Seasonal Topics
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previous topics here)
First
Aid Remedies in the treatment of Colds with Coughs and Sore
Throats
A discussion on the possible uses of the homeopathic remedies
in your basic first aid kit.
COLDS
If you only catch colds from time to
time, it is best to take the rest necessary to let you recover
as soon as possible and help yourself by drinking lots of
fluids (other than milk), clearing the airways frequently and
gently, using steam inhalations to help loosen mucus, eating
plenty of fruit and vegetables and avoiding junk food and
tobacco fumes. However, if the illness has got 'stuck' and is
dragging on for longer than expected or appears to be taking
hold by moving down to your chest for example, you may find a
suitable homoeopathic remedy in your first aid kit to help.
For advice on how best to take the
remedy, see the
Rules for self prescribing
Remember to choose the remedy which
best suits the way you are feeling now.
ACONITE
Your cold came on very suddenly after
you went out in an icy, dry wind on a cold day. All your
symptoms are worse at night. You are very restless, feeling
extremely anxious and frightened and have difficulty sleeping. You feel weak and much worse if touched.
Cough may wake you from sleep and
your chest feels tight. The cough is dry and suffocating. It
makes you very anxious.
Throat troubles will usually be
accompanied by a fever with thirst and the throat will appear
dark red and sting, feeling worse when you breathe in.
APIS
You don't want to be alone, yet are
irritable and can't stand being touched. You can also be
feeling weepy for no apparent reason. Heat in any form makes
your symptoms much worse, and you want to be out in the fresh
air, where you feel much better.
Throat troubles where the throat
looks very red, burns or stings and your mouth is dry but you
don't feel thirsty.
ARNICA
You feel very sore and bruised and
don't want anyone to come near you in case they touch you, so
you insist that you are fine.
Cough accompanied by a bruised
soreness in your chest, which makes you hold your chest when
you cough. Your eyes are bloodshot.
ARSENICUM
Your cold came on after a change in
the weather and you feel very chilly and better for warmth,
even though any pains you have are burning. You feel weak,
feeble, restless and desperate to find someone to look after
you.
Cold where your eyes are dry and
burning and your eyelids puffy and red. Your nose feels
stuffed up all the time, yet there is a thin, watery discharge
from your nose which makes the area around your nostrils and
top lip very sore. You sneeze a lot, yet it does not give any
relief. You feel that the cold is heading for your chest.
Cough which is worse at night and
wakes you around 1am in the morning when you find it difficult
to breathe. Your throat burns as you cough, and any mucus is
frothy and tastes salty. You feel better propped up in bed and
drinking hot drinks.
Throat troubles where there is a
burning pain, which feels worse when swallowing but better
when drinking a hot drink.
BELLADONNA
Your cold came on suddenly after you
got chilled and your head got wet. You look very red and are
so hot that the heat can be felt by someone even before they
touch you. You have a maddening, throbbing headache which has
made you sensitive to noise and light.
Cough which is dry, scrapes the
throat and worse at night.
Throat problems where the throat
feels raw and sore, is red and swollen and talking is
difficult. Symptoms are worse on the right side and when
swallowing liquids.
BRYONIA
Your cold came on when the weather
changed from cold to warm. Symptoms began in the nose, eyes
and head and spread down to throat, larynx and chest very
quickly. You are irritable because you feel worse any time you
move and you simply want to be left alone.
Cough is dry, shakes the whole body
and accompanied by a headache which feels as if your head is
about to burst. Eating, drinking and walking into a warm room
make the cough worse.
CHAMOMILLA
You are feeling very angry,
irritable, intolerant and are impossible to please.
Cough is tickling, irritating and the
mucus tastes bitter. Your partner notices that the cough is
worse during the night but you find that the cough does not
wake you!
GELSEMIUM
Your cold started several days after
the weather became warm and moist. Chills run up and down your
back and you shudder and cannot get warm. You feel very tired,
heavy and sluggish and want to be left alone. The discharge
from your nose makes your nostrils extremely sore.
Throat troubles which come on slowly,
and swallowing is difficult because your muscles feel weak.
IGNATIA
You find that you have become moody,
introspective and want to be alone
Cough caused by tickling in the
throat, and the more you cough, the worse the tickling and the
worse the cough.
Throat troubles when your throat
feels 'plugged' and relieved by swallowing. You may find it
harder to swallow liquids than solids. Your throat feels tight
and this makes you nervous and sleepless.
MERCURIUS
You feel the creeping chilliness of a
cold. You feel uncomfortable in a warm room, yet cannot stand
the cold. You feel anxious and you find it hard to stay still. All discharges are strong-smelling and offensive. You perspire
profusely, without relief. The discharge from your nose is
burning, green/yellow and may cause your nostrils to ulcerate
and your top lip to burn. There is an unpleasant taste in your
mouth.
Cough which is worse evening and
night and when you are lying on your right side. There is a
sensation of tickling in the chest and the mucus is thick and
green.
Throat troubles accompany every cold. The throat feels raw and you are very thirsty, even though
your mouth does not feel dry.
NUX VOMICA
Your cold came on from dry, cold
weather and you are very irritable, angry and easily offended.
You feel very cold and are unable to get warm and the
slightest movement makes you shiver. Your cold has settled in
your nose, throat, chest and ears.
Cough which is dry and teasing with a
sore chest, and worse from after midnight until daybreak. It
can make your head feel as if it will burst or make your
abdomen feels bruised whenever you cough. Your throat feels
sore and you may cough up sour tasting mucus.
PULSATILLA
You feel much better when you are
outside, but get worse whenever you enter a warm room. Your
nose feels stuffed up indoors and at night, but less so when
you are outdoors and in the morning. The discharge from your
nose is thick and yellow, but does not make your nose sore. Your lips may chap and peel. You feel weepy and crave
sympathy. You don't feel hungry or thirsty.
Cough is worse whenever you enter a
warm room. It is dry in the evening and loose in the morning
and the mucus is thick, bland and yellowish/green. The cough
is dry at night and you may feel better when sitting up.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON
Your cold came on in cold, damp
weather. Your bones ache and you feel fearful and restless at
night. You feel much worse if any part of you is uncovered. The discharge from your nose is thick, yellow and offensive.
Cough is worse whenever you try to
talk and wears off after you have been talking for a while.
Throat troubles where the throat is
red and swollen, and you feel better drinking hot drinks
SILICA
You catch colds often, especially
after you have got your feet wet or the weather has become
colder. Your recovery is slow and the cold affects the sinuses
which become blocked and painful. Your nose is dry and blocked
and any discharge is hard and crusty and your nostrils are
sore.
Throat troubles where your throat
feels dry, the pain is stitching and your throat stings when
you swallow.
Please remember -
Seek professional help if your
symptoms recur of do not improve or keep on recurring. The
homeopath who has taken your history, worked on your case and
found your constitutional remedy will always be the best
person to approach for homeopathic advice.
Details of how to contact me are here
All text and Images © Barbara Geraghty 2003 - 2007 Registered London Homeopath
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