This cold and flu season has been marked by coughs, and I receive communications each week from clients/students afflicted by a cough that nags and gags. The frustrating thing about coughs is that throughout the day, they tend to shift and change a bit.
In the morning, for example, the cough may be productive as the mucus has settled into the throat and chest overnight, but then by the end of the day, it may sound dry. So, one might ask, “Is this a dry cough or a wet one? Is it gagging if it only causes spasms in the morning?” The beginner to homeopathy is often at a loss as to which remedy to choose and on what set of symptoms to focus.
So, I'll try to simply.
For the cough that nags and gags, the premier remedy to consider is Ipecacuanha 30 or just “Ipecac 30” for short.
Unfortunately, many pass over this remedy. Their reasoning is that because they are not gagging all day with every cough, they must not need Ipecac. Let me clarify that no set of symptoms has to be perfectly consistent to match the remedy. You simply need the keynote symptoms to consider a remedy, and gagging and nagging are just that.
It's important to recognize that this remedy also lends itself to spasmodic coughs, which make it difficult to breathe between hacking.
For example, when morning ushers in coughing and gagging, this should most surely alert you to consider Ipecac 30. And if the gagging is accentuated, this is sufficient reason to try it.
But what if, after the morning passes, the urge to gag stops? Well, a presentation of this symptom, even if only during a portion of the day, is sufficient enough to consider Ipecac, regardless of whether the gagging continues throughout the day.
As the day progresses, you may notice moments of quiet and calm, followed by yet another coughing spell. Now you have sure footing to continue Ipecac. This is a nagging cough. Coughing that makes it difficult to catch your breath or brings about the urge to vomit is a slam-dunk for Ipecac. Watch closely and observe.
There are, of course, many other remedies for coughs. For example, liquid-y or even whooping coughs often call for Drosera 30, and coughs that sound like a saw grinding through wood point us to Spongia 30. I also favor Hepar sulph 30 for coughs that don't seem to fit any specific description or when all else fails.
Once you’ve selected the remedy, stay with it for a minimum of four doses and observe. If there's improvement at any time during or shortly after the last dose, then rest assured that you're likely onto the correct remedy. Then stick with it. It can be taken twice or thrice daily for the lingering cough. Consider using it every three hours or so if very severe.
Continue until these events are over.
Otherwise, stop and consider a different remedy. And as always, keep good records that include date, time, noteworthy symptoms and remedy choice. I guarantee that unless you have monumental memory skills, you're likely to lose track of what you've chosen and changed.
Always remember that the goal is not to mask symptoms but to uproot illness. And, of course, to stay as far away from steroids and antibiotics as possible. Each time you are successful at drug abstinence, you will have moved in a direction of not only wellness that is genuine instead of propped up but also a resolve that illness can be dealt with without drugs of commerce.
With nimble accuracy, homeopathy will make you the hero of your home. “Hey, Mom, I’m not coughing anymore!” That's when you can nag in a productive way. “Okay then, take out the garbage.”
I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.
Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.
Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.
We've provided links for your convenience but we do not receive any remuneration nor affiliation in payment from your purchase.
The Author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
There is definitely a lot of coughing this season. Thanks for these tips in how to deal with it. To wellness!
Joette! Thanks so much for this! Definitely a problem in my home and now I am armed with a good remedy! I can feel my life changing for the better!
Fran
Thank you so much for this post! My 20 month-old daughter has had a cough for almost two weeks now and I think this remedy is the one. I’ve been using Spongia Tosta, but it hasn’t seemed to help. I’m going to try Ipecac in the morning.
This is such a timely article! Thank you so much for publishing it! My family has been dealing with coughs for a week and a half now. I was getting so frustrated with trying to find the right remedy for their coughs! I have four children and all four of them are coughing. I now have a new remedy to try! Thank you!!!!
This is a wonderful remedy for the gagging cough, but I find it doesn’t exactly cover the extremely ‘wet’ cold where all orifices just run and run and the afflicted person has to keep blowing the nose and can’t stop sniffing and feels really nauseous from all the muck swallowed. Which remedy covers that aspect of the cold?
Hi Joette,
So I’ve tried ipecac….what I have is slightly different I guess…I suddenly get a dry strip in the right side of my throat and that makes me cough and gasp, and really the only thing that has seemed to help is water. I can’t figure out which remedy I should take. Any thoughts? Thanks!
The case would have to be taken. Should you be interested, feel free to contact my office.
What is it and where do we purchase it
You have not mentioned whether relief is with chilled water or normal. If relief with chilled water take Phosphorus 200 , three doses only ant wait for the results
Thanks for the input.
I use wild cherry bark for my children especially at bedtime it stops their cough and they sleep through the night.It helps loosen up the mucus.For the runny nose I use a humidifier with euculaptus oil steam and rinse the nostrils with saline and blowing out the mucus.steaming and rinsing a runny nose with saline works wonders.It usually dries up.But it had to be done through out the day and at bedtime.
Those are nice techniques and I’ve used them my self as adjuncts but they help only for that particular event and mucus-type coughs. You must repeat the same each time and they will not be as useful if the cough is extreme and dry. With homeopathy, the goal is not only to take care of the episode at hand but to root out the problem so that it is less likely to occur again, or if it does, it is a much lesser version.
Last year my 1 year old got croup, fall and spring. 3 weeks long, gave homeopathy both times. this year she got it in Jan. I gave homeopathy. we were 3 DAYS!!!!!!!! and that 3 days were like nothing compared to last year! she was barely sick at all. feel we may have it uprooted now. I make her wear a scarf to as its always after cold wind or running in the cold that she gets it.thanks Joette for your wisdom. by the way I have been on here 2 years. I changed name to fake name to protect us from family that thinks me nuts cause I don’t vac or use drugs. Or take my kid for “wellness visits”. they google me often to find me.
Smart Mom. You have to do what you have to do to protect your family. Some day, they’ll be asking your advise.
I had had a bad cold/cough about 18 years ago and ever since every time I got another cold I would cough so hard I would throw up. It was hard being out anywhere because it sounded like I was going to cough up a lung and people thought I was dying. Several years ago I started learning about homeopathy and tried Drosera. That really helped. Now with each cold/cough it’s gotten better to the point that even with a cough I no longer feel like I’m going to throw up. If I ever get that feeling again I am going to try Ipecac.
This is really helpful! Thanks, Joette.
Thanks so much for shedding light on the topic of coughs!I get confused on which remedy to chose for my children due to how the cough often changes throughout the day. Next time I will feel more confident in my choice of Ipecac as long as it keeps nagging and gagging throughout the day! I’m so grateful for all I’ve been learning from you! Thanks!
Joette, I have a great story about this. A week ago a friend came over for a visit with her one-year-old son. He had a terrible dry cough that was incessant. He was absolutely miserable, and it was hard to watch the poor little guy cough so much. Just a couple days before, this mother had taken him to a homeopathic doctor who had prescribed a combination remedy that clearly wasn’t working and had cost her $50. My friend mentioned to me during her visit that sometimes her son would gag and spit up from coughing so much. My ears perked up, as I remembered this blog post. I re-read the post, and also searched out other remedy possibilities online and in my homeopathy books. No other remedy stood out to me, so I gave my friend a bag with several doses of Ipecac to give to her son (from the homeopathy kit I bought from your office with my Christmas money!). After the first dose, he fell asleep almost immediately, but when he awoke he was still coughing. However, the next morning after four doses, he was very much improved! His cough continued to improve steadily after that. Thank you, Joette! I tell all the moms I know about your site and hope to take one of your courses soon.
Hi Joette,
I print out every blog you have written and keep them safe for when they are needed. I am a bit concerned. Our two year old grandson had a terrible cold with croup. There were definitely some respiratory issues with his breathing. We gave Kali Carbonicum with great results. We gave spongia which helped rid of the barking cough, although he was left with a nagging terrible cough for over a week now I will definitely try the ipecac. My classes have taught me so much and am so grateful. My question to you is our 2 month old granddaughter is now showing signs of all of the above. We are very concerned. Please tell me if it safe to use these remedies for such a little one. I so appreciate your response. Thank You
Without taking the case, it would be difficult for me to comment, but I have used remedies for newborns in my family all the way to octogenarians and they seem to work in the same fashion for all.
What remedies for small humans
They are the same remedies for young and old. Age isn’t a factor.
Hi Joette,
January 2014, I got a cold just the average common cold. The cold went away as normal but my cough never did. Today I still have this cough – 20 months later. One thing that I find interesting is that I do not cough when I am sleeping – only when I am awake. At nine weeks, I went to the Dr. and he said bronchitis – the antibiotics got rid of the severity of the cough but I still had this cough. At twelve weeks, I went back and he put me on a stronger dose, took an x-ray and blood tests – all was good but still have this cough. I went to a natural path and tried several vitamins – still have this cough. I went to a blood analyst a few months ago and slowly working on diet changes. The above that you are talking about, I do not think it applies, would you happen to have another suggestion?
I am unable to take cases in this setting and it is what needs to be done in order to offer information specific to your question.
Hi Joette-
This remedy has helped my family immensely, especially with this cold we are battling at the moment. As for me, being 7 months pregnant, is this a remedy that is okay while pregnant? My book does not list what is/isn’t reccomended during pregnancy. Could you possibly post a link/write a blog/ podcast on what is okay to take. This aspect of Homeopathy is quite hard to navigate. Thanks!!
Last night my 18 year old son was coughing and gagging and felt like throwing up. The post doesn’t say how often to give it, when the coughing is that severe, but I gave him ipecac 30 every 15 minutes for 4 doses. He slept well and is much better today. He’s still coughing, but not like yesterday. Today, I have him taking it every 3 hours.
I’m new to homeopathy. Did I do the right thing by having him take it every 15 min. when it was so extreme?
Excellent work, Wendy!
how often should you take this ive had a cough and hoarseness for a week now ive tried first oscillococcinum that didn’t work so I tried bryonia and aconitum then I tried antimonium and kali carbonicum im at a loss at what I can take nothing ive tried has helped me to get better do you think I should try hepar sulph 30 now I still don’t have all the remedies if I go to health store they only care the lowest potency amazon does have them but it will take days to get it help!!!!
A person is only as good as the remedies she owns. I can’t urge you enough to own a homeopathy kit, despite the number of remedies you have recently purchased, it is a super inconvenience to purchase one at a time not to mention more costly. As a reminder, if you don’t use the correct potencies, you’ll not enjoy the results I discuss.
The most common reason for failure is the misunderstanding of how important it is to get the remedy specifically matched to the condition and symptoms. Oscillo, Antimonium tart, Kali carb are not influential for hoarseness. So its not that they didn’t work, its that they were poorly chosen. Bryonia and Aconitum might have been a good consideration in the beginning, but hoarseness is usually best met with Hepar sulph 200.
Interesting. I have Ipecacuanha in three potencies: 6x, 30 and 200 . Is there ever a time when the 6x or 200 would be used over the 30c?
If you’re using classical, then any one of those could potentially be employed. But when using these protocols, only 30 is used.
My nephew has been diagnosed with Whooping cough. He is in the later stages as he only has a cough left. The cough is very spasmodic and sounds hoarse. I suggested Ipecac with Cuprum based on the Banerji protocol I found for Whooping cough. It does not seem to be helping. I suggested they use Hepar sulph now instead of the other two Rems. Any suggestions? The poor boy is so exhausted from all the coughing. Thanks Joette! I so appreciate all that you do to empower us!
I wonder what you mean when you say that its not helping. Does that mean you’ve seen no improvement at all after using it for several days?
Yes, there has been no improvement at all. My daughter just started coughing this morning and I am going to take her in to be tested for it so I know what I’m dealing with. Is there anything to give my son so that he doesn’t get it?
Natalie, given that you are a client, I’ve asked my staff to contact you and give you information directly. I assume that by now, that has been done.
The question I have is if giving a homeopathic remedy ever causes mucus to pool in the lungs because of it’s ability to stop a cough. My daughter has a bunch of thick mucous and a pretty nasty cough but Drosera is stopping her cough really well. I know one reason to not give cough medicine is because a productive cough will help keep mucus cleared out. Its also my understanding that homeopathy helps to cure not suppress. So should I have any concern about Drosera leading to pneumonia because it is stopping her cough and her ability to get out the mucous or is it really curing the mucous so she just doesn’t need to cough any more? Thank you!! I’m happy to sign up or become a member to get a response. I’m convinced that homeopathy is awesome and so is Joette. I’m just trying to find the time to learn more!
When a cough is better, we generally accept it at face value. However, if you’re worried you could certainly have someone experienced listen with a stethoscope to confirm one way or another. As an important aside, homeopathy’s goal is to uproot, not set up a clandestine condition.
I have taken the recommended doses ipecac 30 two days ago for a nagging cough, now I am unable to keep my food down I am still throwing up after coughing is this supposed to happen? Even in my sleep I seem to still be waking to vomit. Is this normal?? Please help.
If you’re asking me if its normal to continuously vomit from having taken a homeopathic, the answer is no. It should correct the problem, not add a new one. If it is indeed a result of taking the homeopathic and not a progression of the illness you might want to read my blog on antidoting http://joettecalabrese.com/blog/homeopathy/stop-it-how-to-antidote-a-bad-drug-reaction/
My 4 year old daughter came down with a junky cough which wasn’t responding well to hepar sulph so I switched to Drosera after about a day. Drosera worked remarkably well for about a week as long as I gave her the drosera twice a day. I slowly stopped giving her Drosera till she seemed fully recovered with no cough at all. Last night, about 4 days after her cough cleared, she started coughing again at night. It sounded a little different (more like a tickly/naggy cough) but I gave her Drosera again because the first time seemed to work so well. Drosera did nothing, so this morning I gave her Ipecac 30 (it was about 3 hours after I had given her the Drosera during the night). Her cough completely stopped with Ipecac, but she felt off the rest of the day complaining of her head/neck hurting and feeling dizzy as the day went on. This evening she developed a fever. Could the Ipecac cause that? I putdiluted peppermint oil on her feet this evening at bed to try to antidote the Ipecac. I have to also add that I gave her a prophylaxis dose (4 nosodes) of influenzium after her cough had cleared but before the new cough developed hoping to help protect her from catching flu at school this week. Could the influenzium cause flu??
Influenzinum doesn’t cause the flu, but it could cause to confuse the overall picture. And yes, Ipecac or any homeopathic, for that matter can cause symptoms when they’re not correct. After using the “wrong remedy”, the symptoms that arise will now direct you to the correct one.
Its not a bad idea to start with a clean slate with peppermint repeatedly over a day or so. Then we watch for information as to where to go from there.
As an aside, I was actually happy when my children developed a fever. It meant that the illness was going to be cooked off naturally.
She woke up very frightened twice during the night and since it was within 24 hours onset of the new cough/fever, I gave her aconite 200. It calmed her fears but did nothing for fever . I also like fevers. Just not sure on this one what is happening. I don’t know if this is a new illness or if the old one came back. I hope I didn’t further confuse the picture. I will use more peppermint on her feet today. Is that the best way to use it to antidote?
Read my blog article, Stop That! about antidoting. Meanwhile, mint is fine.
Also, after I antidote for a day, do any remedies come to mind for fever, achy joints (elbow) and shins, and pain at the base of the back of her head, possibly wrapping around to the front of her head? She is coughing but not intense or constant. Or do I wait for new symptoms after I antidote?
Eupatorium and RT are the most common for achy with a fever, etc.
Sorry for so many replys. It is really looking like my daughter does have the flu. Would it be ill advised to start her on influenzium 30 since I have already given her so many different remedies or is it ok to go ahead and proceed with influenzium to try and head off flu as soon as possible? She has fever, aches, pains, stomach ache, head ache and a slight cough. It came on pretty quickly.
Sorry for so many messages! You can delete my previous 3. We went to the doctor and my daughter tested positive for flu A. Now we know what is going on. It was just a sad coincidence of back to back illness. I gave her oscillo at 12:30pm today. How soon can I giver her ifluenzium30? Should I wait till the 6 hours after oscillo or go ahead and give it now? Do you recommend rotating the two or just giving influenzium? I’m also starting the family on the 4 doses of influenzium today. Then we wait and do it again in one week or is the protocol different since we have a confirmed flu in the house? Thank you!!! definitely joining the study group. Wish I already had!!
Both my husband and infant son have been sick with colds and were having wrenching, gagging coughs tonight and I used Ipecac 30c. Within 5 minutes, they were sleeping soundly!! I love homeopathy and I find your blog so easy to glean and learn from frequently. Thank you!!
Thanks for your comment. It helps many others.
when i click on the link for ipecac 30 it takes me to amazon, and the description says it’s a remedy for nausea? Don’t want to get the wrong thing and it looks like this article is a couple years old.
No matter the age of the information, homeopathy does not change. Each medicine has many uses. Ipecac is also useful for nausea, gagging, coughing, breathlessness, bleeding, etc., etc.
Thanks…just thought because of the age of the article the link wasn’t updated.
My daughter is 4 and gets coughs very easily. She has a constant dry cough through the night and day. This started on Sunday when she was exposed outside to cold air. I was recommended to give her belladonna 30 and hep sulp 30. And gave gave her 3 doses in 15 minute intervals. Then in 3 hour intervals. She is still has constant cough. Prior to this we were working on this sensitivity to catching coughs so easily and she was on Rumex. I am starting to feel discouraged and not sure what else to do or try. Any suggestions?
I’d have to take her case, but don’t be discouraged. The wrong medicines will yield the wrong resutls, which is why you’re not seeing improvement.
Hi! What is the best remedy at the onset of a cough? Not barky or loose, like a tickle in your throat need to cough..
Thanks!
Type the words “Joette calabrese coughs” on your browser and you’ll find what you’re looking for. Do that for any condition.
Hi Mam,
My mother, 75 yrs old, non diabetic, just gone through CABG (bypass surgery). she has chronic dry cough that triggers by itching /irritation/ tingling in throat. Each cough episode ends with vomiting. After CABG procedure the ailment has been aggravated to many fold.
She is extremely allergic to allopathic medicines. The cough conditions were discussed with her doctors and they diagnosed that it is due to both reaction of medication she is taking as well as GERD due to her weak digestive system.
Please help her.
I take personal cases by contacting my office.
I have that cough! Man am I glad I found this article! Getting me some today. I knew it wasn’t antimonium tart that I needed this time, wrong cough. I tried Calcarea Carbonica to no avail. Was going to try Bryonia but it just wasn’t quite the right symptoms. But this describes my cough to a T, and it’s been going on for weeks! Thank you so much, wish me luck!
Yes! Good luck and get back to let us know.
Hi Joette! My husband has something similar it doesn’t sound mucous thought. It’s worse in the morning and then again at night and when it rains it gets worse. He has had it for 3 weeks. I feel ipecac is right for him but I only have it in 200c, can I use this dosage or do I need ipecac 30?
Thank you
If you want to enjoy the results that I’ve become accustomed to, use the potency that’s known to do the best.
Ipecac worked miracle for my son, who couldn’t stop coughing. One dose helped him within 10 min!
Thank you!
My daughter had a long bout of coughing and gagging at college recently. She tried one remedy from her kit which didnt help. Then I searched Ipecac and found this post to be the most specific and practical to distinguish among the (many) possible remedies for cough.I recommended it to her and it took that nagging cough away finally, to our both relief!
A friends child has whooping cough and ipecac and cup met is not working. Can she use pertussin 200?
I can’t personally advise on this forum.
Once again… thanking God for suppling an extra dose of clarity and wisdom through you dear Joette. I’ve been feeling a touch overwhelmed with our 3 sons not showing marked improvement on the remedies I’ve tried in the last few days. Thank you for the reminder to give each remedy a fair chance at 4 doses, and so true what you said about Ipeca. God bless you and yours!
What about Antimonium tart? I used to use that for coughs, rattling coughs.
generally, not when it’s nagging and gagging.
I’m new to homeopathy, but have fallen in love with it since my friend gave me coffea and sepia for issues that were almost immediately resolved. I gave my son Ipeca last night for his cough and he stopped coughing and fell asleep. I gave it to him mid morning upon hearing the cough return and by the afternoon, the cough has stopped. I am so regretful that I have lived half a life without knowing about homeopathy!
‘Delighted to have you a part of our world wide pack. Consider joining one of my study groups, Gateway to Homeopathy. You’ll meet moms just like you and expedite your learning curve.
Hi, Can you take the Ipeca as a part of a progression. For example, if a cold starts wtih sinuses, post nasal drip and a cold in the nose, can you take Hepar Sulph 200 + Sanguinaria 200 2D. Then if it progresses into a cold with a cough, can you switch to Aconitum+Bryonia, or add in Nux Vomica if it has lots of digestive symptoms. And then if it seems to turn into largely just a lingering cough remains, could you then switch to Ipeca? Do you follow the progress of an illness like this with switching remedies? And should you stop the prior one before starting the next?
I will explain the method on Facebook Live presentation on Monday 8PM. If you miss it, you’ll be able to see it after its loaded. It will also be on Youtube. Until then, we continue with medicines that are still showing favorable action. Once it’s evident that the condition no longer responds to the medicine, we remove it and carry on from there.
Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to respond. As an aside, I have been trying to get an appointment with you for 3 months and would be so grateful if you could see me. My wife just asked to talk to me about whether or not we should basically let me die at home rather than go to the hospital if my cough/cold progresses further (i have not confidence they would do anything for me other than make me miserable and separate me from my family) — it breaks my heart for her. I am 6ft, 97 pounds and fighting off a cold/flu, only able to eat a handful of foods, and very weak. I know you probably have so many sick people who want to see you, but i am trying asking you again – not for me, but for my wife who has gone through so much watching me be sick for so many years. I wish i could give her some hope.
my 10 yr old dog has a nagging cough. sounds like an ipecac thing. i thinks it’s sinus related. her vet visits have been positive. i’ve used remedies on animals before, so i assume i can use ipecac on my dog?
I can’t think of any homeopathic medicine that can’t be used for dogs.
Remedy card (s), please?
I had severe croup as a child, and was given the usual treatments for it at the hospital (epinephrine, mist, Decadron shots, etc, but my mom also mentioned that I was given Ipecac in the ER as well. I’m actually a pediatric respiratory therapist now, and I have never seen it used for that. I couldn’t figure out why they would have given it to me, but this kind of makes sense, in an old-school remedy sense.
Syrup of ipecac used to be given in the gross form to cause hyperemesis.
Thank you Joette.My husband has this very annoying cough,every year,when the temperature drops.He doesn’t have any other symptoms,just a short cough(extremely annoying to the point I told him I will tape his mouth shut 😁) with some throat clearing that sounds more like a habit honestly.
Any idea which one will fit better?
Hello Joette,
I have a cough that is brought on by a deep breath and sometimes just a slight one. What should I try?
Thank you,
Maria
Maria, I can’t prescribe for you but if you have a materia medica, read more deeply on this medicine and see if it represents your symptoms. What I’ve described here is only a small portion of its ability.