Children respond especially well to homeopathy.  Using homeopathic remedies for typical childhood problems can be a very effective way to rebalance the child's body.  Childhood issues often develop as a result of excess exposure to airborne chemical pollutants and allergens, resulting in congestion, runny noses, coughing and ear aches.  Finding the best homeopathic remedy to bring the majority of symptoms into balance is the key to resolving many childhood situations without an expensive visit to the doctor.  This article will cover five common single homeopathic remedies, Aconite, Belladonna, Ferrum phos, Hepar sulphuris, and Pulsitilla and the symptoms they address, which are all useful for colds, coughs and ear aches.

When choosing a remedy, carefully observe the symptoms of the child and look for the remedy which fits the best.  When the correct homeopathic remedy is used, not only are the symptoms relieved, the recovery time is shortened.  Even though homeopathic medicines are non-toxic and save, it is better not to confuse the body with too many remedies in quick succession.

Coughs come in many forms, they can be productive, bringing up mucus; unproductive and dry, the irritating constant throat-clearing cough; or the croupy cough.  Although coughs can be very irritating to everyone, they are an effective way of removing irritants from the air passages.  Suppressing the cough stops the body's natural mechanism of elimination and can lead to more serious problems and infections.

Aconite helps with the short, dry cough with a croupy sound that comes on after exposure to cold dry wind, usually beginning after entering a warm room.

Belladonna helps with the dry, teasing cough that keeps everyone awake at night.  Symptoms for Belladonna include burning hot, red faced and dilated pupils.

Ferrum Phos is for the cough caused by a tickling or irritation in the windpipe and is a short, painful cough.

Hepar sulphuris can help with the cough when over sensitive to cold air.  The child wants to be wrapped up.  The cough is loose, rattling and croupy, often productive of thick yellow mucus, sometimes leading to strangling and gagging.

Pulsatilla helps when there is a dry cough in the evening, but sounds loose in the morning.  The cough worsens in warm rooms and the child feels better outside.  There may be periods of coughing with gagging and choking, bringing up thick yellow mucus.

What is typically known as the common cold is the body's attempt to remove an irritant.  Homeopathy offers no single remedy for ‘colds'.  It is best to look for the remedy which fits the majority of the symptoms allowing the remedy to help with the expulsion of the irritant.

Aconite is useful only during the onset of cold symptoms.  Typical symptoms helped by Aconite are: frequent sneezing, burning throat, thirst, and restlessness at night

Belladonna is useful when the child has a flushed face at the onset of the cold symptoms, with skin that feels dry and hot to the touch, often accompanied by a sore throat worse on the right side.  Fever can come on quickly and there is restlessness and sensitivity to light.

Ferrum phos for when the beginning cold is accompanied by a slight fever.  This remedy is also useful in the early stages of many infections.

Hepar sulphuris is for the winter cold which begins with dry weather and sticking sensation in the back of the throat.  The cold spreads from the throat to the ear, with pain in the ears upon swallowing.  Discharge from the nose is yellow.  The cough is rattling and can produce thick yellow mucus.  The child is sensitive to drafts and perspiration smells sour.

Pulsatilla is indicated for the ‘ripe' cold with thick, creamy yellow discharge.  The child is not thirsty even with a fever; the nose is stuffy at night and indoors, but flows in the open air.  Child is likely to be weepy and want attention and sympathy.

Occasionally cold and allergy symptoms can enter the ears creating ear aches and fluid build-up in the ears.

Aconite helps with the sudden ear ache after exposure to cold.  The ear is red, painful and feels better with warm applications.

Belladonna helps with sudden onset, particularly when it is the right ear.  The child has a dry, flushed face; dry burning skin; is restless and not thirsty.

Ferrum phos is the most commonly indicated remedy for early stages of ear ache.

Hepar sulphuris helps when the child is worse from any draft and wants to be well covered.  Symptoms include irritability, stitching pains and sensitivity to touch.

Pulsatilla helps with redness and swelling in the external ear with severe throbbing pains and the ears feel stopped up.  Ear aches become worse with warmth and from becoming overheated, in the evening and at night.  Child wants fresh air and is weepy.

To help prevent future problems consider one of the precepts of holistic healthcare.  Symptoms are a signal that something in the body needs changing.  Edward Bauman, editor of The Holistic Health Handbook stated: "We need to allow ourselves the opportunity to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate—and to come to terms with the behavior that was originally responsible for our disease."  Take into consideration what provoked the symptoms and start making positive changes in your lifestyle today.