Oscillococcinum: what is that?

1. When the �r� is back in the month, the flu season starts and we catch colds more often. The worst symptoms of the flu usually disappear within 3 to 5 days. A bad cold can keep you busy for about 10 days. The real flu often has more serious symptoms than a cold. Normally, the flu will go away on its own. But we don't like being sick, we want to be better as soon as possible! And so we go to the drugstore to see if there are other substances available that might help the flu to clear up faster, besides paracetamol, nasal spray and throat sweets. During the winter season you often see that box with that awkward name on it at the drugstore. Oscillococcinum. What is it and does it really help?

Composition

1. Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine from the French manufacturer Boiron. They are white granules packed in tubes. Each box contains 6 tubes. The exact composition of the medicine is as follows:

200 K?

1. The description also says "200K". Indicates a homeopathic dilution or potency. During potentisation, the original active substance is strongly diluted. It is assumed that after the dilution the product remains active, even if the original active substance is (almost) no longer demonstrably present.

Does it work or not?

1. People who believe in the effect of homeopathy will say that dilution does not mean that the final substance is no longer effective. As explained above, it is believed that after dilution the product remains properly active. This principle is applied to all kinds of homeopathic remedies, including remedies from VSM and A. Vogel that you can buy at the pharmacy. People who do not believe in the effect of homeopathy will say that with such a far-reaching dilution there is almost nothing left of the original substance and that you might as well drink a glass of water. In other words: they believe that the final product contains far too little original substance to be effective.

The price

1. Oscillococcinum costs about 10 euros at the drugstore. There are then 6 tubes in a box. During the winter period you should in any case take 1 tube weekly to prevent flu. If we assume a 3-month winter period, the costs are at least 20 euros. If the flu gets to you, you have to take 2 to 3 tubes per day (!) For 3 days. That's 9 tubes, so you have to buy 2 boxes. If it stays with this one flu every 3 months, you will lose a total of 40 euros.

Value Inspection Service

1. In 2011 the television program "Keuringsdienst van Waarde" devoted a broadcast entirely to the product Oscillococcinum. They went looking for the duck in this medicine. However, exactly how the agent was developed is ultimately kept secret by the manufacturer.

2. The television program "Keuringsdienst vanwaarden" in 2011 devoted a broadcast entirely to the product Oscillococcinum. They went looking for the duck in this medicine. However, exactly how the drug was developed is ultimately kept secret by the manufacturer.