Homeopathy treats monsoon blues safely and effectively

Monsoon celebrates rain dance and, the change of seasons. On the downside, the rainy spell throws up a variety of illnesses, which one can effectively prevent or treat with appropriate homeopathic remedies, under the guidance of a professional homeopath.

Cold & Cough

Cold and cough are common health problems during monsoon. Keep the following homeopathic remedies handy to beat a cold or cough:

Allium Cepa: Helps to treat allergies accompanied by sneezing and itching of nose

Arsenicum Album: Helps to treat colds and sniffles

Gelsemium: Useful in flu with body ache, sneezing, runny nose and headache, more so when one feels extremely exhausted or tired.

Rhus Toxicodendron: Helps to treat colds brought on after getting wet in the rain.

Respiratory Allergies

Respiratory allergies are common during monsoon. They occur primarily because of variations in temperature, poor hygiene and bad sanitation. They appear with a runny nose, sneezing bouts, headache and throat infection.

The homeopathic remedy Natrum Sulphuricum is most useful for such hypersensitivities — including nasal allergies. Other useful remedies are Natrum Muriaticum, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla and Arsenicum Album. A study conducted in the UK showed that 80 per cent of allergic asthmatic individuals taking homeopathic treatment showed improved results and tangible health benefits.

Tummy Upset

There is the possibility of “fire in your belly” going haywire during monsoon. Diarrhoea, or amoebiasis, a common problem, is often caused by contaminated food or water. The symptoms are dysentery, sometimes mixed with blood and mucous.

Aloe Socotrina is useful in treating such health concerns. For dysentery with hot, stinking stools, cutting pains and prolonged straining, even after passing stools, Mercurius Corrosivus is useful. For dysentery with bloody diarrhoea, Alumen is effective.

Gastroenteritis is equally common during monsoon. The disorder is primarily caused by bacterial, or viral, infections of the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms are tummy ache, diarrhoea, and vomiting, leading to loss of body fluids and dehydration.

Children are more susceptible than grown-up adults. Arsenicum Album is a useful first remedy to treat such diarrhoea or vomiting.For profuse, watery, greenish-coloured diarrhoea, containing undigested food, Ipecacuanha is an effective remedy. Seek prompt medical treatment, if diarrhoea, or vomiting, does not stop in children within 24-48 hours.

Fungal Infection

This is an annoying and irritating skin problem. Fungal infections often develop, because of monsoon’s moist equation. They appear primarily on skin folds, such as the groin and toes. Chrysarobic Acid, or Graphites, is most useful in generalised fungal incursions; for fungal infections of the groin, Mercurius Solubilis is effective.

Self-Help

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or regular handwash, such as Dr Batra’s® before and after eating food
• Wear clean and dry clothes. Go for semi-synthetic, or blended cotton fabrics during monsoon. Keep an extra pair of clothes in office/workplace
• Eat light food; avoid spicy and fried foods to the best extent possible, because your body is highly vulnerable to infection/s during monsoon
• Drinking water should be boiled and filtered. It is best to drink warm water with a meal for easy digestion
• Cook vegetables well and steam them well to kill germs, residing in them
• If one is diabetic, one needs to take extra care of their feet during monsoon, because the ground below one’s feet is a sanctuary for all types of germs
• If one is asthmatic, one needs to take special care during monsoon. Ensure that there is no accumulation, or seepage of water, in or around your residence. Good hygienic surroundings will ensure that fungus do not find the fertile “soil” to grow and spread.