Homeopathy Solutions for Pesky Dry Coughs

Whether a cough is dry, phlegmy, barking, hoarse or just keeping you up at night, homeopathy usually has a solution for you – just be sure the remedy you choose suits the symptoms and the body will know how to solve it. Since coughs tend to come in all shapes and sizes, there are quite a few different cough remedies in homeopathy – while I’ve listed my favourites below, if you have a cough that is persistent despite your best efforts, then find a homeopath near you to find a better fit. 

Of pesky coughs, those dry irritating coughs tend to be the peskiest! They can be tickling, persistent, appear in fits and can keep you up all night. These are typically the type of cough when those traditional cough syrups don’t seem to help, but find a good fit in homeopathy and you’ll be feeling better soon. 

Bryonia coughs are dry, deep and hacking. Because they tend to hurt, you may find yourself holding your chest as you cough to support it. The littlest exercise or even just simple movements will aggravate the cough, so once you get comfortable lying down, it may not be as persistent. When Bryonia is the right fit, all the mucous membranes feel dry and you feel thirstier than usual. Complete rest soothes. 

Phosphorus coughs come in all forms, but they can also be dry and deep and the type that comes on suddenly, immediately descending into the chest. If this is the case, it’s best to give it early on! Also consider Phosphorus when talking and change of temperature also trigger the cough (for instance coming into a warm room from the outdoors), while drinking cool drinks brings temporary relief and sleep usually brings reprieve. Burning and tickling in the throat and chest are characteristics that may be present. Coughs with hoarseness may fit Phosphorus or Spongia tosta, below.

Spongia tosta is for those irritating, persistent, dry, tickling coughs that don’t leave you alone. You’ll need to constantly suck on candies or drink warm teas to keep the cough to a minimum but as soon as you lie down, the cough is back. along with the dryness. Think of Spongia for coughing fits that are dry, spasmodic and persistent. Hoarseness or hoarse coughs are often helped by Spongia when lying down, nighttime and talking worsen the cough, but eating and drinking soothe it. 

Drosera is best chosen for that persistent cough that reaches another level of intensity- if the cough attacks are violent, gagging and you can’t catch a breath, Drosera is the best fit. You can’t miss this type of cough because it is so intense. Drosera is the #1 remedy for whooping cough though it can be for any coughing attacks that are persistent, worse lying down, overheating and at night. 

Other remedies for consideration:

Ferrum phosphoricum is usually known for the beginning of a cold or flu when there is fever and symptoms are not as intense as Aconite or Belladonna (see fever blog for more details) but it’s also a great cough remedy especially at the start, if the cough is dry, tickling, worse at night without a lot of other clear symptoms. Also think of Belladonna at the beginning for a dry, barking cough that comes on with a vengeance especially if combined with an intensely sore throat or a fever. Aconite is another remedy for short dry coughs when exposure to cold, crisp weather is the cause of the cough – give it early.

Dosage:

Choose the best fit in a 30ch potency, as this tends to be the most widely available potency in homeopathy kits and stores that sell homeopathic remedies. Repeat according to the intensity of symptoms – usually I recommend repeating the remedy every 2 hours for 3 doses to get started and then continuing three times daily. If the cough is milder, repeat every 4 hours for 3 doses and then 3 times daily. 

When a cough continues to worsen despite your best efforts – or a fever returns – or you feel really sick, be sure to get a diagnosis to rule out something more serious. If in doubt, there are many more homeopathic cough remedies, so you may want to call your homeopath for a better fit. For any lingering or recurring coughs, consider constitutional homeopathic remedies under the care of a homeopathic practitioner.

For loose coughs, see the next blog!