Treating Fevers with Homeopathy
Choosing a Homeopathic Remedy for Childhood Fevers
Here are details about some common homeopathic remedies to help parents select the correct remedy for supporting a sick child's fever.
As stated in this article about Treating Children's Fevers Naturally there are four main homeopathic remedies for treating childhood fevers: Aconite, Belladonna, Nux vomica and Pulsatilla. Here are details about each of these remedies to help parents select the correct homeopathic remedy for a sick child's fever.
Remember, with homeopathic remedies a parent needs to assess as many of the symptoms as possible to get an idea of the correct remedy picture.
- Was there something that triggered the illness? Cold? Change in weather? Overeating or staying up too late?
- How long ago did the illness begin?
- How quickly did the symptoms come on and progress?
- Are there any changes in skin color in the face, cheeks, hands or body?
- Is the child chilly, shivering, sweating, etc?
- What is the child's mental condition? Clingy? Restless? Anxious? Sleepy? Active?
- Does the child want to be unclothed? Wrapped in a blanket?
Remember also that a homeopathic remedy needs to be given only once or twice to see if there is any improvement. If there is a noticeable improvement let the remedy continue working until there is a clear need to readminister (symptoms begin to return) – this could be hours later, the next day, or never. If no improvement is observed after three or four doses, discontinue that remedy and re-examine the homeopathic remedy choice.
Aconite – Usually Aconite is the homeopathic remedy parents should reach for when fever comes on suddenly; especially if the child has been exposed to cold air or wind right before getting sick. Aconite children often have dry skin, dry mouths, thirst and sometimes dry coughing.
Belladonna – Often a child whose symptoms match Belladonna remedies will have flushed cheeks and dilated pupils. It is one of the most common homeopathic remedies for acute fever and these children usually have hot skin, glassy eyes and a flushed, feverish appearance. Belladonna fevers can exhibit both restlessness and agitation.
Nux Vomica – Parents can choose the Nux vomica homeopathic remedy when the fever is brought on by overindulgence. This is the type of fever one might see after Halloween candy splurge or Christmas overeating. Nux vomica is often extremely chilly fever and the child will want lots of blankets, coats or coverings. Digestive upsets can sometimes be part of Nux vomica picture, so consider this remedy for a child's fever if there are any digestive symptoms as well.
Pulsatilla – Pulsatilla fevers usually include stuffy noses, tears or clingy behavior by your child. These children can be feverey without being thirsty and can have very changing mood swings moment to moment. Sometimes a child who is Pulsatilla can be clingy and snuggly one moment and irritably angry the next moment. Pulsatilla fevers are almost always worse at night.
Remember that while acute conditions can be treated successfully using homeopathic remedies at home, it is important to understand basic homeopathic principles so parents may wish to consult a homeopathic doctor as well as detailed materia medica texts. And always consult the child's doctor in any case where serious illness is suspected.
