Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Tonsillitis

The best remedies for treating tonsillitis are as follows:

• Arsenic Album
  Common Name: Arsenious acid
  Symptoms: This remedy is most suitable for addressing the following symptoms:
  • Restlessness
  • Burning pain in the head which is relieved by cold
  • Burning eyes
  • Tenderness in ears
  • Swollen face
  • Blood in saliva
  • Ulcers in the mouth due to dryness and dehydration
  • Bleeding gums
  • Pain in the tongue along with appearance of ulcers
  • Swelling in throat
  • Constriction in the throat along with a burning sensation
  • Inability to swallow comfortably
  • Inability to lie down
  • Darting pain in the chest
  • Palpitations
  • High fever that comes and goes
  • Cold sweats
  • Great exhaustion
  • Immense restlessness and heat at about 3 am

Symptoms get worse in wet weather or after midnight. Symptoms are likely to get better from heat or intake of warm drinks.

• Belladonna
  Common Name: Deadly nightshade
  Symptoms: The following symptoms are commonly noted in individuals requiring this remedy:
  • Throbbing pain in eyes and toothache
  • Dry mouth
  • Redness and swelling in the tongue
  • Grinding of teeth
  • Congestion in the throat
  • Enlarged tonsils
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Dry cough, which gets worse at night
  • Difficulty in talking due to pain in the throat
  • Palpitations
  • A sensation as if there is a lump in the throat
  • Scraping and itchy sensation in the throat
  • High fever but without thirst
  • Restlessness
  • Sweating on the head only

Symptoms get worse due to touch and in the afternoon. Symptoms get better when the patient lies down in a semi-erect position.

• Baryta Carbonica
  Common Name: Carbonate of baryta
  Symptoms: This remedy works well for the management of the following symptoms:
  • Mental fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Ear pain
  • Swelling in the face and upper lip
  • Dry mouth with bleeding gums
  • Pain in the teeth and tongue 
  • Spasms in the throat when swallowing food
  • Swelling and stinging pain in the tonsils
  • Pus formation in tonsils with every cold
  • Intense pain when swallowing
  • Feeling a lump or plug in the throat
  • Gagging or choking when food enters the oesophagus (food pipe)
  • Cold feet
  • Disturbed sleep

Symptoms get worse with mental fatigue and may get better by being in open air.

• Calcarea Carbonica 
  Common Name: Carbonate of lime
  Symptoms: Calcarea Carbonica is given for the management of the following symptoms:
  • Throbbing and pulsating pain in ears
  • Catching a cold every time the weather changes
  • Bleeding gums
  • Sour taste in the mouth
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Swelling of tonsils
  • Dry tongue and palpitations at night
  • Fever
  • Chilliness and heat
  • Night sweats, especially on the head, neck and chest

Symptoms get worse due to exertion or being in wet weather. The patient may feel better in dry weather.

• Hepar Sulphur
  Common Name: Hahnemann’s calcium sulphide
  Symptoms: The following symptoms are commonly noted in individuals who benefit from this remedy:
  • Headache with cold sweat
  • Inflammation of the eyes
  • Sensing an obstruction in the throat when trying to swallow
  • Shooting pain in the jaw when the person opens their mouth
  • Pain and bleeding in gums
  • Pain in the throat that extends to ears
  • Feeling chilliness in open air 

The patient's symptoms get worse on exposure to cold winds and he/she feels better in damp weather or after eating something.

• Mercurius Solubilis
  Common Name: Quicksilver
  Symptoms: This remedy may be useful for addressing the following symptoms:
  • Stinging and burning headache
  • Swollen and burning eyes
  • Yellow discharge from ears with sticking pain at night
  • Metallic taste in mouth
  • Difficulty in talking due to trembling tongue
  • Bleeding gums
  • Bad breath
  • Sore throat, especially on the right side
  • Excessive thirst, especially for cold drinks
  • Swelling in the throat which appears bluish-red in colour
  • Difficulty in swallowing due to pus formation
  • Profuse perspiration at night
  • Chills which get worse by the evening

Symptoms get worse on sweating, with the warmth of the bed and at night.

• Lycopodium Clavatum
  Common Name: Club moss
  Symptoms: This remedy is useful for the treatment of the following symptoms:
  • Tearing pain in the head
  • Thick and yellow discharge from ears
  • Toothache
  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • Cracked tongue with blisters
  • Pain in the throat while swallowing
  • Swelling and ulceration of tonsils
  • A feeling of dryness in the throat but the person is not thirsty
  • Palpitations at night
  • Twitching and jerking
  • Fever with sweat
  • Drowsiness during daytime

Symptoms may get worse due to warmth, although the throat pain may be relieved by warm drinks. The patient may feel better after midnight.

Homeopathy is a popular form of alternative medicine which is proven to be helpful for the treatment of many diseases and conditions. Homeopathic remedies can be integrated into the daily routine of an individual very easily. However, there are certain lifestyle changes one can make in order to make sure that no external factors interfere with the impact of the remedies. These lifestyle changes will have a positive effect on the action of the remedies and will help in improving overall health. 

Do’s: 

• Maintain personal hygiene and make sure that your surroundings are clean and sanitised.
• Avoid processed foods, instead, take more healthy foods which are rich in nutrients and fibre. 
• Engage in brisk exercise on a daily basis to maintain an active lifestyle.
• Keep a good posture while engaging in daily activities. Read more: Exercise to improve your posture
• Wear comfortable clothes that allow easy ventilation. 

Don’ts: 

• The intake of beverages such as tea and coffee must be kept to a minimum when using homeopathic medicines.
• It is strictly prohibited to consume alcohol and other substances which will interfere with the working of homeopathic drugs. Your homeoapthic doctor may tell you what all substances to avoid.
• Avoid the intake of excessively salty or sweet foods.
• Do not use artificial scents such as room fresheners and perfumes.
• Avoid the use of artificial temperature control devices such as air conditioning or room heaters. 

Homeopathic drugs have shown considerable impact in providing relief from the painful symptoms of tonsillitis and also in improving one’s immunity to prevent recurrences. 

A study conducted to test the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in treating tonsillitis in children in India showed that out of 30 patients, 18 were cured and 10 improved, while 2 patients showed no improvement. Hence, it was concluded that homeopathic remedies are effective in treating tonsillitis in children, with no side effects.

In another study conducted on children aged 6-12 years, it was noted that homeopathic remedies such as belladonna and hepar sulphuris exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities in acute viral tonsillitis.

Homeopathic medications are generally safe to consume. This is because they are obtained in a concentrated form from naturally occurring substances and then carefully diluted to suit individual needs. Homeopathic medicines are administered only after a careful examination of the physical and psychological symptoms of the individual. Therefore, the chances of developing allergies to these remedies are rare. As long as the medications are being taken under the supervision of a certified homeopathic practitioner, they are safe to use.

Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils — two lymph nodes present on the back of the throat. It may occur due to a viral or bacterial infection is usually acute in nature. Conventionally, antibiotics are given to treat bacterial tonsilitis while symptomatic management is the treatment of choice for viral tonsilitis. Homeopathic medicines are said to be effective in the management of tonsillitis and improving the immunity of the individual to fight the infectious agents. They are considered to have almost no side effects when taken under the supervision of an experienced healthcare practitioner.