Modern medicine has failed us. Antibiotics are failing us. Vaccinations have already failed us. What's left between us and the deadly super bugs and varuses that are already stalkin and killing us?
Homeopathic Medicine
Pages 67 thru 73 - Acute and First-Aid Remedies - Measles and Mumps
Copyright ©2007 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved
Acute and First-Aid Remedies
Measles and Mumps
Unfortunately, traditional medicine is treating childhood diseases such as Measles and Mumps as horrendous, life-threatening problems; they are not. The pharmaceutical companies have created the MMR shot (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) to halt illnesses that children have been coming down with for thousands of years. I meet many, many parents who have seen their children getting sicker and sicker after every vaccination, and they no longer want their children's immune systems compromised by such shots.
Vaccinations don't work forever as the general public was told. Just look at the recurrence of Measles and Mumps in our schools. These children were inoculated years ago; there are now epidemics of these diseases in schools. The good news is that once you've had Measles and Mumps the old-fashioned way — that is to say, you didn't get the vaccination, you got sick, you got well — you are immune for life. You don't have to keep taking shots to keep it that way.
When a germ such as a Measles or Mumps germ gets passed on through hand- or finger-to-mouth contact, the first place a germ goes is into the saliva of the mouth. Then it moves down through the esophagus to the stomach and intestinal tract before it ever reaches the bloodstream. Because of this natural occurrence, the body has the time it needs to begin to amass help from the immune system, and by the time the germ finally reaches the bloodstream via osmosis through the intestinal tract, the immune system is ready to counteract the disease. As the germ's journey ends, the body has strengthened itself against ever again being overtaken by that particular disease. This is natural immunization at its finest. The body is set up to deal with such invaders.
Unfortunately, when a vaccination, which is filled with a lot of toxic materials, animal cells and embryo parts and pieces, is given, it is sent directly into the bloodstream. The normal, natural system the body has set up has been avoided so that the gastrointestinal system is never involved. It's no wonder, in my opinion, that vaccines can't and won't last in the body and they cannot promise life-long immunity.
1 was born in the 1940s when, luckily, most of the vaccinations weren't available. I did have to take one polio shot and two sugar cubes later on, but basically, my immune system was not compromised. I got Mumps and Measles and Chickenpox, as did every other kid. These childhood diseases are meant to come along when the immune system is still growing, stretching and learning how to become strong. Measles, Mumps and Chickenpox are rites of passage for the immune system. Everyone knows that adversity creates strength, and it's no less true for the body.
The DPT shot, which is a triple combination of Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus, has a terrible and anguished history. At one time, sixteen pharmaceutical companies made the DPT shot; now, only one does. Why? Because the pharmaceutical companies are scared to death of a parent backlash consisting of lawsuits into the millions over the damage the DPT shot has done. DPT is a deadly combination to give children and can create terrible and life-long problems.
Homeopathic Treatment for Childhood Diseases
Homeopathically, there are three ways to deal with childhood diseases in lieu of taking a vaccination.
First, one can go to a homeopath's office and ask for nosodes (we use diseased material from a human and then succuss it with alcohol and water to the desired potency) to give to a child. For instance, we can make a nosode from the Diphtheria germ, potentize it and then put the resulting remedy on sucrose pellets. These are then given to the infant or child and they will stimulate the immune system to create antibodies.
Naturopathic doctors are trained to give homeopathic remedies in a prophylactic form — that is, to give them a homeopathic remedy that parallels the symptoms of a disease. This is a much gentler form, and does go via the mouth and digestive tract — unlike a vaccination, which skips this crucial phase — and then signals the body's immune forces to be alert and create more "soldiers" — the antibodies.
Normally, I recommend taking the Tetanus shot, not taking the nosode, and so do many other knowledgeable homeopaths. With Strep, it is best to see your homeopath directly and not try to immunize with homeopathy yourself. Let the practitioner take your child's case homeopathically so that he or she can determine what remedy should be used or if the child should have antibiotics instead. I would rather take my child to a homeopath, get a throat culture to verify whether it is Strep or not, and then take the appropriate homeopathic remedy to get rid of it, if possible.
A second way to deal with these childhood diseases is this: if your child comes home from school and says, "Mommy, there's Mumps going around school," you can give your child (with your homeopath's approval and direction) Parotidinum 6C three times a day for five days. This will prevent the child from contracting the Mumps or, at the very least, will shorten and lighten the disease if the child gets it anyway.
A third way to use homeopathic remedies is indicated if your child already has the disease —with your homeopath's prior approval. You can give the correct remedy to shorten the duration of the disease as well as to limit the intensity of it. If your child comes down with the Mumps, giving Parotidinum 6C every four hours for four days would help limit the Mumps cycle. There would be less swelling, less fever and so forth, and the child would contract a very mild case, instead.
Another remedy very useful in limiting the Mumps is called Pilocarpus. It's a powerful glandular stimulant and creates a lot of sweat in the feverish individual.
Below are some remedies for Mumps. I prefer to use a 6C potency, or secondarily, a 30G. If you have a 6C, you may give it to your sick child every four hours for up four days. If you have a 30C potency, give it twice daily for three days. Check with your homeopath prior to using, however.
Remedies for Mumps
Abrotanum: This remedy is used if the Mumps affects the testes of a male or the breasts of a female. If there is swelling in either of these areas, consider the remedy if Pulsatilla (see below) fails to help.
Aconite: This is for fever with restlessness and anxiety. Note that this remedy will work only in the first twenty-four hours of the contraction of the Mumps, with the first signs of onset. Don't use this remedy if the Mumps is more than twenty-four hours old. The child is extremely restless, cannot sit still or stay in one room or on one piece of furniture but will move from bed to couch to chair to another room to a rug on the floor —you get the idea; as sick as she or he may be, the child is in constant motion.
Belladonna: This is a premier Mumps remedy when the illness has a very swift onset; it strikes out of nowhere and the child has a full-blown case within twelve hours of contracting the illness. The face will be red, the pupils of the eyes dilated (enlarged) and the child will be very sensitive to touch, noise, jarring and everything in general. A red face and enlarged pupils are keynotes to this remedy, but other symptoms include the swelling of the right parotid gland on the neck, not the left (or if the left is swollen, the swelling is less) and violent, shooting pains from the swollen region that make the child wince and cry constantly, or at the very least be in a very angry or initable frame of mind. The child is also extremely sensitive to cold. The skin will be very hot to touch, almost as if the child is a furnace burning out of control, and his face, especially, will be a very bright red.
Bromium: This remedy is used when the left parotid gland is swollen (the right may be too, but to a lesser degree). There is swelling with hardness of the gland, and it is warm to the touch. There is slow inflammation of the glands; the onset may take three or four days (unlike Belladonna, which will have a full-blown case in twelve hours). These children, when the Mumps finally arrives, are very sensitive to cold and drafts. They are also worse in humid, hot weather.
Carbo Veg.: This remedy is utilized if there is swelling in the testes or breasts and if the child's face is pale and cold.
Lachesis: This remedy is used when the left parotid gland is the one that's most affected and it is enormously swollen, sensitive to even the hint of someone touching that area. The child will jerk away to avoid anyone's touching the swollen region. There is severe pain with it and the child can hardly swallow liquids or food. The eyes can have a glassy, glazed or wild look to them, which is a keynote of this remedy. The face is bright red (as with Belladonna) and swollen, too.
Lycopodium: For this remedy the Mumps begins in the right parotid gland then moves to the left, and this is a keynote to use this particular remedy. The child desires warm drinks.
Mercurius Sol.: This remedy is usually for right-sided Mumps when only the right parotid gland is involved. The child sweats heavily and has a foul or rotten odor to his breath. His sweat is very offensive. There may be a greasy look to the skin.
Parotidinum: This might be used, although a nosode, when a child has never been well since having the Mumps. This remedy will force the disease to complete its cycle in the child's body and finally leave. The child might exhibit exhaustion and listlessness or be disinterested in life in general after having the Mumps; this would be the remedy of choice (or perhaps Gelsemium if Parotidinum doesn't work).
Phytolacca: For this to be the remedy of choice, usually it is the right parotid gland that is swollen, and so is the region beneath the jaw (the submaxillary region). The glands are hard and feel stony. Pain shoots up into either ear, especially upon swallowing. The child is worse when the weather is cold and wet. There is also an abnormal amount of stiffness in the neck.
Pilocarpus: This remedy acts quickly and relieves pain. It is used for swelling of the testes or breasts. If swelling subsides due to a chill, this is the remedy of choice.
Pulsatilla: This is good for intense swelling of the glands, testes or breasts. The child will become cold easily. There is pain in either or both ears that is sharp and excruciating.
Rhus Tox.: Usually the left parotid gland is involved, and the swelling and enlargement are huge when this is the recommended remedy. The glands beneath the jaw also can become highly involved. The child is worse in cold weather, chills and drafts. He may or may not have, at the same time, herpes on the lips. The child will be highly restless, moving constantly. Interestingly, as long as he is moving around, he feels better. Only when he is stationary will he feel worse, an important keynote symptom of this remedy.
Remedies for Measles
Measles, another childhood ailment, has a number of remedies that can be used if a child has been exposed to this disease. They will be mentioned as such, along with other remedies that, once your child has contracted Measles, can be used to shorten and modify the course of the ailment. The dosage and potency are the same as for Mumps. Be sure to check with your homeopath.
Aconite: This remedy is used when there is fever along with chill and they are very marked. There can be coldness alternating with heat. The child is always thirsty for juice or water and highly restless. He will move around but not necessarily feel better because of it. The spots look like small red flea bites on the hands and body. This is one of the remedies that may be given if the child has been exposed but does not have symptoms of the Measles yet.
Arsenicum: Use this remedy when the child is very cold and chills easily. He is restless and anxious. This is another remedy that can be used if the child has been exposed to Measles but hasn't developed symptoms yet.
Belladonna: Use this remedy when Measles comes on violently and suddenly; within twelve hours, the child will have a full-blown case. The fever is high or spiking, the face bright red, the pupils enlarged. The child is sensitive to everything: touch, jarring, noise, temperature and so forth. There is a throbbing and burning sensation to the skin. Despite the high temperature, the child is thirstless and does not want water or juice. The eruptions are like a red rash spreading across the body. There may be a violent cough with the condition and an inclination to rub the nose
Bryonia: This remedy is used when the child has a fever with a hard, full, "bounding" pulse that is tense and quick. He may be a dry cough and a chill that makes the child bundle up in a lot of blankets to stay warm. He wants to be left alone and not fussed over in this condition and he prefers the room quiet and dark. He won't move from wherever he chooses to sit or lie down, as any motion makes him feel worse. He is worse in hot weather and may complain of a dryness in the throat.
Pulsatilla: This remedy is used when there is a runny nose and runny eyes along with the Measles. The cough may be loose during the day, but at night, it becomes dry and tight in the chest. There may be a fever including a hot head and dry lips. The child is thirstiess and despite fever or sweating does not want to drink any liquids. The eruptions, when fully out, often have a dark appearance to them. There is itching of the eyes which is made worse by rubbing them. This is another remedy that can be given to a child who has been exposed to Measles but has not yet developed symptoms of it.