Homeopathy for Winter seasons

 Homeopathy for Winter season Problems

We look forward to winter for its cool weather and the festivities it brings. But it also brings with it various different types of Health Problems. Though the temperature in this city does not drop drastically as compared to the Northern cities yet we face winter problems. 
In this article I have listed the most common ailments and simple ways in which you can tackle them.

 DRYNESS OF SKIN

In winter the humidity in the air decreases and this causes a lot of dryness. Dryness of the skin, eyes, chapped lips, cuts on the feet and palms etc… occur during the winter months. If you are already suffering from dry skin disorders then this season is worse for you. Dry skin feels itchy and the person has an unbearable desire to scratch. But repeated rubbing and scratching the dry skin makes the area inflamed, rough and thick. Cracks in the skin make the individual more susceptible to infections especially if they are on the soles of the feet and you have a habit of walking bare foot. Some people present with redness of the skin with eruptions.

WHY DOES THE SKIN BECOME DRY DURING WINTER?

Our skin has many layers and the last layer, which we see on the surface, is called the Stratum Corneum. This layer contains dead cells along with the natural oil produced by the living cells of the layer beneath. This layer holds the moisture in the skin. When the natural oil in this layer is lost the water holding capacity is also lost and the skin becomes dry and loses its lustre. This can happen in dry weather where there is very little humidity in the atmosphere. This also occurs in people who have certain skin disorders regardless of the weather and occurs naturally in old age.

HOW TO TACKLE DRY SKIN

There are many ways by which you can prevent your skin from drying up. Simple changes in your lifestyle and diet can make a big difference. Here are a few tips:-
1. Avoid harsh medicated soaps and those which are highly perfumed. These contain a lot of chemicals which dry the skin up. Use a soap which is glycerine based and mild on the skin. Use minimum soap on the face.
2. Detergents are also very harsh for the skin so avoid putting your hands in soapy water. A good way to prevent this is by wearing gloves if you have to wash the dishes. Again try and use the mildest detergent available.
3. After a bath do not dry your body completely, just lightly pat yourself partially dry. When the body is still moist use non perfumed petroleum jelly. Apply it with little water all over so that the water gets trapped on the skin and prevents dryness.
4. Use an effective moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day if necessary.
5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid soft drinks and caffeinated beverages. Just have plain simple water as it is the best thing for the skin.
6. Avoid alcohol and smoking as they both tend to cause dryness of the skin.
After taking all these precautions your skin is still dry and causing problems go and see a Homoeopath. There are wonderful remedies for these kind of skin conditions in this system of medicine. Though remedies are given solely on the individuals symptoms, here are a few effective ones for dryness of the skin during winter.

PETROLEUM
Dry, sensitive, rough and cracked skin during the winter months calls for this remedy. Here there are cracks on the skin which bleed easily. The person has an unbearable desire to itch the skin till it bleeds.
Cracks on the tips of the finger, nipples, calls for this remedy. The person does not feel like wearing anything as the skin has become extremely sensitive. All these symptoms are worse in WINTER and are greatly relieved in summer. Petroleum will help in healing the skin.

PSORINUM
This drug is excellent for patients who suffer from skin problems in winter. Here the skin looks very dirty, rough and dry. Itching is intolerable and the person scratches till the part bleeds especially in bed at night. They can't bear the warmth of the bed. All these skin problems seem to disappear in summer and re-occur every winter. Psorinum will give great relief.

Like this there are numerous other drugs good for dry winter skin in Homoeopathy, which are prescribed on the patients symptoms.

COLDS

There are a large number of viruses that cause colds and cough in the winter months. There are also other factors like the pollution which tends to settle like a haze in these months which can lead to colds and cough. During Diwali several crackers are burst which again acts on the susceptible individuals respiratory system causing problems. In places where it is very cold like the North, people tend to stay more indoors. Therefore if one person has a cold, it tends to spread rapidly due to constant contact with the contaminated person. Hence Viruses can be transmitted from person to person very easily. Also because of the lack of humidity in the air the nasal passages dry up and cracks occur in the skin. This makes it easy for the cold virus to enter the body and multiply.

HOW TO TACKLE AND PREVENT COLDS?

There are no vaccines yet which help to prevent catching a common cold but there are ways in which we can try to avoid getting one. If your immunity is good and healthy then your chances of coming down with a cold are less and even if you do get one the attack will be mild and no treatment is really required. But if you are susceptible then you need to take Homoeopathy medicines along with other care. Here are a few tips to avoid catching cold:-
1. Keep your immunity in good condition by eating nutritious food, getting your daily dose of exercise and sleeping well.
2. Stay away from people who have a cold. If you are in contact them make sure you wash your hands before eating and keep the plates and glasses separate.
3. If you are also coming down with a cold then drink plenty of fluids and water.
4. Take plenty of rest if you are suffering from a cold.
5. Keep your body well covered and protected from the cold all the time. Exposure to cold can also cause colds.

There is no need for antibiotics for a common cold. But Homoeopathic medicines help to boost your body's immunity to fight against the infection and recovery takes place faster.
The constitutional remedy of the individual should always be given. Here are few effective cold remedies.

SABADILLA
If you are suffering from repeated violent sneezing, running nose, irritation within the nose, itchy feeling, over-sensitiveness to smells then Sabadilla is your remedy. Here the patient suffers from constant sneezing and watering of the eyes. The nose feels dry from within. Sabadilla patients are affected by the cold weather and air. They also cannot tolerate the odour of flowers. This triggers the sneezing and running of the nose.
They feel better by inhaling warm air and wrapping themselves up. Also feel better by drinking warm things.
Sabadilla  will bring on quick relief.

ACONITE
This remedy is excellent for winter colds where the air is dry and cold. Especially effective when at a high altitude the inner lining of your nose dries up and the nose feels blocked. Sometimes there may also be bleeding from the, nose which is bright red in colour. Here the discharge is very scanty and water like. With this cold the person gets fear and anxiety and is extremely worried about his illness. Aconite personalities are highly anxious and restless people.
  Aconite will help cure the patient.

3. FOOD POISONING

Winter months are normally the time for festivities and marriages. Therefore it is also the time of year when people eat out more often and are likely to get food poisoning. Eating at weddings where food is prepared for the masses is dangerous and likely to be contaminated. So how do we take care to avoid getting food poisoning? Firstly try and eat things that are well cooked like rice, dal, cooked vegetables etc…avoid eating raw salads, cold food, cold cuts, meat etc….
Do not drink the water or juices made with water outside. Instead a plain soda is better or mineral water. In deserts avoid cold ones like ice-cream, kulfi, milk based ones as they are more likely to give you a stomach infection. Stick to hot deserts which have been cooked and heated. If you do get food poisoning do not stop the vomiting or loose motions suddenly, this a way in which your body is trying to throw out the harmful substances. Just make sure you are well hydrated by taking small sips of water with a little salt and sugar every few minutes. Stay on a clear liquid diet till your digestive system is okay. We have wonderful remedies for food poisoning which are given depending on the patients symptoms.

ARSENIC ALB
When there is great nausea and the person cannot tolerate the sight, smell or even the thought of food then this remedy should be thought of. There is constant nausea and loss of appetite. The patient vomits after eating or drinking anything. Diarrhoea may also be present along with vomiting.
The patient feels like taking small sips of water often. There is burning pain in the stomach and a feeling of anxiety. The arsenic alb patient is highly restless even though physically weak. Feels like he is going to die because of this illness. They have great anxiety about their health.Arsenic Alb  will remove all the harmful effects of food poisoning and relieve the nausea and vomiting.

Few more Homeopathy remedies for winter ailments. Aconite
One of the remedies most frequently used in winter is Aconite and it is usually recommended when symptoms of a cold come on suddenly, typically after exposure to a dry chilly wind. There may be a severe headache, which is often described in the terms of fullness, or heaviness and may be centred on the left temple and is usually throbbing in nature. The face is typically flushed, hot and red with dry, sore and bloodshot eyes. The throat is normally red and dry with a sensation as if something were “stuck in the throat”. From this, it may be understood that these symptoms of heat and dryness, affecting the left side of the body, with an acute sensitivity to cold winds or draughts are those which may be successfully treated with Aconite.
This remedy may also be used to treat a painful, dry, hacking cough which manifests itself with a feeling of tension and pressure in the left side of the chest. Here a word of caution however: symptoms that persist for more than two to three weeks, or increase in severity, despite the administration of a homeopathic remedy, must be investigated as a matter of urgency by a healthcare professional.
Nevertheless, homeopathy may be used alongside all conventional medication, will not interfere with antibiotics nor will antibiotics stop homeopathic remedies from being effective.
Gelsemium
A remedy that is recognised and accepted for use in colds and similar ailments is Gelsemium, which is made from yellow jasmine. The symptoms for which this remedy is ideally suited are feelings of weakness and a trembling sensation in the legs and an all over tiredness. Also, it is very beneficial for people who feel apathetic, lethargic and who want nothing more than just to lie quietly, undisturbed. The tiredness that lingers after influenza, or a similar viral infection, responds well to Gelsemium. Many sufferers of these types of illnesses describe a headache as if a very tight elastic band has been put around their heads and again this common, but distressing symptom, may be helped by this remedy. Whilst Aconite suits patients who feel hot and burning, other patients who experience shivers and chills, accompanied by deprivation of sleep caused by the mind being unable to relax will do well with Gelsemium.
Allium cepa
This is a homeopathic remedy that has proved itself in the treatment of a simple cold which presents with a nose that issore and constantly drips and with eyes that water. As this remedy is based on red onion, it should be no surprise that the symptoms which are induced by exposure to it are those which the remedy can help to alleviate. The top lip of the mouth can become red and sore, and sneezing is a major problem. A further symptom is an annoying tickle in the throat which is usually very sore and accompanied by a hoarseness of the voice. For these symptoms and a hacking, tickling cough, Allium cepa will probably suit.
Euphrasia
By now, almost everyone will be aware from experience that with almost two hundred recognised rhinoviruses, the symptoms, although generally similar, have subtle variations; a running nose may be the predominant feature of one, whereas a blocked nose may be the symptom of another. One virus may produce a sore throat and another a mild but burning earache and it is because of these subtle variations that the homeopathic remedies that are recommended also work in slightly different ways. An example of this is Euphrasia, eyebright, which in many ways works like Allium cepa, with the difference that this is suggested for an infection that inflames and reddens the eyes, accompanied by catarrh. Other annoying and distressing symptoms which are associated with flu and cold-like viral illnesses are painful joints and aching muscles which can be debilitating. Whilst the remedies discussed so far will all help in some way to alleviate these, when they are severe, Eupatorium perfoliatum is recommended.
 FEVER
Fever develops either as a result of external factors such as infections, or internal factors such as auto-immune disorders, and is the body’s natural defensive response. For many people, a fever below 102°F is not too serious; however, such a fever in infants, small children, the elderly, or those with specific serious illnesses can be a danger sign.
Again, it is useful to differentiate the nature of the fever when considering the best homeopathic remedy. For example:
Homeopathic Remedies
1) For a fever that strikes suddenly following exposure to cold air or wind, is worse at night, is temporarily relieved by sitting up and breathing open air and is accompanied by fear, anxiety and a great thirst – my favourite remedy is homeopathic Aconite. 
2) In another type of fever, the head is hot but the body and hands are cold. This fever may come and go, is generally worse after midnight, generates much restless anxiety, and the person wants to sip at warm drinks – for this, my favourite is Arsenicum. 
3) In the case of a sudden, intense fever, possibly including delirium, the face may be brightly flushed and the eyes glassy with dilated pupils. In this instance, the person may also have a sore, bright red throat, thirst for sour drinks, and the fever may worsen with motion, light or noise; for this, my favourite homeopathic remedy is Belladonna.


SINUS CONGESTION
This condition occurs when swelling of the membranes of the nasal passageways takes place. This is a frequent symptom of a cold and it makes breathing difficult. Locating the correct homeopathic remedy may largely depend upon the nature of the discharge, the presence of crusts and scabs, as well as the other symptoms most often described as “a stuffed nose.”
    Here are different options to look at:
1) One remedy I frequently prescribe for complete nasal obstruction that is worse in the cold and better with heat, is accompanied by a nasal tone of voice and thick, stringy mucus, is Kali-bich.
2) Another favourite of mine for nasal obstruction that tends to be one-sided only, and where the mucus runs by day and is blocked at night and may be accompanied by chills and irritability, is Nux-v.
3) Still another I might choose when there is dryness in the nasal passages, mouth, throat and palate, and crusts and scabs may be present in the nose as a result of such dryness, is Sticta.


 few more complaints mention by

Arthritis

Actea spicata – Pain in small joints, worse for weather change, cold, touch or motion.

Apis – Redness and swelling, better for open air and cold, worse for heat or touch.

Arnica –Bruised pain, better for rest, while lying down, from wine. Worse from pressure, contact or motion.

Bellis perrenis – Joint pains, worse before storms, hot baths and the warmth of bed, cold bathing and cold wind.

Berberis vulgaris – Rheumatic pain, worse from standing or motion.

Bryonia alba – Stitching or tearing pain, better for pressure, rest or cold. Worse for motion, rising up or exertion.

Camphor – Pains with icy coldness, better for warmth. Worse from motion and cold.

Kalmia – Rheumatic pain that shoots downwards. Pains are better for lying down and worse for bending forward.

Ledum – Pains in small joints that feel cold, yet better for cold, worse at night or from heat.

Phytolacca decandra – Aching soreness or shooting pains, better for warmth, dry weather and rest. Pain worse in the morning, during rain or with damp or cold weather.

Rhus tox – Tearing pains, better for warmth, motion and stretching of affected parts and worse during rest, cold or rainy weather.

Ruta graveolens – Bruised, aching or lame sensation, better for warmth, motion, rubbing or scratching; worse from overexertion, cold or stooping.

Bronchitis

Aconite – Symptoms from exposure to cold and dry cold winds, better in open air, worse at night, in warm room or in cold air.

Bryonia alba – Dryness of mucous membranes with stitching pain better for cold, worse for warmth or motion.

Ferrum phos – Bronchitis in its early stages, worse at night and for motion.

Ipecacuanha – Bronchitis with rattling of mucous, better for open air and rest, worse for warmth and during winter.

Phosphorous – Painful bronchitis with loss of voice or hoarseness, worse in the evening, from inhaling cold air, or a change in the weather.

Sticta pulmonaria – Catarrhal bronchitis, worse for sudden changes of temperature.

Circulation diminished

Camphor – Pains with icy coldness, better for warmth, worse from motion and cold.

Secale – Cold and dry extremities better for cold, uncovering, rubbing and stretching out of limbs, worse for heat or warm covering.

Chilblains

Agaricus – Better for slow motion, worse in open or cold air or before a thunder storm.

Cistus – Worse for the slightest exposure to cold air, or from excitement.

Crotalus horridus – Worse in the morning, for cold, or during damp, wet weather.

Hepar sulph – Better in damp weather and from warmth, worse for cold or the slightest draught.

Nitric acid – Worse during evening and night or a change of weather.

Petroleum – Better for warm air and dry weather, worse for dampness or before and during a thunderstorm.

Psorinum – Better for heat, worse for coffee, cold and changes in the weather.

Pulsatilla – Better from open air and cold, worse for warmth.

Rhus tox – Better for warmth and rubbing, worse for cold.

Sulphur – Better for dry warm weather or scratching, worse for warmth.

Tamus – Use low potencies

Common Cold

Aconite – Colds that occur suddenly from cold, dry weather or cold winds, better in open air, worse at night, in warm room or in cold air.

Allium cepa – Colds from cold, damp weather with acrid nasal discharge, better in open or cold air and worse in a warm room.

Arsenicum album – Colds with sneezing and burning of mucus membranes, better from heat and worse from cold or wet weather.

Euphrasia – Colds with much thin bland mucous, better for coffee, worse in warm air and in the evening.

Gelsemium – Acute colds with thin acrid discharge, better for open air, worse for damp weather or before a thunderstorm.

Kali bich – Chronic colds with thick, ropy, greenish-yellow discharges better for heat and worse in the morning.

Nat mur – Colds associated with much thin, watery discharge which begins with sneezing, better for open air, worse for heat.

Quillaya – For the first stages of a cold associated with a sore, dry throat.

Cough

Aconitum napellus – Coughs that occur after exposure to cold and dry cold winds, better in open air, worse at night, in a warm room or in cold air.

Belladonna – Dry ticklish cough worse at night and when lying down.

Drosera – Whooping cough and other spasmodic coughs that end in gagging or retching, worse for lying down.

Ipecacuanha – Incessant, violent, rattling cough that fails to produce sputum, worse from lying down.

Pulsatilla – Coughs that are dry at night, but loose in the morning, producing large volumes of sputum, are better from open air and cold, and worse for warmth.

Rumex crispus – Dry, ticklish cough which is worse in the evening and from inhaling cold air.

Sticta pulmonaria – Dry cough that is worse on inspiration, and worse for sudden changes of temperature.

Depression

Agnus castus – Depression with debility and a feeling of impending doom.

Ammonium carb – Depression with weeping, better in dry weather, worse in the evening and from cold, wet weather.

Aurum met – Suicidal depression which is worse in cold weather.

Causticum – Chronic depression that is better for warmth and worse for cold dry winds, evenings, and a change of weather.

Helonias dioica – Deep depression with irritability, better when for mental activity and worse for fatigue, motion or touch.

Ignatia – Depression with mood swings, worse from consolation.

Natrum mur – Depression with loneliness and introversion, worse for consolation.

Phosphoric acid- Depression with weakness and apathy, better for warmth and worse from cold.

Plumbum – Depression with weakness or loss of memory, worse at night and worse for physical or mental exertion.

Sepia – Deep depression and indifference to loved ones, better for exercise and warmth, worse in the morning, evening and before thunderstorms.

Influenza

Anas barbariae – In the early stages of influenza, use 200C every 3 hours for up to 4 doses.

Arsenicum album – Influenza with exhaustion, better from heat and worse from cold or wet weather.

Baptisia tinctoria – Influenza with sore throat, fatigue and aching muscles, worse from open air and cold winds

Belladonna – Influenza of sudden onset with sore, dry throat, better for rest and worse for draughts.

Bryonia – Influenza with dry throat and excessive thirst, better for cold and worse for coughing or deep breathing.

Eupatorium perfoliatum – Influenza with pains in muscles or bones.

Ferrum phosphoricum – Useful in the initial stages of influenza, better for lying down and worse for cold air.

Gelsemium – Influenza with profound weakness, better for open air, worse for damp weather or before a thunderstorm. Also for ailments from influenza.

Rhus tox – Influenza with stiffness of muscles and joints, better for warmth, worse during rest, cold or rainy weather.