The common cold, one of the most common causes of human illness is also known as upper respiratory infections (URTI). They are usually caused by various kinds of viruses and are acute, self-limiting involving upper respiratory tract.
Children and people with low immunity are prone to many of the viruses resulting in repeated episodes of cough and cold.
Symptoms
The characteristic symptom complex consisting of:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Sneezing and coughing and a sore throat
- Sometimes a cold is also accompanied by a mild fever, weakness, a headache and joint pain
Common colds, or simply “colds,” are usually quite harmless and go within one or two weeks on their own with the help of proper rest, good hydration and light diet.
When to see a doctor:
- People suffering from recurrent episodes of cough and cold (more than 12 per year in children or 6 per year in adults).
- Infection spreading to sinuses leading to sinusitis.
- Infection spreading to ear leading to ear problems.
- Tonsillitis
- Breathing difficulties
- High fever
- Very bad or worsening symptoms
- Chest pain
15 Homeopathic Medicines for Common cold
1) Arsenicum album
A person who has burning pain and feelings of weakness, restlessness, and anxiety during cold, cough, fever. Problems can be worse near midnight. The nose often feels stopped up, and the person may sneeze repeatedly with thin and watery discharge.
Complaints during wet weather, taking anything cold either drinks or food and the person feels better after warm drinks.
2) Belladonna
Complaints starting after exposure to draught of cold air. This remedy relieves high fever of sudden onset with sweating. Hoarseness of voice. The tonsils are enlarged and red with difficulty in swallowing. The patient is worse from touch, noise or any kind of movement.
3) Euphrasia
Red, watery, irritated eyes, frequent sneezing and a mild, clear nasal discharge. Headache with runny nose and watery eyes. Symptoms can be worse at night, and the person tends to feel better from eating and lying down.
4) Natrum muriaticum
Fluent nasal discharge like egg-white, headache, and a diminished sense of smell or taste may need this remedy. The person may develop cold sores around the mouth, and the lips can be chapped and cracked. Involuntary urination while coughing.
5) Nux vomica
Stuffy colds after exposure to dry, cold atmosphere which gets worse in warm room. Nasal discharge fluent in daytime and stuffed up at night and outdoors. Rough, scraped feeling in throat with Itching in ear. Cough causes bursting headache and bruised pain in upper abdomen.
- Pulsatilla
Yellowish or green mucus discharge abundant in morning with stoppage of nose in the evening and loss of smell. Dry mouth without thirst. Crack in middle of lower lip. Smothering sensation on lying down.
7) Aconitum napellus
This remedy relieves high fever of sudden onset especially after exposure to intense cold. Complaints caused by exposure to dry, cold weather, draught of cold air, checked perspiration. Dry nose stopped up with scanty watery coryza. Tonsils swollen and dry with prickling, burning and stinging.
8) Allium cepa
Runny nose with an irritating, watery discharge with headache which gets worse in warm room and improved by fresh air. Feeling of lump at the root of the nose.
9) Baryta carbonica
This remedy is indicated for people who frequently catch colds from getting chilled and develops tonsillitis after every cold. Smarting pain in throat on swallowing. Dry, suffocative cough in old people.
10) Dulcamara
Cold after exposure to damp cold weather or when the weather changes. A stopped-up nose and cold involving eyes. Dry, stuffed nose better by covering the nose. The mucus is expelled after lot of coughing.
11) Bryonia
This remedy relieves dry cough with stitching pain in chest and head. Cough gets worse in a warm room. Lips are dry and cracked. Dryness of mouth with great thirst.
12) Ammonium carbonicum
Frequent colds with stoppage of nose with long continued coryza. The person cannot breathe through nose. Cough with breathlessness and burning pain in chest.
13) Kali bichromicum
This helps relieve thick, greenish, stringy nasal discharge. Cold extending to frontal sinus causing sinusitis.
14) Mercurius solubilis
A person who needs this remedy is extremely sensitive to change in temperatures and the complaints gets worse at night with excessive thirst. Swollen lymph nodes and bad breath are other indications. The person’s nose may feel raw, and the tonsils or ears often become infected.
15) Rhus Toxicodendron
Cold which starts after getting wet in rain or swimming then this remedy can help. Dry cough throughout midnight till morning. The person is physically restless and gets by better by movement.
Frequency and dosage:
The indicated medicines can be taken 3-4 times a day for 3-4 days for acute cold and cough. 3-4 pills can be considered as one dose. However, it is best to consult a good homeopathic doctor for accurate medicine and dosage.
Also Read: Homeopathy Medicine for Hair Fall and Regrowth
General Management:
- If you catch a cold, start taking steam and do gargles at least 3-4 times a day.
- Avoid heavy meal which is difficult to digest.
- Keep hydrating yourself with water, soup, coconut water etc.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Take proper rest.
- Avoid going out in public places as it can spread the virus to others.
- Cover you mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing.
How we can prevent frequent episodes of cold and cough?
There are some simple things you can do to avoid catching a cold, like
- Maintaining distance from others and washing your hands.
- When someone with a cold sneezes or coughs, a lot of tiny virus-containing drops are sprayed into the air, and they land onto the nearby objects like doorknobs, handles, floors etc. Avoid using these objects especially in public areas with your hands and use you elbow instead.
- Avoid touching your face with your hands is one way to reduce your risk of catching a cold.
- It is also important to wash your hands often with regular soap.
- Take plenty of seasonal fruits, vegetables and sunlight exposure to boost your immunity.
