Homeopathy & Coughs

Over the last few weeks, we have seen a definite turn in the weather from the fairly mild late Summer and early Autumn to more cooler temperatures. This is often the signal for many to brace themselves for the coughs & colds to come.
As unpleasant as it is, coughs protect our lungs from things such as irritating particles & infections by helping us to expel things that could lead to far more serious conditions if let build up in the system.
There are steps you can take to help ease the discomfort of a bad cough, for example:

• Get plenty of rest so your body can recover.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to ease any irritation in the throat from coughing.
• Taking honey in a warm drink can also help to soothe the throat. Honey is also anti-bacterial and so will offer a boost to your immune system as well.
  
  

Always be aware in cases of coughs and chest infections where there is little/no improvement that you should seek advice.
Here are some remedies you can use at home in order to ease the symptoms & shorten the duration of your cough. 

Aconite
For a dry, barking cough that comes on suddenly around midnight after exposure to cold winds. 
Children may be frightened by the intensity of the cough and may strain to breathe in.
Steam may be a practical help for the child with an Aconite cough.

Bryonia
Use in cases where there is a dry, hacking cough accompanied by a crawling, tickling sensation in the throat. 
The cough can be very painful and you may hold the chest or stomach when coughing to minimize the pain. 
The cough will be worse when lying down at night and will feel better for sitting upright. 
There will be a desire for cold drinks and will feel worse for any movement. 
Head may also ache when coughing.

Drosera
A deep, barking, spasmodic cough that is worse when lying down, ‘As soon as head hits the pillow’ or after midnight.
Can feel like a feather is tickling the throat. 
May retch or vomit with coughing. 
Spasms of coughing can cause breathlessness. 
Trachea feels dry and the child may hold chest with both hands.
A strong remedy in cases of whooping cough, but remember that if you suspect that your child has WC to seek assistance as this a potentially serious condition.

Pulsatilla
Useful for a cough with lots of yellow/green mucous. 
Can be loose on waking but dry during the day. 
Better in the fresh air and worse inside in a stuffy room. 
May be weepy and desiring company and attention. 
Less thirsty than normal. 

Phosphorous
For a tight, dry, tickly cough that comes from deep in the chest that leaves you feeling trembly.
This can be painful and raw and chest may feel heavy. 
Breathing might be wheezy. 
Thirsty for cold water. 
Feelings of anxiety, needing company and reassurance. 
Will feel worse for lying on the left side.  
A sharp pain above one eye can accompany coughing. 
Any expectoration may be blood streaked.

Ant Tart
This remedy is useful in very wet coughs where mucous cannot be easily coughed up, however can be clearly heard rattling in the chest. 
The breathing might be wheezy and you may be drowsy from the effort of coughing.
Worse at night and early morning. 
Must sit up to cough. 

Arsenicum Album
A short dry cough with difficulty in raising irritating phlegm. 
Mucous may be ‘frothy’ from the effort of coughing it up. 
Will have a dry mouth and will desire sips of water to lubricate the throat.
Worse at night and you will need to sit up to cough.

Belladonna
​A dry short cough accompanied by a tickling in the trachea and rapid breathing. 
There may be pain in the larynx and stomach on coughing. 
The tongue will have the appearance of a strawberry.
Breath may be hot. 
The child may cry before coughing and neck may be stiff from the effort of coughing. 
The head can be hot even in the absence of fever.

Here's hoping that with a little bit of TLC and the appropriate remedy you can weather the winter well!