Sore Throat - Homeopathic Remedies

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Sore Throat - Homeopathic Remedies

http://www.mirandacastro.com/articles/earaches_sore_throats.html

Sore Throat

A sore throat with a fever may be a tonsillitis, an infection of the

tonsils or glands at the base of the tongue. The function of the tonsils

is to protect the throat and lungs from infection. It is no longer

fashionable to remove them because, even if they are removed, the same

'bug' can produce a sore throat in a different place (a pharyngitis

instead of a tonsillitis). In any case the tonsils reduce in size after

about the age of 12 which is why infections are less common after that

age.

The glands in the neck and tonsils become swollen when they are dealing

with an infection causing a difficulty in swallowing and pain.

A sore throat is hard to diagnose in a small baby. They may cry when they

try to take either solids or liquids or both, because swallowing is

painful, and the cry may have a hoarse ring.

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A well selected homeopathic remedy will give speedy pain relief,

without side effects. Match one of the pictures below with your child's

symptoms. You may need to consult a first aid book (like mine! The

Complete Homeopathy Handbook by Miranda Castro if these descriptions

don't match your child's collection of symptoms. Having selected the

remedy:

* give according to the urgency of the complaint i.e.

every 15-30 minutes if in severe pain, less often (every 1-2 hours) if in

less pain.

* stop on improvement (this is important, a

homeopathic medicine works as a trigger, stimulating the body to heal

itself)

* repeat if the same symptoms return.

* change the remedy if you have given about 6 doses

and had no reaction or if the symptoms change.

You might want to purchase some remedies for those middle-of-the-night

times when the shops aren't open: Aconite, Belladonna, Chamomilla and

Pulsatilla are my favourite for painful, sudden earaches in children.

First-aid homeopathic kits are available from homeopathic pharmacies such

as Dolisos, 1-800-DOLISOS, or Boiron, 1-800-258-8823.

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Aconite

Sudden onset of any infection, after a shock, after getting chilled

(especially by a cold wind.) Pains are severe, often waking them in the

night (around midnight). Child is distressed (anxious and scared),

screams with pain, is restless and thirsty.

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Apis

Burning, stinging pains with earache or sore throat; worse for heat and

better for cold (drinks, compresses, ice packs). Doesn't want to be

touched or covered. Child is weepy, restless and thirstless.

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Belladonna

Sudden onset of any infection. Pains are severe, throbbing and worse for

warmth. They radiate from ears to neck and face; or from throat to ears.

The throat is bright red and glands are swollen. Flushed, thirstless and

delirious with a burning, dry fever. Tongue is red with white spots (like

a strawberry). Child is angry when unwell and may throw

tantrums.

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Calcarea carbonica

Infections with swollen glands in teething infants. Throbbing earache

with noises in the ear. Child is sweaty, especially the head and back of

the neck, especially at night. Everything smells sour (sweat, stools,

breath).

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Chamomilla

Infections with unbearable pains in teething or angry children. Burning

fever with shivering. Child is inconsolable, wants to be carried, screams

with the pains and is very angry. Asks for things which are then rejected

or thrown down.

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Hepar sulph

Infections with swollen glands. Stitching or splinter-like pains are

better for heat (hot drinks or warm compresses). Throat feels as if there

is something stuck in it. Tonsils are swollen and ulcerated. Sweat is

smelly and profuse.

For chilly types who become morose and irritable when ill and don't want

to be touched, who are better for being well wrapped up.

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Kali muriaticum

Hearing loss after an earache or sore throat. Ears snap, crackle and pop

after an infection.

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Mercurius solibus

Infections with swollen glands. Sore throat with pains radiating to ears

on swallowing. Tonsils swollen and ulcerated. Fever with heat alternating

with chills and profuse, smelly sweat. Breath smells, children

drool especially in their sleep. Sensitive to both heat and cold. Burning

thirst. Glue ear after a cold or earache with smelly discharge from

ear.

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Pulsatilla

Complaints may come on after getting wet, when teething, with emotional

stress (especially separation from mother, including weaning). Earache

with feeling of pressure from catarrh pressing on eardrum, hearing

loss and noises in ear. The external ear is red. There may be a thick

yellow discharge. Sore throat: throat is dry, irritated and raw, as if

there were dust in it. Symptoms are worse for heat and better for fresh

air. Child is thirstless, pathetic, clingy, wants to be carried and

cuddled. Weeps with the pains and needs lots of reassurance.

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Sulphur

Left-sided infections with swollen glands. Earache with painful

ringing/roaring in ear. Sore throat — throat is dry, raw, burns and voice

is hoarse; pains are worse for swallowing and coughing. Fever with

sweating and shivering. All symptoms are worse for heat. Thirsty,

restless, sluggish and irritable. Hates being washed, especially in warm

(hot) water.