Common Cold

Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies for the Common Cold

Weak evidence suggests that homeopathic remedies might have a place in the treatment of colds. However, the best-designed studies (including one that evaluated classical homeopathy]]> ) failed to find evidence of benefit.

The homeopathic remedy Phytolacca was tested in two ]]>double-blind, placebo-controlled trials]]> to evaluate its potential benefit for sore throat symptoms caused by colds. ]]>^1,2]]> In these studies, involving a total of about 300 people, use of the remedy at a potency of D2 appeared to reduce the duration of symptoms. However, these studies suffer from several weaknesses in study design, making the results unreliable.

A small double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 60 adults and children found positive results with a homeopathic cough syrup as a treatment for a dry cough. ]]>³]]> The syrup contained Drosera, Arnica, Belladonna, Artemisia cina, Cossus cacti, Corallium rubrum, Cuprum Ferrosi phosphas, Uragoga ipecacuanha, and Solidago .

A study of 53 patients compared the homeopathic remedy Eupatorium perfoliatum D2 against aspirin as a treatment for the common cold and found them equally effective. ]]>⁴]]> Unfortunately, this was not a double-blind study; furthermore, aspirin itself has not been shown effective for the common cold.

A double-blind study compared aspirin against a combination homeopathic medicine that included Aconitum, Bryonia, Lachesis, Eupatorium, and Phosphorus . ]]>⁵]]> Again, the treatment proved to be as effective (or as ineffective) as aspirin, but in the absence of a placebo group the results are difficult to interpret.

A well designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 170 children with recurrent colds found no benefit with ]]>classical homeopathic]]> treatment. ]]>⁴]]> All participants were evaluated by trained homeopathic practitioners and were prescribed remedies, but only about half of them actually received the remedy; the others received placebo treatment. The results failed to show any benefit with classical homeopathy versus placebo.

A double–blind, placebo-controlled study involving 994 children (ages 4 to 15 years old) evaluated treatment with Euphrasia 30c for the prevention of conjunctivitis (essentially, a cold in the eye). ]]>⁶]]> The investigators chose this remedy since it is frequently self-prescribed by people with conjunctivitis and often recommended by non-medical practitioners. However, no benefits were seen.

In a 12 week double-blind study, 251 children were given either placebo or one of three homeopathic remedies selected according to a standard Norwegian, simplified, constitutional , homeopathic protocol. ]]>⁷]]> The homeopathic remedies failed to prove more effective than placebo.

Traditional Homeopathic Treatments for the Common Cold

In classical homeopathy]]> , there are many possible homeopathic treatments for the common cold, to be chosen based on various specific details of the person seeking treatment.

For example, if you are very restless and experience aches down to the bone in addition to other cold symptoms, you fit the ]]>symptom picture]]> for Eupatorium . For this use, the remedy is generally recommended in a potency between 6c and 30c, which is a significantly more dilute dosage than the 2x potency used for some conditions.

If you have primarily a sore throat and swollen tonsils (relieved by cold drinks, but not hot drinks) accompanied by shooting pain in the ears, aching joints, muscle soreness, restlessness, and prostration, then you more closely fit the homeopathic indication for Phytolacca .