Since we moved from Memphis to Chattanooga, I have had excellent luck when it comes to avoiding colds. This is because Darah has not been in a full-time daycare environment. I have thoroughly enjoyed my cold-free life.
That is until about 2 weeks ago when I came down with a nasty cold. Boo! I searched our medicine cabinet and discovered that the only medicine we had wasn’t right for my particular symptoms. Two days later (seriously!) I got a package in the mail containing homeopathic medicines to treat various cold symptoms. Hooray!
photo credit: Idhren via photopin cc
Homeopathic Cold Treatment
The company that sent the products is called Boiron and they specialize in alternatives to some of the more traditional medicines you might be used to reaching for when you get sick. Their products are homeopathic.
From their site, “Homeopathy is a therapeutic method that uses natural substances in micro-doses to relieve symptoms.” In the same way that I’m trying to remove nasty chemicals from my house, this gave me an opportunity to keep them out of my body and try a more natural approach to healing my body and relieving my symptoms.
I immediately put Coldcalm to work, and I did find that it gave me some relief from my congestion. A few days later I developed a cough and started using the Chestal product. I found this to work wonderfully! Traditional cough medicines have been shown in study after study to not really work, whereas a honey-based remedy often proves successful. That is the base of this cough medicine, and yes, it did work!
At one point during my illness, Tim started to get the first signs of a cold. Coldcalm is a product that can be taken frequently over a 2 hours period in an effort to fight off a cold. Tim followed the instructions and never did get a cold, which was great. There’s just wasn’t room in the house for another sick person!
Homeopathic Flu Treatment
I also received Oscillococcinum (I can’t even pronounce this…might I suggest a different name?) which is meant to be taken at the first sign of flu-like symptoms. I hope I never have to use it, but I’m SO glad to have it in my medicine cabinet should we ever need it. It has been proven in clinical studies to help reduce the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms if taken right at the onset of sickness.
So what’s not to like about homeopathic medicine? Well, I’m finding that there’s not really a “12 hour relief” pill like you can get from other non-homeopathic brands. That does make taking your medicine a bit more cumbersome, as in many cases you need to take another dose every few hours. While I didn’t love this, one result that came from it was that I slowed down a little bit and acknowledged that I was sick and needed rest. I think that’s really a good thing, in the end.
I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to try these products and I would recommend them to others.
Affiliate links may be included at no cost to you.
Jen says
I do the warm salt water gargle too! I also have just recently started trying the use of essential oils for congestion and headaches.
Renee says
I’m a pharmacist and I use several different homeopathic medicines in my house. My absolute must-have is Hylands teething tablets for my toddler. I also really like cold remedies with zinc compounds to shorten duration & severity of colds. For the kids, Hylands makes a sniffles & sneezes formulation that lessens the symptoms of a cold. I’ve often recommended oscillococcinum for lower risk patients who get the flu. Higher risk patients should get a prescription.