The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

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Mumps

Definition

An acute, contagious, febrile disease characterized by inflammation of the parotid glands and other salivary glands (mumps glands). Usually occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 16, but sometimes seen in adults also. But when it does occur in adults, the complications can be quite serious.
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Causes

Mumps virus.
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Symptoms

Onset is gradual. There may be chilliness, generally not feeling well, loss of appetite, headache, pain below the ears, moderate fever (101-102 F), or higher followed by swelling of one or both mumps glands (parotid glands). Usually swelling in one gland is subsiding as the other swells. Swelling is below and in front of the ear. The lobe of the ear is sometimes pushed forward, surrounding tissues are edematous, and the features may be greatly distorted. Movements of the jaw are painful and restricted. Saliva may be increased or diminished. In a third of cases only one gland is affected. Occasionally the glands seem to escape and the swelling is confined to the submaxillary gland (below the jaw). Swelling usually lasts 5-7 days.
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Treatment

Bedrest, a soft diet, and treatment of headaches. Isolation from other children until 2-3 days after the swelling has disappeared. Cold local applications may control swelling of testicles in Orchitis.

Mumps is contagious, but one attack usually affords lifetime protection.

Echinacea helps reduce swelling. Make a tea with this herb and mix with a small amount of juice and drink 4 times a day or more.

Lobelia extract is good for pain. Take a 1/2 tsp. every 3-4 hours. Apply ice or heat, whichever feels best, to the swollen glands.

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid dairy products, white flour or sugar, tobacco, and coffee.

Eat mostly raw fruits, vegetables that are juiced or softened.
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Nutrients

Germanium, 200 mg. per day, helps the immune system.

Acidophilus, taken as directed on the label, introduces “friendly” bacteria the body needs to help digest food.

Vitamin C, 3,000-10,000 mg daily in divided doses, helps destroy the virus (use sodium ascorbate for children to lessen chances of diarrhea).

Zinc lozenges, dissolve in the mouth every 4-6 hours, are fast acting healing aids. Do not chew.

Maxidophilus or Megadophilus, taken as directed on the label, for adults or children, contains antibiotic substances that inhibit pathogenic organisms.

Protein plus B complex, taken as directed on the label, supplies free form amino acids.

B vitamins are important in healing.

Vitamin B complex with extra potassium, 100 mg. 3 times per day.

Vitamin A emulsion, 50,000 IU for adults, children under 12 take 15,000 IU, to help the immune system.

Vitamin E, 400-800 IU for one week, then reduce the dosage; children under 12 check with the doctor.

Kelp, 6 tablets taken daily, contains essential minerals, iodine, and all vitamins.
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Herbs
  • Balm, sweet
  • Catnip
  • Chamomile flowers
  • Clover, red
  • Echinacea
  • Elder flowers
  • Ginger
  • Indigo, wild
  • Isatis
  • Lemon juice
  • Lobelia
  • Mugwort
  • Mullein
  • Poke root
  • St. John’s wort

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Cautions

If there are complications, they usually develop about the time the swelling subsides. The most common complication in the adult male is Orchitis (inflammation of the testes), in the female the common complication is Oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries) and mastitis (inflammation of the breast). In rare cases permanent impairment of hearing follows an attack of the mumps. Both male and female may have the possibility of sexual sterility as a result of the complications.
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Bibliography

Buy It! The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

Buy It! Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Buy It! Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Buy It! Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

Buy It! Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Buy It! The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Buy It! The Old Herb Doctor, by Joseph E. Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1984, sixth printing 1994.

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