Top Recommendation for Probiotics During Menopause
Based on the most effective probiotic strains for relieving perimenopause and post-menopause symptoms, the research criteria that produce the best results, and long-term client feedback, our top recommendation for probiotics during menopause is Flora Bloom Feminine Probiotic from Intimate Rose.

It is proven to maintain a balanced gut microbiome. It contains all 4 probiotic strains to aid in digestion, manage weight gain, maintain a healthy va**nal pH, and prevent va**nal infections like BV, UTIs, and yeast infections.

Although research is ongoing, the strains included in Flora Bloom Feminine Probiotic may also boost brain health, skin hydration, and bone strength, while easing menopause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, mild depression, and hot flashes.

Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy gut during perimenopause has been proven to improve digestion, bloating, and weight gain and may ease some menopause symptoms. The good news is, this can be achieved by incorporating a probiotic supplement into your daily routine.

A balanced gut microbiome strengthens communication between the gut-brain axis, optimizes nutrient absorption from food, and helps prevent va**nal infections that can be more prevalent during menopause.

If you’re considering taking a probiotic to ease perimenopause or post-menopause symptoms, ensure you’re taking the best probiotic strains for menopause to feel the best results.

References

Healthline – How Does the Gut Microbiome impact Your Overall Health - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health

Research Gate – Enterohepatic Circulation of Estrogen - https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Enterohepatic-recirculation-of-estrogens-by-the-gut-microbiome-Estrogens-in-the-systemic_fig1_362589904

Web MD – What Are Probiotics? - https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-are-probiotics

National Library of Medicine - Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Vaginal Infections - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5770522/

National Library of Medicine - Role of Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Prebiotics in the Cardiovascular Diseases - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7926819/

National Library of Medicine - The Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus YT1 (MENOLACTO) on Improving Menopausal Symptoms - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7408745/

Science Direct - Beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on glycemia and homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900713005558

National Library of Medicine - Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus on bacterial va**nal pathogens - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5806794/

National Library of Medicine -Effects of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation on Serum Bone Turnover Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10857023/

Probiotics have been found to have beneficial effects on bone metabolism. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the effects of multispecies probiotic supplementation on bone turnover markers were evaluated after 12 weeks. Forty ...

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