The Treatment Of Chickenpox

This is a viral infection that is spread easily among children, particularly those under ten years of age, by contact and droplets of saliva spread through talking, coughing or sneezing. A child is most infectious just before the spots come out, and remains so until all the blisters have dried up, which takes about a week. The incubation period is seventeen to twenty-one days.

    It starts with a headache a fever and general malaise. There may be swollen lymph glands. The spots start normally on the trunk and can appear on the face, the scalp, inside the mouth, anus, vagina or ears; the arms and legs tend to be the least affected. They appear in crops every three or four days, starting as little pimples and quickly developing into oval shaped blisters, which are filled with fluid. Gradually the spots dry up and scab over. The scabs fall off after about ten days, and may leave scars, some of which are permanent, especially if the spots have been scratched.

    The blisters can be very itchy, and it is important to discourage your child from scratching as much as you can. Not only does scratching leave scars, but it also introduces bacterial infection into the skin, which can lead to impetigo, conjunctivitis or boils.

    Rarely, chicken pox can lead to encephalitis or be complicated by Reyes Syndrome. If your child feels unwell again once the scabs have healed and has a headache, vomits or feels particularly drowsy, call your doctor immediately. If your child has blisters on the eyeball call your doctor also.

     The chicken pox virus is related to the one that causes shingles, and a child may catch chicken pox from an adult with shingles, but rarely vice versa. If you are pregnant and have been in contact with chicken pox and are not immune, contact your doctor.

    Treatment of chicken pox with Echinacea and or garlic, as with all infection, will speed recovery. Take 2.5-5ml three times a day of a good root Echinacea tincture in water.

    If your child feels only mildly unwell, but has a fever add Boneset to Echinacea tincture, give an equal dose of Boneset in warm water to the child to break the fever.

    Boneset is one of the best remedies for the relief of symptoms that accompany any viral fever. It will speedily relieve aches and pains and help the body deal with any fever present overall.

    Externally, to help relieve the itching and speed healing of the skin, wash the skin frequently with chamomile tea. Use cool infusions and apply then on cotton wool or a flannel, or add them to bath water. Distilled witch hazel is also very good at relieving itching, dilute and apply ice cold – it feels really good for the child.

    Once the blisters have dried and the scabs have fallen off, use comfrey ointment alternated with dilute lavender oil, to prevent scar formation and to heal the skin properly.

     If a baby has spots on the bottom, leave the nappy off as much as possible. Keep fingernails clean and short to stop infection caused by scratching.

    Give only a light diet, with mostly fruit, vegetables and soups, and plenty to drink.

David Foley

MRCHM, MNIMH
Medical Herbalist

How You May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that manifests as a progressive deterioration of memory and mental function, a state of mind commonly referred to as dementia.

    In Ireland 5% of the population older than 65 suffer from severe dementia, while another 10% suffer from mild to moderate dementia. With increasing age, there is a rise in frequency. For example, in people older than 80 years of age, the frequency rate of dementia is higher than 25%.

   In most people, 20% of brain cells die over a lifetime. By the age of 70 most people’s brain has shrunk by 10%. However declining mental function is not inevitable. We can build new brain cells at any age. Not everyone over 50 with memory problems has Alzheimer’s disease; diagnosis is difficult because the evidence lies in the degeneration nerve cells in the brain.

   Genetic factors play a significant role in determining susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease, like most chronic degenerative disease, lifestyle and environmental factors also play a significant role. Emerging research reveals that dietary factors are important. Poor quality diets with excess saturated or transfatty acids may predispose nerve cells to aluminum induced toxicities. Traumatic injury to the head, chronic exposure to aluminum and free radical damage have all been implicated as causative factors.

    Aluminum has been found in plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers. Aluminum is known to accumulate with age in the body. Avoidance of all known sources of aluminum, aluminum containing antacids, aluminum containing antiperspirants, cooking in aluminum pots and pans, wrapping food with aluminum foil should be practiced. Aluminum absorption can be decreased by magnesium, because magnesium competes with aluminum for absorption, not only in the intestines but also at the blood brain barrier. A diet rich in magnesium is recommended; seeds, nuts and whole grains are good sources of magnesium.

One of the most important brain toxins is Homocysteine, (produced within the body from protein if you are deficient in vitamins B6, B12 or folic acid). To prevent the formation of this brain toxin take a good B complex and vitamin C supplement.

Zinc deficiency is one of the most common nutrients defiencies found in the elderly and has been linked with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Seeds and nuts are good sources of Zinc, especially pumpkin seeds. Eat a handful each day.

Considerable evidence indicates that oxidative damage plays a major role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. As digestive functions tend to decrease as we grow older, there is a propensity towards fat mal-absorption. Vitamin E is often found to be deficient in the elderly for this reason it is recommended to take 15mg of Vitamin E daily to avoid this deficiency.

A herb with a lot of research in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is Ginkgo Biloba. In one study published in the journal of the American medical association, it was found and there were no side effects. It was found also that you need to take Ginkgo for at least 12 weeks in order to get results, even though some patients got benefits in 2-3 weeks, most needed much longer.

David Foley

MRCHM, MNIMH

Medical Herbalist

Treating High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for a heart attack or stroke. In fact, it is generally regarded as the greatest of the risk factors for a stroke. Most people do not notice they have high blood pressure until they get their blood pressure measured.

High pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is a disease, not just an increase in blood pressure. At least three readings should be made before the final diagnosis since fluctuations are normal. Stress, anxiety, anger and physical activity cause substantial changes in readings.

The blood pressure denotes the resistance produced each time the heart beats and sends blood coursing through the arteries. The peak reading of the pressure exerted by this contraction is the Systolic pressure. Between beats, the heart relaxes, and blood pressure drops. The lowest reading is referred to as the Diastolic pressure. A normal blood pressure reading for an adult is 120 (Systolic) / 80 (Diastolic).

High blood pressure is divided into different levels:

·       Borderline: 120-160 / 90-94;

·       Mild: 140-160 / 95-104;

·       Moderate: 140-180 / 105-114;

·       Severe: 160 + / 115 +.

Since over 80% of patients with high blood pressure are in the borderline-to-moderate range, many cases of high blood pressure can be brought under control through changes in diet and lifestyle.

By far the most common reason for high blood pressure is arteriosclerosis. Narrowed arteries plugged with fatty deposits are usually linked to poor eating habits, high levels of stress, smoking and little physical activity.

Typically, a diet rich in saturated fats, meat and refined products and lacking in fresh vegetables, fruits and fibre from whole grains is to blame. The cholesterol-free, commercial vegetable oils, shortening and margarine are no better, as these contain trans-fatty acids. Vegetarians have a lower incidence of hypertension. Obesity increases the risks. Salt, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes are not direct causes, but certainly contribute substantially to increasing blood pressure.

Next to attaining ideal body weight, the most important dietary recommendation is perhaps to increase the consumption of plant foods in the diet. Special foods for people with high blood pressure include: celery, garlic and onions, nuts and seeds or their oils, cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.), green leafy vegetables (as a rich source of calcium and magnesium), whole grains and legumes and foods rich in vitamin C, such as broccoli and citrus fruits. Eating four ribs of celery a day has been shown to reduce mild hypertension over a few months.

Stress can cause high blood pressure in many instances. Relaxation techniques, such as yoga, have been shown to have some value in lowering blood pressure.

Herbal remedies complement dietary changes in the effective treatment of high blood pressure. Hawthorn is one of the most reliable remedies for regulating high blood pressure. It dilates larger blood vessels and inhibits formation of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE); the same way that ACE-inhibiting drugs work. Aside from its blood pressure-lowering effect, hawthorn strengthens the muscular ability of the heart and can help the body rid itself of excess fluid. Hawthorn also has the ability to un-block the arteries thus easing Angina and over time lowering blood pressure.  Take 1 teaspoon of Hawthorn tincture two to three times a day .Hawthorn can be taken along with Hypertensive drugs.

It’s always important not to ignore high blood pressure; by using natural methods, one may be able to reduce high blood pressure. But if this can’t be done, then visit your GP.

David Foley

MRCHM, MNIHM

Medical Herbalist