A cough can be dry and hard, barking at night, loose and rattling, or come with nausea. Homeopaths choose a different remedy for each, by small details — when it is worse, what it sounds like, what comes with it. This guide shows how, and when a cough needs a doctor rather than a remedy.
What a cough usually looks like
People describe it as a dry cough, a tickling cough, a night cough, a chesty cough with phlegm, or a cough that comes with a cold. Look at what kind it is — dry or loose, worse at night or on moving, with nausea or with a rattle — because that is what separates one remedy from another.
Which cough is yours? How homeopaths tell them apart
Classical homeopathy looks at how the complaint behaves — what it feels like, what makes it better or worse, and how you feel in yourself. These are the pictures our reference charts (Boericke’s Materia Medica) give:
| Remedy | Looks like this | Also typical |
|---|---|---|
| Drosera | Violent barking fits one after another, worse after midnight and on lying down. | Worse talking and laughing; often ends in gagging or vomiting. |
| Bryonia | Hard, dry, painful cough, worse from any movement and on coming into a warm room. | Presses a hand to the chest; very thirsty for long cold drinks. |
| Spongia | Dry, hollow, barking cough “like a saw driven through wood”, worse before midnight. | Worse in cold air and excitement; better for warm drinks. |
| Antimonium Tart | Loud rattling chest, but almost nothing comes up. | Weak and drowsy. |
| Ipecacuanha | Cough with constant nausea and gagging. | A wheezing rattle in the chest but little raised. |
| Hepar Sulph | Loose, rattling cough made worse by the least cold air. | Very chilly and touchy. |
Real cases rarely match one picture neatly. That is why our pharmacist asks a few questions before suggesting anything — you can describe it to our assistant on the home page or message us on WhatsApp below.
Ready-made combinations
When the picture is not clear, many people use a ready-made combination. The manufacturers’ charts we work from list these:
- Dr. Reckeweg — R8 and R9
- ADEL — ADEL 7 and ADEL 83
- SBL — Stodal+
- Dr. Willmar Schwabe — Alpha-CC and Tussistin
- Bakson’s — B33 (Cough & Cold Drops), Kof Aid, Kof Aid Plus, B40, B49, B54
- Allen — A61 (Whooping Cough Drop) and A62 (Wet Cough Drop)
The ones we have in stock are listed below, and you can browse all cold, cough and respiratory medicines. Your pharmacist confirms the right one, and how to take it, before your order goes out.
Common questions
Which homeopathic medicine is traditionally used for a dry cough worse on moving?
Bryonia is the classic picture: a hard, dry, painful cough, worse from any movement and on coming into a warm room, with great thirst for cold drinks. A dry barking cough worse before midnight in cold air points instead to Spongia.
What is used for a cough that comes in fits at night?
Drosera is the traditional choice for violent barking fits that follow one another, worse after midnight and on lying down, often ending in gagging.
When should I see a doctor instead?
See a doctor if there is real difficulty breathing or chest pain, if you cough up blood, if there is a high fever that will not come down or a fever lasting more than three days, or if the cough is severe, getting worse, or has lasted far longer than it should. A baby or young child with a cough and difficulty breathing needs a doctor urgently.
Products we stock for this
These are the German and Indian brands our pharmacist usually reaches for. Tell us your symptoms and he will confirm which one suits you before dispatch.
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Dr. Reckeweg 🇩🇪
Dr. Reckeweg R8 – Cough Syrup
Catarrhal affections of the upper air passages.
MRP ₹600.00 150ml
Details
What it’s for: Catarrhal affections of the upper air passages. Rhino-laryngo-pharyngitis, especially bronchitis and whooping cough at all stages. Effective expectorant in chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma.
Composition: Ammonium causticum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Coccus cacti, Corallium rubrum, Cuprum aceticum, Drosera, Ipecacuanha, Thymus vulgaris
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Dr. Reckeweg 🇩🇪
Dr. Reckeweg R9 – Cough Drops
Catarrhal affections of the upper air passages.
MRP ₹325.00 22ml
Details
What it’s for: Catarrhal affections of the upper air passages. Bronchitis and whooping cough at all stages. Effective expectorant in chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, fits of coughing.
Composition: Belladonna, Bryonia, Coccus cacti, Corallium rubrum, Cuprum aceticum, Drosera, Ipecacuanha, Spongia, Sticta pulmonaria, Thymus vulgaris
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ADEL 🇩🇪
ADEL 7 – Cough Drops
All types of cough: whooping cough and cough due to cold and flu
MRP ₹355.00 20 ML
Details
What it’s for: All types of cough: whooping cough and cough due to cold and flu ADEL 7 (apo-TUSS) drops work as a natural antimicrobial for traditionally used for cough, laryngitis hoarseness and bronchial infections. It is a also effective for eliminating bronchial mucus, stabbing chest pains, fever and dry, hard coughs that frequently accompany acute illnesses. This remedy…
Composition: Armoracia rusticana 8x, Arum maculatum 4x, Bryonia 6x, Coccus cacti 4x, Cuprum aceticum 8x, Gelsemium 6x, Hedera helix 4x, Lactuca virosa 12x
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Dr. Willmar Schwabe
Schwabe Alpha-CC
For chronic, dry, irritative and spasmodic cough, worse at night on lying down.
MRP ₹230.00 20 g | Tablets
Details
What it’s for: For chronic, dry, irritative and spasmodic cough, worse at night on lying down.
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Dr. Willmar Schwabe
Schwabe Tussistin
Tussistin is a cough syrup containing Antimonium sulphuratum aureum, Bryonia alba, Drosera rotundifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, and Ipecacuanha.
MRP ₹115.00 Syrup in bottle | 100 ml
Details
What it’s for: Tussistin is a cough syrup containing Antimonium sulphuratum aureum, Bryonia alba, Drosera rotundifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, and Ipecacuanha. It is a homeopathic preparation formulated especially for the traditionally used for cough, which may be dry, loose, and spasmodic.
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Bakson's
Bakson B33 – Cough & Cold Drops
For cough and cold — dry or loose cough, throat irritation and chest congestion.
MRP ₹210.00 30 ml
Details
What it’s for: For cough and cold — dry or loose cough, throat irritation and chest congestion.
See a doctor first if…
- Chest pain, pain spreading to an arm or the jaw, or real difficulty breathing
- Sudden severe 'worst-ever' headache, a head injury, confusion, slurred speech, one-sided weakness, or a stiff neck with fever
- Blood in vomit, stool or urine, or coughed up; black tarry stool
- A baby or young child who is floppy, not feeding, not passing urine, or has a rash that does not fade under pressure
- A high fever that won't come down, fever with a rash, or fever lasting more than three days
- Signs of severe dehydration — sunken eyes, no urine, drowsiness
- Persistent vomiting; a hard, rigid, very tender abdomen
- Any complaint that is severe, rapidly worsening, or has lasted far longer than it should
- Pregnancy — most complaints need professional guidance, not self-selection
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis, and it does not replace a doctor. Homeopathic medicines are traditionally used to support recovery; they are not a substitute for emergency or ongoing medical care. Babies, older people, pregnant women and anyone on regular medicines should check with a doctor first.