The Beauty of Homeopathy in Reversing Childhood Asthma

By Tyler Groen, DCHM, HOM - Vitalis Clinic of Natural Medicine

The following case is a classic example of how children respond beautifully to remedies, even after a history of suppression through allopathic prescriptions—repeated antibiotics, hydrocortisone cream, Salbutamol, Ciclesonide, and Benadryl.

A 3-year-old patient, whom we will refer to as Mark, presented with mucus rattling in his lungs and difficulty expectorating. His parents were concerned that the puffer was no longer providing relief and wanted the mucus cleared. Mark’s health history revealed a common pattern seen in many young children. He was born with eczema and was prescribed a topical steroid cream at six months old, which his parents reported successfully cleared up his skin.

Mark remained symptom-free until he was 18 months old, when he developed an ear infection that was treated with antibiotics. However, he experienced two more infections over the next several months. Each time, he was prescribed antibiotics, and ear tube surgery was suggested if the infections continued.

At age two, Mark developed a persistent cough that did not resolve. A visit to his doctor led to a diagnosis of asthma. He was prescribed Salbutamol, a medication that relaxes the airways, and Ciclesonide, a corticosteroid inhaler that helps prevent lung inflammation. Further testing identified allergies to dust, cats, and dogs. To manage his allergic reactions, he was given Benadryl as needed.

Mark’s health was generally poor; he often exhibited flu-like symptoms that never seemed to fully resolve. Additionally, he was occasionally given Restoralax, a laxative, to address recurrent constipation.

After reviewing his health history, it was clear that his difficulty with expectoration was a symptom of more serious underlying health issues. We needed to address these chronic problems to avoid reliance on inhalants, Benadryl, or surgical interventions in the future.

There is a well-known connection between eczema and asthma, with asthma often developing after the suppression of eczema through cortisone treatment. Even when eczema is not present in a patient’s history, asthma can still stem from a miasmatic or emotional origin. Additionally, allergies are linked to suppressed eczema, as this suppression complicates the body’s histamine responses.

In addition to his health history, Mark experienced asthma attacks triggered by physical exertion, which included symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing, and panic. These episodes predominantly occurred after midnight, requiring him to sit up in bed to breathe comfortably.

This case is an example of suppression that began with childhood eczema. Mark’s parents acted with the best intentions; however, from a homeopathic perspective, each course of antibiotics, inhalers, and antihistamines only exacerbated his condition. Instead of addressing the underlying chronic issues immediately, the focus was on alleviating the most prominent symptoms.

As homeopaths, it is essential to educate parents about the differences between healing and suppression, the connection between eczema and asthma, and the risks of overusing antibiotics, inhalers, and fever suppressants. Setting realistic expectations for healing is vital—helping parents understand the homeopathic process and emphasizing that our goal is true healing, not merely symptom management. The pace at which healing occurs is influenced by the patient’s vitality, environment, and the choices we make as homeopaths regarding remedy selection, repetition, and potency.

Treatment and Initial Response

During the first two weeks of treatment, Mark received a single remedy for his acute symptoms, along with a nosode administered intercurrently:

• Antimonium Tart 200C – 3 pellets given every 24 hours for three days.

• Influenzinum 200C – 3 pellets given twice weekly for two weeks.

Antimonium Tart was chosen because:

• Boericke: “Rattling of mucus with little expectoration” is a guiding symptom. Rapid, short, difficult breathing, as if he would suffocate; must sit up. Bronchial tubes overloaded with mucus. Worse when lying down, better when sitting upright.

• Allen: "When the patient coughs, there appears much mucus in the bronchi, but nothing comes up. Relieves the ‘death rattle.’”

Influenzinum was administered for his persistent flu-like symptoms. In my clinical practice, I have observed that it helps alleviate the lingering effects of influenza. A potency of 30C is effective, but I have found that 200C yields even better results. Oscillococcinum (Anas Barbariae), produced by Boiron, can also be used at the onset of infection or alternated with Influenzinum to help reduce the severity of symptoms.

We saw Mark for a follow-up just over two weeks later. After his second dose of Antimonium Tart, he developed a low-grade fever and a runny nose that lasted for one week. As instructed, his parents did not administer acetaminophen or puffers. A steady fever between 99.5°F and 103.5°F is a normal and healthy immune response, which can be supported with the appropriate remedy.

Mark’s difficult, non-expectorant cough had resolved, along with his malaise and flu-like symptoms. This positive response indicated his ability to heal. At this point, I could have used the watch-and-wait method to see if healing continued without further intervention. However, I wanted to prevent a relapse due to his ongoing asthmatic issues.

Chronic Treatment Plan

For Mark’s chronic symptoms, three rubrics were selected:

• Skin, Eruptions, Suppressed.

• Respiration, Asthmatic, Night.

• Respiration, Exertion, Agg.

Arsenicum 200C was chosen based on several characteristics: Mark’s asthma attacks worsened after midnight, improved when sitting upright, were accompanied by significant anguish and restlessness, and included a fear of suffocation (Boericke).

While Aralia Racemosa was also considered, its attacks typically occur after the first sleep and do not include anxiety with coughing or the need to sit upright, which were key features of Arsenicum.

The treatment plan:

• Three pellets of Arsenicum 200C, once each evening for one week.

• After the first week, parents were instructed to give an additional dose only if an attack occurred at night.

Results

A follow-up appointment one month later demonstrated the remarkable effects of homeopathy. One week after starting Arsenicum, Mark’s attacks reduced in severity. The following week, he experienced only a single attack, during which his parents administered three pellets of the remedy. During the day, Mark was able to engage in physical activity without panting or wheezing—just like a healthy child.

After his last asthma attack, Mark was able to sleep through the night for the first time in several months. His parents were instructed to administer another dose of the remedy only if symptoms reoccurred. A month later, Mark had not needed his inhalers or Benadryl, and his mother reported that his constipation was also improving. I did not schedule another appointment, instead advising them to book a follow-up if any symptoms returned. We have not heard from them in six months.

Conclusion

Considering that old symptoms often reverse in the order they originally appeared, I expected Mark’s eczema to return, but so far, it has not. If his constipation had not continued to improve, a deeper constitutional remedy such as Calc Carb, Silica, Baryta Carb, or a bowel nosode might have been recommended. Potential remedies for future use include Histaminum, Psorinum, Tuberculinum, or Bacillinum. However, at this time, he does not require any further remedies—demonstrating that the correct remedy can facilitate a remarkable cure.