6 Best Homeopathic Remedies for Treating Common colds

Common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat that can be caused by different viruses, mostly rhinoviruses. On an average, adults may get three to four colds a year but young children may have even more.

Homeopathic medicines offer wonderful treatment for cases of cold. Natural homeopathic remedies for colds go to the root of the problem and ensure that the viral infection is rooted out of the body. They fight the infection-causing agent and give excellent relief in the symptoms of common cold including runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, post-nasal drip (PND). Once you get a cold, the instant human reaction is to somehow get rid of it as soon as possible. Allopathic medicines over the counter may provide you with some instant relief from a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, headache and body ache for a short duration, but the viral infection does not leave your body. The cold, or the viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, recurs and that can be even more troublesome. Here is where homeopathic remedies can be of great help. They can cure it effectively by eradicating the virus from the body.

Homeopathy boosts self-healing mechanism

Every person has a self-healing mechanism in the body. Homeopathic medicines boost the body’s own healing mechanism. They help to fight the infection causing cold and eliminate it from the body to aid natural cure in cases of cold. These medicines also cut short the recovery time and prevent complications.

Homeopathic medicines are entirely natural

Homeopathic medicines to treat cold are made from natural substances. They lack any type of chemicals or toxins, hence, are completely safe to use. They ensure natural recovery and do not cause any kind of side effects. These medicines suit persons of all age groups.

Homeopathy is a symptom based science

Homeopathic medicines for cold are selected as per the characteristic symptoms in every individual case. Further the potency, dosage and repetition vary according to the age of the person, type of medicine, duration and intensity of cold. So it is advised to take homeopathic medicine for cold as recommended by a homeopathic doctor for best results. Self-medication should not be done.

Homeopathy builds immunity against recurrent cold

There are different sets of medicines in homeopathy to treat acute cold and to treat the tendency to get recurrent colds. The treatment for acute cold needs to be taken for few days to a week’s time. On the other hand, the treatment period for chronic cold includes a few months depending on the individual case. Homeopathic medicines are constitutional remedies selected individually for every case as per the detailed symptom analysis. These medicines gradually build immunity to prevent recurrent catching of cold thus reducing the number of cold episodes per year. With its use dependency on conventional medicines like antibiotics, decongestant nasal drops/sprays, etc. is reduced to a great extent.

Top 6 Homeopathic Remedies For Common Cold

The top homeopathic medicines to treat common cold are Arsenic Album, Aconite, Natrum Mur, Hepar Sulph, Belladonna and Pulsatilla.

1. Arsenic Album – For Common Cold With Thin Watery Nasal Discharge

Arsenic Album is beneficial for curing common cold, especially when there is a thin watery discharge from the nose. Nose may feel stuffy inspite of the discharge which causes a burning sensation in the nose. Most of the time, it is accompanied by sneezing. Those needing it feel worse in cold air. Being in a warm room can provide some relief. Weakness can be marked along with the above complaints.

When to use Arsenic Album?

It is a highly recommended medicine for initial stages of common cold when there is thin, watery nasal discharge. Stuffed nose may attend it.

How to use Arsenic Album?

Though it can be used in various potencies, the most frequently used potency is 30C twice a day.

2. Aconite– For Cold Due To Exposure To Cold Air

Aconite is a natural medicine sourced from plant ‘monkshood’. It is undoubtedly the best and most effective remedy when someone catches cold after sudden exposure to cold air, like from the air conditioner or in cold weather. The symptoms to use Aconite are scanty nasal discharge with a stuffy nose. Sneezing may also be experienced. The other accompanying symptoms are pain at the root of the nose, headache and fever.

When to use Aconite?

This medicine should be the first choice of medicine for anyone who catches cold from sudden exposure to cold air.

How to use Aconite?

The suggested dose of this medicine is usually Aconite 30C twice or thrice a day as per the intensity of symptoms.

3. Natrum Mur – When Common Cold Starts With Sneezing

Common colds that begin with sneezing are apt to be treated wonderfully with this medicine. Along with sneezing, there is thin watery nasal discharge. It may be followed by stuffy nose which may also cause loss of smell.

When to use Natrum Mur?

It should be used as the first line of treatment when cold starts with sneezing as the first symptom followed by thin watery nasal discharge.

How to use Natrum Mur?

The most widely used potency of this medicine is 6X which can be taken three to four times a day at a gap of minimum three hours.

4. Hepar Sulph – For Stuffy Nose

This medicine is the most effective to help out cases of stuffy nose. In cases where the nose feels stuffy and blocked, this medicine is known to promote secretions and ease the complaint. To be more specific, it is indicated for a stuffy nose from exposure to cold air which causes sneezing.  A very particular symptom that may attend is inhaled air that feels cold. It is also the best medicine for treating cold in winters.

When to use Hepar Sulph?

If you have a stuffy nose due to cold, this medicine is for you. It will kickstart the nasal discharge and bring relief. For treating winter colds too this medicine is the best indicated medicine.

How to use Hepar Sulph?

It is advised to take this medicine in 30C potency once or twice a day to get good results.

5. Belladonna – When Sore Throat Is Marked With Nasal Symptoms

It is the most frequently prescribed medicine when pain in the throat  attends nasal symptoms. It is used when there is watery discharge from nostrils especially one-sided, with sneezing and ticking in the nose. Along with this, there is sore throat, painful swallowing, marked redness and swelling in the throat. There may also be bouts of cough and headache.

When to use Belladonna?

This medicine is best for cold that presents with nasal symptoms (like nasal secretions, sneezing) and sore throat with marked throat pain. Additionally, it is also a top choice for managing headache in colds.

How to use Belladonna?

Use this medicine in 30C potency two to three times a day for relief.

6. Pulsatilla – For Thick Yellow Green Nasal Discharge

This natural medicine derived from the plant ‘wind flower’ possesses magnificent healing properties in treating common cold. This medicine is best suited if you are in the late stage of common cold when the nasal discharge starts to change color to yellow-green and consistency from thin to thick.  Along with this, there may be nasal blockage and loss of smell.

When to use Pulsatilla?

Pulsatilla can be used whenever a characteristic thick yellow or green nasal discharge is present.

How to use Pulsatilla?

Pulsatilla 30C can be taken one or two times a day.

Note One may use this medicine for about a week’s time in the recommended dosage. Do not exceed self-medication for more than one week. In case symptoms do not get under control within a week’s time, consult a homeopathic expert for the next course of action. In case of any complications, like any lungs-related problem (eg. asthma, pneumonia), it is advised to take urgent help from conventional mode of treatment.

What Is The Cause Behind Common Cold?

Common cold can be caused by approximately 200 different strains of respiratory viruses. Among these viruses, rhinoviruses are the most common, followed by adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc. Once the virus enters the nose or throat, it attaches to the mucus lining and starts multiplying. Our body responds to this infection resulting in inflammation in the nose or throat and excess mucus production.

Are common cold and flu same?

Though the symptoms of both these conditions are quite similar, these are two different conditions. Both are caused by different viruses (common cold usually arises from rhinovirus infection and flu is caused by influenza virus) and symptoms of flu are more severe than common cold. Fever, chills and headache with nasal symptoms more commonly point towards flu than common cold.

How Does Common Cold Spread?

Common cold is very contagious spreading via direct contact from sick people to others. The common cold virus can enter the body through the nose, mouth or eyes.

Firstly, one tends to catch cold by inhaling virus-infected droplets in the air from coughs or sneezes of a sick person having common cold.

Secondly, it can spread through hand-to-hand contact with a person having common cold.

Thirdly, one can get an infection if he/ she touches a surface or shares an object (like utensils, towels) contaminated by viral droplets emanating from a sick person, and then touches the eyes, nose or mouth without properly washing hands.

What Are The Symptoms Of Common Cold?

The symptoms of common cold start to show up within 1-3 days after exposure to the virus that causes common cold. The symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough. Some general symptoms like headache, low-grade fever, general fatigue, and body aches tend to accompany.  Loss of smell or taste, post-nasal drip (PND) can also be there. The nasal discharge is initially thin and clear which turns thick and yellow/green as the condition progresses. The symptoms of common cold can last from one week to 10 days’ time. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person.

Who Is At Risk Of Common Cold?

Though anyone can be affected with common cold, some factors increase the risk.

1. Age: Although cold can affect people of any age group, young children are the most at risk. This is because the immune system of children is gradually building up and is is still learning how to fight infections. The risk of catching infection increases if a child goes to a daycare facility.

2. Time of year: Though common cold can hit a person at any time of a year, the chances are higher in autumn, winter and rainy season.

3. Weak immune system: People having weak immunity due to some long-standing health issues are more prone to catch common cold frequently.

4. Environment: Being in crowded places like schools, shopping centres, malls, tourist places, etc seems to increase the risk of getting exposed to viruses and catching cold.

Are There Any Complications Of Common Cold?

In most cases, recovery from common cold occurs in a week’s time to 10 days without any complications. People having weak immunity might face some complications like ear infections or sinus infection. In some cases, the infection travels downwards and can lead to acute bronchitis (also called chest cold which refers to inflamed bronchial tubes that carry air to and from lungs), asthma (inflammatory airway disease that leads to difficult breathing, wheezing, chest tightness and cough) and pneumonia (inflammation of air sacs of lungs) that need to be treated by a doctor and self-medication should be strictly avoided.