When a parent comes into my clinic and asks, ‘Should I immunise my baby against childhood diseases?’ my answer is never a yes or a no. My answer is more of a question. ‘How are you going to raise this child?’ I ask. I also suggest the parent read both sides of the immunisation debate before making their decision.
We live in a polarised world at present, separated from natural health and the earth. I am an idealist and I would love to see us all growing and eating organic whole foods, living in awareness of the natural rhythms and cycles of the earth and our bodies, using the given natural remedies to heal any imbalances. Yet our lives can be fast paced, where life habits can create disease to our earth and bodies. Modern allopathic medicine has invented vaccines to prevent illnesses and powerful medicines to kill bacteria, block or activate functions in the body. There is no doubt in the short term these medicines can save lives and are truly amazing when they are really needed. I do believe that all health professionals need to put more research into the real causes of disease, including looking at our overall environment and lifestyle. If we work together, with truth and transparency in all research findings, not putting industry profits first, we can create the best health care system of all time.
After a lot of reading and considering, I chose not to immunise my five children. With this decision came a commitment to take care of these children and the community around me, meaning — I chose a natural healthy diet and lifestyle, breastfed my babies and if my children were sick I kept them at home, away from others and treated them with the help of a naturopath and the recommended remedies. From here I have supported many parents, caring for their children with childhood diseases, with the awareness that complications are possible and one should be prepared should those complications occur. Last issue we covered chickenpox as an introduction to treating childhood diseases naturally, this time let’s look at measles.
Measles (rubeola)
Measles is caused by the virus paramyx ovirus. It is passed on by droplets from sneezing or coughing. The incubation period is around 10-12 days; it is contagious around day five. The first stages of measles is a runny nose, conjunctivitis, or eyes that are sensitive to light, cough, fever. You may see white spots known as Koplik’s spots on the inside of the child’s cheeks. The rash will then begin to appear, often behind the neck or on the face, and then spreads to the chest, back, arms and legs. The rash can last from four to seven days. Vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur.
Complications include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), middle ear infection or pneumonia. These complications are rare and yet should be taken seriously.
Once a person has had measles then they have immunisation for life.
People can still contract measles after vaccination.
People who contract measles at an older age tend to have a greater difficulty with the illness.
Treatment recommendations
If you notice your child has any cold, cough or flu-like symptoms they should be kept at home; from here you can begin commonsense home nursing. Rest and keeping fluids up are the keys here. Administer fluids such as water or fresh made juices — apple, carrot, cucumber, celery — or herbal teas. The diet should be kept simple and nourishing. Remember, if your child has a fever and does not want to eat, do not force them. They will eat again when the fever is over and their natural appetite returns. Soups can be used and herbs can be added.
Sage, thyme and basil are just a few of the culinary herbs that can reduce fever and soothe coughs. Homoeopathics and/or medicinal herbs may be used. Good old cod liver oil is a source of vitamin A, which can protect mucus membranes and build immunity; vitamin C and zinc are useful to build immunity. If you know measles is in your community, it is good to recognise that this may be what your child has, and early nurturing and treatment can prevent difficulties.
Homoeopathics
In describing the picture of the homoeopathic remedy, only some of the mentioned symptoms might be seen. In homoeopathy we look for the remedy that most matches the illness of the patient. The potency of the remedy depends on the closeness of the match. At home you might start with 12c or 30c potency. Find which remedy most matches your child’s symptoms. Give one dose and wait for an improvement to be seen. This may include a lowering of fever, lessening of cough, etc. Or the child relaxes into a peaceful sleep, where he then wakes feeling better. If improvement relapses then another dose may be taken. If no improvement happens carefully select another remedy or consult a practitioner.
Aconite napellus
Aconite is often the first remedy to use when there is a sudden onset, especially at the change of weather or after getting wet. Fever, thirst, a dry cough, sore eyes are common symptoms of this remedy. Symptoms may begin in the night and can wake the child up; they may be anxious or fearful.
Belladonna
Fever that is high, the child is hot to touch, the face may be flushed and the patient may be listless. There might be a throbbing headache or red rash that is hot to touch. Talking, crying out in sleep and nightmares are commonly seen when a child needs this remedy.
Pulsatilla
When symptoms of a cold are present, stuffy nose, plugged ears, gagging cough and no thirst, the person feels better in open air and is worse in a stuffy room. The child may be whiny and clingy, wanting to be cuddled a lot. The rash may be slow to appear.
Euphrasia
This is a good remedy when the eyes are very sensitive to light, tears may be streaming down the face and irritating it, and the nose can have a bland runny discharge. The child has chills and wants to stay in a dark room.
Rhus Tox
The rash will be itchy, feeling better from warm applications, and the child is usually restless. There may be stiffness in the muscles, worse at night and lying still. There may be chills with a fever. All symptoms are better from moving around.
Byronia
When there is a congested painful cough and the child’s head hurts from the cough. The slightest movement hurts and the person wants to stay still. There may be chills with the fever and the patient wants cold drinks.
Kali bichromicum
Stringy, yellow mucus with a cough, cold and red eyes are seen here. An earache may be present and symptoms are worse in the morning. The child will want to stay in bed and keep warm.
Herbal Remedies
Certain herbs are used for particular illnesses however, for the best results it is always best to prescribe for each individual case.
Cats claw, St. Johns wort, biacal skullcap, mugwort, olive leaf and of course, good old Echinacea -these herbs actually act against the virus.
Boneset, yarrow, linden and elder are lovely antipyretics are herbs that reduce fever.
Nettle, alfalfa, liquorice and burdock — these herbs are cleansing, tonic to the skin and whole body.
The rash can be soothed with baths that contain herbs. Burdock, nettle and peppermint can be made into a strong tea and added to the bath. Oatmeal tied in a stocking or cloth put under the tap while the bath is running is a favourite home remedy for chickenpox and rashes. A few drops of lavender in a bath can soothe the wild itch.
Lots of love and cuddles are essential in the healing process. Positive and encouraging, stories read by you can guide your child through illness and help them to overcome fears they might have as they do not understand what is going on with their body.
Many parents have reported significant emotional and sometimes physical growth in their child after a childhood illness like measles and I have seen this in many cases.
Remember that it is very important to send our child strength through our thoughts and beliefs, to see the individual person they are, and nurture the body, emotions, mind and spirit.
Published in byronchild/Kindred, issue 14, June 2003