Homeopathy For The Common Cold
We are pleased to present a sample chapter from the new book, How to Treat the Common Cold with Homeopathy, written by one of our homeopaths, Fran Sheffield.
This chapter (Chapter Four) looks at five people with five different colds and the homeopathic remedies which led to their recovery.
It also presents research showing how respiratory tract infections improve more rapidly when treated with homeopathy.
At the end of this chapter you will find a List of Contents that shows the other information included in the book.
For the complete version, visit the My Homeopathy website where this book can be purchased for $6.85 in three different eBook formats (EPUB, MOBI, and PDF).
It is also available from Amazon and Smashwords.
Homeopathy has successfully treated the common cold, and numerous other diseases and disorders, for more than 200 years. It is a safe and simple approach to health care, and is highly effective when the right remedy is prescribed for the symptoms.
Seven Reasons to Use Homeopathy
Homeopathy is:
- Safe for all ages – from newborn babies to the elderly, as well as during pregnancy.
- Non-toxic and non-addictive.
- Safe to use with other medicines or treatments – there are no interactive effects.
- Deep-acting yet gentle, even for those who are weak or debilitated.
- Easy to use – just take one sugar pill or a few drops of liquid; no needles, large tablets or unpleasant-tasting concoctions.
- Ideal for home use – anyone can be a competent home prescriber with a little study and practice.
- Inexpensive – remedies usually cost less and last longer than related over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
Perhaps best of all, though, homeopathy supports your body’s self-healing efforts so that vitality is strengthened rather than weakened during treatment; not only are health problems resolved, but resilience is improved so you are less susceptible to future illness.
What Does the Research Show?
Homeopathy’s ability to effectively treat a broad range of health problems has led to a steady increase in popularity over the last 200 years. The practice of homeopathy was, and still is, supported by extensive clinical records and patient accounts of treatment. More recently, randomised clinical trials – in vivo and in vitro – with people, animals and plants are adding to that database of evidence.
Recent trials on respiratory tract infections show that those treated homeopathically have milder symptoms, fewer sick days, a reduced need for antibiotics and fewer complications. Parents of sick children take significantly fewer sick-leave days thanks to their child’s faster rate of recovery. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)
Homeopathy now used in a US intensive care unit (ICU) after research showed homeopathy reduced excessive mucus in seriously ill patients, lessened their time on ventilators, reduced respiratory complications and shortened their stay in the ICU. Patients in the control group who had not received the remedy took considerably longer to recover, and some had to return to the ventilator after extubation because they struggled to breathe – something that had not been a problem for the homeopathic group. The hospital subsequently added the remedy to its pharmacy stock. (7.)
The clinical and research evidence supports experience – homeopathy is wonderfully effective in treating the common cold. The sufferer can either see a qualified homeopath or treat themselves – colds offer a perfect opportunity to practice and gain experience in using homeopathy in the comfort of your home.
Five People with Five Colds – But Which Remedy?
Here are five stories from real people with real colds. Reading and examining these sorts of cases will make a big difference to how you recognise symptoms when you come to choose a remedy for your own cold.
Each story is headed with the main symptoms – these symptoms must be a part of the chosen if it is going to work. I have included information at the end of each story on how long it took for the patient to recover, so that you know what to expect.
You can also practice your prescription skills by skipping ahead to the remedy list in Chapter Nine, and then see if you can identify the correct remedy before it is revealed in each story.
India: Sudden Intense Symptoms, Anxiety and Panic
On a cold and windy day, six-year-old India spent the late afternoon playing with autumn leaves in the garden. When her mother put her to bed that evening, she noticed India’s face was a little flushed. By midnight, India was awake, agitated and screaming. Her nose was running and one cheek was bright red. Her skin felt hot and dry and she was anxious and restless. India downed a glass of water, but screamed in panic when her mother left the room to get the family’s homeopathy kit. Her mother gave her Aconitum napellus. Within minutes, India stopped crying and asked for another drink. Fifteen minutes later, she was snuggled under her blanket and ready to go back to sleep. By morning, it was as if nothing had happened.
Natalie: Burning, Anxious, Restless and Chilly
Natalie, age thirty-eight, came to see me complaining of sore throat which only felt better for sips of cold water, and a runny nose with burning discharge. The watery mucus had scalded her nose and upper lip, leaving them red and sore. Natalie had not slept well the previous night and had gotten up several times, worrying that the cold could turn into something worse. When she saw me, she was tired, edgy and still restless. She complained of feeling very chilly and, even though the room was comfortably warm, wore a warm coat and scarf. While explaining her symptoms, Natalie appeared to be anxious and irritable. I prescribed Arsenicum album. By the next morning, Natalie’s sore throat was much better and she was feeling calm. All symptoms of the cold were gone by that evening.
Brad: Weakness, Headaches and Apathy
Brad, forty-two years old, caught a cold five days previously and was exhausted. Since he’d caught the cold, chills had been running up his spine and a headache, which had started in the back of his head, was now lodged behind his eyes. When he came to see me he sat slumped in the chair with his head bent forward and eyes half closed. His answered my questions slowly, and said it had been hard to come to the appointment as his legs trembled when he walked, but he had made the effort as the cold seemed to be turning into bronchitis. I gave David a remedy called Gelsemium sempervirens. Within two hours his headache and chill had settled and his strength was returning. Three days later he was back at work with no trace of the cold.
Jordan: Swollen Glands, Flabby Tongue, Bad Breath, Green Mucus
Jordan, four years of age, was brought to see me by his mother. He had caught a cold three days earlier and his symptoms were now becoming severe. His throat was very sore, making it almost impossible for him to swallow. As a result, he had stopped eating and would only sip drinks. I examined his neck and felt swollen, enlarged glands. Looking at the back of his mouth, I could see white ulcerated patches on his tonsils. Jordan also had bad breath and a swollen tongue. His mother said he had been dribbling since the infection. I gave Jordan Mercurius solubilis. By that evening he was able to eat a small meal. He continued to improve over the following day and, by the next day, his mother reported that all was well.
Emily: Lots of Yellow-Green Mucus, Emotional, Needy, Worsened by Warmth
Eight-year-old Emily was brought to see me for conjunctivitis that had started with a cold. Her eyes were red and swollen and had a yellow-green discharge. Her mother described how upset and clingy she had been since the cold. She wanted to be cuddled and carried, and if she didn’t have her mother’s constant attention, would weep as if she felt unloved. During the consultation, Emily sat on her mother’s lap and regularly ask her to wipe her nose. Her mother said the yellow-green mucus was always worse in warm, enclosed rooms but seemed to lessen in fresh air. She was also worried about how little Emily wanted to drink. The remedy I gave for both the conjunctivitis and the cold was Pulsatilla pratensis. By that afternoon, Emily’s eyes were looking much better, her nose seemed to be drying and she was less needy and emotional. Symptoms continued to improve during the following day and, by the day after, were gone altogether.
Research and Studies
- Ammerschlager H, Klein P, Weiser M, Oberbaum M., Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract – comparison of a homeopathic complex remedy with xylometazoline [Article in German]. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2005 Feb;12(1):24-31.
- Glatthaar-Sallmuller, B. In vitro Evaluation of the Antiviral Effects of the Homeopathic Preparation Gripp-Heel on Selected Respiratory Viruses, Can J Phyiol Pharmaocl. 2007 Nov;85(11):1084-90.
- de Lange de Klerk, ESM, Blommers, J, Kuik, DJ et al., “Effect of Homoeopathic Medicines on Daily Burden of Symptoms in Children with Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,” BMJ, November 19, 1994;309:1329-1332.
- Ramchandani NM. Homoeopathic treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in children: Evaluation of thirty case series. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 16 (2010):101-108.
- Steinsbekk, A, Fønnebø, V, Lewith, G, and Bentzen, N, Homeopathic care for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children: A pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial comparing individualised homeopathic care and waiting-list controls. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 4 , December 2005, Pages 231-238.
- Trichard, M, Chaufferin, Nicoloyannis, N., Pharmacoeconomic Comparison Between Homeopathic and Antibiotic Treatment Strategies in Recurrent Acute Rhinopharyngitis in Children, Homeopathy (2005)94, 3-9.
- Frass, M, Dielacher, C, Linkesch, M, Endler, C, Muchitsch, I, Schuster, E, Kaye, A. Influence of potassium dichromate on tracheal secretions in critically ill patients, Chest, March, 2005
Where to Purchase this Book
For the complete version, visit the My Homeopathy website where this book can be purchased for $6.85 in three different eBook formats (EPUB, MOBI, and PDF).
It is also available from Amazon and Smashwords.
List of Contents for How to Treat the Common Cold with Homeopathy
Introduction
Chapter One: The Common Cold – A Common Problem
Simple Ways to Avoid a Cold
Chapter Two: Opposites or Similars?
Conventional Approach – It’s All About Opposites
Homeopathic Approach – “Like Cures Likes”
Chapter Three: Conventional Medicines for the Common Cold
Children’s Cough and Cold Products – Ineffective and Dangerous
What about Conventional Medicines for Adults?
Chapter Four: Homeopathy for the Common Cold
What Does the Research Show?
Five People with Five Colds – But Which Remedy?
India: Sudden Intense Symptoms, Anxiety and Panic
Natalie: Burning, Anxious, Restless and Chilly
Brad: Weakness, Headaches and Apathy
Jordan: Swollen Glands, Flabby Tongue, Bad Breath, Green Mucus
Emily: Lots of Yellow-Green Mucus, Emotional, Needy, Worsened by Warmth
Chapter Five: Recognising Symptoms – Look, Listen and Ask
A Checklist of Questions
Chapter Six: How to Choose the Right Remedy and How to Dose
Choosing the Remedy, Step by Step
How to Give the Remedy
Using Liquid Remedies
Using Globules, Pills or Tablets
Dosage Guidelines
Dosage Guidelines
Chapter Seven: What to Expect with Treatment
Different Remedy Responses
Symptoms Improve
The Same Symptoms Worsen
New Symptoms Appear but Old Symptoms Remain
New Symptoms Appear while Cold Symptoms Improve
Right Remedy, First Time, Everytime – Not Always Possible
Too Soon or Vague Symptoms
Overlapping Remedies
Obscure Remedies
Chronic, Not Acute
Test and See
Chapter Eight: 18 Key Homeopathic Remedies for the Common Cold
Chapter Nine: Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) About Homeopathy
What is homeopathy?
How does homeopathy work?
Who uses homeopathy?
What will homeopathy treat?
What is the difference between an acute and chronic complaint?
How quickly does homeopathy work?
Does homeopathy only treat humans?
How safe is homeopathy?
Are there restrictions on who can use homeopathy?
What is a homeopathic aggravation?
What can I do if I am sensitive to homeopathic remedies?
How is homeopathy different to conventional medicine?
How are the remedies made?
What is in the remedies?
What do the remedies look and taste like?
When can I treat myself (or my family) and when should I see a trained homeopath?
How do I buy homeopathic remedies?
Can I use more than one remedy at a time?
Can I overdose on homeopathy?
Can I antidote the remedy?
Chapter Ten: Other Natural Ways to Treat the Common Cold
1. Practical Advice
2. Stimulate that Immune System
3. Control Infection
4. Break up Mucus
5. Soothe those Symptoms
Chapter Eleven: “Strange but True” Treatments
1. The Wet Sock Approach
2. Tickle your Ears with Hydrogen Peroxide
Chapter Twelve: When To Seek Professional Help
A Final Word
About Fran Sheffield
Homeopathic Glossary