Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that treats illness, such as the common cold, in children as well as adults. Symptoms of an acute condition like the common cold may be experienced differently by each child but there are several homeopathic remedies available over the counter to treat these differences once the symptoms being experienced by the child have been matched to the known symptoms of a remedy.
Allium Cepa
Also known as the common red onion, Allium cepa will improve red, running eyes with bland discharge and a running nose with watery-like but acrid discharge that burns the nose and upper lip. Children may also have head pain that is worse in a warm, stuffy room. Symptoms may improve from being in the open air or in a cold room.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla, also known as the wind flower, is useful to improve cold symptoms that have a thick, yellowy-green nasal discharge. Children who will be helped by this remedy will likely feel worse in a warm room, but better in open air even though they may also feel chilly. A changeable mood and need for sympathy are two very common symptoms for Pulsatilla children. They may be clingy and crying for attention. They can be feverish but yet not thirsty.
Gelsemium
Children who appear sluggish, tired and listless will improve with Gelsemium. Their eyes will look glassy, with heavy, even drooping eyelids, and they may complain of a dull headache particularly at the back of of the neck. They will be feverish and chilly and will complain of pains in their muscles. The nasal discharge is bland and watery. A keynote of this remedy is that symptoms appear slowly, and children want to be left alone.
Aconite
Aconite is most useful for colds and coughs that appear suddenly. Some children tend to develop cold symptoms for being exposed to a cold, dry wind during winter months, and Aconite is the best remedy. At the beginning of the cold, parents will notice sneezing but without much discharge. Children will respond to Aconite, especially if the remedy is used within the first 24 hours, in which case, a threatening cold will likely be averted. Symptoms are worse at night, and children will be restless.
Arsenicum
The keynote for children who will respond well to Arsenicum during a cold is burning pains. Nasal discharge will be watery and irritating for the nose and lips. The child will be chilly, and feel better for hot drinks and heat. They will feel worse outdoors and worse after midnight. Parents will particularly note that their child is very anxious.
Belladonna
Belladonna, another homeopathic remedy particularly useful in childhood illnesses, is most successful in children who develop high fevers and a cold suddenly. There will be obvious redness and a flushed face or sore throat. The child will feel hot to touch and be sensitive to light. Even though children needing Belladonna are hot and feverish, they will not be thirsty.
References
- "Homeopathic Medicine at Home"; M.B.Panos, M.D., and J. Heimlich; 1980
- "The Consumer's Guide to Homeopathy"; D. Ullman, M.P.H.; 1995
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