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Pass the Tissues, Please:
Homeopathy and Respiratory Allergies

By Susy Parker Goins

Somewhere in the bowels of my photo boxes is a picture of me enjoying the natural wonders of Hawaii during a belated honeymoon. You can tell my husband hit every botanical exhibit on the island. My eyes are red and swollen. My head was so congested I couldn’t hear and, no, I couldn’t smell the pretty flowers. But I’m smiling because I was in Hawaii, “enjoying myself.” Yeah, right. I was allergic to just about every plant on the island.

Of course, that was before I knew about homeopathy.

While there are some combination products available that consist of allergens in homeopathic doses, you have to know what you’re allergic to in order to get the most benefit from them. If you’re not sure whether you’re allergic to dust or dander or trees or grass or pollen, then you could spend more money than you need to just trying to find the right remedy.

Or …

You can take some time to identify your symptoms and match the remedy to your symptoms.

Once you find the correct remedy, take it. Your symptoms will get worse for a bit. Don’t let this put you off homeopathy. Your body goes through a “healing crisis,” during which your body throws off those toxins, irritants and dead germs to get a kick-start toward healing. It’s inconvenient but normal.

Just which symptoms are we taking about?
Allergic reactions can be caused by any number of sources — food, pollen, relatives — and can manifest in any number of ways: eczema, asthma, hives, colds, insults. I could fill pages trying to cover all that. So we’ll focus on respiratory reactions.

Allium cepa is red onion. The symptoms reflect the effect of onion: watery, red and burning eyes and clear, irritating nasal discharge. Toss in sneezing. Open air and cool rooms improve symptoms; warm rooms and evening aggravate symptoms.

Apis mellifica, homeopathic bee, treats swelling. (And no, that’s not respiratory related, but the picture of me with swollen eyes we discussed earlier prompted me to add this remedy.)

Euphrasia officinalis is effective for eye irritation, including watery eyes with tears that irritate lids and cheeks, as well as nasal discharge with thin, bland secretions that burn. This irritation can spread to the sinuses and middle ear. The discharge is worse at night and while lying down. The cough is worse by day and better when lying down.

Arsenicum album symptoms feature red nose and eyes, low energy and a nose that feels stopped up but still runs. Lots of sneezing. Heat helps, as well as elevating the head or drinking warm drinks. Cold things, wet weather and times past midnight aggravate symptoms.

Sabadilla is for non-stop sneezing. You’re worse from cold or odors or perfume, better from warmth and warm drinks.

Nux vomica works best for symptoms resulting from excess in food or drink or not enough sleep. There is frequent sneezing upon waking. The nose runs during the day or in a warm room but is stopped up at night. You may be extremely chilly, unable to get warm and shudder after drinking fluids or after the least movement. Symptoms are improved by being outdoors.

For Kali bichromicum to be worthwhile, you have nasal discharge that is thick, purulent, stringy and hard to expel. It has a tendency to invade sinuses and is usually yellow. Your nose is all crusty, and there may be some pressure at root of your nose. Symptoms are worse between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Natrum muriaticum handles allergies with much sneezing. Your nose is stopped up with a loss of taste and smell. If you have a cough, it may develop stitches in the chest. You may develop a headache in the front of your head, even a migraine.

Pulsatilla is typified by whininess or clinginess at the later stages of a cold. Your nasal discharge is yellow or greenish, bland or creamy. There may be peeling and chapped lips, hot cheeks and no thirst. Symptoms are worse at night and in warm rooms. Symptoms improve when outdoors.

Graphites is normally used for skin complaints. If you have excess mucus and have been blowing your nose to the point that it is cracked and sore, consider Graphites.

Lycopdium clavatum is good for a persistent dry cough or sore throats worse from cold drinks and overeating. You feel better after eating hot food or drinking hot beverages.

If you have chronic greenish yellow or green discharge, check out Thuja occidentalis. You know Thuja is for you if you feel better from movement and are worse from cold or dampness, on your left side and at night.

My favorite “cop-out” remedy is Histaminium. If you have no idea what is wrong but you are having some sort of allergic reaction, use Histaminium. Histamines are the chemicals that your body produces that result in the allergic response. Anti-histamines beat off the histamines to make your body think everything is all right.

Remember, homeopathy is all about helping your body heal. It doesn’t suppress symptoms or fake your body out into believing everything is ok. It is a healing modality that allows your body to resolves symptoms and be done with them. If you have suffered with allergies for a long time or are having a severe reaction, seek the help of a licensed homeopath. As a holistic healer, a homeopath will work with you to resolve those issues that are keeping you from being the healthiest you can be.

When it’s time to stock up on the tissues, think about your symptoms and stock up on some of these remedies. Your nose will love you for it.

© Susy Parker Goins

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An informal student of natural health for years, NFO Bookshelf Editor Susy Goins received her certificate in homeopathy from the American College of Health Sciences. The self-proclaimed out-of-the-mainstream mama of three is a writer, belly dancer, actress, costumer and cook and will soon be celebrating 20 years of marriage to her husband.