Things Commonly Used to Treat Symptoms During Acute Illness That Actually Hinder Healing

Over the counter medications sure do help symptoms go away fast, but they also hinder the body’s natural response to eliminate pathogens and toxins. This causes infections to be driven deeper in the body. If the body doesn’t expel toxins and pathogens, it holds on to them in our tissues (hello disease). By taking these medications, we are telling our immune system to stop working. Below are some common medications people take during acute illness that hinder healing as well as some alternatives that support healing.

Fever Reducers

A fever is your body’s natural response to fight off a pathogen. It supports the formation of the adaptive immune response. It stimulates the release of neutrophils and sends them to the infection site(s) to help destroy the pathogens. It helps macrophages engulf infected cells. It releases cytokines (messengers that allow your body to mount a defense to the pathogens). It allows pathogens to be taken from peripheral tissues and transported to lymph nodes where pathogens are destroyed and drained. When you take fever reducers, these protective mechanisms are hindered. Here are some homeopathic remedies for fever: 

• Aconitum: for sudden fever with chills and flushing 

• Apis mellifica: for fever with sweating

• Belladonna: for sudden fever with red face, lack of thirst, hot body with cold hands

• Gelsemium: for fever with drowsiness

I know someone is thinking “what about febrile seizures and brain damage”?  For one, most febrile seizures occur from a rapid increase or decrease in body temperature. Studies show that fever reducers do not prevent febrile seizure reoccurrence. Brain damage does not occur until the body temperature sustains a fever of 106 degrees fahrenheit or above. Also, although they are very scary to witness, most febrile seizures have no lasting effects (no brain damage, no intellectual disability or learning disabilities). I personally just let a fever run its course. If my son, husband, or I were intolerably uncomfortable due to a fever, I would try these other measures at reducing a fever first:

• adequate hydration with minerals & electrolytes (pickleball cocktail is our drink of preference) 

• take a bath in lukewarm water

• wear a pair of cold, wet socks on the feet covered with a pair of wool socks

Anti-inflammatories

An inflammatory responses is your body’s natural response to either trap germs/toxins, or to heal injured tissues. Taking an anti-inflammatory stops this healing response. Yes, inflammation is painful and I don’t believe you should just suffer in pain. However, I always start with homeopathy first. Homeopathy works with your body to heal rather than against it. Some types of homeopathy for pain includes:

• Arnica: to soothe aching muscles, wounds, sprains, bruises, & more. 

• Bryonia: for cutting/tearing pain

• Hypericum: for shooting pain that involves nerve damage

• Ledum: for joint pain

• Cantharis: to soothe burns or blisters

Decongestants

Congestion occurs due to the swelling of nasal tissue. Blood vessels in the nose dilate to get immune cells to the nose and nasal passages swell to cause constriction. The swelling and constrictions increases the temperature of the nasal passages, which is part of the immune response to restrict replication of and eliminate pathogens. Taking a decongestant stops this process. Some homeopathy to help with congestion include:

• Kali bich: for pressure at the root of the nose and forehead with thick, yellow snot

• Hepar sulph: for sore and inflamed nostrils with thick yellow snot

• Pulsatilla: for a frontal headache, nose pain, yellow snot, sneezing, and dry mouth

Cough Medicine 

Coughing is our body’s response to clear mucus with pathogens and other toxins from our lungs. By taking cough medicine, you are stopping this response to clear pathogens and toxins from your lungs. Some homeopathy for coughs include:

• Bryonia: for dry, painful coughs

• Cauticum: if you feel mucus is stuck in your throat or chest

• Pulsatilla: for cough with choking/gagging and thick yellow mucus

• Belladonna: for a throbbing headache and runny nose from a single nostril

Anti-Nausea/Anti- Diarrhea Medications

When the immune system detects certain pathogens or toxins in the GI tract, vomiting and/or diarrhea is induced to help expel the pathogens from your body. Here are some homeopathic remedies to support the body with these symptoms:

• Arsenicum album: for burning diarrhea and vomiting with food poisoning

• Podophyllum peltatum: for diarrhea with cramps

• Bryonia: for diarrhea during the flu

• Nux vomica: for nausea associated with gas and bloating

Additionally, here are some homeopathic kits you can have on hand:

• RMDY Collective Bundles (more expensive, but my personal favorite - I prefer liquid and these come with a cute travel case)

• Ollois First Aid Kit (more affordable option, fewer remedies)

• Boiron HomeoTravel Kit (more affordable option, fewer remedies)

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Please speak with your medical provider before starting or changing anything.

If you’ve been suppressing your symptoms for most of your life (I did this too), have no fear. Bioenergetic testing with imprints and homeopathic support can help restore balance to the body. Schedule a free discovery call to see if we make a good fit! www.wonderfullymadeihp.com