Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published June 8, 2022, Last updated June 8, 2022

Aspergillosis is an infection or in some cases an allergic reaction. It occurs in response to the various kinds of molds. These molds are nothing but one or the other type of fungus. Before we come to the homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis, let us understand a bit more about the problem.

What is Aspergillosis

As I have mentioned in the previous paragraph, Aspergillosis is the response to exposure to one or the other mold, which is nothing but a fungus. These molds are present everywhere in the environment around us. They are present on plants, dead leaves, shoes, old clothes, soil, decomposing vegetables and fruits, dust in our homes, carpets, building materials, filters of ACs, soft toys and even our pets.

Most of the people do not get any symptoms even when they are exposed daily to such molds. But when people with low immunity or those who have other diseases like Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Cancer, AIDS or some autoimmune diseases get exposed to these molds, they are not able to resist them. Such people are more prone to developing a full blown Aspergillosis.

Which organism causes Aspergillosis

There may be many varieties of molds and fungi that can cause aspergillosis. More than 180 different types of Aspergillus have been identified till date. The most common causative organism is the Aspergillus Fumigatus. Breathing in the spores of these organisms can cause Aspergillosis in those individuals whose immunity levels are otherwise low.

Types of Aspergillosis

There are different types of aspergillosis. A few of the common varieties of Aspergillosis are as follows-

• Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis ( ABPA) – It is an allergic reaction that occurs in some individuals on exposure to Aspergillus. This allergic reaction causes inflammation in the lungs of the individual. Those patients who have asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and such diseases are more prone to ABPA. The excess production of mucous in lungs of such patients provides a fertile breeding ground for this mold. Once inhaled into the lungs, it grows quickly and colonises the lungs. The symptoms of ABPA are coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing.
• Pulmonary Aspergillosis- It is more likely to develop in individuals who have damaged lungs. Diseases like Tuberculosis, Sarcoidosis, Emphysema damage the lungs and make numerous small cavities in the lungs. Once the cavities form, these cavities provide easy spaces for the fungus to grow. The fungus can also grow in sinuses and ears.
• Invasisve aspergillosis- When the fungal infection travels from the lungs into the blood stream, it gives rise to very severe infection. This infection spreads to other important organs of the body like kidneys, liver, brain and skin. Low immunity levels make a person more susceptible to such infections. Low White Blood Cell count, cancers and long term use of corticosteroids can predispose one to such severe systemic infections. Invasive aspergillosis can be rapidly fatal if not treated.
  

  Symptoms of Aspergillosis

The symptoms of Pulmonary Aspergillosis and Allergic Bronchopulomnary Aspergillosis ( ABPA) are similar in nature though there are subtle differences. Both the types involve the lungs and cause cough which is accompanied by bleeding or mucous. Wheezing in the lungs is also present. Some patients have persistent fever. There is respiratory difficulty which means that there may be heaviness of breathing or breathlessness while climbing stairs or doing any hard physical work. Chest pain may also be present in some cases.

Invasive Aspergillosis may present with slightly different symptoms once the infection spreads from the lungs into the blood stream. There may be high grade fever along with chills. Skin involvement may show eruptions or infections on the surface. Kidney or other organ involvement gives rise to corresponding symptoms. Urinary symptoms, loss of appetite, low haemoglobin levels and blood pressure changes occur when kidneys get involved.

Prevention of Aspergillosis

Molds or fungi are present everywhere in the environment around us. Those with low immunity levels should avoid areas which have high prevalence of such fungi. Gardening, lawn mowing, dusting old carpets, old clothes, going to construction sites, rooms with dampness should be avoided. Wearing masks is very helpful and humanity has learnt the efficacy of wearing masks during the Covid pandemic. I must add that the best defence is to improve one’s own immunity levels. For that, one needs to eat natural foods, fruits, vegetables, pulses and avoid junk food as much as possible. Exercising regularly can also go a long way in keeping one’s immunity levels to the optimum levels.

Homeopathic Treatment of Aspergillosis

Homeopathy treats Aspergillosis the same way as it treats other diseases- in a holistic manner. It takes into account all the symptoms that the patient presents with. This includes all the symptoms of the presenting complaint and the general symptoms of the individual. A composite remedy is selected which is capable of improving the immune response of the individual. The normalised immunity levels do the rest of the job. Human body is perfectly capable of preserving its functions and itself. The only prerequisite is that the immunity levels should keep working well. This is what Homeopathy does. It just raises the natural immunity to the desired level and lets it do the task for which nature has endowed it well.

5 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Aspergillosis

I want to add a disclaimer here that I am mentioning the most commonly used homeopathic medicines in the treatment of aspergillosis. This is by no means an exhaustive list. It does not mean that only these 5 medicines are used or that one can cure all cases of aspergillosis with these medicines only. One often has to go beyond these remedies as and when the symptoms of the patient demand.

1. Phosphorus – One of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis in thin subjects and having increased thirst.

2. Carbo Veg- One of the best homeopathic remedies for aspergillosis with cough worse in open air

3. Stannum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis with weakness in chest

4. Calcarea Sulphur- One of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis with lumpy expectoration

5. Antim Arsenicum – One of the best homeopathic remedies for aspergillosis with breathlessness and cough

I am giving a brief description of the symptoms of these medicines to give you a fair idea of the medicines and their field of action. Some of these medicines are very deep acting medicines and you should avoid any self-medication. Only an experienced doctor can prescribe the proper dosage of these medicines after a thorough assessment of the patient’s condition and his vitality.

1. Phosphorus – One of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis in thin subjects and having increased thirst

   When the patient is tall and thin, he is quite likely to respond well to this medicine. The other corroborative symptoms are an increased thirst. In fact, the Phosphorus patient is so thirsty that he keeps on drinking water and wants it to be icy cold. The cough is hard, dry, tight and racking in nature. There may be burning pains in chest. Patient feels tightness across the chest. Lying on the left side aggravates the cough.

2. Carbo Veg- One of the best homeopathic remedies for aspergillosis with cough worse in open air

   When the cough is worse in open air and there is blueness of the skin, specially in the aged people, Carbo veg is one of the best homeopathic remedies for aspergillosis. The cough is worse in the evening and there are occasional bouts of long coughing attacks. The cough increases while talking or after eating. The breath feels cold. The patient is usually sluggish, lazy and fat.

3. Stannum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis with weakness in chest

   When there is weakness in the chest region, Stannum is one of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis. The cough is worse in the evening till midnight and also by lying on the right side. Mucous is expelled by forcible coughs. The expectoration is sweetish and copious green. Even talking causes a weakness in the throat and chest.

4. Calcarea Sulphur- One of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis with lumpy expectoration

   When there is lumpy expectoration after coughing, Calcarea Sulph is one of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis. There may be hectic fever with cough. Pus may form in the lungs and pleural spaces. The expectoration is thick, lumpy, whitish-yellow or pus like.

5. Antim Arsenicosum – One of the best homeopathic remedies for aspergillosis with breathlessness and cough

   When there is excessive dyspnoea or breathlessness and cough, Antim Arsenicosum is one of the best homeopathic medicines for aspergillosis. There is increase in the mucous secretion. The cough is worse on eating and while lying down. These symptoms may be in one way or the other be associated with influenza.