Cough; Bronchitis

Cough is the chief symptom of most respiratory diseases. It is nature's method of expelling out any offending matter that is present in the respiratory tract. Since it is a protective reflex, it is criminal to suppress it with over-the-counter cough syrups.

Homeopathic Treatment

Check if most symptoms of any of these medicines match with most of your symptoms:

Aconite 30 : Sudden, acute attack of cough from exposure to dry, cold air (like Hepar). The cough is dry, painful and comes in short bouts, the person grasping the throat while coughing. The cough is worse during expiration, at night and from tobacco smoke but lessens in open air. There is inexplicable restlessness, anguish and fear (of death) and unquenchable thirst for cold water.

Belladonna 30 : Sudden, violent attack of dry cough which comes in short bouts and causes redness of the face; a sensation of constriction in the throat; the cough is worse when lying down at night, thereby disturbing sleep; it lessens with warm drinks and in a warm room; there is a dislike for open air (unlike Aconite).

Bryonia 30 : Dry, painful cough of gradual onset, in hot weather (summer); the cough and the consequent pains in the throat and the chest are worse from the slightest motion - therefore the person lies still and holds the chest when coughing; excessive dryness of the mouth and the throat, causing acute thirst (like Aconite and Mercurius) and the intestine, causing constipation.

Drosera 30 : Violent, dry, whooping cough in young persons; bouts of cough follow each other so rapidly that the child gets breathless, turns blue and sweats profusely; sensation of a feather "in the throat that excites cough; the cough is worse from talking, singing, when lying down, at night; the person, desires to be in open air (like Aconite, Pulsatilla).

Hepar sulph 30 : Dry, hoarse cough from exposure to dry and cold air, causing suffocation and perspiration; a sensation of splinter in the throat; the person is highly chilly, keeping himself covered with warm clothes; uncovering the body excites an attack of cough; the cough is worse in the morning or from cold foods/drinks.

Ipecacuanha 30 : Dry cough with wheezing and rattling in the chest and accompanied by nausea and vomiting; a bout of vomiting does not relieve nausea; long bouts of cough render the person breathless and blue in face; cough is worse in cold, dry weather (winter) but improves by warmth; thirstlessness (like Pulsatilla).

Kali bich 30 : Violent cough in summer with gagging and vomiting; cough brings out tough, tenacious, stringy, yellow mucous; wandering, painful spots in the chest that can be covered by tip of a finger; the cough is worse in the morning, while sitting but is relieved on lying down or by inhaling steam.

Mercurius sol 30 : Cough in warm, damp weather, which is dry at night but brings out greenish yellow mucous during the day; the cough is worse at night, especially when lying on the right side; trembling of the whole body, profuse offensive perspiration and intense thirst for cold water are other symptoms that confirm the choice of Mercurius.

Phosphorus 30 : Hard, dry and painful cough that shakes the whole body and brings a sensation of tightness in the chest; a bout of cough is excited by talking, laughing, drinking or lying on the left side (reverse of Mercurius); cough less after sleep and from consuming cold drinks; tall, lean, narrow chested and stoop-shouldered person oversensitive to the environment.

Pulsatilla 30 : Cough that is dry and painful at night (compelling the person to sit up) but brings out thick, bitter, yellowish green mucous in the morning; cough worse when lying on the left side but better in open air and by consuming cold drinks; mild, weeping nature and thirstlessness confirm the choice of Pulsatilla.

Notes:

1. Cough is merely a symptom; the cause should be sought and treated.
2. Discontinue the medicine as soon as about fifty per cent improvement occurs. Restart the medicine if symptoms worsen again or reappear later.
3. If none of the above-listed medicines seems matching or if the selected medicine fails to help, consult a competent homoeopathic doctor.