Homeopathy and colds
by Kerry Brown
Aah, the sounds of winter; the crackling fire, the chirruping robin and…the coughing and sneezing of a cold sufferer! For many of us, the advent of the winter season is synonymous with the blocked or runny nose and sore throat that typifies the common cold.
Most of us at some time will be affected by the common cold. Although considered a minor affliction, the symptoms of a cold can be incredibly debilitating and may leave you feeling poorly for a long time.
While over-the-counter medications may offer temporary relief, opting for a natural approach is far more beneficial and there is undoubtedly a lot to be said for traditional, natural remedies such as a daily dose of Vitamin C, Echinacea and warm honey and lemon drinks. Research shows the elderberry extract tincture significantly cuts the duration of colds and flu too.
Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthily (fruit and veg and plenty of garlic) but avoid consuming too many dairy products as these increase mucous congestion.
There is no single set homeopathic remedy for the treatment of each specific condition. Therefore, you need to identify the specific symptoms of the cold. Each individual is different, and each individual’s cold is different. While one person may have a nose streaming with clear, watery discharge, another may find their nose is completely blocked and their head pounding. This would indicate two very different remedies.
Useful homeopathic remedies in the treatment of cold symptoms:
Aconite – A good remedy for any symptoms that appear suddenly and intensely. The patient may be thirsty and the symptoms may worsen at night.
Arsenicum – This patient will have watery, profuse discharge with lots of sneezing.
Ferrum Phosphoricum – It is recommended that this is taken in the earliest stages of a cold and may shorten its duration. Ferrum Phosphoricum is also available as a Tissue Salt.
Gelsemium – The Gelsemium patient will feel lethargic, weak, with a heavy head and aching limbs.
Hepar Sulph – Useful in the later stages, where the nose is stuffed up with thick yellow catarrh and the throat glands will be swollen. The patient will feel better for warmth.
Pulsatilla – The discharges are thick, yellowy-green and the patient’s symptoms are better in cool, fresh air. They will also be generally thirstless.
Homeopathic remedies are available from many health shops and pharmacies. Remedies will be most likely be stocked in 6c and 30c potencies. There will be instructions to follow on the bottles, but many homeopaths would recommend selecting the appropriate remedy, taking one dose (a single tablet) and then seeing if there is an improvement or change in symptoms. If there is a little improvement then repeat the dose. If there is no change then try selecting a different remedy.
Although Eucalyptus oil is useful in unblocking a stuffed up nose, it may affect the efficacy of any homeopathic remedies you are using (as may any strongly scented or flavoured substances, such as coffee).
The remedies above are useful in the treating acute symptoms of the common cold. If you suffer with recurrent colds it may be useful to seek a more deep-acting, constitutional treatment. See your local, friendly homeopath for this.
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Hi Kerryb. I just found your article, surfing the “health” tag, and I think it’s so useful. Since I stopped drinking and *other things*, I find I almost never get colds anymore, and the ones I do are much shorter lived. I guess that’s about immune system suppression. As we head into Spring, I’m thinking about hayfever, and wondering whether you have any tips? Also, I’m about to move in with my partner who is asthmatic and has a cat allergy. I have two cats, and we’re keen to find natural ways to help him cope.
Hello Clara Many thanks for your kind email, I am glad you found the article useful. Yes, a healthy immune system really is important – your body can concentrate on maintaining day-to-day health so much more efficiently if it is not busy dealing with overloads of ‘other’ toxins. Homeopathy certainly is helpful in the treatment of hayfever. I would say that there are about three approaches you could look at: 1) getting hold of a general homeopathic remedy for hayfever such as the New Era Tissue Salt combination remedy or Pollen (as a homeopathic remedy such as the one produced by Weleda). 2) using homeopathic remedies that fit your specific hayfever symptoms, such as Allium Cepa for watery eyes and violent sneezing. Both of these approaches will offer you relief during the hayfever season and you can self-prescribe. However, ideally for a more permanent approach to treating hayfever I would recommend that you visit your local homeopath. I offer the same advice for the cat allergy but I would also mention that the homeopathic pharmacies actually produce a remedy made out of cat hair which may also help. With regard to your other half’s asthma, this is a far deeper and chronic condition and he would undoubtably benefit from visiting a homeopath. Your email has spurred me on to write a little piece about hayfever, so watch this space and I shall upload something to the site in the near future. Very best wishes, Kerry
Ooh I’m looking forward to that, Kerry. Brilliant.
Hi Clara. Just to let you know I’ve now uploaded a short article on homeopathy tips for hay fever. I hope you find it useful. All the best, Kerry