Homeopathy Starter Kit for Kids: top 13 childhood illnesses
- Alex Kelly
- Aug 9
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 15
/ If you're new to homeopathy, check of my Homeopathy for Beginners guide!
Homeopathy is most effective when specific symptoms are targeted, because of this there is not a one size fits all remedy for most illnesses. The following, are great starting points for the general sickness. Additional remedies may be beneficial, depending on exact symptoms and behaviors.
The general rule of thumb when self-treating is to stick with a 30c potency.
The National Center for Homeopathy has one of my favorite remedy search engines. Boiron has remedy search app as well.
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Allium Cepa - best known for relieving hay fever symptoms. It’s also commonly used to ease nasal discharge caused by allergies or infections. This remedy helps reduce watery nasal flow, burning or irritation in the nose, and excessive tearing of the eyes—symptoms similar to those experienced when chopping an onion.
Bug Bites / Rashes
Apis Mellifica is best known for its treatment against bug bites, but can also be used for itchy skin, rashes, contact dermatitis, heat rash, and sunburns.
Chickenpox
Rhus Tox - widely recognized remedy known for its healing properties in arthritis, but it’s also effective for various conditions characterized by stiffness and restlessness. It aids in relieving joint pain, muscle and tendon strains, and arthritis symptoms. Additionally, Rhus tox can be beneficial for skin eruptions similar to poison ivy and for soothing hot spots.
red skin, burning, burning after scratching, intense itch, annoying itch, dry/hot skin, feels better with warm application and bathing
Common Cold - Cold Calm
Boiron's Cold Calm formula helps ease common cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and minor sore throat. It contains a blend of active homeopathic ingredients, each chosen for its specific relief:
Allium cepa 3C HPUS – Eases sneezing and runny nose
Apis mellifica 6C HPUS – Relieves nasal congestion
Belladonna 6C HPUS – Addresses colds that start suddenly
Eupatorium perfoliatum 3C HPUS – Helps reduce body aches and pains from colds
Gelsemium sempervirens 6C HPUS – Relieves cold-related headaches
Kali bichromicum 6C HPUS – Reduces nasal discharge
Nux vomica 3C HPUS – Helps calm sneezing attacks
Phytolacca decandra 6C HPUS – Soothes minor sore throat linked to colds
Pulsatilla 6C HPUS – Eases colds accompanied by loss of taste and smell
Croup
Spongia tosta is one of the most common "go-to's"due to it's ability to relieve dry, barking coughs often associated with croup.
Ear Infections
Pulsatilla - This is the most common remedy for both acute and chronic otitis, often starting as a cold that progresses to ear infection. Symptoms include painful fullness or bursting sensations, usually in the left ear, with pulsing or rushing noises. Pain may spread to the face and teeth. Affected children are typically warm, feverish, thirsty, and emotionally changeable—alternating between playing and feeling ill. Discharges are thick, bland, and can be green or yellow. The child is tearful, seeks comfort and gentle carrying. Symptoms worsen with heat, at night, and when blowing the nose, but improve with fresh or cool air, motion, and gentle walking.
Chamomilla - Characterized by intense ear pain that is extremely sensitive. The child is often crying loudly, extremely irritable, and very demanding, needing to be held constantly. One cheek appears red and warm, while the other is pale and cool. Symptoms worsen with ear contact, during examinations (which the child strongly dislikes), between 9 to 10 AM or PM, exposure to cold air or wind, and when at rest. Relief is found when the child is carried, wrapped warmly, or gently rocked.
Belladonna: Sudden, intense pulsing pain, especially severe on the right side. The outer ear is often red. High fever with a flushed, hot face and glassy, dilated eyes. Hands and feet feel cold despite the warm face. The child may be thirstless but sometimes craves lemonade. Symptoms worsen around 3 PM, after midnight (with screaming), from drafts, noise, lying down, and sudden movements. Warm wraps provide relief. The child may be restless, twitchy, or delirious due to fever.
Flu (influenza) - Oscillococcinum
Oscillococcinum is a patented, commercially available homeopathic remedy. It’s prepared from a 1% solution of Anas barbariae, a wild duck heart and liver extract, that has been diluted 200 times in a water and alcohol base. It is the go to remedy for flu-like symptoms. It is best taken at the first sign of symptoms like: body aches, headaches, chills, and fever.
Fevers
Aconite (aconitum napellus)
High fevers that come on suddenly, with hot and dry skin.
High fevers that come on suddenly with profuse sweating and hypersensitivity to light and noise.
Fevers with restlessness; a child who continuously moves to find a comfortable position
Gastroenteritis (stomach flu, rotavirus, norovirus)
Vomiting
Ipecac: persistent nausea, violent vomiting, lots of saliva, intestinal pain
Diarrhea
Arsenicum Album - best for foul smelling, burning diarrhea with weakness
Veratrum album - best for frequent spurting diarrhea with cold sweats
Podyphyllum pelatatum - best for watery, explosive diarrhea with cramping pain
Veratrum album - odorless, profuse diarrhea with forceful vomiting
Nausea
Hand Foot and Mouth
Mercurius solubilis: This study used Merc sol for the treatment of HFM in a 31 year old patient, which lead to "significant improvement including reduced pain and mouth ulcers."
Respiratory Infections - such as RSV / Bronchiolitis / Pneumonia
Respiratory infections are a very broad scope. With any ailment trying to be treated homeopathically, It's important to focus more so on the specific, unique symptoms of each case vs the actual illness itself. Pinpoint the most severe symptoms, first, and focus on treatment options for those.
The "colds" section above it a great place to start.
Professional Formula's Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nosode
Professional Formula's Pneumonia Nosode
Strep Throat / Sore Throat
Boiron's Throat Calm - for red, dry, sore throats with hoarseness
Boiron's Throat Calm tablets + spray bundle
Argentum nitricum - sore throat with the feeling of a splinter in the throat
Phytolacca decandra - sore throat with pain radiating to the ears when swallowing (especially hot liquids)
Mercurius solubilis - sore throat with hyper salivation, bad taste in mouth, worsens at night
Apis mellifica - swollen, itchy, burning throat, improved by cold
Whooping Cough
Drosera: often suited for those with whooping cough–like symptoms who also become easily angered, particularly at themselves. They may experience relentless coughing fits or feel as if a feather is tickling their larynx. A dislike for sour foods is also common in Drosera cases.
Pertussinum & Drosera combo: One study showed pertussinum 30C (1x/week) combined with drosera 6C (3x/day) effective against the intensity and duration of whooping cough. *pertussinum is 3rd party or rx only
Bryonia: best suited for cases where the cough is harsh, dry, and comes with irritability or thirst for large amounts of water.
Cuprum: best suited for cases where the cough ends in a gasp or whoop, or if there’s choking, rigidity, or convulsions during a coughing spell.
Ipecac: best suited for persistent, violent, cough fits. Especially when the cough is wet-sounding, but no mucus is brought up. It can be particularly helpful when coughs lead to gagging or vomiting.
Hepar sulph: late-stage pertussis with wheezing and dry cough
Phosphorus: dry cough with chest pain
Aconite: hoarse, dry cough with thirst and restlessness
Spongia tosta: harsh cough worse when lying down (great for croup, too)
Bonus for Babies:
Keywords: teething, angry, irritable, inconsolable but doesn't want to be touched
Chamomilla is a go-to remedy for many childhood ailments, particularly when irritability and extreme sensitivity to pain are present. It’s most commonly used during teething, often helping with associated ear infections as well. Key signs include a child who is inconsolable, wants to be held but then resists, and wakes at night due to discomfort. Other indications may include green, spinach-like stools, facial swelling, and a strong aversion to being touched.
Teething
Toothaches with extreme pain
Ear pain associated with anger and irritability
Colicky stomach pain
Green diarrhea in teething babies
Angry, irritable when in pain, hard to console
Rocking may make child feel better
May have one red cheek and one pale cheek
Camilia for teething
Chamomilla + Phytolacca decandra for painful gums + Rheum for digestive issues related to teething
Key words: hormones, clingy, fussy, cold, heat aversion
Pulsatilla is often used for conditions linked to hormonal imbalances, including irregular or absent periods, menopause-related symptoms, and various reproductive concerns. It’s also applied in cases of respiratory infections, digestive upsets, and certain eye issues. It is also helpful for babies and children who are especially clingy. This remedy is typically indicated when symptoms are changeable and shifting, discharges are mild and tearful in nature, and there is little or no thirst.
Clingy, fussy babies
Babies who only want to be held
Babies who cry when put down
Conjunctivitis
Headaches
Earaches
Hormonal imbalances
Irregular or suppressed menstruation
Desire for cool, open spaces
Aversion to heat
How to Give Homeopathic Remedies to a Baby
The following is from The Enlightened Homeopath
This method can be used for anyone who cannot take pellets
In a glass cup...
Dissolve two pellets in 1/4 c of filtered or distilled water
Stir thoroughly with a metal spoon and give 1/2 tsp or dropper full
You can cover the solution with foil and repeat the stirring and administration as needed
Store in the cupboard at room temperature
Discard after 2 days
Comments