Homeopathy for Stuffy Heads & Runny Noses

This time of year usually brings about weather changes and with that can come bothersome head colds. In my practice, these take up the bulk of my acute cases, especially in children. A stuffy head or a runny nose are often the first signs that you or your child is becoming ill. When caught early (usually within the first 24-48 hours) and prescribed upon as soon as possible, often the symptoms go away and nothing more comes of it.

One of my favourite remedies for families to have on hand is Oscillococcinum. On the package it is suggested for fever, body aches, headaches and chills, but I often see it work in the beginning signs of any illness, including early stages of a cold. There really are no specific symptoms to prescribe upon and you can begin taking this remedy in the first 0-48 hours when you or your child are feeling unwell. After 48hours, if you still aren’t feeling well, then a more specific homeopathic remedy is indicated.

Here are the most commonly prescribed remedies in my practice for stuffy heads and runny noses.

Aconite: This remedy is thought of when the symptoms come on suddenly and intensely, especially after exposure to cold, dry winds, fright or shock. This remedy can be used in the early stages of upper respiratory infections, fever and influenza. It can present with sudden onset, great restlessness, cherry red sputum, one cheek red one cheek pale. They can have a dry mouth causing great thirst for cold drinks, headache, red nosebleed and a watery nose.

Allium Cepa: This remedy is made from the bulb onion, so symptoms presenting are parallel to what happens when you slice an onion. We can see profuse watery discharge, centered around the nose, bland watery eyes, runny nose that looks like water and burns. There can be irritated nostrils, causing pain when wiping the nose. The person feels better in fresh, cold, open air and worse in a warm, stuffy room. This type of head cold typically occurs in August or early fall.

Nux Vomica: We often see symptoms needing Nux Vomica present after overindulgence in rich foods, too much stimulus such as TV, noise and light (especially in newborns) and too little sleep in children. They can have a runny nose by day, but be stuffed up at night. A common symptom we see is the nose alternating between having a fluid runny nose and being dry and blocked. There can be a dull headache, with symptoms feeling better in a warm room, with warm drinks and eating. We see lots of sneezing and a general increase in symptoms in the morning. There may be nosebleeds with the frequent morning sneezes. These children can be extremely irritable, and have a general irritated mood with their illness.

As the illness progresses, sometimes into a deeper sinusitis, different remedies come up in the prescribing.

Kali Iodatum: This remedy has a theme of burning. Burning sinuses with each inhalation of air, the nose and eyes burn, pain in the face radiating from the nose, pain in the frontal sinuses and intense pressure at the root of the nose between the eyes. There can be a sensation of a raw nose with obstruction, profuse watery burning discharges from the nose and/or eyes, pain in the face radiating from the nose with the pain increasing with any jarring motion of the head or body. Many symptoms are worse at night and better open air.

This remedy is often indicated in viral head colds with sinusitis, recurring sinusitis, sinusitis every time person catches cold, or changes to the weather.

Kali Bicromium: The saying in homeopathy about this remedy is “if it sticks, it’s kali bic!” This remedy can be given at any stage of sinusitis. The nasal discharge presents as gluey, stringy, sticky and thick green/yellow in colour. The discharge can feel corrosive and ulcerating. Often you hear a nasal tone in the voice with a complete nasal obstruction. There can be crusts and scabs in nose, with the nose feeling swollen from the mucous. All sinuses can be affected (maxillary, frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid). This person often feels worse in the morning and worse after a sleep, better with heat and better any motion.

As with all remedies, it is best to start at a lower potency (6C, 12C, 30C), take 1 dose, see if symptoms resolve and wait for relapse before re-dosing. Typically, f symptoms don’t improve after 3 doses, it is not the right remedy. Seek out the help of a professional healthcare provider if you are uncertain or if symptoms progress.