Homeopathic Remedies for Cough
These remedies are useful for coughs due to an acute infection and for bronchitis, croup, and whooping cough. In cases of chronic coughs and/or low immunity, it is best to consult a professional homeopath for constitutional treatment.
Aconite: Useful at the beginning stages of a cough. A dry cough with sudden onset due to exposure to dry, cold wind.
Belladonna: Useful at the beginning stages. This person is extremely hot with a flushed face.
Ferrum Phosphoricum: Also useful at the beginning stages, but more gradual onset with less intensity. A short, tickling cough with few other symptoms.
Bryonia: A hard dry cough that may hurt the chest. There is thirst for cold drinks and the person’s symptoms are worse from movement. This person may be irritable and may want to be alone.
Rumex: Dry, short cough set off by a tickling in the throat. The cough is worse from the inhalation of cold air.
Arsenicum: Anxious, restless person who is weak and chilly. The cough is worse at night, and from cold air and drinks.
Phosphorus: This person has thirst for cold drinks. They are chilly, crave company and have a fear of the dark.
Pulsatilla: A cough that is dry at night and loose in the daytime. They feel worse in a warm room and better with fresh air. They can be weepy, affectionate and want company.
Hepar Sulphuris: The person is very chilly and worse for anything cold. They are irritable, oversensitive and prefer warm drinks.
Ipecacuanha: Spasmodic coughing sometimes with nausea and/or retching. The chest is full of rattling mucus and there is wheezing.
Antimonium Tartaricum: The chest is full of rattling mucus. Usually indicated toward the end stages of a cough. This person is drowsy, pale and sweaty.
Drosera: A frequently indicated remedy in croup and whooping cough. A dry, barking cough. The cough is worse when lying down and it may end in vomiting. It is worse from eating or drinking.
Spongia: A dry, harsh, hoarse cough. The cough sounds like a saw going through wood. The person may wake from sleep feeling suffocated.
Rhus Toxicodendron: A dry cough with a tickling behind the breastbone. There is restlessness and the cough may be better from motion. Exposure t cold damp aggravates the cough.
Potency and Repetition
Give a 12C or 30C potency (strength) of the indicated remedy every four hours for four to six doses. Stop, or increase the time between doses upon improvement of the cough. If there is no improvement after a few doses of the indicated remedy, try selecting a different remedy.
The remedies listed above are the most commonly indicated cough remedies. Another remedy not listed in the article may be needed. For professional help, book an acute consultation for cough.
Homeopathic Remedies for Fever
A fever is the body’s way of fighting an infection. All healthy people will occasionally have fevers. The body will naturally heal itself of a fever, without any sort of intervention. Homeopathic remedies can speed healing and will aid the body’s natural process of healing itself.
All remedies listed in this article can be used for adults as well as children.
Childhood Fevers: When to Seek Professional Help
- If your child is 6 weeks old or younger and has a fever of 101 or higher: Go to the doctor or hospital immediately
- If your child is 7 weeks to three months with a fever of 101 or higher: See your doctor within a few hours
- Has signs of meningitis infection: Stiff neck or neck pain, vomiting, headache, bright lights hurt the eyes.
See your doctor if your child has a fever of 104 or more and does not respond to the following treatment:
Belladonna: The first remedy to try in cases of high fevers. This person will have a flushed, red face. The fever has a quick, rapid onset. The skin is burning hot and the eyes are red and pupils are dilated. They may also have a throbbing headache.
Aconite: These fevers look similar to Belladonna fevers. This person may be thirstier and is extremely fearful and anxious. Whereas someone needing Belladonna will be more irritable, a person needing Aconite will be more fearful and may even believe they are going to die.
Dosage: Give the above homeopathic remedies in a 12C or 30C potency (strength) every 15-30 minutes. As the fever starts to improve, dose less frequently. If there is no noticeable change within an hour, try another remedy.
If your child’s high fever of 104 or more has not responded to homeopathic remedies, try acetaminophen or ibuprofen before seeing your doctor.
With medium to low fevers, try Ferrum Phosphoricum 6X Homeopathic Cell Salts. This remedy is a good specific remedy for moderate fevers. Give every 15-30 minutes for a few doses, then space apart doses less frequently as the fever improves.
Other Homeopathic Remedies for Fever
Nux Vomica: This person is extremely chilly and needs to be covered with a lot of blankets. The fever will often begin after overeating, going without sleep, or using too much alcohol or drugs. This person may also have digestive symptoms and there is irritability. Their symptoms are worse in the morning.
Pulsatilla:This person is clingy, weepy, and craves affection. They are worse when warmly covered or in a warm room. The fever often begins after eating too much rich or fatty food. There is no thirst.
Dosage: Give the above homeopathic remedies in a 12C or 30C potency (strength) every 15-30 minutes. As the fever starts to improve, dose less frequently. If there is no noticeable change within an hour, try another remedy.
See Homeopathic Remedies for Flu to learn about other homeopathic remedies that may be useful for a fever.
References
Feldman, Murray and Gabrielle Pinto. “Homeopathy for Children,” C.W. Daniel, Saffron Walden, UK, 2000.
Homeopathy for Heartburn
The following homeopathic remedies can help with occasional heartburn or with heartburn during pregnancy. For help with acute heartburn or heartburn during pregnancy, book an acute homeopathic consultation. Chronic heartburn should be treated by a professional homeopath.
Pulsatilla: Heartburn that is worse after eating rich, fatty foods. These people feel worse in a warm room and better in cool, fresh air.
Natrum Carbonicum: Heartburn accompanied by problems with digesting food. These people have a lot of problems digesting milk and dairy products.
Phosphorus: Heartburn accompanied by burning pain in the stomach relieved by drinking cold liquids.
Nux Vomica: Heartburn brought on by stress, alcohol or spicy foods. These people are chilly, oversensitive to stimuli and are very irritable.
Arsenicum: Heartburn characterized by a burning in the esophagus or stomach, relieved by milk or warm liquids.
Carbo Vegetabilis: Heartburn accompanied by bloating, gas and belching.
Dosage and Repetition: Take a 12C or 30C potency (strength) of the remedy, 2-3 times per day. If a few doses of the remedy brings no relief, try another remedy, or consult a professional homeopath.
Also try Natrum Phosphoricum 6X homeopathic cell salts, taken 2-3 times per day. This cell salt neutralizes the acidity in the digestive system.
The Pregnancy Cell Salt Program
This program is endorsed by leading obstetrician Dr. Gowri Matha. It helps both mother and baby maintain optimum nutrition and balances the mineral content of the body.
During pregnancy, the baby requires certain salts which it gets at the expense of the mother. This program will help to replenish any salt deficiencies in the mother and help the baby with its salt requirement. The remedies (salts) are prepared in a very dilute form, making them non-toxic and completely safe to use during pregnancy.
Program
Take one tablet of each of the following in a 6x potency twice a day (morning and evening):
Months 2 and 6: Calc Fluor, Mag Phos, Ferrum Phos
Months 3 and 7: Calc Fluor, Mag Phos, Nat Mur
Months 4 and 8: Calc Fluor, Nat Mur, Silica
Months 5 and 9: Calc Fluor, Ferrum Phos, Silica
Homeopathic cell salts can be purchased from a good health food store or natural pharmacy. Common brands found in Canada are Hyland’s, Boiron and Homeocan.
About the individual salts
Calc Fluor is excellent for bone development and is an important component of connective tissue improving its elasticity. This quality makes it helpful in the prevention of stretch marks. It also supports the circulatory system, therefore helping to prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
Mag Phos is known as the ‘homeopathic aspirin’ due to its affinity for the nerves and muscles. It can greatly reduce the chance of heartburn and cramps.
Ferrum Phos aids the oxygenation of the blood and helps prevent the need for extra iron especially towards the end of a pregnancy when many women become anemic. Prescription iron tablets commonly lead to uncomfortable constipation, so if you can keep your iron levels up naturally, you can hopefully avoid the need for them.
Nat Mur influences the water balance of the body. Using this cell salt helps to balance all the fluids in the body lessening the likelihood of swollen ankles and fingers. It also helps to maintain even blood pressure and supports the nerves and muscles.
Silica is a vital constituent of hair, nails, teeth and skin. It contributes to overall strength of both mother and baby.
Homeopathy for Morning Sickness
A longer version of this article was published in Natural News
These are some of the most common homeopathic remedies for morning sickness:
Colchicum: This woman’s morning sickness is worse after smelling food, especially cooking food. She vomits even at the thought of food. Her nausea is also worse from even the slightest movement.
Ipecacuanha: This woman has constant, persistent nausea. Even vomiting doesn’t relieve the nausea and she feels worse when lying down.
Nux Vomica: Nausea is worse in the morning and from eating. The stomach is very sensitive to pressure. If necessary, Nux Vomica can be taken in alternation with Ipecacuanha.
Lacticum Acidum: Nausea is better after eating and worse from the smell of tobacco smoke. Her appetite is not affected, or she may have increased appetite.
Sepia: Nausea is worse in the morning. She is sensitive to odours and craves sour foods. She may be depressed and may regret the pregnancy.
Symphoricarpus: This is a good non-specific remedy for morning sickness if other remedies fail to give results. The nausea is worse after any motion with aversion to all food.
Potency and Repetition
Use either a 12C or 30C potency (strength) of the indicated remedy a few times per day, as needed. If a few doses bring no relief, try a different remedy.
Please note that this is not a complete list of homeopathic remedies for morning sickness. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult with a classical homeopath in your area.
Homeopathy for Constipation, Hemorrhoids & Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
Constipation, hemorrhoids and varicose veins during pregnancy can be helped with homeopathy. Chronic constipation, hemorrhoids and varicose veins (starting before pregnancy or lasting well beyond pregnancy) should be treated by a classical homeopath. These are the most common homeopathic remedies that are useful for these conditions:
Sepia: The first remedy to try for women who have never had constipation before pregnancy. The constipation was brought on by hormonal changes (pregnancy). She may feel drained, worn-out, and may experience a bearing down feeling in the rectum.
Lycopodium: Another common constipation remedy for women with sluggish liver function. She craves sweets and has yellowish or whitish stools. These women also have heartburn, belching, bloating and flatulence.
Pulsatilla: Symptoms are changeable with these women. She may be constipated or have hemorrhoids one day and be fine the next. She may have varicose veins of the feet and groin. She is susceptible to mood swings and is aggravated by heat.
Nux Vomica: This remedy is usually for sedentary women who have a history of heavy drug and/or coffee consumption, and consume a diet of rich, heavy foods. There is usually distention and severe flatulence. There is a constant desire to move the bowels but when she sits on the toilet, nothing happens. These women are irritable and critical.
Sulphur: Like Pulsatilla, these women are aggravated from heat. These women are usually heavy-set and flush easily. She passes foul gas and her bowel movements are offensive smelling. There is redness and a lot of itching around the anus.
Hamamelis: Hemorrhoids and varicose veins that are very sore to the touch. Hemorrhoids with copious bleeding. These women retain fluid and their ankles swell.
Dosage
Take a 12C or 30C potency (strength) of the remedy a few times per day. After 3 doses of the remedy, symptoms should improve, even slightly. If there is no improvement after taking 3 doses, the wrong remedy has probably been selected.
Other remedies may be indicated for your condition. The above-listed remedies are the most common remedies for these conditions, but are not the only remedies that can help these conditions. Contact the clinic to book an acute consult for these conditions.