Important "single" homeopathic remedies for coughs

7 important "single" homeopathic remedies for coughs

One thing about homeopathy and single homeopathic remedies - they work best when applied based on an individual's symptoms.  So as cold season bares down on us, in homeopathy it's more important to focus on the "cough" rather than the "cold."  Unless of course, you don't have a cough, then you would look at sinus or other key symptoms.  But usually with colds, it's the cough that is the key indicator.  There are many types of coughs and unique sub-sets of symptoms associated with those coughs.  While this list is not comprehensive, it highlights 7 important single homeopathic remedies.  Each one addresses a unique type of cough and set of symptoms that may accompany that cough.

Pulsatilla: A wearying night cough that forces the cougher to sit up.  Other symptoms include burning eyes, dry sore throats and thirstless, chilly fevers that cannot stand external heat.  Whenever you read about Pulsatilla, a specific personality shows up, something like ‘soft, gentle, mild, affectionate, as well as clingy, weepy, moody, sometimes childish’. The most important aspects of Pulsatilla are a deep need for security with fear of abandonment, and ever changing moods and symptoms. It helps children who need constant attention, who cannot make decisions and are usually capable of manipulation and irritability to get the reassurance they need. They want to please and be pleased in return. They may cling to parents and teachers.

Nux vomica: A suffocating cough highlights a restlessness cold or flu with extreme chilliness. This extreme chilliness also marks a Nux fever– drafts are unbearable.  The cold may also have burning mucus that blocks the nose at night and a rough sore throat that sends pain toward the ears on trying to swallow the lump in your throat. Ear pain that hurts on swallowing will often find relief in Nux, as well.   On the emotional side, typical adjectives for Nux individuals or states include: competitive, impatient, impulsive, ambitious, aggressive, fastidious, restless.  Stress from excess is an important keynote, whether brought on by too much work, food, fun or spirits.

Kali bich: Stubborn, gagging cough.  Beginning with the sinuses, the thick, ropy, yellow to green, sticky, stringy, stubborn, smelly mucus crusts up in the nose and fills the sinuses causing choking post nasal drip, a stubborn cough to clear the throat, hoarseness and pain especially at the root of the nose. As mucus accumulates overnight, morning becomes a torment of blocked nasal passages with stubborn hacking, hawking, gagging and coughing. Once into your chest, the cough can be very stubborn, painful and croupy. These symptoms often include a sore swollen throat that feels dry and the pain may extend to the ears

Phosphorus: A racking violent cough set off by a tickle in the aching raw throat.  The colds Phosphorus treats best move quickly into the chest. The cough may set the body trembling and cause labored breathing and tightness across the chest. A key trait to its fever is great thirst for cold drinks that are vomited soon after warming in the stomach. Hoarseness usually results from these colds, but it also helps hoarseness from overuse, especially in singers.

Bryonia: A dry, hacking cough with stitching pains. Bryonia relieves ailments that approach slowly, linger too long and may result from being chilled when overheated or from fast weather changes. Its slow moving flu and colds are marked by dryness.  Other symptoms include a bone-aching, chill-ridden fever, great thirst for cold water, dry throat and a “don’t touch me, leave me alone” growl.

Hepar Sulph: A dry or rattling cough.  Chilliness and yellow phlegm also dominate this cold and there may be sinus pressure with splinter-like sore throats.  The individuals needing Hepar sulph most lack internal heat, are easily offended, can get violently angry especially regarding rudeness or causes. They may become quite morose, sad and highly irritable, especially at night. Though not highly active, they may speak, eat and act out quickly and impulsively. In general, if highly sensitive to cold, pain, and touch, you might want to examine Hepar sulph, especially if cold air feels threatening.

Natrum mur: A dry tickling cough.  Dryness underlies many of Nat mur’s applications. Its colds and congestions have a dry rawness along with thickening clear to whitish mucus.  On the emotional plane, the dryness becomes idiomatic as Nat mur applies to poorly circulated stress– suppressed grief, humiliation and heartbreaks. Sadness, irritability, anger, sleeplessness and haunting memories tend to dominate.  Complaints tend to improve with open air, deep breathing and tight clothing, and worsen with consolation, more emotion, hormonal fluctuations and sunlight (especially headaches). A deep crack in the lower lip and a desire for salty foods further indicate a need for Nat mur.