Coughs and colds are a common complaint that everyone faces. A cold indicates an infection in the upper respiratory tract (this consists of the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx and paranasal sinuses). Cough refers to an action of pushing air out of the lungs to remove mucus, fluids, germs (such as bacteria, viruses), and other substances such as dust from the airways. Although coughs and colds affect people of all ages, children under the age of 6 are more susceptible and affected more often than adults. A young child may experience several bouts of coughs and colds within a year because his/her immune system is still developing. Coughs and colds are usually caused by viruses. Of the different viruses (more than 200 types), the most common cause is the rhinovirus. A person tends to contract this infection by inhaling infected virus droplets present in the environment when an infected person coughs or sneezes nearby. It can also spread through hand-to-hand contact with a person who has a cough and a cold. The infection can be contracted by touching a surface that contains virus droplets and then touching the nose, eyes or mouth without washing hands. A person can also contract this infection by sharing items such as towels, cutlery, etc. with a person who has a cold. Coughs and colds can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, headache, body aches, watery eyes, fever and feeling tired.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy has proven to be very successful in treating cases of cough and cold. Homeopathic medicines enhance the body’s self-healing mechanism to fight the germs that cause infections and remove them from the body. This ensures a natural and gentle recovery without side effects. The cough and cold are controlled along with the associated symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, headache and body ache. Homeopathic medicines are suitable for treating coughs and colds in individuals of all age groups. Since these medications have no side effects, they are very safe to use. One should use any homeopathic medicine for the treatment of cough and cold after consulting a homeopathic doctor as the prescription varies from case to case depending on the individual symptoms. In case of persistent high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and wheezing, it is advisable to seek help from conventional treatment methods.
Homeopathic medicines for cough and cold
1. Aconite – the best medicine
Aconite is a top class homeopathic medicine to treat cases of cough and cold. The main feature of using this medicine is cough and cold caused by exposure to cold air. In cases where this is necessary, there is a clear, watery nasal discharge. The discharge feels warm. It is accompanied by sneezing and a stuffy feeling in the nose. In addition to a cold, people also complain of headaches. The throat is red, inflamed with burning and stabbing pain. The voice becomes hoarse and there is pain in the throat while speaking. The cough is dry, rough, short and barking. It is usually worse at night.
2. Natrum Mur – With obvious sneezing and watery nasal discharge
Natrum Mur is a very effective medicine for intense sneezing and watery discharge from the nose. Tears also come from the eyes. The sneezing gets worse in the early morning. The nose feels painful inside. Sense of smell and taste are reduced. There is cough with phlegm. Coughing is accompanied by choking, which becomes worse at night when you lie down. During coughing, a splitting pain occurs in the head.
3. Arsenic album – With thin runny nose, coughing with obvious weakness
This medicine is highly recommended if there is thin discharge from the nose and cough with intense weakness. The nose feels full, along with the discharge. A burning and itching sensation in the nose is clearly visible. The cold becomes worse in the open air and better indoors. The cough is dry and alternates with loose cough. Cough becomes worse after midnight, which is a very characteristic feature of using this medicine. Coughing improves by sitting.
4.Belladonna – For dry cough, cold and sore throat
Belladonna is a prominently indicated medicine for coughs, colds accompanied by sore throat. There is frequent sneezing and a tickling sensation in the nostrils. There is watery discharge from one side of the nose. Dry, tickling and short cough occurs. It increases at night. The throat and tonsils are noticeably red, inflamed with a heated sensation. Dry throat is felt along with marked sore throat. The pain gets worse when swallowing, especially with liquid.
5. Hepar sulf – For loose coughs and colds due to exposure to cold air
This medicine is best suited for cases where loose coughs and colds occur after exposure to cold air. Initially there is watery nasal discharge. Then the discharge becomes thick and an unpleasant odor occurs. The nose also feels full. There is PND (post nasal dripping), where mucus drips from the back of the nose into the throat. The cough that occurs is loose with mucus buildup. The mucus that is expelled is thick, yellow and sticky. The cough will get better if you dress warmly.
6. Pulsatilla – For coughs and colds with thick yellow-green discharge
This medicine works well for coughing colds with thick yellow-green discharge. There is thick discharge from the nose, which becomes worse indoors. It gets better in the open air. The nose feels blocked. It is accompanied by loss of smell and taste. There is loose cough during the day and dry cough after sleeping. Yellow, green mucus is spit out, along with a loose cough.
7. Spongia – For cold and dry cough
Spongia is a very useful medicine to treat colds and dry coughs. In cases where this is necessary, there is a watery runny nose, alternating with a stuffy nose. The accompanying cough is absolutely dry in nature. The cough is short-lived, dry and irritating, with a rough hoarse feeling in the larynx. Cough is the result of a tickling sensation in the throat. Coughing can be relieved by eating or drinking, with warm things providing more relief.
8. Allium Cepa – With intense sneezing
This medicine is useful for coughs and colds with intense sneezing. Sneezing occurs almost continuously with excessive watering from the nose. In most cases, sneezing becomes worse in a warm room when necessary. The runny nose causes a burning sensation in the nose and on the upper lip. A lump is felt at the root of the nose. In addition to the above complaints, excessive tearing of the eyes occurs. In addition to colds, there is a headache and hoarseness of the voice. Cough is made worse by breathing cold air and also in the evening. A tickling sensation is felt in the larynx, resulting in constant screaming to get relief.
9. Euphrasia – For colds, coughs and watery eyes
This medicine is useful for colds and coughs, along with pronounced watery eyes. There is watery nasal discharge during the day and nasal congestion at night. Tearing from the eyes causes burning in the eyes. During the day there is coughing with copious mucus. Cough gets better at night.