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Infection

Infection occurs when bacteria or viruses take hold in body tissues, and inflammation, swelling, fever, and other symptoms appear as the person’s immune system works to overcome them. Homeopathic remedies can help the body work efficiently to fight acute infections, and also help improve immune response if a person’s resistance is low. Other remedy descriptions can be found in sections discussing common cold, influenza, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, herpes, boils, and yeast infections.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Aconitum napellus: This remedy is often indicated when fever and inflammation come on suddenly, sometimes after exposure to wind and cold, or after a traumatic experience. The person may be very thirsty and often feels fearful or anxious.

Belladonna: Intense heat, redness, swelling, throbbing, and pulsation indicate a need for this remedy. The person’s face may be flushed and hot (though hands and feet may be cold) and the eyes are often sensitive to light. Thirst may be lower than expected during fever. Discomfort is worse from motion or jarring, and relieved by cold applications.

Bryonia: Feeling worse from even the slightest motion is a strong indication for this remedy. When ill, the person wants to stay completely still—to be left alone and not interfered with in any way. Fever with chills, a very dry mouth, and thirst are also likely. Tearing pains that feel worse from any motion, but improve from pressure if it adds stability, may accompany local infections.

Calcarea carbonica: People who need this remedy tire easily and have low stamina. They tend to feel chilly and sluggish, with clammy hands and feet (though their feet may heat up in bed at night, and their heads may perspire during sleep). Swollen lymph nodes, frequent colds, sore throats, ear infections, and skin eruptions are common. Children who need this remedy are often slow to walk and may have teething problems, frequent colds, and ear infections.

Calendula: This remedy is useful as a topical application for cuts, scrapes, and skin eruptions, to prevent and combat infection. It is usually used in unpotentized herbal form, as an ointment or tincture. Calendula can also be helpful potentized, when taken internally for boils or infections.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy is indicated in the early stages of many inflammations. Taken at the very first sign of a cold or sore throat, it often helps a person throw the infection off and not get ill. Fever, pink-flushed cheeks, a general weariness, thirst, and moderate pain and swelling are typical symptoms suggesting Ferrum phos in illness or infection.

Graphites: A person with unhealthy skin that tends toward cracking, oozing honey-colored discharge, and crusts may benefit from this remedy. Impetigo, herpes simplex, or infections involving the skin around the ears, the eyelids, nose, and sinuses are common—as are tendencies toward recurring colds and earaches. A feeling of sluggishness, slow waking, and difficulty concentrating are other indications for Graphites.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum: A person who needs this remedy feels extremely sensitive and vulnerable when ill, especially if exposed to cold or drafts. Ear infections, sore throats, sinusitis, bronchitis, and skin eruptions are often seen, and cheesy-smelling discharge or offensive pus may be produced. Areas of inflammation can be very sore and sensitive, and splinter-like pains are often felt (in the tonsils when swallowing, in a boil when the skin is touched, etc.).

Mercurius solubilis: This remedy is needed when a person has swollen lymph nodes, offensive breath, and is extremely sensitive to any change in temperature. A tendency toward night sweats and profuse salivation during sleep are other indications. Infections of the gums, ears, sinuses, throat, and skin often respond to this remedy when the other symptoms fit.

Silica: A person who needs this remedy can be sensitive and nervous, with low stamina and poor resistance to infection—leading to swollen lymph nodes, frequent colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and other illnesses. Boils, easy infection of wounds, and abscessed teeth are often seen. Although very chilly in general, the person often perspires during sleep. Offensive foot sweat with an inclination toward fungal infections is also common.

Sulphur: This remedy is useful in many kinds of infection characterized by irritation, burning pain, redness of mucous membranes, and offensive odors and discharges. Skin problems are very common—eczema, acne, boils, lymphangitis, and inflammations on or around the genitals. Symptoms are often worse from warmth and worse after bathing. Colds, bronchitis, and other illnesses that have been neglected, or infections that drag on for a very long time, may be helped with this remedy

Single Remedies	Remedy Kits
Combination Remedies	Topicals
Pet Remedies	Bach Flower Remedies

Homeopathy Dosage Directions

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

For more information, including references, see What is Homeopathy? and Understanding Homeopathic Potencies.

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