Hay Fever


Dr. Dewey discusses the homeopathy treatment of Fever in his bestselling book Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics.Hay …


Arsenicum. [Ars]

      Many symptoms of this remedy corresponds to hay fever; it has a thin watery discharge from the nose which excoriates the upper lip, but still the nose is stuffed up. There is much sneezing from irritation in the nose, but not a particle of relief therefrom; the coryza is worse after midnight or from a change of weather.

**Arsenicum iodatum is mentioned by Hale as a prophylactic and the nearest specific. Malaria cachexia, glandular enlargements, burning in the nose and throat, excessive sneezing and fluent coryza with a thin acrid discharge are its indications.

Dr. Blackley highly lauds this remedy in the asthmatic breathing of hay fever, using the 3X or 4X potencies.

**Sinapis nigra has been used successfully in hay fever; the membrane of the nose is hot and dry, no discharge, worse afternoon and evening.

**Chininum arsenicosum has also been highly praised in hay fever; the 2X is recommended.

Ambrosia artemisiaefolia. [Ambro]

      This is the common ragweed and is useful in some cases of hay fever. Millspaugh reports the cure of several cases. The writer has used the remedy as a prophylactic with success in those cases appearing at the time of the blooming of the ragweed and has prescribed it with marked benefit in cases unquestionably due to the ragweed irritation. It would probably be inefficacious in cases arising from the pollen of the golden rod and daisy. There is no special indications, provings have developed the characteristic symptoms of hay fever. Dickie claims results little short of miraculous with this remedy.

Sabadilla. [Sabad]

      Of great use in hay fever with watery discharge, profuse coryza and frontal pains. There is spasmodic and continual sneezing with only slight catarrhal discharge. It will often cut short an attack, but it will not always cure permanently as it is not deep action enough. It should be used to this end in the higher potencies.

**Aralia racemosa has been recommended but on somewhat insufficient testimony, likewise **Benzoic acid.

**Kali iodatum. Sneezing, ” crying colds “; the sneezing is incessant, the lachrymation is profuse and the coryza is acrid.

**Ipecac. Sometimes useful in the sneezing stage, but the more frequently in the asthmatic stage where the chest symptoms will indicate.

Naphthalin. [Naphtin]

      Lippincott claims this remedy to be applicable to more cases of hay fever, and that better results are obtained from it than from any other drug, and he claims also prophylactic power from its use in the 3x or 2x triturations. A large number of observer bear out this idea. Dr. Laird, of Utica, N.Y., says: ” It almost never fails.” Its indications seem to be excoriating lachrymation and coryza, swelling of eyelids and nose; it is more pronounced in its action on the left side, and especially is it useful in those experiencing asthmatic symptoms. Dr. Perry Dickie obtained brilliant results with this remedy.

**Sanguinaria has frequent sneezing and is worse on the right side; it suits periodic coryzas.

**Sanguinaria nitrate is also valuable and by some is considered first on the list.

**Natrum muriaticum. Hay fever from suppressed intermittents; craving for salt may be an indicating symptom.

Ranunculus bulbosus. [Ran-b]

      Among the less frequently used remedies is Ranunculus, it has smarting in the eyes, pressure at the root, with tingling and crawling within its cavity, hoarseness and muscular soreness.

**Silicea has itching and tingling in the nose and posteriorly at orifice of Eustachian tubes, with violent sneezing and excoriating discharge, also Rosa Damascena.

**Allium cepa. Itching of the nose and eyes. Nose stuffed up, profuse acrid watery discharges.

**Arum triphyllum. Hay fever with terrific pain over root of nose, nose and throat raw with frequent sneezing.

**Mercurius protoiodide is very often suitable to the conditions that predispose to hay fever.

**Psorinum 30, says Clarke, will cure a large number of cases where there is great sensitiveness to cold. Psoric or neuroarthritic soil indicates the remedy completely.

**Pothos foetida and **Cyclamen have excessive attacks of sneezing.

**Chromico-Kali sulphuricum 3X has been used successfully in this disease by a number of our European confreres.

W.A. Dewey
Dewey, Willis A. (Willis Alonzo), 1858-1938.
Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Michigan Homeopathic Medical College. Member of American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to his editoral work he authored or collaborated on: Boericke and Dewey's Twelve Tissue Remedies, Essentials of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Essentials of Homeopathic Therapeutics and Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics.