Natural Homeopathic Remedies for Cough
Coughs commonly manifest during seasonal changes. Besides the simple dry cough, coughing at night, persistent cough and phlegmy cough must be evaluated in a holistic manner, nurturing health. Over-the-counter medicines for cough may suppress symptoms of a deeper illness. Natural remedies for cough prescribed by qualified professionals is best.
Coughing is the body’s way of keeping the throat and airways clear. However, excessive and chronic coughing with other symptoms like phlegm, fever or weight loss may mean that there is an underlying disease or disorder. Allergic coughs can prevent sleep, affect daytime energy and attention especially in young children.
Acute coughs have a sudden onset and are often due to a cold, flu, sinus infection or allergy. The phlegm dripping from the sinus down into the back of the throat (post-nasal drip) triggers cough. Coughs from a lung infection, bronchitis, can start out suddenly, sound deeper and linger for longer.
Asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD from emphysema or chronic bronchitis), chronic sinusitis, air pollution related cough can appear chronic that is be present over long periods of time.
Certain medications that are used for high blood pressure and heart disease called ACE inhibitors (e.g. benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, quinapril, and ramipril) also stimulate cough.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can manifest as a night and morning cough with rawness in throat and a bitter taste in the mouth.
It is important to see a qualified health professional to gauge the reason and pathological extent of the cough. This is especially important in cough in young children as they may not verbalize the level of discomfort. In situations where blood pressure medication may be the cause, it is important to meet with the prescribing physician to evaluate a change in medication.
Homeopathically and nutritionally coughs are dealt with in a two-step method. First, the acute discomfort is helped with using the indicated homeopathic remedy. Once the cough has disappeared homeopathic constitutional, anti-miasmatic treatment (improving immunity) and natural supplements are given to heal the body holistically and reduce recurrence.
Timely and accurate homeopathic treatment heals the body quickly and reduces the need for antibiotics. Such a holistic approach empowers the immune system.
For acute homeopathic prescription, the cough’s characteristic symptoms are taken into consideration. Homeopathic prescriptions are individualistic and take into account very minute symptoms such as: possible reasons for the onset of the cough e.g. getting wet in the rain or suddenly cooling down after a good sweat.
Times when the cough is better or worse e.g. people requiring Pulsatilla have a worse cough early in the morning while those requiring Kali Carb have aggravations between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Sound of the cough e.g. Hepar Sulph for a barking cough, Merc Sol for a metallic sounding cough and Antim Tart for a rattling cough – And yes, classically trained homeopaths are trained to differentiate the remedies by the sound of the cough!
Colour of the phlegm, if there is any, e.g. Ars Alb or Kali Mur for white and transparent phlegm and Hepar Sulph or Kali Bich for yellow and green phlegm.
Other situations that can relieve or aggravate the cough are also considered.
Common Homeopathic Remedies for Cough
Drosera – A good remedy for severe paroxysmal cough. The bout is long lasting and may end in retching. Vomiting a large quantity of mucus. Cough that is worse between 6 and 7am.
Cor. R. – Deep-sounding, hoarse-barking cough that is worse after 12 a.m.; during or after measles; spasmodic with gagging, retching and vomiting
Cina – Dry cough with sneezing. Spasmodic cough worse in the morning. The child is afraid to speak or move as it brings on cough. Cough linked with eosinophilia due to worm infestation are indicative of Cina
Sambucus – Cough that is deep, dry and precedes the fever paroxysm. Sambucus is the Homeopathic remedy derived from Elderberry known for its immune-protective properties.
Spongia – Dry cough worse by reading, singing, talking. Harsh breathing with cough.
Hepar Sulph – Croup after exposure to dry cold winds. A deep barking cough. There is hoarseness of voice. The sound of rattling mucus can be heard on coughing.
The article is for information purposes only. Do not self-medicate. Please see a qualified physician in-case of illness.