Measles

Ayurvedic Medicine

As always the fastest most effective way to receive tailored advice to your own situation, you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Ayurvedic practitioners here

According to ayurveda, measles is the result of vitiation of both Kapha and Pitta. An acute catarrh, sneezing, a watery discharge from the nose and sometimes bleeding from the nose is also seen in the beginning. The voice becomes hoarse and there is dry cough. The temperature rises and the pulse is rapid. Thirst, headache and restlessness are also noticed. The characteristic rash of the measles appears as pink or red pin-like rashes on the body. The rashes appear mostly on the cheeks, but can spread to the chest, back, hands and legs. Sometimes the rashes also appear in` the mouth and throat. The face gets swollen.

Try 120mg each of Katsuri Bhairava, Swarnamakshika Bhasma, Shringa Bhasma, and 240mg of Saubhagya Vati with the juice of bitter gourd and honey should be taken four times daily.

Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:

Traditional Chinese Medicine

To receive bespoke advice based upon your own situation you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners here

Measles in Chinese Medicine diagnosis is caused by heat in the stomach and blood. The spots will be encouraged to come out quickly to detoxify the body. A Chinese medicine practitioner will prescribe Crocus sativae and duck meat, peppermint and honeysuckle flowers to bring the measles to the surface, with other herbs to detoxify.

Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:

Aromatherapy

Some helpful essential oils for the treatment of measles include lavender, eucalyptus, camomile oil, bergamot and Geranium oil.

Geranium oil – Geranium is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, relaxing, decongestant, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, balancing and uplifting. For these reasons it’s commonly used to treat childhood ailments, including measles.

Eucalyptus oil – This essential oil, as well as being used as a topical treatment for burns, blisters, wounds and abrasions, can also be used to relieve the symptoms of measles.

Bergamot/Camomile – For children aged over four, gently sponge with tepid water and a febrifuge oil such as camomile or bergamot to reduce the fever associated with measles.  Put two drops of Bergamot and 2 of Camomile into a pint of lukewarm water and gently sponge the child’s body every few hours.

Lavender oil – Any skin irritation, including rashes, bug bites and stings, burns, chapped lips, measles and more can be treated with lavender oil, due to its excellent anti-inflammatory properties.

Use 4 drops of essential oil per 25ml of carrier oil.

To ensure positive results, always check that the essential oil is a 100% pure plant distillation and that it comes from a reputable source.

Homeopathic Medicine

Owing to the principles behind homeopathy it is essential you see a licensed practitioner to receive your own personalised prescription.  Find your closest Homeopath here

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies, but a professional homeopath may also recommend one or more of the following treatments for measles

Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person’s constitutional type, which means your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup, before determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

• Aconitum– This is used for symptoms that come on suddenly including fever, conjunctivitis, dry cough, and restlessness. This remedy is also best used very early in the course of the disease.
• Apis mellifica – For those with swollen lips and eyes and a rash that is not fully developed, this remedy can be hugely beneficial.
• Belladonna– This remedy can be used either during early stages of measles or after the rash has erupted. It is useful for those who have difficulty sleeping and symptoms that include fever, headache, and drowsiness.
• Bryonia – Try this if you have a delayed rash with a dry, painful cough, headaches, and muscle pain that worsens with movement and warmth. This remedy is most appropriate for people with a rash primarily on the chest, a dry mouth, and a desire for cold drinks.
• Euphrasia– Choose this remedy to treat nasal discharge, red eyes, and tears associated with measles. It’s also most appropriate for people who have a strong sensitivity to light.
• Gelsemium– Useful for the early stages of measles when there is a slow onset of fever and chilliness, cough, headache, weakness, and a watery nasal discharge that burns the upper lip, Gelsemium is also used for people who are apathetic and have little or no thirst.
• Pulsatilla– This remedy can be used at any stage of measles, but it is more often used after the fever has resolved. Most appropriate for people who may have thick, yellow nasal discharge, a dry cough at night, a productive cough in the daytime, and mild ear pain, this remedy is often used in people with fairly mild symptoms.
• Sulphur– Ideal to use for measles in which the skin has a purplish appearance. The patient may have red mucus membranes with a cough and diarrhea that is worse in the mornings.

Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:

Herbs

Generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body’s systems, herbs can be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts).

Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered five to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink two to four cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted. The herbs listed below are to help support immunity while providing antibacterial and antiviral support.

• Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 to 500 mg daily, for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune effects. Use caffeine free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
• Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), 150 – 300 mg two to three times daily, for antiviral and immune activity. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 to 60 drops two to three times a day. High doses of Reishi can have a blood thinning effect and may increase the effect of blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin (warfarin) and aspirin.
• Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg three times a day, for inflammation and antiviral activity. Cat’s claw can interfere with a variety of medications; speak with your doctor. Cat’s claw can have deleterious effects in patients with Leukemia and autoimmune disease.
• Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) standardized extract, 150 – 300 mg one to three times daily, for immune support. Rhodiola is an “adaptogen” and helps the body adapt to various stresses.
• Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus) standardized extract, 200 mg two to four times daily for antiviral effects. Phyllanthus can interact with lithium.

To reduce itching from the rash, use witch hazel (Hamamelis virginia) topically or add oatmeal to a bath.

Other

Exercise:

Yoga – The physical postures and breathing exercises comprising the practice of yoga have long been proven by scientific research to promote feelings of relaxation while simultaneously strengthening the body. Research conducted since the 1970s has shown that regular yoga practice not only relieves stress, and stressful emotions such as anxiety and depression, but also improves blood pressure rates and overall cardiovascular health. Yoga is also effective for reducing pain, improving gastrointestinal and respiratory function, and for improving cognitive function and enhancing sight and hearing.

Note: If you are just beginning to explore yoga, it is recommended that you initially do so under the guidance of a trained yoga instructor who can guide you to become aware of the subtleties involved in each yoga posture as well as the corresponding method of breathing.

Qigong – Is a wonderful form of exercise, breath work and meditation to relieve stress and tension in the body.  See article section for more information about the art of qigong.