What is Oscillococcinum?
Overview Oscillococcinum is a brand name homeopathic product manufactured by Boiron Laboratories. Similar homeopathic products are found in other brands. Homeopathic products are extreme dilutions of some active ingredient. They are often so diluted that they don't contain any active medicine.
Can you take Oscillococcinum with other medications?
Oscillococcinum can be taken with other medications, herbs, and supplements and other homeopathic medicines. Does Oscillococcinum contain sugar? Oscillococcinum pellets contain sucrose and casein-free lactose. Each dose of Oscillococcinum contains 1 gram of sugar.
How much sugar is in each dose of Oscillococcinum?
Each 0.04 oz dose (1 g) contains 1 g of sugar. Store at 68-77° F (20-25° C). For more information or comments on Oscillococcinum, please contact:
Does Oscillococcinum work for the flu?
While a small number of studies suggest that Oscillococcinum may have some beneficial effects for people with the flu, there's no evidence that the remedy can prevent flu or serve as a first-line treatment for the virus.
Is Oscillococcinum a placebo?
Oscillococcinum /ˌɒsələˈkɒksɪnəm/ (or Oscillo) is a homeopathic preparation marketed to relieve flu-like symptoms, although it does not provide any benefit beyond that of a placebo.
What is Oscillococcinum made out of?
Oscillococcinum® is a patented homeopathic medicine that is made from a 1% solution of wild duck heart and liver extract, which is then serially diluted 200 times with water and alcohol.
Does Oscillococcinum do anything?
Background. Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum 200K (Oscillococcinum®) is used to treat and prevent seasonal colds and airway inflammatory affections, improve symptom control, and reduce the frequency of respiratory tract infection (RTI) episodes.
Is Oscillococcinum a supplement?
Additionally, keep in mind that Oscillococcinum is sold as a dietary supplement rather than a drug in many areas, including the US. Therefore, it's not regulated by the FDA and not held to the same standards as conventional medications in terms of safety, quality and effectiveness.
How long does it take for Oscillococcinum to kick in?
Works best when taken at the first sign of symptom. The latest study published in a British scientific journal found that when patients took Oscillococcinum within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms nearly 63 percent showed “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” within 48 hours.
What are the side effects of Oscillococcinum?
This is a homeopathic product that does not contain any active ingredient. Most experts believe that it will have no beneficial or harmful effects. But cases of severe swelling, including swelling of the tongue, and headache have been reported after taking oscillococcinum.
Does Oscillococcinum work for viruses?
Oscillococcinum is a patented, commercially available homoeopathic medicine. The rationale for its use in influenza comes from the homoeopathic principle of 'let like be cured by like'. The medicine is manufactured from wild duck heart and liver, a well-known reservoir for influenza viruses.
Does Oscillococcinum help with sinus infection?
SinusCalm temporarily relieves nasal congestion, sinus pain and pressure, and headache.
Is Oscillococcinum good for sore throat?
This multi-symptom syrup can be used at any time to relieve nasal and chest congestion, dry fitful cough, sneezing, minor sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose.
What is Anas Barbariae made from?
Oscillosoccinum's active ingredient is Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum 200CK, which is made from the heart and liver of wild duck and is diluted repeatedly until essentially no molecules of duck heart or liver are found in the actual pill.
Does Oscillococcinum work for stomach flu?
While a small number of studies suggest that Oscillococcinum may have some beneficial effects for people with the flu, there's no evidence that the remedy can prevent flu or serve as a first-line treatment for the virus.
Can you chew Oscillococcinum?
Oscillococcinum is easy to take. Pellets quickly dissolve under the tongue — no water, chewing, or swallowing is required. Individually-packaged doses are convenient to take anywhere so that you can be ready at the first sign of symptoms.
What is Anas Barbariae made from?
Oscillosoccinum's active ingredient is Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum 200CK, which is made from the heart and liver of wild duck and is diluted repeatedly until essentially no molecules of duck heart or liver are found in the actual pill.
Does Oscillococcinum work for viruses?
Oscillococcinum is a patented, commercially available homoeopathic medicine. The rationale for its use in influenza comes from the homoeopathic principle of 'let like be cured by like'. The medicine is manufactured from wild duck heart and liver, a well-known reservoir for influenza viruses.
Is Oscillococcinum good for colds?
Trusted for more than 70 years, Oscillococcinum continues to be a convenient and reliable first choice for relief of flu-like symptoms. It has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms, such as body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue.
Can you chew Oscillococcinum?
Oscillococcinum is easy to take. Pellets quickly dissolve under the tongue — no water, chewing, or swallowing is required. Individually-packaged doses are convenient to take anywhere so that you can be ready at the first sign of symptoms.
What is the active ingredient in Oscillo?
Informed by the Law of Similars (or “like cures like”), Boiron uses a Muscovy duck for Oscillo’s active ingredient. Oscillococcinum was invented in the 1920s by French physician Joseph Roy, who reasoned that—since Muscovy duck carries a bacterial strain he believed to cause the Spanish flu—the duck’s heart and liver are the perfect solution to cure influenza. [1] With this guidance, Boiron prepares Oscillo by decapitating a Muscovy duck and fermenting 35 grams of its liver and 15 grams of its heart in pancreatic juice and glucose for 40 days. This fermented duck concoction “then undergoes serial dilutions (1 part in 100) 200 times in a row.” Finally, the diluted product is placed in tablets made of sucrose and lactose—otherwise known as sugar (Gavura). Boiron lists this fermented duck juice as Oscillo’s active ingredient: Anas Barbariae. Comically, the Latin for their active ingredient is incorrect. Anas Barbariae refers to Anas ducks, even though a Muscovy duck is used in Oscillo (Nienhuys). Boiron should have written “Cairina moschata” as its active ingredient. It is this mislabeled sugar concoction that is then sold to eager customers worldwide.
Where can I buy oscillo?
Consumers can easily find Oscillo at respected pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. Better yet, six doses of Oscillo only costs $12.99, and it promises to reduce flu symptoms including body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue. Oscillo vows to keep you safe each flu season with “ [i]ndividually-packaged doses [that] are convenient to take anywhere so that you can be ready at the first sign of symptoms” (Oscillo). According to the Oscillo website, this medicine has been a very popular choice in 50 different countries for over 70 years. In fact, the medication “is a $15 million-a-year business, in the United States alone” (Park). Despite its financial success, this seemingly miraculous treatment is nothing short of a box of sugar pills. Upon closer inspection, consumers can see that Oscillococcinum is simply a well-marketed placebo that tricks customers in multiple countries around the world. In this article, I will provide a brief background of the “medicine” in question, uncover its persuasive and misleading marketing strategies, reveal scientific proof that Oscillo is ineffective, and discuss the ethical implications of marketing this placebo.
Who makes oscillo?
Oscillo is manufactured solely by Boiron, a French producer of homeopathic goods. The company offers three different Oscillo selections: a box of six, twelve, or thirty doses. The word “Oscillococcinum” is spelled out in large blue san serif letters across the front of each box. The full name, which resembles Latin, gives the product a more scientific and trustworthy appearance. The orange stripes on the top and bottom of the box are reminiscent of vitamin C bottles, a reassuring characteristic considering vitamin C’s association with healthy immune systems. The front of the box reads, “Non-Drowsy. No Drug Interactions. Safe for Ages 2 & Up. Works Naturally with Your Body,” summarizing the product’s main selling points. On the back, consumers can find what appears to be a very detailed drug facts label. Admittedly, aside from the subtitle, “homeopathic medicine,” this product looks remarkably similar to clinically tested flu medication. For anyone in a weak and flu-dazed rush to find a fast cure, the packaging is enough to give the customer a false sense of security.
Is oscillo a homeopathic medicine?
In addition to the fact that Oscillo has no active ingredient, scientific research shows that homeopathic medicines like Oscillococcinum are ineffective. For example, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia found results that suggest this medicine “was effective for zero of 68 illnesses.” More research in the United Kingdom even prompted “the National Health Service [to] stop funding its use” (Ernst). Scientifically examining Oscillo through mathematical equations, theoretical approaches, and research studies reveals that Oscillococcinum is an ineffective source of flu relief. Not only this, but Oscillo is simply a sugar pill with no active ingredient.
What is oscillococcinum used for?
Oscillococcinum is a brand name homeopathic remedy used in the treatment of influenza. Taken at the first sign of flu-like symptoms, Oscillococcinum is said to help relieve symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu. However, research to support this is limited. leminuit / Getty Images.
How many ounces of oscillococcinum are in a serving?
Oscillococcinum is packaged as individual 0.04-ounce serving sizes of quick-dissolving pellets that are to be placed under the tongue and left to dissolve.
Is it too soon to prescribe oscillococcinum?
Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend Oscillococcinum for the flu. 1 If you're considering the use of homeopathy, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.
Can oscillococcinum cause side effects?
Possible Side Effects. Since they're so diluted, homeopathic remedies such as Oscillococcinum typically do no cause adverse effects. In some cases, however, patients may briefly feel worse after first beginning their homeopathic treatment.
How many doses of oscillococcinum are there?
Oscillococcinum is available in a box of 6, 12, or 30 doses.
When to take oscillococcinum?
Oscillococcinum. chills, and fatigue.*. Oscillococcinum works best when taken at the onset of flu-like symptoms. This non-drowsy medicine is a convenient and reliable first choice for adults and children ages 2 and up.
What is the active ingredient in Oscillo?
The active ingredient in Oscillo is labeled as Anas barbariae. There are only two other ingredients in the formula, both of which are inactive, including lactose and sucrose.
How long does it take for oscillococcinum to work?
In that study published in 1998, researchers found that Oscillococcinum worked in 63% of patients to completely resolve or clearly improve flu symptoms within 48 hours, while 48% of those in the placebo group recovered within 48 hours. No other studies or proof are listed.
How Does Oscillo Work?
Oscillo works in a similar way to other homeopathic products. Followers of homeopathic medicine believe that the best way to cure an illness is to take an extremely-diluted amount of the compound that caused the illness in the first place.
What is the Oscillo brand?
Oscillo is the shortened name of Oscillococcinum, a brand name homeopathic product manufactured by Boiron, the world’s largest homeopathic drug manufacturer. The drug claims to reduce flu-like symptoms using unique homeopathic extracts.
Where is Oscillo sold?
Later, France-based Boiron created a homeopathic version of the formula. Today, Oscillo is sold at pharmacies and supermarkets around the world.
What is a homeopathic drug?
Homeopathic drugs, for those out of the loop, are drugs that have extreme dilutions of an active ingredient.
How long does it take to dissolve oscillo?
Oscillo comes in the form of a tube. You dissolve the entire contents of one tube in your mouth every 6 hours and take up to 3 ingredients per day.
What is the Oscillococcinum?
Oscillococcinum / ˌɒsələˈkɒksɪnəm / (or Oscillo) is a homeopathic preparation marketed to relieve flu-like symptoms, although it does not provide any benefit beyond that of sugar pills. It is a popular preparation, particularly in France and Russia .
Who coined the term "oscillococcinum"?
The word Oscillococcinum was coined by the French physician Joseph Roy (1891–1978) in his 1925 book Towards Knowledge and the Cure of Cancer. Roy wrote that while on military duty during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1917 he had observed an oscillating bacterium in the blood of flu victims, which he named Oscillococcus.
What is 200CK in homeopathy?
The 200CK indicates that the preparation entails a series of 200 dilutions of the starting ingredient, an extract from the heart and liver of a Muscovy duck. Each step entails a 1:100 dilution, where the first mixture contains 1% of the extract, the second contains 1% of the first mixture, etc. The K indicates that it is prepared by the Korsakovian method, in which rather than 1% of the preparation being measured out at each stage and then diluted, a single vessel is repeatedly emptied, refilled, and vigorously shaken (in homeopathic terminology " succussed "), and it is assumed that 1% remains in the vessel each time. The 200C dilution is so extreme that the final pill contains none of the original material.
Is Oscillococcinum safe?
Oscillococcinum is generally considered harmless. When Boiron (the company that makes oscillococcinum) spokeswoman Gina Casey was asked if a product made from the heart and liver of a duck was safe, she replied: "Of course it is safe. There's nothing in it."
Is oscillococcinum a homeopathic medicine?
It is a popular preparation, particularly in France and Russia . Oscillococcinum is promoted according to the disproven homeopathic principle that "like cures like" and that a disease can be cured by small amounts of the substance that cause similar symptoms. Boiron is its sole manufacturer.
Who invented the bacterium Oscillococcinum?
Oscillococcinum was originally proposed by the French physician Joseph Roy, on the basis of his misidentification of a supposed oscillating bacterium he named oscillococcus in victims of the Spanish flu epidemic of 1917–1918. Roy said he had seen the same bacterium in cancer sufferers, and proposed a homeopathic preparation (which he claimed to have isolated in a duck) as a remedy for the Spanish flu. The microbes Roy said he saw have never been independently observed by any other researcher. In addition, it is now known that influenza is caused by a virus and not a bacterium.
Is oscillococcinum effective in France?
A 2005 review of flu treatments (vaccine, medicine, homeopathy) concluded that the popularity of Oscillococcinum in France was unsupported by any evidence of efficacy. In a 2007 review, the effectiveness of non-mainstream remedies against seasonal flu could not be established beyond reasonable doubt, and the evidence was found to be sparse and limited by "small sample sizes, low methodological quality, or clinically irrelevant effect sizes", and that the results strengthened using conventional approaches for treating flu.
Does oscillococcinum cause drowsiness?
Oscillococcinum does not cause drowsiness. It has a low risk of side effects and no contraindications. There are no known drug interactions between Oscillococcinum and other medications and supplements.
Can you touch oscillococcinum?
We recommend touching the Oscillococcinum pellets as little as possible with your fingers or hands. Introducing any moisture to the pellets will begin the dispensing of the medicine, and any oils on your skin may coat the pellets and hinder absorption once the medicine is in your mouth.
Can you take oscillococcinum past its expiration date?
No, we do not recommend taking Oscillococcinum past its expiration date.
Does oscillococcinum help with flu?
Yes. Two studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, show that Oscillococcinum reduces the severity and shortens the duration of flu-like symptoms. 1-2 The most recent study showed that 63 percent of the patients who took Oscillococcinum at the onset of flu-like symptoms showed “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” ...
Can oscillococcinum be taken with other medications?
Oscillococcinum can be taken with other medications, herbs, and supplements and other homeopathic medicines.
Health Benefits
Possible Side Effects
- Oscillococcinum typically does not cause adverse effects. In some cases, however, patients may briefly feel worse after first beginning this homeopathic treatment. In one case, the use of Oscillococcinum was tied to the development of angioedema secondary to an allergic reaction.3 Despite the low risk of side effects, it's important to take caution when using Oscillococcinum for …
Dosage and Preparation
- Oscillococcinum is packaged as individual 0.04-ounce serving sizes of quick-dissolving pellets that are to be placed under the tongue and left to dissolve. Package instructions indicate that it should be used every six hours and no more than three times daily. The product is indicated for adults and children ages 2 and up. For those with sensitivit...
What to Look For
- Oscillococcinum is sold over the counter and is typically found in the cold medicinesection of grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores. It comes in a white box with yellow and blue print.