Cough - Homeopathy Treatment & Homeopathic Remedies

#Phosphorus [Phos]
The cough of Phosphorus arises from irritation in the trachea. It is tickling which is lower down than the irritation calling for Belladonna It is
made worse by talking or using the voice; in fact, any change in breathing causes the cough. It is at first dry and tight and then with
expectoration of tenacious purulent mucus. It is worse from a change to cold air, the chest feels dry, and the cough sounds and there is a
constriction across the upper part of the chest. Continued hoarsensess with a distressing, dry cough. It is also a remedy for stomach or
hepatic coughs, anaemic coughs, and in reflex coughs, being here similar to Ambra grisea. Ignatia is useful in nervous coughs, in which the
more the patient coughs the greater the irritation to cough. Sticta has this symptom, but it is not nervous in origin. Ambra grisea is useful in
nervous coughs followed by eructation of wind. Reflex coughs rather than those of organic lesions of the respiratory organs. Phosphorus
follows Belladonna well. Belladonna relieves the soreness, tenderness and fever, but the hoarse, rough voice yields to phosphorus. A dry
cough is an important indication for Belladonna.

#Rumex crispus [Rumex]

This remedy has a dry cough from tickling in the supra-sternal fossa. It is a laryngo-tracheal cough which is teasing and persistent, and is
aggravated by cold air. The patient has to cover the head with the bedclothes and breathe warm air to stop the cough. Deep inspiration
aggravates it. It suits incessant fatiguing fatiguing coughs, with soreness behind the sternum, and much tough mucus in the larynx which
cannot be hawked up. It suits the night coughs of consumptives where there are sharp, stitching pains through the lungs in the early stages.
Silicea has a similar cough, worse from cold drinks, worse from speaking and worse from lying down at night.

#Bryonia [Bry]
The cough of Bryonia is generally dry and concussive. It seems to come from the region of the stomach, and is preceded by a tickling in the
epigastrium. During the cough the patient holds the sides of the chest with his hands, as the sough not only shakes the chest, but also hurts
distant parts of the body. It is induced also by coming from the open air into a warm room and is accompanied by bursting headache. The
expectoration is scanty, tough and sometimes bloody. Natrum carbonicum. Cough worse in a warm room, with a purulent salty and greenish
expectoration. Asclepias tuberosa. Loose cough, with stitching pains in the chest, a looser cough than the Bryonia cough, and the patient is
more "broken up" with the cold.

#Spongia [Spong]
This remedy suits a hard, barking, ringing, metallic sounding cough, which is worse from deep breathing and excitement, often arousing the
patient out of sleep with a suffocative feeling. There is usually no expectoration; it suits, therefore, oftentimes the dry , racking cough of
chronic bronchitis. Sambucus. Useful in suffocative coughs of children where there is rough wheezing with great dyspnoea; patient can only
breathe with the mouth wide open.

#Hyoscyamus [Hyos]
The cough of this remedy is dry, nervous and spasmodic, occurs at night and ceases after sitting up. This is characteristic of the drug; the
Belladonna cough may compel the patient to sit up, but no relief is obtained. Hyoscyamus is a wonderfully calming remedy in the night
coughs of consumptives. Manganum has a cough that is always better on lying down, only troublesome when sitting up. Conium. This remedy
has a tormenting dry cough, worse lying down, worse in the evening and at night. Speaking or laughing also aggravates the cough. The
irritation is in the trachea or upper bronchi. Opium has a difficult cough, especially tormenting at night, with a scanty expectoration. Burt
testifies as to its utility in dry spasmodic nightly coughs that prevent sleep, with no expectoration. Laurocerasus is a very beneficial remedy in
the dry, teasing cough of consumptives. Aralia racemosa cures a spasmodic cough coming on at night after the first sleep, caused by tickling
in the throat and constriction of chest; has to sit up and cough violently. Naphthalin. Dr. Cartier recommends this remedy highly in spasmodic
coughs, due to an acute laryngo-tracheitis.

#Sanguinaria [Sang]
This is one of our best remedies in dry and humid coughs following inflammation. It is especially useful in the pre-tubercular stage of phthisis.
Brigham says that few remedies have proved equal to Sanguinaria for bronchial coughs. It is usually a dry cough excited by tickling in the
larynx and upper chest. The expectoration is rust colored and the breathe may be offensive. Again, it may have a loose cough, but the
secretion of mucus is expectorated with great difficulty, here being like Kali bichromicum. Holcomb says: " It has done me more good in
pulmonary diseases than any other single remedy." Almost any cough with a hectic flush and dryness of the throat will yield to Sanguinaria.

#Antimonium tartaricum [Ant-t]

With this remedy the cough sounds loose and the patient feels sure that the next cough will raise the mucus; but it does not, no phlegm is
raised. There is drowsiness accompanying the cough and the dyspnoea increases. Bayes says that the 3d and 6th potencies harden the
cough, but the 2x loosens it. The characteristic then are the loose cough, the rattling in the chest and the absence of expectoration. It is a
convulsive, concussive cough, attended with copious secretion of mucus. It is worse at night and in bed. The expectoration when present is
either lemon-yellow or blood streaked. Ipecac has a loose, rattling cough occurring with every breathe, accompanied by asthma and nausea
and vomiting. As with Antimonium tartaricum, the chest seems full of mucus, but does not yield to coughing. A cough that has lasted a long
time and been neglected will oftentimes be benefited by Ipecac. Hepar sulphur. The cough of Hepar is husky and hoarse, never a perfectly dry
one; it has a loose edge and the patient coughs into a fit of choking. Scilla. Rattling in chest; patient coughs a long time before a little mucus
is raised, which relieves.

#Kali bichromicum [Kali-bi]

This remedy has a constant metallic barking and its great characteristic is the presence of a thick tenacious mucus, which is exceedingly
difficult to expectorate. It corresponds well to coughs following measles and to wearisome morning coughs where there is the difficult
expectoration. These symptoms distinguish the remedy, together with its amelioration at night in bed. Kali carbonicum has a paroxysmal
cough, which is violent and long continued, and after a tedious effort a small quantity of tough stringy mucus is dislodged. The cough may
cause gagging and vomiting. Nitric acid. The Nitric acid cough is essentially chronic, often short and dry on first lying down at night; is
accompanied by great physical depression and a stinging and smarting sensation in the larynx; there is little or no expectoration. Nux vomica
is sometimes useful in short, dry and fatiguing coughs accompanied by headache and soreness in the epigastric zone. If the pharynx and
fauces are affected Nux will be more especially indicated.
Mercurius is adapted to a dry cough that is passing into a moist stage after Belladonna, Bryonia, etc. Dry cough with roughness, burning
feeling of rawness from fauces to sternum.

#Sticta pulmonaria [Stict]

Dr. M. D. Youngman, of Atlantic City, thus summed up the indications for Sticta in coughs: 1. It is indicated in harsh, racking, incessant,
"unprofitable " cough of spasmodic type. 2. It is particularly adapted to neurotic, rheumatic, and gouty individuals. 3. It is more valuable in
sub-acute and chronic cases. 4. It is most suitable to old age. 5. It allays irritation, soothes irritable tissues, removes hyper-sensitive
conditions of the respiratory mucous membrane and promotes sleep. 6. He suggested it as being worthy of a trial in whooping cough.

#Lachesis [Lach]
The cough of Lachesis is dry, spasmodic, in suffocative fits, tickling at night. There is but little secretion and much sensitiveness, worse from
pressure on the larynx, after sleep and in the open air. The mucus cannot be brought up it will stick there. Useful in the harassing coughs
accompanying organic diseases of the heart, also Naja. Dulcamara has a spasmodic cough, with profuse secretion of mucus in the larynx and
trachea, easy expectoration of tasteless mucus; the coughing spells are long and damp weather aggravates. Causticum has a dry, hollow
cough,l with tightly adhering mucus in the chest, relieved by a drink of cold water, as in the nervous spasmodic cough of Cuprum. It is
accompanied often times with pain in the hips, more frequently the left, and with involuntary spurting of urine. Scilla and Natrum muriaticum
also have this last symptom. With Causticum the patient cannot cough deeply enough to raise the mucus, being similar to Lachesis in this
sticking of the phlegm. The Causticum cough is attended with morning hoarseness. Senega is useful in coughs with profuse secretion of
mucus, causing ineffectual efforts for its expulsion, though the cough is loose and rattling. Burning in the chest before or after coughing is an
excellent symptoms.

Homeopathic Remedies for Cough

Coughing is the body’s way of removing irritating substances, excess secretions, and foreign objects from air passages. This is important,
both as a protective mechanism and for the healing process—which is why a cough should not be artificially suppressed with drugs. When a
cough is painful, too intense, or prevents good rest, the use of remedies can gently relieve discomfort and help with recovery. Coughing can
accompany a wide variety of illnesses or conditions. If a person has serious difficulty breathing, coughs up blood or abnormal discharge, or
seems very ill in other ways, professional help should be sought.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in
What Is Homeopathy?

Aconitum napellus: This remedy is indicated when a cough has come on suddenly—often from exposure to cold wind, or after a traumatic
experience. The cough is likely to be sharp, short, dry, and constant. It may begin during sleep and wake the person up, or can start when
the person goes from a cool place into a warmer one. Restlessness and fear are typical when this remedy is needed. It is often used in early
stages of croup and asthma.

Belladonna: A cough that comes on suddenly, often with the feeling of a speck or tickle in the throat, is a strong indication for this remedy.
The cough is intense and nagging and the person may feel as if the head is about to burst. Sensations of heat, a reddened face, and dilated
pupils are often seen when this remedy is needed.
 Bryonia: This remedy is indicated when a cold goes into the chest and the cough is very painful and dry. The person feels worse from any
movement, and may even need to hold his or her sides or press against the chest to keep it still. The cough can also make the head or
stomach hurt, and digestion may be upset. The mouth can be dry and the person may be thirsty. If someone is very grumpy when ill and
wants to be left alone, not talked to or disturbed, Bryonia is likely to be the remedy.

Chamomilla: A dry, hard, irritating cough that starts after being exposed to wind, or after being overexcited and angry, can indicate this
remedy. The cough is often worse around nine in the evening and may continue into the night. The nervous system is hypersensitive, and the
person can be extremely irritable and agitated. (Children may even shriek and hit, though they often calm down if someone carries them.)
This remedy is also useful in asthma attacks, especially those brought on by anger.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This is an excellent remedy for the early stages of many inflammatory conditions, especially colds and allergy
attacks. The cough is typically short and tickling, and may be painful. Things are worse in cold air, at night, and in the early morning. The
person feels weary, and often has a moderate fever and lightly flushed cheeks.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum: This remedy is very helpful when a cough is loose, rattling and gagging, and brings up yellow mucus. It also
relieves long, dry coughing jags. Extreme sensitivity to all sensations—especially cold—suggests a need for this remedy. Cold in any form
(even food or drink) can set off a bout of coughing, and make the person feel more ill. A person who needs this remedy feels both physically
and emotionally vulnerable, and can be irritable and touchy. This remedy is often indicated in bronchitis and croup.

Ipecacuanha: A violent cough that comes with every breath, and long spasmodic bouts of coughing that end in gagging or vomiting, are
indications for this remedy. The person may have a clean, uncoated tongue and experience tightness in the throat and chest, or an
aggravating tickle. Warm, humid air or changes in the weather tend to make problems worse. Ipecacuanha is often used during asthma
attacks.

Nux vomica: Indications for this remedy include a tight sensation in the chest with a dry, hacking, teasing cough—often causing soreness or
a feeling that something has been torn inside. Long coughing jags can end in stomach pain and retching, and may make the person’s head
ache. A person who needs this remedy is likely to be impatient, irritable, and oversensitive to everything. A feeling of chilliness is typical, and
problems are often worse from exertion (both mental and physical) and worse in the morning.

Phosphorus: This remedy is indicated when a person experiences hoarseness and a tickly cough that hurts the throat, or a cold that travels
quickly to the chest. The cough can be aggravated by talking, laughing, and exposure to cold air. The person may feel heaviness or tightness.
A thirst for cold drinks (that may cause nausea after warming up in the stomach) is another indication for Phosphorus. A person who needs
this remedy is typically imaginative and fearful, and likes the company of others, but tires very easily. This remedy is often used for loss of
the voice and laryngitis.

Pulsatilla: Coughs that are dry in the evening and loose in the morning, worse in a stuffy room or when the person feels too warm, and
improved in open air may indicate this remedy. The chest usually has a feeling of pressure and soreness, and thick yellow mucus may be
coughed up with gagging and choking. A person who needs this remedy usually likes attention and company. It is often given to children who
tend toward tears when ill and want to be held and comforted.

Rumex crispus: A teasing, hacking cough that is triggered by a tickle in the pit of the throat is a strong indication for this remedy; even
touching the base of the throat can set off coughing. The cough is often dry, but frothy or stringy mucus may come up. Coughing may begin
when the person goes outside or changes from a warm place to a cool one. The cough can keep the person from sleeping, and the center and
left side of the chest are likely to be sore.

Spongia tosta: This remedy is indicated when a cough is loud, harsh, dry, and sounds like barking or sawing wood. The person may wake up
feeling suffocated, as if the throat is plugged or the breathing passages are dry. Problems are usually made worse from being in a room that
is too warm, or from lying down with the head too low. Talking aggravates the cough, and so does exposure to cold air and smoke. Sitting up
usually helps, and drinking something warm or eating small amounts brings some relief. This remedy is often helpful during croup and
asthma.

Sulphur: This remedy is indicated for burning, irritating coughs that get worse at night in bed, as well as for breathing problems during
sleep. It can also be useful when a mild cough drags on for a week or more without getting worse, but without much improvement. Burning
sensations, redness of eyes and mucous membranes, foul odors, and an aggravation from bathing are often seen in a person who needs this
remedy.
 Homeopathy Dosage Directions
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by

a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the

label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen,

continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The

frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a

dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy