How often and for how long should I take homeopathic medication?

The way and frequency of taking homeopathic remedies varies according to the preparation. In addition, the intake should always be made dependent on the severity of the symptoms. Many homeopathic remedies can be taken half-hourly to hourly in the case of acute symptoms, which should then be reduced as the symptoms subside. Accordingly, homeopathic remedies should not be taken as soon as the symptoms are no longer noticeable. If there is any uncertainty, the package inserts or pharmacists can provide further information.

Homeopathy as sole measure or supportive therapy?

A cold is a disease that can occur in various forms. Accordingly, the type of therapy varies. For mild colds, homeopathic remedies may be effective as the only treatment.

If there is no improvement after a few days, further forms of therapy should be considered. It is also crucial that sufficient bed rest and fluid intake is maintained during a cold. If serious symptoms such as fever or severe pain, for example when breathing, occur, a doctor should be consulted.

When do I have to go to the doctor?

Many colds can heal on their own without medical help. However, there are various warning symptoms for which a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.

These include severe earaches, for example, as this may indicate an acute inflammation of the middle ear, which should be treated by a doctor.
A doctor should also be consulted in case of severe coughing, possibly with sputum or breathing difficulties.
The occurrence of fever also often indicates a bacterial cause, which should be clarified by a doctor and treated accordingly.

Further alternative forms of therapy

There are several alternative forms of therapy that can be helpful for colds. This type of massage can be tried out by yourself or can be professionally performed by a specialist. Also sufficient sport and exercise in the fresh air promotes the immune system and thus counteracts a cold.

This includes, for example, acupressure. It works similarly to acupuncture, except that the specific points on the body are massaged instead of placing needles. For example, for severe colds, the points Di 4 between thumb and index finger and the points Di 20 on the side of the nostrils can be massaged. In case of cough and pain in the lungs, the point Lu 11 on the thumbnail can be massaged.

Furthermore, to prevent and fight a cold, one can pay attention to diet and exercise. In traditional Chinese medicine, foods that can put a strain on the body and thus increase susceptibility to colds are products made from wheat, milk and other animal proteins.