Homeopathic remedies for common ailments in children

Homeopathy is a recognized system of medicine especially for common ailments in children is homeopathy; it is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, with these remedies being mild and diluted with no adverse effects. Most doctors today agree that homeopathy is safe; however if symptoms worsen or do not improve you can consult your child’s health care provider.

In this article we would be discussing 3 common ailments of children, namely coughs, teething and sleep and how homeopathy helps. Most homeopathy tablets are crushed between 2 teaspoons, dissolved in 2 oz of water and given to babies and young children; however remedies like Chamomilla are available in drop form.

Cough:

Cough is a reflex action helping the air passages to get rid of debris especially mucus. They are aggravated by dry and centrally heated conditions and soothed by giving the baby hot honey and lemon drinks. The homeopathy remedy of cough varies according to the symptoms; they are given every four hours, with a maximum of 6 doses in a day.

Here are a few homeopathy remedies for cough:  

Give Aconite when there is a dry irritating cough that comes suddenly or on exposure to dry cold wind.

Bryonia is best given for hard dry cough that makes the child hold his/her head or chest; the child wants cool drinks and is soothed by hot ones. The cough gets worse by movement. 

Belladonna is ideal for a dry barking cough with a headache when the child is hot and flushed and his/her pupils are dilated.

Ipecac is to be given for breathlessness and wheezing with rigid coughing spasms. The child also experiences nausea and rattling in the chest.

In case of dry irritating cough with wheezing that is worse at night, making the child irritable give Chamomilla.

Pulsatilla is to be given when the cough is dry at night and wet in the morning producing yellow or green phlegm. The child could be tearful, not thirsty and would feel better sitting up.

Kali bic is best given when there is stringy phlegm that the child finds difficult to bring up.

Ant tart works best for a cough rattling from the chest.   

Causticum works best for dry cough, raw throat, hoarseness; the child may find it soothing to drink cold drinks. 

Give Kali carb for dry cough that is hard, with lumpy phlegm. The child will feel weak and chilly and may wheeze. The cough becomes worse on eating and better in the warmth.

The remedy Nux Vom works best for a tickling dry cough that turns worse on exertion, eating, cold winds and in mornings and gets better with warm drinks.

Teething proves to be a very tough period for some babies; they may refuse food, become clingy, and have a red-hot cheek and excessive dribbling. Homeopathic remedies work well when given every 2 to 4 hours over a period of 2 days.

Here are some homeopathic remedies for teething:   

Chamomilla can be given first when the baby is bad tempered, the pain is bad and one cheek is flushed. You would find the stools are green and loose; the symptoms become worse at night.

Give Belladonna when the face is hot and flushed and the baby is feverish.

Ferrum Phos works best when there is inflammation, redness and fever.

Merc sol works when there is a lot of dribbling, slimy and green stools and soreness in the nappy area, with symptoms worse at night.

Calc phos works best to help the teeth to come through when a baby is slow in teething.

Sleeping problems:

Babies suffer from sleeping problems with persistent waking can be treated by homeopathic remedies. These remedies can be given to the baby every 30 minutes starting from bedtime and if the baby wakes; give no more than 4 doses.  

Here are some homeopathic remedies for sleeping problems: 

Give Aconite when the baby has had a shock or fright.

Nux can be given when the baby wakes up and cries around 4 am and cannot be consoled.

Coffea is best given when the baby is overwrought, or too excited.

Chamomilla is to be given when the baby is irritable and stops crying only when picked up and carried around.

These homeopathic remedies are sold across the counter; however consult a homeopathic practitioner before using them.  

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