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At this time of year my practice is stocked up with an abundance of tissues and remedies for the busy period of coughs, colds, sniffles and flu! Those who come for treatment include long term clients returning for their seasonal top up to boost their immune system, while for others, it is a first time visit with a desire to switch to a more natural healing approach. More frequently seen nowadays is people who come because of a lingering cough or cold that just won’t go away even after repeated antibiotic use.
Irrespective of which stage you are starting at, or whether you have a tickly cough, dry cough, chesty cough or wet coughs, Homeopathy offers a range of successful treatment plans to help you and your family through the winter months.
Typical questions asked to help prescribe a remedy for coughs.
During the consultation, to help us decide on a remedy that matches your symptoms we are interested to know details such as:
- Is there a fever?
- What was the cause? – Getting wet, getting chilled?
- Speed of onset – The symptoms came on quickly or developed slowly?
- Type of Cough – dry, wet, rattling, wheezing, hard, effect on breathing.
- Is the cough from the lungs or the throat?
- Expectoration – colour, consistency, taste, smell and the ability or difficulty experience in expelling/coughing up the mucus.
- Factors which make you feel worse or better (known as modalities) – for example lying down, going outside, during sleep, talking, eating.
- Any perspiration, vomiting, retching, nausea, headaches, sore throats, hoarseness, etc?
- How has the appetite, thirst, sleep and moods changed?
- What is the worst thing about your symptoms?
Top 5 Homeopathy Remedies for Coughs
There are hundreds of remedies that could be prescribed for cough symptoms but below are some common homeopathic remedies to consider. I have also included a typical description a client might use to describe their experience of the symptoms which is invaluable in homeopathy.
Aconite
“I cant believe how suddenly it came on after walking in the cold wind”
Excellent remedy for nipping colds, fevers, sore throats in the bud if it is caught at the early stages. The symptoms appear suddenly after being chilled in the cold air. The cough is dry, croupy and barking that can cause breathlessness or fast breathing. Worse for talking and deep breathing, draughts of cold air and better for lying on the back.
Antimonium Tartaricum
“I feel like I am drowning in mucus and you can actually hear the mucus flapping like liquid”
This is a noisy rattling, loose cough and the bronchial tubes seem overloaded with mucus. Expectoration is very difficult. It can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting and the person may retch ineffectually. The cough may be excited for eating, or when children get angry, It is worse at night and there is temporary relief from coughing up mucus.
Bryonia
“I am like a bear with a sore head and my chest hurts when I move”
The cough is dry, painful, hard and the coughing fits shake the whole body. There is little or no expectoration and there is great dryness of all air passages. Movement or deep breathing aggravates the person and they hold there body to prevent further movement. The person is very irritable “like a bear with a sore head”. They feel better for long drinks of cold water, fresh air and lying on the painful side as any movement causes pain.
Drosera
“As soon as my head hits the pillow there is violent coughing fits that end in retching and vomiting”
This is a barking cough that is dry in the evening and loose in the morning. It comes in violent fits in rapid succession which takes the breath away to the point of retching and vomiting. Hoarseness, nose bleeds and vomiting of mucus or food just eaten may accompany the cough. Sputum is yellow green, and the face appears blue when coughing. They are worse after drinking, lying down, talking, after midnight and feel better for holding the chest or abdomen. (Big remedy indicated for whooping cough)
Phosphorus
“Every cold goes to my chest, my throat tickles, I cant speak and I am very thirsty for iced cold water”
This cough can be either dry or loose and every cold seems to drop to the chest. There is a great feeling of tightness and burning in the chest and there is a ticklish feeling in the throat. The cough disturbs the sleep and the person will have to sit up to cough up large amounts of mucus. The larynx and throat feel raw or hoarse and talking or laughing aggravates. They feel better for heat and sleeping on the right side.
Lingering Coughs
If you are suffering from lingering coughs or get repeated attacks, professionally prescribed remedies with a Registered Homeopath is recommended to ensure the root of the problem is being addressed.
Boost Your Immune System
As with any illness it is important to boost the immune system to minimise the suceptibility of picking up viruses and infections during the winter months. Make sure you diet is balanced, rich in nutrients, packed with fresh fruit and vegetables and rich in Vitamin C to help your body build white blood cells which help fight against invading germs.
Contact Eileen
Eileen Scullion, Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths.
Tel: 086-0891037 Email: info@homeopathy-healing.com
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Consultations available: Dublin 2, Dublin 12, Ireland & Worldwide Via SKYPE
Eileen Scullion of Homeopathy-Healing is a Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths (The Regulatory Body for the Homeopathic Profession which is recognized by the Department of Health and Children and works on the National Working Group towards an integrated Health System).