Mumps

We have been looking at common childhood illnesses over the last three issues, covering chicken pox, measles and whooping cough. These illnesses we see frequently in the clinic at Mullumbimby Herbals and have had a lot of experience guiding parents through them. Two weeks ago I had been thinking that I had not seen any mumps for a long time and then, hey presto, in walks a mother asking for advice on mumps! So let’s refresh on mumps.

Mumps is a paramyxo virus, related to the flu virus. It helps us to know it is viral so we can pull out all our great anti-viral herbs and immune stimulators. The upside of contracting mumps is that it usually gives immunity for life.

This illness is spread by droplet infection, coughing and sneezing. The onset of the illness is usually a fever of up to 39 degrees C, a headache, loss of appetite, and swelling and pain of the parotid glands which are at the back of the cheeks. These glands produce saliva for the mouth, therefore it can be quite painful for the patient to eat or talk. Mumps can also affect other glands. In adolescent and adult men one or both of the testicles may become inflamed and swollen. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may be experienced. Sterility is a rare complication of this inflammation of the testes. The ovaries (in rare cases) can be affected in women and the pancreas may also be involved.

Mumps is contagious from about two days before symptoms begin to around six days after symptoms. Sometimes people can have no symptoms yet still pass on the disease.

It can take from 12 to 25 days from the day of contact until the day of symptoms appearing (this is known as incubation) and the illness usually lasts for 10 to 12 days.

Watch out for a very stiff neck, convulsions and extreme drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and severe headache. These symptoms are rare yet may indicate inflammation of the brain or its membranes. Consult your health practitioner if these are noticed.

So what can we do for the mumps?

To start with, we now know it is viral so forget antibiotics. We have a number of great antiviral herbs; echinacea, cats claw, hypericum, elderflower, reishi mushroom and the powerful andrographis all work as anti virals and to stimulate immune function. Using lymphatic herbs for mumps is helpful to bring down swelling; poke root, clivers, red clover, blue flag and baptisia are all good for this.

If there is high fever try our YEP tea, which is a combination of yarrow, elderflower and peppermint and can reduce fever while tasting yummy (add a little honey or a squeeze of lemon).

Externally you can apply a potato poultice to the swollen areas (simply grate raw potato into a mush and apply for an hour or so), or poke root cream is easy to rub on and is also quite effective.

Diet should be kept light and nourishing. Keep meals small and well cut up, as chewing may be difficult with mumps. Adzuki beans reduce swelling and clear heat; mung beans cool and detoxify the body, so cook up these yummy beans and serve them mashed up with a little sea salt and herbs (of course they need to be soaked first). Watercress is another herb we can use as a food to reduce glandular swelling; chop into beans or serve on the side. Broth or a light vegetable soup can be easy to eat and nourishing. Fresh fruit juices and veggie juices such as carrot, celery and cucumber with a dash of apple to sweeten are also great. Lots of fresh water, of course, is good.

Herbal teas sipped warm or cool taste yummy and help in moving on the disease. Try lemon myrtle, for calming the spirit, rosehips for vitamin C, nettle to cool the body and increase iron to fight illness, red clover to clear the lymph and blood, and mullein to sooth a cough. Don’t forget Mrs. Rabbit’s favourite, chamomile tea, for that sore tummy!!

Homoeopathic remedies 

As we have mentioned before, choosing a homoeopathic remedy depends on finding the remedy which most closely matches the symptoms of the patient. The potency depends on the closeness of the match and the strength of the illness. The frequency of the dose is dependent on the response.

Parotidinum is a remedy made from mumps itself. We call this a nosode. This remedy can be given before the disease is contracted, when you hear it is in the area, as a protection. It won’t prevent the disease, but can aid the immune system to meet the illness better.

Pilocarpine can be used for all general mumps symptoms.

Merc sol is a remedy indicated particularly when the breath is very smelly, with a heavily coated tongue and there is a lot of sweating and exhaustion.

Belladonna is for high fever, and it is also good for swollen glands and red, flushed appearance; there may also be great thirst and sensitivity to light.

Phytolacca can be used when pains shoot into the ear and when swallowing is painful, also for the swelling of any of the glands.

Pulsatilla is always a handy remedy to have in all the childhood illnesses. If the child is teary, clingy and changeable in moods, consider pulsatilla.

Other remedies may be indicated in treating your child’s individual case, so talk to a practitioner and learn with them so you can make choices as a wise, informed and empowered parent.

Making a comfortable, beautiful space for your child to convalesce in will nurture the spirit. They may not be so ill that they want to stay in bed, so having coloured pencils, paints and paper, jigsaws and fun books to read is healthier than too much television.

Nearly every childhood illness signifies a positive change in the child’s mindbody or emotional growth. Watch out for the changes, subtle or otherwise, and be present for them. It is all so precious, so don’t miss a thing especially the opportunity to nurture them through these difficult yet important times.