Have you ever wondered what that stuff is that comes out of your nose when you have a cold? Quite simply, this nasal discharge contains dead viruses that your body’s immune system has killed, along with dead white blood cells, part of the body’s immune system that died in the fight to re-establish good health. All of this stuff is flushed out of the body by a liquid substance known as mucus.

Problems with Conventional Meds

Despite the seemingly incredible prowess of conventional medicine, it still has not found a cure for the common cold. There’s a simple reason why—conventional drugs for the common cold tend to disable the body’s ability to create mucus. Although conventional treatment can stop the nasal discharge temporarily, a person’s symptoms get considerably worse once the drug wears off. (The increased buildup of dead viruses and white blood cells has to get out of the body somehow!)

Rather than using drugs to suppress symptoms, consider homeopathic medicines specifically chosen for their ability to mimic the symptoms. The trick to making homeopathy work for you is finding a remedy that matches your syndrome, not just a single symptom.

Homeopathic Meds

Aconitum (monkshood): Try this medicine for the type of cold that comes on suddenly, usually after exposure to cold weather or a cold, dry wind. The person may develop a high fever, anxiety, and restlessness. Aconitum is sometimes called homeopathic vitamin C, but it is primarily effective when used within 24 hours of onset of symptoms.

Belladonna (deadly nightshade): The person who needs this medicine has symptoms that come on suddenly. Besides a watery nasal discharge, there will be a high fever, pounding pulse, and flushed but dry face. At first the person will be agitated and excited, with hyper-acute senses (except smell). He or she may then experience mental dullness and, in extreme cases, delirium.

Ferrum phos (phosphate of iron): This medicine is useful for people who are less restless than Aconite patients and more alert than Belladonna patients. Their skin may be hot but not as much as those who need Belladonna. The person may have a flushed face, but it is confined to well-demarcated, circular patches, whereas the face of a person requiring Belladonna is more uniformly red.

Allium cepa (onion): Like the well-known symptoms that this medicine causes, Allium cepa is good for the type of cold with a clear, burning nasal discharge that irritates the nostrils and upper lip. There is also profuse tearing of the eyes. Both of these symptoms become worse indoors in a warm room and in the evening, and both improve in the open air. There can be frequent sneezing that also improves in the open air.

Kali bichromicum (bichromate of potash): This medicine is useful for later stages of a cold. Generally, there’s a yellow or greenish discharge. A thick postnasal drip is characteristic, as is a sinus headache.

Pulsatilla (windflower): The person will have a thick and yellow-green discharge. Fluent discharge will alternate with nasal congestion, usually running in the open air, in the evening, and becoming stuffed up in a warm room. In general, the person feels uncomfortable in a warm room and tends to crave open air. This medicine is often given to children.