Cold? Flu? Allergies? Pt.3 Help for the Cold Using Homeopathics

So, we have looked at how to tell the difference between colds, flues and allergies and ways to prevent ‘catching’ something…but we are human with human bodies and now we turn our attention to ‘what to do if’ you are not so fortunate in fending off a virus or bacteria and get a cold or flu. This part will concentrate upon homeopathic remedies for a cold/cough and these remedies would make a great addition to any preparedness minded individuals first aid kit or for anyone trying to help themselves.

 

What is a homeopathic? Homeopathy is a holistic health practice that is a part of alternative medicine. Homeopathic remedies are made from plants and other substances found in nature. They are highly diluted from original tinctures, or extracts with a long history of safe use. The Homeopathic Materia Medica lists thousands of remedies that can be used for a variety of conditions.

 

My own personal favorite websites to buy these remedies from are:

http://abchomeopathy.com

http://elixirs.com

 

They WORK. They are safe, natural and easily obtained right now. They are generally very specific in what they ‘treat’ but work on the principle of ‘like cures like’. Homeopathy goes back to the time Aristotle and has proven very effective in short-term or acute illnesses. The trick is to be able to identify your symptoms correctly and to remember to take them repeatedly…its not just pop the pill and go on about your business. You also need to pay attention to see if ‘it’ (the remedy) is working for you. If after 2 doses it is not helping the symptoms then you need to select a different remedy. You do not need a lot of the said remedy to in order to see results, just the correct one. Homeopathy is safe for EVERYONE including infants, the elderly and those on medications. They do not interfere with OTC’s but can be interrupted by foods and drinks that we commonly take such as coffee, alcohol, vinegar, toothpaste and certain essential oils and tobacco products. (Though through personal use I have found that if the remedy is going to work, it will work regardless).

Something nice about homeopathic remedies…they don’t go ‘bad’ when properly stored. Cool and dark place with low moisture. A few years ago the FDA forced homeopathic companies to put ‘expiration’ dates on their products, but this I believe was misguided as

Rule of thumb when using a homeopathic…have a ‘clean mouth’. In otherwords, no food or drink for 20 minutes before or after dosing with a homeopathic. Another rule of thumb that cannot be repeated too often, if you are not getting symptom relief, stop taking it! If after 2-3 doses over a 1 hour time period you are not seeing results you can induce the symptoms of the remedy that you are trying to cure…it is called proving and can make symptoms you didn’t have appear. IF YOU DON’T SEE A REDUCTION IN SYMPTOMS THEN STOP TAKING THE REMEDY.

 

Depending upon what symptoms you are displaying you may want either one of the single remedies or a combination remedy. Typically a homeopathic remedy is a pellet, liquid or soft tablet. Directions on ‘how much’ to take come on the package. What I will suggest however is disregarding the ‘how often’.

 

Acute/Active Symptoms: 3-5 pellets (2-3 tabs or 3-5 drops) every 15mins for the first hour or until symptoms begin to clear up. If after 4 doses in the first hour you aren’t noticing any benefit, reassess your symptoms and try something else.

Onset/Not Too Bad/Just Beginning: 2-3 pellets (1-2 tabs or 2-3 drops) every 20-30 minutes until you notice the symptoms are gone.

In both cases once you get your symptoms under control (in otherwords, symptom relief)

back off dosing to every ½ hour. If you symptoms begin to return within that half hour time frame continue to take the remedy every half hour. As time progresses you will notice a greater period of time between displaying of symptoms…you will have to pay attention to this. If at the half hour mark you still have no symptoms wait until the one hour mark before taking another dose and then pay attention as to when the symptoms begin to return so that you are gradually decreasing your dosing schedule to 2-3 times per day, increasing length of time between doses by a ½ hour each time. Once you have reached this 2-3 times per day for 1-2 days you can then stop taking the remedy and you are ‘cured’. With children I always recommend to stop after being symptom free for 1 day.

Infants dosing should be ½ of that of an adults dose, however, as I have learned, sometimes with a young child the adult dose is appropriate to initially relieve symptoms so do not be afraid to use more in a infant or young child.

AGAIN…the trick is watch for symptom reduction! If you aren’t seeing a reduction in symptoms with the first hour of use (2-4 doses) then move onto another homeopathic!! I have increased the amount taken in children in very stubborn or acute symptoms just to ‘tamp’ it down quickly and then reduce the amount taken once I have reduced symptoms.

Homeopathics for Cold Symptoms:

 

Remedies are chosen based on the symptoms for which each one is indicated.

 

Aconite Napellus

This homeopathic remedy is often indicated during the beginning signs of a cold. If you feel anxious and agitated as well as thirsty, aconite may be needed. Symptoms that point to the use of this remedy include a dry, stuffy nose with a thin nasal discharge. A choking cough may be present, along with a scratchy throat. This remedy is recommended for children who are visibly chilled during a cold.

 

Allium Cepa

Allium Cepa may be needed when a cold coincides with a teasing cough. A clear discharge may come from the runny nose that is very irritating to the nostrils and upper lip. Open air can often stop the runny nose, but being inside can make symptoms worse.

 

Baryta Carbonica

When an individual has recurrent colds that seem to appear after being chilled, baryta carb may be indicated. A runny nose may be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes, tonsils or adenoids when this remedy is needed.

 

Bryonia Alba

Bryonia alba, also called bryony is a common homeopathic remedy for congestion (nasal and chest), it is considered most appropriate for people who tend towards irritability and perfectionism, and who become demanding and critical when ill. If symptoms are aggravated by movement, cold and dampness, but relieved by warmth and rest, this is another indication for bryonia.

Euphrasia

When the eyes are red, irritated and watery from a cold, Euphrasia is a commonly indicated remedy. A cough may result from an irritated throat with a collection of phlegm. Nighttime can cause an increase in symptoms, though lying down may offer some relief for the person in need of this homeopathic remedy.

 

Gelsemium

If your head cold leaves you feeling lethargic and achy, gelsemium may be indicated. This remedy is often helpful if the cold is accompanied by a headache, fever and chills along the spine. You may also feel heat or pressure on the face and nose. If you are trembling or shaky, this may be the remedy of choice.

 

Hepar Sulph

When you suffer from a very loose, rattling cough with gagging that produces a yellow mucus, hepar sulph may be indicated. An extreme sensitivity to cold may also suggest the need for this homeopathic remedy. Cold foods or beverages may induce a coughing fit and make you feel even worse. Emotional vulnerability, irritability and touchiness may all indicate this as the remedy of choice. Hepar sulph is often used in cases of bronchitis and croup.

 

Kali Bichromicum

May be used for the chest congestion and cough of bronchitis, particularly when coughing causes pain behind the breastbone. A homeopath is even more likely to prescribe kali bichromicum if symptoms are worse in the cold and early in the morning, but improve with warmth.

Natrum Muriaticum

Natrum is often indicated when a head cold produces a clear nasal discharge and sneezing that is worse in the morning. Chapped or cracked lips may be present, as well as cold sores around the mouth. You may experience a headache along with a dampened sense of smell or taste when in need of this homeopathic remedy.

Nux Vomica

Those who suffer from nasal congestion that becomes much worse at night, yet turns into running in the day time, may need Nux Vomica. A burning sensation may accompany the runny nose. Irritability and impatience are also common when Nux Vomica is needed for a cold. The remedy may be administered every

Phosphorus

If hoarseness is present with a tickly cough hurting the throat, this remedy may be needed. Phosphorus is also indicated when a cold travels to the chest quickly. Talking or laughing may aggravate the cough. This homeopathic remedy is often indicated in cases of laryngitis.

Pulsatilla

This homeopathic remedy is one of the best for colds that result in thick yellow or green mucus. A stuffy nose may occur while indoors, but become runny when outside in open air. An increase in congestion and high fever may take place in the evening. If coughs are dry in the evening, yet become loose in the morning, this remedy may be needed. Children who need Pulsatilla often wish to be held or comforted, and respond well to the remedy.
Most Indicated Homeopathic Remedies for Infants and Toddlers

Aconite

Aconite is often needed when the symptoms of a cold first appear. The child may appear to be chilled with the onset of symptoms taking place after exposure to cold air. Symptoms may worsen after midnight in the child who needs aconite. Anxiousness and thirst may also be present. Aconite should be used when a cold comes on suddenly accompanied by chills, sweats and a fever. According to Dr. Ellen Feingold, the remedy should be taken every 30 minutes to two hours until symptoms resolve.

Allium Cepa

When a child has a cold that causes a burning discharge from the eyes and nose along with excessive sneezing, Dr. Carolyn Dean recommends Allium Cepa. This homeopathic cold remedy should be given every 30 minutes to two hours. When improvement is seen in the discharge, the frequency may be decreased. The remedy may be stopped once the inflammation of the eyes and nose has resolved.

Gelsemium

Colds that come on slowly in a fatigued child with vague muscle aches, headaches and chills up the spine, indicate that Gelsemium may be the homeopathic remedy of choice. A fever is often present, but the child does not appear thirsty. Administer the remedy every 30 minutes to two hours, slowly reducing the frequency as the symptoms abate.

Nux Vomica

Infants who suffer from nasal congestion that becomes much worse at night, yet turns into running in the day time, may need Nux Vomica. A burning sensation may accompany the runny nose. According to Dr. Maesimund B. Panos, irritability and impatience are also common when Nux Vomica is needed for a cold. The remedy may be administered every 30 minutes to two hours, reducing the frequency as symptoms begin to disappear.

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla is often the best remedy when a cold is accompanied by thick yellow mucus discharged in large amounts. If an infant does not have a fever yet feels warm consistently, this may be a well-suited remedy. Give Pulsatilla every 30 minutes to two hours. Once the mucous has become clear or less prevalent, immediately reduce the frequency of administration.
(taken from livingstrong.com)

 

There are many combination homeopathic remedies that contain the above listed remedies. Many people will choose a combination remedy to use to take the guess work out of the situation.

Some of the ones that I have found most effective are:

 

Cold and Flu Remedy by Family Homeopathic Medicine™ which is produced by a company called Vitasalus and can be found at their website: http://vitasalus.com

ColdCalm by Boiron…though I have found this combination remedy best for the start of cold and not for symptoms that are full-blown.

 

I will mention too that I keep handy this cough syrup by Boiron. It is called Chestal Honey and it works well too! There is one for adults and one for children and is in a honey base (not suitable for infants).

 

Here is a very handy chart I found at: http://health.hpathy.com/common-cold_hugall.asp

 

Print it off and keep it handy just in case!

 

REMEDY	KEYNOTE   SYMPTOMS	OTHER   SYMPTOMS	MAKES   YOU FEEL BETTER	MAKES   YOU FEEL WORSE
Aconite	Comes   on suddenly. Fearful,   restless, cheeks hot and red. First   stage of cold. Caused by exposure to cold dry winds	Sudden   dry painful cough/croup watery mucous, sweats on uncovered parts. High fever   with sensitivity to light. Thirsty, watery runny nose, possible bright red   nose bleed.	Fresh open   air, sleep	Warm   stuffy room In the   evening and at night Lying on   affected side. Irritated by music, dry, cold   winds.
Allium cepa	Profuse,   bland, watery discharge from eyes. Nasal discharge is profuse and burning.   Warm rooms aggravate, better in open air.	Eyes run   but the discharge is usually bland Violent   sneezing. Mucous   burns/corrodes top lip. Tickle in larynx, hoarseness, hacking cough worse   breathing in cold air desires   onions	Fresh   air	Evening. Cold air. Stuffy   room. Getting   feet wet.
Arsenicum album	Complaints   are usually right-sided. Watery, burning nasal discharge. Restlessness,   weakness, anxiety, thirsty for sips at frequent intervals, chilly, desires   company.	Right   nostril burns/corrodes top lip watery thin discharge, but nose feels blocked.   Excessive sneezing, Irritation, tickling of the nose. Cold might move to   chest.	Heat,   elevated head, Warm   drinks, company	Wet,   windy weather. Midnight   to 2am. Sight or smell of food.
Belladona	First   stage of cold, sudden onset, high   fever, red face, cold extremeties, throbbing pains, patient radiates heat.	Skin hot,   dry with high temperature Throbbing headache, very thirsty or not thirsty at all sore   throat on right side Tickly   throat, light hurts eyes Eyes glassy Eyes dilated delirious   in high fever dry barking cough desires lemons or lemonade	Sitting   upright or standing. In warm   room	Jarring,   movement, Noise,   drafts. From   lying down. After   12noon, 3PM
Bryonia alba	A Cold   slow to develop, painful coughs–patient holds chest when he coughs; worse   from slightest movement, dry mucus membranes and very thirsty, worse for   company, worse for having to answer questions, very irritable, wants to be   alone.	Better   for being still and quiet. cold   moves into chest. A painful, dry, spasmodic cough. Left-sided headache,   otherwise, right-sided complaints.	From   applying firm, cool pressure to head and chest. In cool   surroundings	For   movement. Bright   lights. Eating,   noise and touch 9pm and   3pm.
Dulcamara	Worse   from damp and cold/damp weather, worse from change of weather, worse from   drafts.	Thick   saliva and hoarse voice Possible   cold sores Thirst   for cold drinks Post-nasal   drip, lumbago or an Earache, watery diarrhea	warm,   dry air. Movement	For   rest. At night. Cold,   damp weather
Euphrasia	The   opposite of Allium Cepa: Nasal discharge is bland; discharge from the eyes is   burning. Cough only in the daytime.	Copious   fluid from nose Bursting   sensation as sinuses fill. At night little pains all over body. Heat/fever   descends the body, sweats only on front. Later   symptoms, chilliness, loose violent cough, pressing pain under sternum.	Lying   down in darkened room but may feel more blocked up. For   coffee	From   warm, windy weather. Being indoors. In the   evening. Bright   light.
Ferrum phos.	A cold   that comes on slowly. Beginning of colds when symptoms are vague. Right-sided   complaints.	Mild   fever may be present Mouth   feels hot. Throat is   red and swollen. Possible   nose bleeds.	Gentle   exercise. Applying   a cold compress to the forehead.	For   fresh air. In the   Sun. For   jarring or touch. Lying on right side. Between 4am&   6pm
Gelsemium	Cold   comes on gradually. Patient’s appearance: dopey, drowsy, droopy and dull. You   could also add dizzy! Inclination to sleep. Apathetic. Weakness, chills run   up and down back, headache starts in back of head or neck and spreads   forward, heavy head, thirstless.	Tiredness,   heavy body sensation. Headache above nape of neck. Tickling in nose gets   worse. Later a running nose, watery and irritating	Fresh   air. movement, After   urinating. Bending   forward, sweating. Drinking   alcohol.	Before   thunderstorm. Early in   the morning and last thing at night. Humidity. Tobacco   smoke.
Hepar sulph	Over-sensitive   to pain; anxiety, irritable, angry outbursts, chilly and worse from cold,   intolerant of drafts, worse uncovering a hand or a foot, swollen glands, bad   odor of discharges, splinter-like pains.	Cold   starts with watery runny nose. Later, excessive yellow mucous with   offensive-smelling discharge and sneezing. Irritability and chilliness.	For   wrapping head   firmly. Warm,   moist environment.	In   cold air, draughts. Getting   cold from undressing. If   touched.
Kali bichrom	Second   stage of cold. Thick,   yellow, ropy, stringy nasal discharge. Sinusitis. Thick   post-nasal drip.	Thick   mucous may block nose. yellow or   green discharge with postnasal drip. Sinus headaches, pressure pain at root   of nose.	From   warmth	In   the morning. Hot   weather Getting   cold from undressing.
Natrum mur	Beginning   stages of a cold with sneezing. “Egg-white” nasal discharge. Runny   eyes worse in open air or wind. Sun and light aggravate. Warm, worse heat.   Cold sores on lips, vesicles in mouth, cracked lips, ailments from grief.	Wants   to be left alone. A dislike   for sympathy. Cold   starts with fits of sneezing and a thin catarrhal discharge consistency of   the white of a raw egg. Nose maybe blocked with tendency towards developing   cold sores.	Applying   cold compresses to the sinuses. Fasting. Fresh   open air	In sea   air or wet weather. Mental, physical exertion. Around 10am. Bright light or   hot sun. Noise, talking, music.
Nux vomica	Cold,   chills, worse slightest draft of air, ailments from over-work, irritable and   angry, impatient; runny nose in the morning, obstructed at night; stomach   pains, better warm drinks, constipation with ineffectual urging.	Runny   nose during the day blocked   at night. Overcritical   of others, impulsive, chilliness,   watery eyes, sneezing,   headache, sore   throat	Sleep, warmth. Firm   pressure, in the   evening. Washing   and warm   compresses	Windy,   Cold, dry weather. In public places. After over-indulgence of spicy foods and   stimulants such as coffee. Between 3am &   4am.
Pulsatilla	Patient   is weepy and wants to be consoled. Warm and worse heat, worse sun, better   walking slowly in open air, worse warm stuffy rooms, dry mouth but no thirst,   worse at twilight, worse from fatty foods; bland and often greenish nasal   discharge	Possible   nose bleeds runny   nose during the day, blocked   nose at night thirstless,   loss of smell Headache   above eyes	Crying   and Sympathy. Exercise   and fresh   open air. Cold drinks,   cold compresses. Raising   hands above the head.	Rich,   fatty foods. Heat, In   the sun. In the   evening and at night.
Rhus tox.	Second   stage of cold Congested   nose and scratchy throat. Worse cold and cold wet weather. Better warmth and   warm bathing. Stiffness and restlessness. Desires cold milk. Worse in cloudy,   foggy, rainy weather; worse getting wet. Can’t be still, must move.	Thick,   yellow/green nasal discharge with a red scratchy throat, dry cough, tickling,   hoarseness. Cough prevents sleep	From   warmth, hot bathing. >From   motion. For   changing positions.	Cough   worse in cold room. Cold,   wet, rainy weather. During   sleep.

 

I cannot emphasize enough that if you don’t see symptom improvement within 4 doses in the first 1-2 hours then you need to try a different one…don’t keep taking something that isn’t working for you!

Also, I will note, that if you aren’t getting better within a week, symptoms become severe or a high temperature is run for more than 6hrs, you should seek professional help. Wisdom is knowing when to ask others for help.

The next article will discuss and share homeopathic remedies for the flu. Be sure to see Pt.4 coming soon!

December 6, 2011 - Posted by Survivingshtfmom | Baby/Infant, Homeopathics, Medical Conditions, Self-Help | Alternative medical care, colds, coughs, homeopathic, natual alternative, preparedness, self-care, survival medicine