Oscillococcinum is a patented homeopathic product manufactured by Boiron Laboratories. It is made from the heart and liver of wild duck.

Homeopathic products are extreme dilutions of active ingredients. They are often so diluted that they don’t contain any active medicine. The basic principles are “like treats like” and “potentiation through dilution.” For example, the flu would be treated with an extreme dilution of a substance that causes flu-like symptoms.

People use oscillococcinum for symptoms of the common cold and flu, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Homeopathic products have been permitted for sale in the US since 1938. But homeopathic products are not held to safety and effectiveness standards the way that conventional medicines are.

There is interest in using oscillococcinum for a number of purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

When taken by mouth: Oscillococcinum is possibly safe when taken three times daily for up to 3 days. 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.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if oscillococcinum is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But it is a homeopathic product that contains no active ingredient. Therefore, this product is not expected to cause any beneficial or harmful effects.

It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.

Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Oscillococcinum has most often been used by adults under the tongue. One tube (200 globules) has been taken at the start of symptoms, and then taken up to three times daily for up to 3 days. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

Anas barbaria, Anas Barbariae, Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum HPUS, Anas moschata, Avian Heart and Liver, Avian Liver Extract, Cairina moschata, Canard de Barbarie, Duck Liver Extract, Extrait de Foie de Canard, Muscovy Duck, Oscillo, Oticoccinum.

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

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