Homeopathy for Kids

When children come down with a cold or the flu, you want to be ready with remedies. Otherwise, you may end up at the doctor’s office with a prescription for an antibiotic that might not be needed. Instead, make your own homeopathic kit and have these six remedies on hand at all times.

Below are the six remedies and the indications for which they are used. They can be taken in the 6, 12, or 30 potency every hour for acute symptoms, and then reduced to three times a day as symptoms subside. If symptoms do not improve in two days, move to another remedy. 

6 homeopathic remedies for kids colds and flu:

1. Aconite

This remedy is indicated if onset of illness is sudden. Use aconite at the first signs of a cold or flu, especially when brought on by exposure to cold weather.

Aconite is also indicated for asthma, dry suffocating cough, sore throat, and high temperature with great thirst. It can be helpful for a long list of ailments including tonsillitis, teething, and toothache, as well as animal bites, sleeplessness, intolerance of pain, stiff neck, and ringing ears. Beyond colds and flus, aconite can be used for abdominal pain that is made worse by drinking cold water.

Homeopathy isn’t just for physical symptoms, so aconite is also indicated for extreme emotions like fear, grief, anxiety, restlessness, or a sense of impending doom. Aconite may be used for the fear of surgery or dental work. These intense emotions may accompany the physical symptoms.

2. Belladonna

Belladonna is indicated for hot, red, throbbing inflammation, flushing, and fever. It is commonly recommended if pupils are dilated and skin is dry and red. If fever is high, the onset is acute, and the pain is severe, throbbing, and burning, belladonna is a go-to remedy.

This remedy is given for colds, earaches, or any condition with sudden onset and flushing. Additionally, it is recommended for swollen glands, swollen joints, facial neuralgia, chicken pox, sunstroke, measles, and air sickness, as well as loss of voice and toothache.

Belladonna is indicated if symptoms are worse in the afternoon and at night, from noise, lying down, bright light, touch, or jarring movement, and symptoms are better from warmth and while lying down.

3. Calcium Carbonate (Calc carb)

This remedy is indicated for maladies brought on by stress and worry. It is used to boost “vital force.” When a child has a minor complaint, including teething, this remedy can be used. It is recommended if the child has a tendency to feel cold and catch cold easily, and has cold damp feet and clammy hands.

4. Gelsemium

Gelsemium is indicated for a wide range of symptoms including exhaustion leading to the flu, sneezing, sore throat, flushing, aching, trembling, heavy eyes, and absence of thirst even in high temperatures. Additionally, the child may experience aching muscles, difficulty in swallowing, runny nose, dizziness, and chills. Gelsemium can be helpful for weakness and exhaustion, and throbbing headaches. It’s also used to treat anticipation anxiety such as pregame or pre-exam nerves.

This remedy is often indicated if symptoms become worse from fright, excitement, frustration, or anticipation.

5. Hepar Sulph

This remedy is indicated if cold or flu symptoms accompany hypersensitivity and irritability. The child may be extremely sensitive to touch, pain, or cold—even from a slight draft.

Hepar Sulph may be helpful for croupy cough after exposure to cold, dry air, with rattling in the chest but little mucus. It is also recommended for sore throat with the sensation of a splinter or fishbone in the throat, earache, tonsillitis, and sinusitis. It may benefit injuries that tend to become infected and are very painful.

6. Pulsatilla

This is a constitutional remedy, which means it is useful for many conditions and is often prescribed for mental and emotional symptoms. Pulsatilla people are sensitive, and may cry easily. Their moods may change quickly. They are warm-blooded and like the cold. They do not like heat or warm rooms and become lethargic.

Pulsatilla is used for any mucusy condition with yellow-green, thick discharge; hay fever; styes on the eyelids; conjunctivitis with thick, yellow discharge; mumps with swollen glands; measles; or sinusitis with yellow discharge. Additionally, it can benefit digestive disturbances with bloating and sensitivity of the abdomen after eating. Pulsatilla is often indicated if there is an absence of thirst and rapid change in symptoms.

Homeopathic Products for Kids:

BOIRON Belladonna is the single remedy of choice for children with a fever accompanied
by perspiration.

DR. KING’S NATURAL MEDICINE Children’s Cough Relief is a spray that includes Hepar sulph. and other homeopathic medicines.

HOMEOPATHY FOR KIDS Comfort for Colds comes in tasty quick-dissolve tablets and contains Aconite and Calc carb, among other remedies.