The Value Of Homeopathic Cold Remedies

By Daniel Howard


A cure for the common cold has been sought for centuries. There are many over the counter products that help people go to work without the sniffles or get a good night's sleep in spite of nasal congestion, sore throat, or coughing spells. Many consumers prefer to use one of the time-honored homeopathic cold remedies rather than a pharmaceutical chemical.

Homeopathy is a recognized branch of medicine that has been used for over a century. It is based on the theory that a substance that causes a particular physical, mental, or emotional reaction when taken in large amounts will alleviate that reaction when taken in homeopathic form. This theory of 'like curing like' has been tested and found effective by many medical professionals and millions of consumers.

A substance that causes a particular symptom is used to counteract that symptom. If a large amount of raw onion, for example, causes your eyes to water or your nose to run, a minute amount (as in the remedy Allium cepa) can alleviate these annoying discomforts. The usual advice is to dissolve several tiny pellets of the remedy under the tongue. This allows the remedy to enter the bloodstream without delay.

Ferr phos is a homeopathic 'tissue salt'. There are twelve of these basic compounds, each based on one or more of the minerals - or salts - found in human tissue. Ferr phos will control a fever without suppressing it entirely. Fevers are part of the body's natural defense against infection and have an important function. It is only when they get too high that they are dangerous.

People have long known that the deadly nightshade plant is best avoided; its roots and berries are highly toxic. In homeopathic form, however, this plant is used to control fevers and ease inflammation of the respiratory tract. Developed to fight scarlet fever in the days before antibiotics, this remedy is widely used for the aches and pains of colds and flu. There is no toxicity in the homeopathic remedy, even though the base material is poisonous.

Coughs are one of the most unpleasant parts of catching cold. Congestion in the chest can linger long after other symptoms have gone. Spasmodic coughing can leave the sufferer weak and fearful of the next bout. Remedies are made from minerals, such as in the tissue salts, or herbs, or even a tiny bit of a disease organism itself. Aconite and Bryonia are two traditional remedies; there are others that are chosen according to the kind of cough that must be treated.

Many over-the-counter homeopathic products have more than one remedy in the formula. Many of them will have Belladonna, Kali bic, Hepar sulfuris, Pulsatilla (one of the broad remedies used for a number of disorders), and Calcarea Carbonica. There are many homeopathic companies, but all are regulated by the FDA. The potency is indicated by a number followed by a letter; 6X is diluted and processed 10 times, while 30X undergoes 30 steps. 30C, which is still considered suitable for self-treatment, undergoes hundreds of stages.

Since over-the-counter pharmaceuticals have documented side effects, many prefer to depend on homeopathy when they are sick. It's easy to do enough research online to understand the basics of this safe, alternative way to recovery.




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