Treating a sore throat with homeopathy: the complete guide based on your symptoms

The pharmacist’s advice: ready-to-use solutions

As a first-line treatment, complexes such as Homéogène 9® or Angipax® (from 6 years of age) can be used at a dose of 1 to 2 lozenges every hour. Caution: due to the presence of Pulsatilla, do not use in cases of ear infection or sinusitis without medical advice.

How can homeopathy be used to treat a red sore throat with a dry, burning sensation?

In erythematous tonsillitis (red tonsillitis), the mucous membrane is inflamed. The choice of remedy therefore depends on the nature of the pain:

• Belladonna (5, 7, 9 CH): The throat is red, dry and painful. The patient feels as though a “hand is squeezing their neck” (spasm). The fever fluctuates, the head is congested and there is profuse sweating. Symptoms are also aggravated by noise and light.

Dosage: Take 5, 7, 9 CH, 5 granules every 2 or 3 hours. Space out doses as symptoms improve.

• Apis mellifica 9 CH: The tonsils are red and swollen; the uvula is very swollen, hanging down like a “water-filled wineskin”. The pain is stinging and burning, relieved by cold or ice. However, the patient is not thirsty.

Dosage: Take 9 CH, 5 granules every hour. Apis acts quickly but for a short duration. Space out doses as symptoms improve.

• Aconitum 5 CH: Sudden onset, often at night following exposure to cold. The throat burns with intense thirst.
• Phytolacca decandra (5 or 7 CH): The throat is dark red; the pain radiates to the ears with every swallow. Generalised aching may also be felt throughout the body.

Dosage: Take in 5 or 7 CH, 5 granules every 2 or 3 hours, sometimes alternating with Belladonna.

• Capsicum 5 CH: For intense burning pain, as if there were pepper in the throat.

Which homeopathic remedies should be chosen for white tonsillitis with white spots or pseudomembranes?

For pultaceous tonsillitis (white tonsillitis), four mercury salts are essential:

• Mercurius solubilis (9 or 15 CH): This is the basic remedy if the tongue is swollen (retaining the imprint of the teeth), there is foul breath and profuse salivation. However, higher dilutions are preferred to prevent suppuration. Alternate with Belladonna (covers 80% of cases).

Dosage: 9 CH, 5 granules every 2 to 3 hours, or even 15 CH in patients prone to phlegmons.

• Mercurius biiodatus (left tonsil) and protoiodatus (right tonsil): To be used according to the side of the infection.

Dosage: Take one dose of the chosen salt in 9 CH strength morning and evening.

• Mercurius cyanatus: Essential if greyish, adherent pseudomembranes cover bleeding ulcers, accompanied by profound fatigue (possible adjuvant in cases of diphtheritic tonsillitis).

In severe non-diphtheritic sore throats with pseudomembranes, take one dose tube of Mercurius cyanatus morning and evening. Then, during the day, alternate every 2 hours between 5 granules of Belladonna 7 or 9 CH and 5 granules of Mercurius solubilis or Mercurius corrosivus 9 CH, depending on clinical symptoms.

• Lac caninum: If the pain regularly shifts from one side to the other.
• Lycopodium 9 CH: If the pain starts on the right, improves with hot drinks but worsens between 4 pm and 8 pm.

Which homeopathic remedy should be used for ulcerative-necrotic tonsillitis or hyperalgesic pain?

Strain (Remedy)	Local symptoms and characteristics	General condition and modalities	Recommended dosage
Mercurius corrosivus (7 or 9 CH)	Ulcerations burning like “hot coals”. Swollen and inflamed mucous membrane.	Hyperalgesic pain: even swallowing liquids causes spasms and constriction. Worsens at the slightest touch.	5 granules, 4 times a day.
Lachesis mutus (9 or 15 CH)	Dark red, ulcerated, swollen tonsils.	Total intolerance to the slightest external contact (collar, scarf). Pain worse with hot liquids than with cold ones. General condition severely affected (depression).	5 granules, twice daily.
Kalium bichromicum 5 CH	Clear, “cut-out”ulcers. Yellow or greenish-yellow, viscous and persistent exudates.	Mainly located on the pillars of the soft palate. Edematous uvula (hangs like a small water-filled sac).	5 granules, 2 to 4 times a day (depending on the severity of the case).
Ailanthus glandulosa (5 or 7 CH)	Dark red throat with small purpuric spots on the mucosa or ulcerations. Foul-smelling breath. Dry/brown tongue.	General condition severely impaired: prostration, adynamia, congested and puffy face.	5 granules, approximately every 6 hours.
Arum triphyllum (5 or 7 CH)	Bright red larynx. Sharp pains with a sensation of constriction. Profuse salivation.	Severe general condition (very high fever). The patient nervously picks at the skin on their lips until they bleed.	5 granules, 4 times a day.

Note: Ailanthus glandulosa is particularly indicated in the following cases: febrile conditions, ENT and respiratory infections, skin rashes and allergies, very poor general condition, often following an illness. Whereas Arum triphyllum is useful for: upper ENT conditions, inflammation and pain in the mouth, irritating nasal discharge. It is also useful in cases of changes in the voice or if a child irritates their lips and mouth with their fingers during an ENT infection.

How can homeopathy be used to stop the onset of a tonsillar abscess or phlegmon?

Treatment must be started early to avoid surgery. The ‘ladder’ prescription method is then used:

1. Pyrogenium 9 CH: One single-dose tube to halt the infectious process and prevent suppuration (avoid if the abscess has already formed).

Dosage: Take one single-dose tube of 9 CH, in combination with Hepar sulfur

1. Hepar sulfur: This is the key remedy for suppuration. It is used in a step-up regimen to resolve the infection: one dose of 9 CH on the first day, then 12 CH, 15 CH and finally 30 CH on the following days (always preceded by Pyrogenium 2 hours beforehand).
2. Ferrum phosphoricum 4 CH: To be added if an ear infection threatens to develop alongside the sore throat.

The timing is important when using the so-called ‘escalating’ regimen:

• As soon as the infection begins, take one tube of Pyrogenium 9 CH and, 2 hours later, one single-dose tube ofHepar sulfur 9 CH
• 12 hours later, take a single-dose tube ofHepar sulfur 12 CH, always preceded 2 hours earlier by a single-dose tube of Pyrogenium 9 CH
• 24 hours later, a single-dose tube ofHepar sulfur 15 CH, preceded 2 hours earlier by a single-dose tube of Pyrogenium 9 CH
• 24 hours later, one single-dose vial ofHepar sulfur 30 CH, always 2 hours after a single-dose vial of Pyrogenium 9 CH

How can one prevent recurrent sore throats with homeopathic remedies and treat the throat locally?

For chronic sore throats associated with a ‘luese’ (canker sores, recurrent gingivitis), a weekly constitutional treatment is recommended using remedies such as Luesinum, Argentum nitricum or Calcarea fluorica (9 to 15 CH).

Local treatment in the form of a gargle is particularly suitable and is prepared as follows: mix equal parts of Phytolacca TM and Calendula TM.

• Usage: 20 drops (or ½ teaspoon) in half a glass of lukewarm water, 3 to 5 times a day.
• Benefits: Calendula soothes and moisturises (mucilage), whilst Phytolacca disinfects. Warning: contains alcohol; not recommended for children or pregnant women.