​Cough, like hoarseness, is rather a symptom than a condition in itself. It is a reflex mechanism of our body to indicate a condition that should not be neglected. A cough is not just a cough. Homeopathy recognises that each cough is different and remedies are specific to a particular type of cough. Here we discuss Remedy Resonance of remedies for cough. A homeopath will be able to identify the right remedy based on your similimum.
Aconitum napellus — A dry, hard, cough, accompanied with inflammatory symptoms — flushed face, headache, thirst, scanty urine, confined bowels, restlessness, etc.
Ipecacuanha — Irritating, nervous, and spasmodic coughs, attended or followed by vomiting. The chest is oppressed by the accumulation of mucus in the air vessels, rendering breathing difficult, almost to suffocation.
Belladonna — Short, dry, hollow, convulsive cough, generally worse at night, in bed, excited by a sensation of tickling in the throat, and accompanied by a flushed face and headache.
Dulcamara — Loose , cough from getting wet, with much phlegm and oppression at the chest.
Bryonia — A hard, dry cough, attended with pain in the side, chest, and head ; cough aggravated by passing from warm air to cold, or vice versa ; loose cough, with white or yellow expectoration, sometimes streaked with blood.
Hepar sulphuris — Irritating cough, with hoarseness and smarting in the throat, excited or aggravated by cold to the surface of the body, or exposure to atmospheric changes.
Phosphorus — Dry cough, excited by tickling in the throat ; hoarseness, and pains or soreness in the chest, with rusty-colored, bloody, or purulent expectoration.
Chamomilla — Coughs of children during teething, with wheezing breathing, fretfulness, etc.
Carbo vegetabilis — Cough on taking the least cold ; obstinate hoarseness or loss of voice.
Kali bichromicum — Cough, with gray or yellow expectoration, preceded by great wheezing, accompanied with difficult breathing, and followed by dizziness.
Sulphur — Obstinate dry cough, with tightness in the chest, and retching; loose cough, with expectoration of whitish or yellowish mucus during the day, and dry cough at night, attended with headache, spitting of blood, etc.

By Emma Colley, Homeopathy, UK

There’s nothing worse than being excited about going for a trip and then suffering with awful travel sickness… OK perhaps there’s worse things but it’s not a lot of fun. Do you stop travelling? Suffer through it? Or maybe you could look to deal with it on a deeper level. Homeopathy often offers that alternative and I’ve quite a few clients who now are no longer travel or motion sick – a great achievement for a happy traveller to help others be happy to travel.
 
On a personal note, our dog was horrendously travel sick – she would have saliva running down her mouth, vomit or sometimes even poo in the car. We did try to common travel sickness remedies – and no avail. Looking closer at who she is as a dog (the all important individualising aspect in homeopathy) we were able to sort it with 2 doses of the remedy. Success and happy us, happy dog. We’ve since been all over the country and previously she’d get sick travelling down the road 5 miles.
 
So without further ado - some remedies that may help:
 
Borax – Specifically for motion sickness that is worse for downward motion (those who are sick eg when a plane lands or boat dips/car going down steep hill – when they go down everything comes up). Generally feel better for fresh air.
 
Cocculus – For those who experience motion sickness with dizziness. Waves of nausea are accompanied by belching (in people a faint, empty feeling in the stomach and a metallic taste in the mouth). Nausea worse for smell and sight of food. Getting up makes dizziness and nausea worse, as does fresh air. They need to lie down to prevent vomiting. Feel anxious, dazed and confused.
 
Nux Vomica – motion sickness with irritability and impatience. Constant nausea and vomiting which can feel like food poisoning. Copious saliva with the nausea and painful retching, with difficulty vomiting. Want to lie down and feel better for doing so.
 
Petroleum – motion sickness that is worse for fresh air, less dizziness than cocculus. The nausea is accompanied by an accumulation of water (which isn’t saliva) in the mouth. Empty, hungry feeling in the stomach and a dull, heavy headache.
 
Phosphorus – may be clingy and unsure, possibly scared of loud noises. Excess of saliva and look really miserable whilst travelling in the car. **Our dog did so well with Phos after other travel sickness remedies failed as it matched her as a whole dog, not just the sickness symptoms. She’s a real ‘people’ dog and phos types love to be around people, in company, can be afraid of the dark, fireworks (is often given to those dogs who spend Bonfire Night cowering under the table) – this doesn’t all have to fit as she loves to watch fireworks!!
 
Staphysagria – very touchy, irritable and indignant when they’re travel sick. Don’t want to be touched or comforted. May have a colicky stomach ache but often no strong symptoms.
 
Tabacum – deathly nausea which is intermittent – like cocculus with weakness, profuse salivation and sweating. Face is white as a sheet and feel wretched. Nausea is better for fresh air (unlike cocculus) though may make them feel more dizzy, and, curiously they want to uncover the abdomen.

I would give a remedy for travel sickness 10 minutes or so before you were about to leave to undertake the journey. It may be you wish to give the remedy during the trip or on arrival if the individual is struggling. Re dosage, I'd use a 30C as a first option. It may be that you seek advice from a homeopathic practitioner and are prescribed a different potency to take, but in a home-help situation, a 30C is a good choice to go with.
 
If you’re struggling to differentiate between which remedy may most help (though do try as this is where the beauty of homeopathy really lies - matching the symptoms of the dis-ease with the remedy or medicine picture), then my feeling is the most commonly given travel sickness remedy is cocculus, followed by tabacum and petroleum. Trying these in this order may lead to a happy solution of the travel sickness. If symptoms still persist – there is hope but you may need to look further at the symptoms, try one of the other remedies or seek assistance from a homeopath (www.findahomeopath.org) – or if it’s animals that are struggling with travel sickness then get in touch with a homeopathic vet (http://www.bahvs.com/find-a-vet/).
 
With credit to Miranda Castro for most remedy descriptions, Phosphorus is my addition.
 
Some practical tips from Miranda follow. Her full article is here: http://www.homeopathycenter.org/homeopathy-today/motion-sickness-going-against-flow
 
Practical solutions
The following are all tried and tested practical solutions for motion sickness.
     Ginger—in any shape or form helps motion sickness although children tend not to like the taste. For those that do like it ginger tea, crystallized ginger or ginger cookies all work well. For those that don't like it, ginger "pearls" (Gingerall by Enzymatic Therapy are highly recommended) are the answer.
     Fresh air—helps some people. Breathe evenly, deeply and slowly into the belly as the tendency is to tense up and breathe shallowly (depriving the body of much-needed oxygen) once the nausea gets bad.
     Eat lightly—when traveling stick to small, light meals, both before and during the journey. Take some soda water to sip and some crackers to nibble on when the nausea starts up but before it gets bad. Caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods and large meals can all exacerbate motion sickness.
     Wear comfortable clothing—especially on a long journey as tight clothes around the abdomen aggravate feelings of nausea.
     Sit upright—and look straight ahead (at the horizon or a stationary object). Looking down (especially to read) or looking at passing views from the side of the car can both aggravate motion sickness. Or sit with your head leaning back on the seat rest and close your eyes.
     Lie down—if you want to and are able to do so, with your eyes closed, and concentrate on breathing slowly and evenly.
     Sit as close to the front as possible ... of cars and planes. Sitting in the driving seat helps those who are easily motion sick—as long as they are old enough to drive and possess a current driver's license!
     Ask the driver of a car to drive as smoothly as possible—to stop and start gently, as jerky driving can make the most stalwart feel nauseous at times.
     Make frequent stops (every hour or so for children) to stretch, get some fresh air and build up confidence in those who have a history of motion sickness.
     Be calm and soothing when dealing with motion sick children—tension and anxiety can be contagious!
     Use distractions—music and story tapes are good for children of all ages—and grown ups!

Good luck - and shout if I can help!

With best wishes,

​Em

Two recent trials further demonstrate the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment in acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and therefore its potential for reducing antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. 
The first trial, published in Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2014), was a randomized  double-blind placebo controlled trial involving the use of homeopathic medicine for acute cough in upper respiratory tract infections and acute bronchitis. Eighty patients were randomized to receive placebo or a homeopathic syrup. After 4 and 7 days of treatment, cough severity and sputum viscosity was significantly lower in the homeopathic group than in the placebo one. The researchers concluded that the homeopathic syrup employed in the study was able to effectively reduce cough severity and sputum viscosity, thereby representing a valid remedy for the management of acute cough induced by URTIs.

​
A follow up real-life preliminary observational study in a paediatric population has now been published in Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine (August 2015) comparing those who received homeopathic treatment with those who received homeopathic treatment plus antibiotics. The aims were firstly to assess whether the addition of antibiotics to a symptomatic treatment had a role in reducing the severity and duration of acute cough, and secondly to verify the safety of the two treatments. Eighty-five children were enrolled in an open study: both groups responded similarly to the two courses of treatment. However, two children reported adverse effects in the group treated with the homeopathic syrup alone, versus 9 children in the group treated with the homeopathic syrup plus antibiotics. The researchers conclude from the data that the homeopathic treatment in question has potential benefits for cough in children as well, and highlight the strong safety profile of this treatment. Additional antibiotic prescription was not associated with a greater cough reduction, and presented more adverse events than the homeopathic syrup alone.
Source: European Central Council of Homeopaths (ECCH)

SARAH TRASK HOMEOPATHIC PERSPECTIVE 

Homeopathy is an option for those who struggle with anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in Canada, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada. And some would say from children to adults to the elderly, our society is experiencing an epidemic of anxiety.
Most people experience feelings of nervousness or fear when faced with certain situations and this reaction is normal and does not require treatment. Where homeopathy can help is when the patient experiences anxiety on a chronic level, which impedes on their ability to function, whether it’s at school or work, as a parent, in social situations or in family relationships.
When there is some degree of functional impairment on daily life or the person’s symptoms cause significant distress, classical homeopathic treatment is an excellent option.
There are so many symptoms associated with anxiety, some of which are common, such as heart palpitations, changes in appetite, mood shifts, insomnia, restlessness, oversensitivity to stimuli, etc. A homeopath would investigate the etiology or causative factor for the anxiety (whether it’s PTSD, thyroid, digestive system not functioning, change of life, etc.), as well as triggers for the individual and analyze the physiological manifestations of the anxiety (i.e. the patient’s unique experience of the anxiety). Here are some curative case examples to illustrate the above:
Case one — An eight-year-old boy who loved playing baseball got hit in the face with a baseball when up to bat and since hadn’t been able to step up to bat. The incident was traumatic for him. He was scared that he would get hit again and became withdrawn, very emotional, frightened and angry.
He was also having nightmares and would wake at night with them. He completely lost his appetite and his parents had to force him to eat. Initially, the remedy stramonium 200ch was given a couple of times, after which there were no improvements, so I decided upon the remedy Aconitum napellus 200ch, based on the specific etiology of the fright remaining (one of the best remedies for post-traumatic stress).
He immediately improved, seemed to balance out instantly and only had to take the remedy one other time when, a few games later, noticed the fear start to return again. No more remedy needed after that, as the boy happily finished out the remainder of baseball season without any issue.
Case two — A 23-year-old girl had severe agoraphobia and social anxiety since a concussion two years earlier. The patient was taking prescribed Ativan three to six times daily and dropped out of school and moved back in with parents. She could not leave the house and her mother needed to lie with her at night when her anxiety was at its worst.
She had become a completely different person, with lots of fears of being in public, and had become extremely sensitive to any noise, light and smells. She noticed bruising easily as well. Homeopathic phosphorus 1M was administered daily and the patient noticed improvements within the first 24 hours, and after two weeks was down to one Ativan daily. After three months, she wasn’t needing any Ativan and was able to be out in social situations, be with her friends and go to the mall. After six months, she was feeling herself completely and back at school full time and living with a roommate again.
Case three — A 52-year-old male had severe anticipatory anxiety. He had fears of what would happen next and the anxiety was always directed at the future. He had intense tightness in the upper back and palpitations in the chest before an appointment, an event or an engagement.
This patient would also lose or forget words when talking due to the anxiety. He had lived his whole life with anxiety and was very fearful as a child. He had lots of trembling with the anxiety, as well as observed trembling in his voice when taking his case. The patient also experienced severe heartburn and eczema in the bends of his joints. Lycopodium clavatum 200ch was given once and changes were noticed immediately. The patient described an immediate lessening of the anxiety and an increase in confidence the same day. The patient continues to use this remedy on an as needed basis, which averages out to taking two pellets every few weeks, and has no more anticipatory anxiety, heartburn or eczema.
Sarah Trask is a licensed and classically trained Homeopathic Doctor who has been practising in Wolfville for the past eight years. She has a wonderfully diverse family practice and has the privilege to treat an array of health conditions.