Cough

A protective reflex aimed at clearing the bronchi of mucus or other foreign matter that may obstruct the respiratory system.

A dry cough is most often allergic in origin, and a loose cough resulting in the expulsion of secretions generally indicates that the lungs are irritated, but this is not a firm rule: the flow of mucus may come from the nose or the sinuses, causing irritation... and giving rise to a cough with phlegm. Acid reflux into the oesophagus, the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach, may be responsible for a purely reflex cough. This should be considered when suggesting appropriate treatment, for the condition is digestive rather than pulmonary.

Caution: Never neglect a cough.

Homeopathy

Symptom identification is important: distinguish a dry from a loose cough.

Three remedies for a dry cough Bryonia, Drosera, Ipeca

- Four tablets of one of these three remedies at 5c to be sucked every hour at the start, then at longer intervals as improvement occurs.

Bryonia alba

- Vegetable origin: fresh bryony root
- Homeopathic remedy for dry cough aggravated by the smallest movement and by warmth
- Two characteristic signs: improvement with rest and high atmospheric pressure

Drosera rotundifolia

- Vegetable origin: Drosera rotundifolia or sundew
- The homeopathic remedy for a dry, hacking, barking, cough
- Characteristic sign: the cough causes rib pains, which the patient relieves by pressing the arms against the chest

Ipecacuanha

- Vegetable origin: ipecacuanha, a Brazilian shrub
- Homeopathic remedy for a choking cough accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Two characteristic signs: improved with rest, worsened by movement

A remedy for turning a dry cough into a loose cough

Hepar sulfur

- Chemical origin: a mixture of sulphur and oyster-shell chalk
- Homeopathic remedy for infections with suppuration
- Two characteristic signs: hoarse or barking cough improved by warmth, worsened by the slightest draught

Two remedies for a loose cough

Antimonium tartaricum, Coccus cacti

- Four tablets of one of them at 5c to be sucked like sweets, every two hours at the start, then at longer intervals as improvement occurs
- Chemical origin: antimony and potassium tartrate
- The homeopathic remedy for severe hacking cough with plentiful secretion of thick mucus expelled with difficulty
- Normally reserved for severe, resistant or stubborn cases

Coccus cacti

- Animal origin: the cochineal insect
- The homeopathic remedy for inflammation of the larynx with abundant secretion of thick, runny mucus
- Characteristic signs: here the cough presents as short, intense fits, worsened by warmth and improved in a cold room

• You can take Tartephedreel@ (Heel) which contains Lobelia inflata D4, Ephedra vulgaris D3, and Belladonna D4 among others.. . .
  - Sold in drop bottles containing 30 and 100ml
  - In generaL 10 drops 3 times daily. In acute disorders initially ten drops repeated every 15 minutes
• Also Oroperteel@ (Heel) which contains Orosera D4, Coccus cacti D4, Carbo vegetabilis D12 and Kalium carbonicum D12:
  - Available in containers of 50 and 250 tablets
  - One tablet to be dissolved under the tongue three times daily. In acute disorders, initially one tablet every 15 minutes
• If the illness recurs, you can also add the basic remedy chosen by your homeopath: in this case, it will often be Pulsatilla, Silicea, Tuberculinium...

Herbal treatment

Eucalyptus, white horehound

Prescription: You can ask your herbalist to prepare 21 capsules, each containing 200mg of powder of each of these plants. Take one capsule three times a day for a week

• You can choose Orosinula (Bioforce), containing Orosera, Spruce extract and Ivy extract:
  - Available in 100ml bottles
  - 1-2 teaspoons to be taken 3-4 times a day. Children (6-12) take 1 teaspoonful 2-4 times daily
• Or you can take Ivy-Thyme Complex(Bioforce), a:tincture combination of Thyme, Ground Ivy and White Hore­hound:
  - Available in bottles of 50ml
  - Adults 15 drops 2-3 times daily. Children (2-12 years old) 1 drop per year of age, 2-3 times daily

Drosera

Orosera (sundew) is a carnivorous plant found in peat bogs, used in the preparation of remedies of the same name.

A mustard poultice

This counter-irritation treatment consists of applying a poultice or plaster of mustard powder. Through different processes (poultice, cautery, scarification, cupping), counter-irritation draws a flow of blood towards an organ or a region of the body, to combat congestion.

Plant essential oils

Essentially Eucalyptus.
- Two drops to be taken, twice a day, in a little honey

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a large tree with pointed aromatic leaves, native to Australia. The leaves contain an essential oil which gives the plant considerable anti-infective properties (for the respiratory passages and urinary ducts).

• If you have a cough, make this little cocktail: take a glass of warm water, mix in two tablespoons of honey, add two drops of essential oil of cypress, five drops of essential oil of Eucalyptus radiata, four drops of essential oil of lavender, and six drops of essential oil of Scots pine. Take one teaspoonful every two hours.
• Ask your herbalist to make up the following preparation: six drops of essential oil of Eucalyptus radiata, three drops of essential oil of lavender, two drops of essential oil of Scots pine, one drop of essential oil of thyme linalol. suspended in 90 per cent alcohol. Two or three times a day pour several drops into a little warm water and inhale over it for two minutes.