Coughs colds and flu

Coughs, colds and flu

Before I launch into some information about useful remedies for coughs and flu, there are a few points I would like to make about prescribing homeopathic remedies for acute conditions.

The first point is - don’t be scared! If you give someone a remedy, and they get worse, then don’t give them any more. It’s that simple. If they are worse because of the remedy (which is unlikely but possible) then stopping the remedy and waiting will nearly always mean that they will slowly get better. That’s what we call the homeopathic aggravation and a true aggravation is nearly always followed by improvement.

If on the other hand they don’t get better and continue to get worse, even though you have stopped giving them the remedy, then it’s obvious - the remedy isn’t curing them and so their illness is just getting worse and worse, just as it would if you had given no remedy at all! So try a different remedy. With luck, the new symptoms will guide you to a better choice.

The second point is don’t expect a miracle. If they have been ill for a few days, then it will take more than one dose to make them better. Give the remedy time to act, and I would usually suggest repeating the remedy for 24 hours before you decide to change it. If they are better after 24 hours, then the remedy is working - so keep going. If they are not better, then you can re-prescribe. Don’t expect to get it right first time every time!

The third point is that we are lucky enough to have the NHS. If in doubt, ring NHS Direct or go to your doctor or local hospital. Doctors are great at diagnosis, and sometimes you just need the re-assurance of knowing what the problem is before you prescribe. Better safe than sorry!

So those are my three important points for this blog. Bear these in mind, and have a go at prescribing for coughs, colds and flu over this winter. Remember, you can always ring us if you are not sure what to do next - we love to help people do our job for us!

Remember the code for reading remedies:-

	< means ‘Worse for’ > means ‘Better for’

 

There are thousands of homeopathic remedies and the following are just a few of the most likely - if you can’t find a description of the symptoms you are trying to treat, you might need to get a homeopathy first aid book or speak to one of us.

Cough remedies

Aconite - The cough starts suddenly after exposure to a cold dry wind, and is often worse at night. It may also be < when the patient goes into a warm room having been outside. The cough is usually short and dry with no phlegm.

Bryonia - Like Aconite this is a dry cough, but it can be hard too and cause a sore chest.  The cough is much < for motion, even breathing can trigger it. The cough can be so painful that the patient tries to hold their chest still with their hand or arms.

Hepar sulph- The poor Hepar patient is much worse for any cold or draught, which will make them cough and cough. This is a looser cough, with lots of thick yellow phlegm, and the patient may cough until they gag or retch.

Drosera - this is a cough that comes from a tickle in the throat, and the patient may cough and cough until he vomits. The cough is worse at night, and comes from deep in the chest. The patient’s voice may be quite hoarse.

Cold remedies

Aconite - This is a cold that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold, or a cold wind. Feverish, thirsty, with a headache and a sore throat and a tight chest. The patient will be restless and anxious, especially at night.

Allium cepa - made from onion, this remedy treats the symptoms of a cold that are like the sptoms you get after slicing onions - runny eyes and nose, frequent sneezing and soreness below the nose. > in open air, < in a warm room.

Natrum mur - profuse watery clear nasal discharge with lots of sneezing, much worse in the open air. Bursting headache and cold sores.

Pulsatilla - Lots of thick yellow mucus, bunged up and stuffy, better in the open air. The patient is likely to be a bit weepy and doesn’t want to be alone. < evening.

Flu Remedies

Flu manifests usually with chills, fever, headache, general aches and pains. The following remedies can be useful..

Arsenicum album - Restless, anxious, aching and irritable. Thirsty for sips of water, and chilled by cold drinks. > hot drinks.  Dislikes the smell and taste of food. May have burning pains, and is likely to be < after midnight. Watery discharges.

Bryonia  Alba - Everything < from the slightest motion. A bear with a sore head - patient wants to be left alone. Very thirsty, dry mouth and lips. Dryness generally, e.g. mucous membranes. Flu tends to go to chest, resulting in a painful dry cough.

Eupatorium perfiolatum. - Deep aching in the bones as if they were breaking, even the eyeballs may feel sore.. Exhausted. Thirsty with the chill.  Scanty sweat. More restless than Bry. Shivering

Gelsemium Sempervirens - gradual onset, chilliness, aching, weakness and fever. Not thirsty. Indifferent to life. Eyelids droop. Intense weariness, and trembling, < physical exhaustion. Feel > after urination.

Nux Vomica - Irritable, chilly, sensitive and < for odours, noise, open or cold air. > Lying down, warmth. Generally complaints from getting cold, cold wind, draughts. < in the mornings

Phosphorus - particularly when colds go to the chest and produce a dry tight cough with burning in the chest. Thirsty for ice-cold ad refreshing drinks. Anxiety about health.

DOSAGE - 30c –Take one dose and repeat up to four times daily. 6c or 12c - repeat up to six times daily.

 Stop taking the remedy if:

•  The symptoms go.
• You have taken the remedy for three days and nothing has changed.
• If the symptoms get worse. In this case, stop the remedy and wait - it is likely to work well in the next two or three days.
• If in doubt call either of us - we are happy to help!

It's always wise to go to the doctor, get your problem checked out and get a diagnosis before treating yourself. Don't assume you know what's wrong, and remember pain is always a warning that something is not right.