Aconite
Throat and tonsils may look red and slightly swollen, but no pus. Burning, stinging or dry throat that also feels constricted. High fever, flushed face with restlessness or anxiety. Swallowing is painful and intensely thirsty for cold drinks. Feeling restless, especially at night. Feeling anxious, thinking may die or something bad might happen. Comes on rapidly and intensely. May have started after getting cold or being exposed to a cold, dry wind, or from a shock or fright.
Better: open air, rest.
Worse: Feels worse during evening and night, in a warm room, from warm drinks and from swallowing.
Apis Mel
Red, swollen throat, which may have a dirty, grey covering. Stinging, constricted, burning red throat.
Swollen uvula, swollen tonsils that feel as if they are touching. May have ulcers on tonsils. Hard to swallow.
Better: cool open air, cold drinks and sucking on ice.
Worse: warmth, warm drinks.
Belladonna
Starts rapidly, often with a fever The throat looks bright red and glossy, enlarged tonsils. Right side of throat is often worse. Face looks flushed or pale. Throat feels hot, dry, constricted with throbbing, pulsating pain. Hard to swallow, and pain can extend to ears when swallowing.
Better: sitting up in bed.
Worse: swallowing liquid, talking, cold air, touch.
Gelsemium
Sore throat may start at the onset of the flu, starts slowly. Throat feels rough and burning. Sensation of a lump in the throat. Swollen tonsils. Pain in the ear when swallowing.
Better: add.
Worse: swallowing.
Hepar Sulph
Splinter-like pains or feels raw and burning. May have ulcerated tonsils with smelly breath and lots of saliva. May feel like fishbone is stuck in the throat. Sensation of a ‘plug’ when swallowing. Ear pain with mucus in the throat. Sensitive to draughts and cold. Wants warm drinks. Feels irritable. Can start from feeling chilly.
Better: being warm in bed, from wrapping up head and throat.
Worse: from swallowing, anything cold.
Lachesis
Dry, very swollen and painful. Feels constricted, may feel like there’s a lump in the throat. Tonsils may look bluish or purple. Wants to swallow constantly. Starts on the left side, may spread to the right. Can start after waking up.
Better: from cold drinks, swallowing solids.
Worse: on waking, from touch or slight pressure, hot drinks, swallowing liquids, even saliva.
Lycopodium
Throat feels dry and raw with sharp or burning pains when swallowing. Feels as if a ball is lodged high in the throat. Swollen tonsils with pus and foul breath. Often starts on the right side of the throat, then moves to the left.
Better: from warm drinks, food.
Worse: from cold drinks, after sleep, between 4-8pm.
Mercurius Sol
Sore, raw, smarting, burning pain. Feels as if hot vapour is in the throat. Can affect throat and glands, possibly extending to the ears. Glands may be sore, swollen, with ulcers. Bad breath with lots of saliva in the mouth, wants to swallow constantly. May have a metallic taste in mouth. Lots of smelly sweat.
Better: Add
Worse: at night.
Phosphorus
Dry, painful throat causing a hoarse voice. A sore tickle in the throat that’s worse when talking.
Wants reassurance that there’s nothing seriously wrong. Craves ice cold drinks and company.
Better: from having company.
Worse: from cold air, talking.
Rhus Tox
Throat looks red and puffy, swollen glands. Throat muscles may feel stiff. Voice is hoarse. Finds it hard to swallow food. Can start after a lot of talking or singing.
Better: from heat, warm drinks, and later in the day.
Worse: from cold, on waking.