Episode 175: Allium Cepa - The Onion Remedy for Colds, Allergies & Nerve Pain with Babette Friedman

Mary welcomes Babette Friedman from Nevada to explore Allium Cepa, the red-onion remedy many people overlook. It's a brilliant acute option to keep in first-aid kits, especially for colds and seasonal allergies—an example of "like cures like." What Allium Cepa Looks Like Babette highlights the classic "onion-chopping" picture: profuse, watery nasal discharge that burns the upper lip, with bland, non-burning tears. There's often violent sneezing, an itchy or tickly nose and throat, and symptoms that are worse in damp-cold weather or stuffy warm rooms, yet better in open air. Beyond Colds: Nerves, Feet, and Ears Allium Cepa isn't just for runny noses. It may help: Nerve pains that feel like a "thread" of pain in the face, head, or neck—and even phantom limb pain. Sore, chafed feet from standing or walking. Sharp, tearing sore throats that can shoot pain to the ear, as well as some ear infections (often left-sided, with possible yellow discharge). Allergies, Foods & Coughs Babette notes links with pollen-driven hay fever and even sensitivities around peach skins for some people. Allium Cepa can also fit various coughs (including croupy or whooping-type) when the hallmark watery, irritating nasal flow is present. In babies, there's a practical tip: colic after onions or cucumbers may point to this remedy; a nursing mother's dose may pass through milk. Real-World Cases Older adult in a damp building (spring): Raw upper lip from constant drip, watery eyes, worry, drowsiness, yawning, sore walking feet—improved quickly on Allium Cepa. Busy New Yorker (spring cold): Sinus headache swiftly shifted to runny nose and throat signs; cleared in two days. Child with left-sided ear pain (rainy winter): Woke at 2 AM screaming; thirsty, hoarse, watery nasal flow, yellow ear discharge—calmed within hours and recovered over a few days. How practitioners decide As Babette and Mary emphasise, homoeopathy matches the person's total picture, not a diagnosis. Observations (e.g., timing like 2 AM, sides, modalities, thirst, mood) help narrow choices. When Allium Cepa is right, it often works quickly—but if the picture changes, the remedy strategy may change too. Key takeaways Keep Allium Cepa in your first-aid kit for colds and hay fever. Look for burning nose/upper lip + bland tears; violent sneezing; worse damp-cold, better open air. Note extra clues: left-sided ear pain, sharp throat pain, thread-like nerve pain, sore feet, 2 AM aggravation. Describe specifics—what worsens, what helps, exact sensations—to improve remedy matching. Important links mentioned in this episode: Read more about Babette Friedman: https://homeopathy247.com/professional-homeopaths-team/babette-friedman/ Visit Maha's website: https://www.livingwellhomeopathy.com/ Read Babette's blog post about Allium Cepa: https://homeopathy247.com/understanding-allium-cepa-in-homeopathy-a-go-to-remedy-for-colds-allergies-more/   Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/