Top 7 Homeopathic Remedies for Cold & Cough
Having a cough or cold can make you feel miserable, and many of us are quick to reach for over-the-counter medications to find relief. Unfortunately, many of these drugs are made with harsh, synthetic chemicals that can make you feel groggy, nauseous, dizzy, or worse. Even more, some studies show that there is no evidence that common cold and flu medicines actually suppress or stop symptoms like coughing when compared to placebo.1
Taking homeopathic medication to reduce cough and cold is an alternative approach that can help you find relief without compromising your entire system. Find out the top seven homeopathic remedies, from Brillia Health to byronia and beyond.
How to Diagnose Your Cough
Coughing is your body’s natural way of clearing irritants from your lungs and upper respiratory tract. Sometimes, these irritants are part of a bacterial infection or virus. When figuring out what kind of cough you have and how best to treat it, it’s important to consider the duration and specific symptoms of your cough as well as any other symptoms of illness.
These are the most common reasons for your cough and how to identify them:
- Wet cough: Also known as a productive cough, a wet cough produces mucus and often occurs with the flu or common cold. Other conditions that may cause a wet cough include asthma, acute bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.
- Dry cough: Often accompanied by a tickling feeling in the back of the throat, a dry cough does not produce mucus and occurs with many upper respiratory infections. It can also be caused by exposure to environmental irritants like smoke. Other causes include COVID-19, GERD, allergies, and asthma.
- Croup: This cough is caused by a viral infection and occurs in children under five. A distinct feature of this cough is its barking sound and rapid breathing. It is often accompanied by classic cold symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose.
- Paroxysmal: Characterized by uncontrollable or even spasmodic coughing, a paroxysmal cough is most often associated with whooping cough, or pertussis, a bacterial infection that causes violent coughing fits. The condition may also cause exhaustion and difficulty breathing.
- Chronic: A chronic cough lasts for at least two months. It may be caused from an untreated infection or virus, ongoing exposure to environmental allergens, lung disease, pneumonia and smoking.
Is it a Cold or Something More Serious?
It is possible that your cold can progress to something more serious if left unchecked. These include bacterial infections like pneumonia, acute bronchitis, sinusitis, and strep throat. These illnesses will cause more severe symptoms, which may include a fever, chest pain, facial pain in the case of sinusitis, trouble swallowing, and overall exhaustion. In these cases, it’s important that you see your doctor for antibiotics.
However, antibiotics will not help respiratory infections caused by viruses. If you are suffering from a cough caused by a cold or virus, homeopathic medicine can be your best defense. Because these illnesses eventually clear on their own, the best thing you can do is find a homeopathic remedy that helps to support your immune system while your body works to fight off the infection.
Best Homeopathic Remedies for Colds and Coughs
Homeopathic remedies can help reduce symptoms of coughs, colds, and flus without causing the harsh side effects associated with typical cold/flu medicines. Here are the top seven to consider:
1. Brillia Health
In the world of homeopathic medications, Brillia Health stands out because it is clinically proven to shorten both the duration and intensity of illness. You don’t have to leave home to get it, either. The medication is accessible through our website and comes with a money-back guarantee. Best of all, you don’t have to buy a children’s version in addition to an adult version as the medication is suitable for both kids and adults.
What makes Brillia Health products work boils down to a unique antibody approach. When we are infected with a cold or flu virus, our body releases proteins that attach to enzymes and instigate a variety of symptoms, from coughing to congestion to body aches. Brillia Health uses targeted antibodies to stop the instigation of these symptoms altogether without harsh chemicals or harmful side effects. There are two unique homeopathic formulations: Cold-Flu Recovery and Cough Control.
Cold-Flu Recovery contains antibodies that help to control inflammation, reducing nasal, sinus and chest congestion at the source of symptoms. The medication strengthens immune cells, helping them fight off viral infections more efficiently, while recruiting more to help you recover faster.
Cough Control also contains the antibody that controls inflammation, while also targeting cough symptoms. One ingredient helps to reduce the coughing reflex directly while another blocks pain signals to the brain to reduce the overall stress that coughing places on the body. If you have multiple symptoms, the two products can also be taken together to help aid recovery.
2. Byronia
This plant-based homeopathic remedy has been used for thousands of years as a healing remedy to reduce headaches, muscle pain, cold and flu symptoms, coughs, nausea, and constipation. Byronia is often used because of its traditional use as an anti-inflammatory remedy.2 Some studies show it also has adaptogenic qualities, which help to restore the immune system.3However, taking large quantities can cause adverse effects like nausea, fatigue, and stomach upset, so it is best used in moderation.4
3. Phosphorus
This mineral is found in our bones. Some research shows that it may be beneficial for chest colds and stuffy noses.5 Homeopathic experts recommend this mineral for several different types of cough, but usually dry coughs accompanied by a persistent tickle in the chest like bronchitis.6It may also help to ease exhaustion brought on by the stress of illness.
4. Pulsatilla
Another plant-based remedy, pulsatilla is used to reduce runny nose and the loss of smell and taste that some viruses cause.7 Pulsatilla may also relieve headaches, fever, and spasms while producing calming effects like a sedative, which can be helpful if your illness is making it difficult to sleep.8
5. Chamomilla
One of the most ancient medicinal herbs, chamomilla is often associated with soothing teas. As a homeopathic medication it can be used to reduce symptoms associated with hay fever, inflammation, and muscle spasms. In one two-week study, chamomilla was shown to have increased antibacterial activity in the body and immune-boosting properties.9
6. Rumex Crispus
As an effective and safe source of antioxidants and antibacterial properties, rumex crispus is a plant medicine used to treat dry coughs accompanied by tickling in the throat.10 It can also be useful for runny nose, sneezing and coughs that are worsened by cold air.11
7. Aconitum Napellus
This plant medicine has been used traditionally to relieve fevers, headaches, croup, and upper respiratory infections associated with viruses due to its anti-inflammatory qualities.12 Some homeopaths also believe that the herb can help to relieve anxiety and stress.13 However, this remedy should be handled with care to avoid toxicity. It’s best to consult a trained homeopath or other physician when using.
Preventative Methods for the Future
Building up your immune system and practicing good hygiene is crucial to avoid catching a cold or flu. Basic habits like getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and following a healthy diet can all help prevent illness (and fight off infection if you’re already ill). Getting your dose of daily vitamins is also an effective way to support immunity. These include vitamins C, D, B6, and zinc.
If you’re just starting to get sick and notice the familiar first signs associated with infection, like sore throat, runny nose, or sneezing, taking a homeopathic medication may help stop the progression of illness. A medication like Brillia Health is also clinically proven to shorten the intensity and duration of illness for a fast recovery.
Find out more about how Brillia Health products work and explore more resources on whole-body health at the Brillia(nce) Resource Center.
References:
1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1325161/2https://www.verywellhealth.com/bryonia-51154713https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S09447113978003354https://www.healthline.com/health/bryonia#risks-side-effects 5https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2213002 6https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/condition/bronchitis 7https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-22130028https://www.rxlist.com/pulsatilla/supplements.htm9https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/10https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880200802182240 11https://homeopathyplus.com/know-your-remedies-rumex-crispus-rumx/ 12https://theaahp.org/articles/aconite-a-clinical-snapshot/ 13https://draxe.com/nutrition/aconite/
