Homeopathy & Colds & Acute Coryza

December 4, 2003

Often with children, their mental state is one of the most important

factors to help you choose a remedy

Always best to wait and see and allow the body/vital force to deal with

illness on its own, but if seems to be stuck or symptoms violent or painful

or threatening in anyway find a remedy

http://www.simillimum.com/FirstAid/TheFirstResponder/FirstAidin/ColdandAcute

Coryza.html

THE HOMOEOPATHIC FIRST RESPONDER

* Back to Homoeopathic First Responder *

COLD AND ACUTE CORYZA

The common cold may be caused by variety viruses such as the rhinoviruses

and adenoviruses, influenzaviruses. More than 95 rhinovirus serotypes have

been discovered in relationship to coryza yet there is still no effective

treatment in orthodox medicine. Homeopathy, on the other hand, works

directly on strengthening the immune system allowing it to overcome the

virus and establish more immunity to it in the future. Not all colds,

however, are caused by viruses in the first place. Some acute coryza may

have other causes, such as the elimination of waste products, specific

allergens or pollution.

The incubation period is usually 18 to 48 hour after exposure after which

the onset is often rather abrupt. The symptoms often start with a scratchy,

itchy, or burning throat, followed by sneezing, a clear watery discharge,

and varying degrees of malaise. This may be followed by a hacking cough,

laryngitis, tracheitis with substernal tightness and burning discomfort,

and mild bronchitis in those who are susceptible. In the adult a cold is

usually afebrile although it may cause a mild fever (100 to 102 F) in

infants an small children. Complications include sinusitis, swollen glands,

tonsillitis, ear infections, bronchitis, and secondary infections marked by

purulent sputum.

A common cold usually follows four distinct stages that assist in

choosing the correct remedies. The first is mark by the scratchy throat,

clear discharge, sneezing, and malaise. The second is marked by a white

creamy discharge, less sneezing and a tight, hacking or tickling, itching,

irritating cough. sore throats, and fever and chill. The third is marked by

a yellowish discharge,, loose coughs, and pain in the chest. The fourth

stage is marked by greenish or brownish discharges, the coughing up of

lumps and plugs, and soreness deep in the lungs. After this fourth phase,

the coryza may dry up and convalescence begun, or complication arise that

continue toward a chronic state. Bed red and plenty of fluids is advised

for those who are strongly affected.

Materia Medica

ACONITE (2). First stage. Coryza caused by cold, dry winds, dry at first

with violent headache, roaring in ears, fever, sleeplessness, heat and

sense of fullness in nares, and muscles sore all over body so that sneezing

forces him to support chest. Fluent coryza with frequent sneezing and

dropping of clear, hot watery discharge, inner nose swollen, red,

interfering with breathing. Better > in cool room and open air.

ALLIUM CEPA (3). Colds with streaming discharges from the eyes and nose,

with headache and frequent sneezing. Profuse acrid discharges from the nose

corroding the lip and nose and bland lachrymation from the eyes (reverse of

Euphr.). Violent laryngitis, tickling in larynx. cough seems to split and

tear the larynx, grasp larynx when coughing. Hot and thirsty. Worse <

evenings, indoors, warm room. Better > in open air.

ARSENICUM (3). Thin watery discharges from nose which excoriates the upper

lip, while nose is stuffed up all the time. Always taking cold in the nose,

from every change of weather, colds begins in the nose and drops to the

chest. Always chilly, hovers round the fire, can't get enough clothes on.

Chilly with burning, relieved by heat. Thirst for frequent drinks in sips.

Restless, anxious, morbidity fastidious and exhausted.

ARUM TRIPH (2). Nostril raw and bloody, bores and picks at bloody surfaces,

worse < morning. Continuos discharges of burning ichorous fluid from nose,

excoriating Nostril upper lip and corner of moth, nose stuffed, can only

breathe with mouth open. Bores and picks in nose till it bleeds, worse

mornings. Sneezing, worse < night, can hardly talk on account of phlegm in

back part of throat, Snuffles of babies.

BELLADONNA (2). Suppressed catarrh with maddening headache. Throat raw and

sore, very red and shining. Hoarseness and painful dryness larynx. As if

larynx inflamed and swollen, with snoring breathing and danger of

suffocation. Acute catarrhal laryngitis. Cough with red, injected throat.

Dry, tearing cough, which scrapes throat. This remedy is characterized by

redness, heat and dryness. Tend toward thirstlessness.

BRYONIA (2). Often begins in the nose, sneezing, coryza running at nose,

lachrymation, aching eyes, nose and head the first day, then trouble goes

down posterior nares, throat, larynx with hoarseness and bronchitis which

may end in pleurisy and pneumonia. Extreme dryness, dry spasmodic, hard,

racking, expectoration scanty, lips dry and parched, thirsty for large

drinks. Cough with stitches in chest, with headache as if the head would

fly to pieces. Irritable, wants to lie still and be left alone, Cough worse

< at night, after eating and drinking, entering warm room, on taking a deep

inspiration. Worse < cold, dry weather.

CAMPHOR (1). Useful at the very beginning of a cold before the catarrhal

symptoms have begun. Feels chilled, can not get warm, yet wants to be

uncovered. Can abort the entire process if given early during the chill.

Fluent coryza on sudden change of weather, violent stitching or crawling,

from the root of the nose almost to the tip.

CARBO VEG (3). Worse < warm moist weather, evening. Loss of voice every

evening, rawness of larynx and pharynx.

DULCAMARA (1). Colds from cold, wet weather and snow, from getting wet, or

chilled when heated. Worse < sudden changes of from hot to cold. Dry

coryza, sore throat, stiff neck and limb painful. More fluent in warm or

house less fluent in cold air, cold room. Starts sneezing in a cold room,

nose stuffs up in cold rain.

EUPATORIUM PERF. (3). Coryza with deep aching in every bone, and lassitude.

Fluent coryza with sneezing and hoarseness, weight over head and forehead,

nose and eyes both streaming with water at intervals.

EUPHRASIA (3). Burning coryza, increasing in the evening, with fluent flow

of tears and cough. Mild discharge from the nose with acrid tears from the

eyes (reverse Euphr.), aversion to light, worse < at night while lying

down. Cough worse < during the day, after windy weather.

FERR PHOS (2). Coryza at the very beginning, frontal headache, better > by

nosebleed. Starts with the fever. Chill returning at the same time every

day, while sitting at table, and 1 p.m..

GELSEMIUM (2). Catarrh during warm, moist, relaxing weather, with

excoriating discharge form the nose, making the nostrils and wings of nose

raw and sore. Frequent sneezing, sore throat, tonsils red and tumefied.

Difficulty swallowing from paretic state of the muscles, great prostration,

wants to be left alone. Dullness, heaviness, droopy eyes, muscular

soreness, fever without thirst (reverse Bry.).

HEPAR SULPH. (3). Colds from the cold, dry weather (Acon., Nux-v.).

Sneezing and running from the nose, first watery, then thick, yellow

offensive. Sweating all night without relief (Merc.) Hoarse croupy cough,

phlegm is loose, rattling and choking. Hypersensitive to touch, pain,

draughts of cold air. Wants to strike anyone who lets cold air in the room,

very irritable. Better > moist, wet weather ( reverse Gels.).

IPECAC (1). Colds with overwhelming nausea, no thirst.

KALI BICH (3). and other kalis. Catarrhs with great accumulation of ropy

mucus and expectoration of solid chunks from posterior nares. Cough with

expectoration of tough phlegm which can be drawn into long strings.

Pressure and tightness at the root of the nose, sinusitis, loss of smell.

Flow of acrid water from nose, excoriating the nostrils causing ulceration

(Arum-t., Ars.). Yellowish and greenish discharge.

(a). Kali-m (1). Colds in the second stage with swollen glands, white

coated tongue, and white or grayish discharges.

(. Kali-i (2). Nose is red, swollen, tender and the face is red.

Discharge from the nose feels cold and is acrid and watery. Discharge is

yellowish or greenish. Hot and dry, then, alternating drenched with sweat.

Alternating heat and chill. Late stages of a cold.

©. Kali-s (1). Coryza with thick yellow offensive discharges alternating

with a watery flow. Follows kali-m well.

MERCURIUS (2). Frequent sneezing, copious discharges of watery salvia,

swelling, redness and rough scraping soreness of nose, with itching and

pain in the nasal bones on pressing. Fetid smell of the nasal mucus.

Painful heaviness of forehead, night-sweats, chill and feverish heat, great

thirst pain in the limb, worse warmth or old by dampness. Watery, swollen,

flabby tongue showing indention of teeth, with thirst. Creeping chilliness.

Painful teeth and jaws with swollen glands. Suspicious, cautious,

introverted, hurried, and at times slow and hesitant. Worse from cold and

heat.

NATRUM MUR. (2). Cattarhs watery, or thick whitish, like white of egg " raw

or cooked " . Colds with abnormal quantity of secretion with paroxysms of

sneezing. Fluent alternating with dry catarrh. Watery vesicles about lips

and wings of nose, cold sore and herpes. Cough with bursting headache

(Bry.). Urine spurt when coughing. Depressed, serious, feels weepy but only

cries when alone, worse < consolation. Craves salt. Tongue is clean,

watery, with small bubbles.

NUX VOMICA (2). During the first stage, dryness and obstruction of the

nose, with heaviness in the forehead and angry, impatient mood. Catarrh

fluent in the morning and dry in the evening and at night, with dryness of

the mouth without much thirst, worse < in warm air, better in cold air.

Sneezing early in bed, scraping in the nose and throat, chills and heat

alternate in the evening, with great heat of the face and head, acrid

discharge from the obstructed nose, stoppage of the nose, particularly

out-doors, but fluent indoors. Worse < exposures to dry, cold air, sitting

on cold stones, etc.

PHOSPHORUS (2). Fluent coryza, dullness of the head, sleepiness, especially

during the day and after meals, blowing blood from the nose, alternating

fluent and dry with frequent sneezing, dry, forming firmly adhering crusts.

Profuse discharges, flowing down into faucets, neck swollen, eyes staring.

Cold begins in chest and runs up nose. Chest tight, cough hard, tight dry,

rack the patient, worse < open air. Thirst for cold water, desires cool

food. Highly sympathetic, lively, expressive individuals who are often tall

, thin, hungry and desire for cold water and cold foods.

PULSATILLA (3). Old catarrhs with loss of smell, thick, bland, yellow

discharges, in nervous, yielding, timid, or passive temperaments. Better >

in open air. Lips chapped and peel yet patient is thirstless. Chronic,

thick, yellow, bland discharges or later yellow, green and offensive.

Tearful, craves sympathy and is better by > consolation (reverse Nat-m.).

SULPHUR (3). Constant sneezing, stoppage of the nose, fluent, like water

trickling from the nose, nasal discharges acrid and burning. Dirty looking

discharges. Often useful when colds are lingering in individuals who are

intellectual, philosophical, eccentric and messy in appearance.

Repertorium

ACUTE CORYZA - Acon., ALL-C., Arum-t., ARS., Bell., Bry., camph., Eup-p.,

EUPHR., Ferr-p., Gels., HEP., kali-m., KALI-B., Kali-i., kali-s., Merc.,

Nat-m., Nux-v., Phos., PULS., Sulph..

abdomen, pain in, from coughing or sneezing - Bry,

alternating heat and cold - Kali-i..

discharges

acrid - All-c., Ars., Bels., Kalo-i., Mer., Nux-v. Sul..

bland - Euphr., Puls..

offensive - Calc., Hep., Kali-b., Merc., Nat-c., Puls..

greenish - Kali-b., Kali-i. Merc., Puls..

yellow-

easily chilled - Ars., Bry., Hep., Nat-m., Nux-v., Phos., Puls..

head, pain from coughing or sneezing - Bry., Nux-v., Phos..

modalites -

air, open

< Bry., Hep., Merc., Nat-m., Nux-v., Phos..

> Acon., All-c., Puls..

cold

< cold air - all-c., Ars., Dulc., Hep., Nux-v., Phos..

< cold dry weather - Acon., Bry., Hep., Nux-v.

< cold wet - Calc., Dulc., Rhus-t., Nat-s..

< inhaling cold air - All-c., Hep., Phos., Rumex..

wet

< wet - Calc., Dulc., Kali-i., Merc., Puls., Sul..

< warm wet - Gels., Carb-v..

> warm wet - Hep..

warm room

< All-c., Merc., Nux-v., Puls.,

entering - Bry..

stages-

first - Acon., camph., ferr-p. Nat-m..

second- kali-m.,

third - kali-s., Puls.,

fourth - Puls.,

sinus, frontal affected - ars., kali-i., lyc., Merc., sil..

sore throat - Merc., Nux-v., Phos..

sweating -

better > - kali-i..

worse < - Hep., Merc..

travels down - Ars., Bry., Carb-v., Ipec.,

travels up - Phos..

*********

http://www.homeopathic.com/ailments/new/Cold.htm

A Homeopathic Perspective on The Common Cold

(Excepted from Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants, Tarcher/Putnam)

The information provided here is not only applicable to children but to

most people with the common cold.

REMEDIES LISTED IN CAPITOL LETTERS REPRESENT MORE FREQUENTLY INDICATED

REMEDIES

Not every cold needs to be treated, since the body's natural reaction to

the cold virus is a healthy response. Consider treating a cold if the

symptoms are significantly disturbing the child, if the condition lingers,

or if the child needs to attend a special event without having respiratory

difficulties.

ACONITUM: This remedy is useful primarily during the first 24 hours after

the onset of a cold. Typically, the child develops her cold or cough after

being exposed to dry cold weather. She wakes from sleep with a dry, hoarse,

croupy cough, especially worse at night and after midnight. She has a dry

mouth, shortness of breath, and little expectoration. The cough is worse

from being cold, drinking cold water, from tobacco smoke, lying on either

side, and at night.

ALLIUM CEPA: This common remedy for colds is effective when the child has a

profuse, fluent, burning nasal discharge which is worse in a warm room and

better in open air. The nasal discharge will irritate the child's nostrils,

causing pain from simply wiping his nose. He may also have profuse bland

(non-burning) tearing from the eyes. He has reddened eyes and a tendency to

rub them. He also tends to have a raw feeling in the nose with a tingling

sensation as well as violent sneezing. Sometimes the discharge starts in

the left nostril and moves to the right. The child may occasionally

experience a congestive headache in the front part of the head.

Anas barbariae: Although this medicine (commonly marketed as

" Oscillococcinum " ) is primarily effective in treating influenza, homeopaths

have also found that it can also be helpful in treating the common cold.

There are no known symptoms from which to individualize treatment, though

it has been found to be very effective when used within 48 hours of onset

of symptoms. Consider giving it if you don't know which other medicine to

give.

Arsenicum: These children have a burning nasal discharge that irritates the

nostrils and upper lip. They are very chilly and are sensitive to drafts or

cold air. They may, in fact, sneeze from any change in temperature.

Typically, the cold begins in the nose and moves down to the throat (once

it goes down into the chest a different remedy is usually needed). They

also have dryness of the mouth that leads to a great thirst but for only

sips of water at a time.

Belladonna: This remedy should be considered when there is a sudden

stopping of nasal discharge, and it is replaced by a congestive, usually

throbbing, headache and high fever.

Bryonia: Like children who need Belladonna, children who need this remedy

have little or no nasal discharge but a more prominent head pain over the

forehead. Rather than throbbing pain however, these children have a dull

ache. They sneeze often which may cause stitching pain on top of the head.

The less the nasal discharge, the more painful becomes the headache. Their

mouth is dry, as well as their throat, and they may also have a dry cough.

They are very thirsty for cold drinks. They feel worse in a warm room.

Calcarea carb: This remedy is for infants or children who experience

frequent colds and who fit the typical Calc carb syndrome. These children

are chilly and very sensitive to anything cold, though they prefer to drink

ice drinks. They may develop their cold after being chilled. They sweat

profusely and have a sour perspiration. Likewise, their stools are sour

smelling. Typically, these children are fair skinned and pudgy with poor

muscle tone. They may concurrently get a sore throat with swelling of the

tonsils and lymph nodes. They have a thick yellowish nasal discharge and

rattling respiration due to loose mucus in the throat and chest.

EUPHRASIA: Children who need Euphrasia have profuse burning tears from the

eyes and a bland nasal discharge. The whites of the eyes and the cheeks

become reddened from the burning tears. The eye symptoms are worse in the

open air. The profuse bland nasal discharge, often accompanied by sneezing,

is worse at night, while lying down, and in windy weather. After a day or

two of these profuse discharges, the cold then moves to the larnyx,

creating a hard cough and a hoarse voice. The cough is worse in the daytime

and is ameliorated by lying down.

Ferrum phos: This remedy is effective for children who get head colds with

nosebleeds or who have blood in their nasal discharge.

Gelsemium: Children who need this remedy experience a watery nasal

discharge, sneezing, and fullness at the root of the nose. Concurrent with

this cold may be a fever, body aches, general fatigue, aching in the back

part of the head, and sometimes a sore throat.

Hepar sulphur: This remedy is indicated for children who sneeze from the

least exposure to cold air. Their nasal discharge is thick and yellow, and

their nostrils and the bones of the nose are very sore. The nasal passages

are sensitive to cold air. Sometimes these children concurrently have a

headache. Typically, they are sensitive to touch and are generally irritable.

Kali bic: Stringy, ropy, yellow mucus is characteristic of children who

need this remedy. When children get a thick, viscid nasal discharge, this

medicine is invaluable. They may also experience post-nasal drip with

tenacious mucus and pain at the root of the nose which is better from

applying pressure there. There may be a constant inclination to blow the

nose. The discharge, along with the sneezing, is worse by exposure to cold

or in the open air. Sometimes these children get a swollen throat which is

relieved by warm liquids. A cough may also occur concurrently.

Natrum mur: This remedy is most often given to children who get recurrent

colds and whose symptoms match the certain Natrum mur characteristics.

These children tend to develop their symptoms after an emotional

experience, especially after grief. Death, divorce, unrequited love, or

homesickness may create a grief that is not fully expressed, eventually

leading to various physical complaints. They experience frequent sneezing

and a profuse watery discharge from the nose and eyes, and a loss of taste

and smell. Eventually, the nasal discharge may lead to a state of chronic

nasal congestion and thick white mucus. Their symptoms are worse in the

morning, at which time they usually hawk up much mucus. Dry and cracked

lips or a cold sore may accompany the cold.

Nux vomica: These children develop their cold after overindulging in food,

alcohol, or drugs (medicinal or recreational) or after prolonged mental or

emotional stress. The nose alternates between having a fluent discharge and

being dry and blocked. The discharge is usually fluent in the daytime and

obstructed at night. This medicine is also a common remedy for the sniffles

in newborns.

PULSATILLA: This remedy is commonly given to children who experience either

acute or chronic colds. Typically, they have a thick, yellow or greenish

mucus, and a bland discharge (a discharge that does not irritate or burn

the nostrils or facial skin). They have nasal congestion that is worse at

night, especially upon lying down, which leads to mouth breathing during

sleep. Nasal congestion tends to alternate sides. This congestion is worse

in a warm room and is more fluent in the open air. They sometimes develop

their cold after overindulging in fatty or rich foods. Despite having a dry

mouth, they are thirstless. Pulsatilla is a very common remedy for the

sniffles in newborns, especially when their nasal discharge is yellow or

green. The children who most commonly fit the Pulsatilla syndrome are

emotional, sensitive, and easily hurt. They are moody and weep easily. They

crave affection and sympathy and cannot get enough of it. They are

impressionaonable, so much so that if parents are worried about their

child's health, the child will tend to get worse, while if parents are

confident that the child will get better, the child usually does.

--------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

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ANY INFO OBTAINED HERE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL

OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE

DECISION TO VACCINATE IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE.

******

" Just look at us. Everything is backwards; everything is upside down.

Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy

knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information

and religions destroy spirituality " .... Ellner

February 2, 2004

Thanks Sheri. The only symptom he has is what sounds like thick respiratory

mucous, but I realized yesterday that part of the probelm is his age (almost

3). He will not clear his throat or cough, even when I ask him to. So he

sounds " loosely " hoarse and " rattle-ish " , but has had no other symptoms,

really except a little bit of whiny-ness. We have decided to take the " wait

and see " approach. I stocked up on fresh fruits and find when I can get him

to eat (swallow, I guess) his sounds are much clearer. Of course I wish he

would just chug some water, but...! I try not to interfere too much with

their natural instincts to eat or fast. As this passes, I know he will be

eating everything in sight again!

Thanks for these! I found both to be quite helpful. As long as he seems

comfortable and remains active, I will let his body handle it. I just got

nervous there for a second, when he sounded as if breathing was labored, but

then...it passed. I will print them thougth and keep them around. Been

meaning to make an appointment with a local homeopath...guess this is a

sign!

Jami,

Naperville, IL

Homeopathy & Colds & Acute Coryza

with children you especially go a lot on what their emotional state is

while they are ill