Homeopathic remedies for the common cold
Homeopathic remedies for the common cold involve the use of highly diluted substances to alleviate symptoms associated with this viral infection of the upper respiratory system. Common cold symptoms include sore throat, sneezing, congestion, and fatigue, typically resolving on their own within a few days to two weeks. Several homeopathic remedies have been studied, including Eupatorium perfoliatum and Euphrasia, as well as specific cough syrups containing various herbal ingredients. While some research suggests these remedies may offer symptom relief, many studies have shown weak or inconclusive evidence regarding their effectiveness compared to placebos. For instance, trials have indicated that homeopathic treatments often yield results similar to over-the-counter medications like aspirin, but design flaws in the studies limit the reliability of these findings. Classical homeopathy focuses on tailoring treatments to individual symptoms, with remedies chosen based on specific characteristics of the person's condition. It is important to seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen, as some signs of a cold can resemble more serious conditions that require different treatment.
Homeopathic remedies for the common cold
- DEFINITION: The use of highly diluted remedies to treat a common viral infection of the upper respiratory system.
- STUDIED HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES:Eupatorium perfoliatum; Euphrasia; homeopathic cough syrup (Drosera, Arnica, belladonna, Artemisia cina, Cuprum, Ferrosi phosphas, Uragoga ipecacuanha, Solidago); homeopathic remedy containing Aconitum, Bryonia, Lachesis, Eupatorium, and phosphorus; individualized (classical) homeopathy; Phytolacca
Introduction
The common cold is an infection caused by one of hundreds of related viruses, causing symptoms of sore throat, sneezing, headache, congestion, runny nose, and fatigue. These symptoms are self-limited, meaning they will go away on their own. The onset of symptoms of a common cold is often sudden, and the cold tends to resolve in a few days to two weeks.
However, some symptoms can often be confused with other issues or viruses. If symptoms persist or become severe, individuals should seek medical attention. For example, a severe sore throat can be caused by the bacterium Streptococcus. Strep throat, as it is commonly called, can cause heart damage. Antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent this complication.
Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies
Weak evidence suggests that homeopathic remedies might have a place in the treatment of colds. However, the best-designed studies (including one that evaluated classical homeopathy) failed to find evidence of direct benefit.
The homeopathic remedy Phytolacca was tested in two double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to evaluate its potential benefit for sore throat symptoms caused by colds. In these studies, involving about three hundred people, the remedy appeared to reduce the duration of symptoms. However, these studies had several weaknesses in design, making the results unreliable.
A small double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sixty adults and children found positive results with a homeopathic cough syrup as a treatment for a dry cough. The syrup contained Drosera, Arnica, belladonna, Artemisia cina, Cossus cacti, Corallium rubrum, Cuprum Ferrosi phosphas, Uragoga ipecacuanha, and Solidago.
A study of fifty-three persons compared the homeopathic remedy Eupatorium perfoliatum D2 with aspirin as a treatment for the common cold and found them equally effective. However, this was not a double-blind study; furthermore, aspirin itself has not been shown effective for the common cold.
A double-blind study compared aspirin with a combination homeopathic medicine that included Aconitum, Bryonia, Lachesis, Eupatorium, and phosphorus. Again, the treatment proved to be as effective (or as ineffective) as aspirin, but in the absence of a placebo group, the results are difficult to interpret.
A well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 170 children with recurrent colds found no benefit with classical homeopathic treatment. All participants were evaluated by trained homeopathic practitioners and were prescribed remedies, but only about one-half of the participants received the remedy; the others received placebo treatment. The results failed to show any benefit with classical homeopathy versus placebo.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 994 children (age four to fifteen years) evaluated treatment with Euphrasia 30c (centesimal) dilution for the prevention of conjunctivitis (essentially, a cold in the eye). The investigators chose this remedy because it is frequently self-prescribed by people with conjunctivitis and often recommended by practitioners outside traditional medicine. However, no benefits were seen.
In a twelve-week double-blind study, 251 children were given either placebo or one of three homeopathic remedies selected according to a standard Norwegian, simplified, constitutional, homeopathic protocol. The homeopathic remedies failed to prove more effective than placebo.
In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers studied the effects of an over-the-counter homeopathic cold syrup. Of 261 children, 128 were given the cold syrup while the remaining 133 children were given a placebo. The results demonstrated that the children who took the cold syrup had reduced symptoms overall from baseline. However, the study was conducted by a homeopathic institute, which may indicate bias.
Traditional Homeopathic Treatments
Classical homeopathy offers many possible homeopathic treatments for the common cold, all of which are chosen based on various specific details of the person seeking treatment. For example, persons who are restless and who experience deep aches in addition to other cold symptoms will fit the symptom picture for Eupatorium. For this use, the remedy is generally recommended in a potency between 6c and 30c, which is a significantly more dilute dosage than the 2x potency used for some conditions. Persons who have primarily a sore throat and swollen tonsils (relieved by cold drinks but not hot drinks), accompanied by shooting pain in the ears, aching joints, muscle soreness, restlessness, and prostration, more closely fit the homeopathic indication for Phytolacca.
Bibliography
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