Ailments and Situations - Chickenpox - Remedies

- Foods -

Foods

Adhere to a bland diet that is easily digestible. Avoid wheat and dairy products and include more rice-based foods.

- Herbs -

Herbs

Licorice has antiviral properites and supports the immune system. Gently boil ¹/₂ tsp. powdered root to 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups daily. If supplementing, take 4,000 to 5,000mg daily.

- Homeopathy -

Homeopathy

Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. General dosage when dealing with chickenpox is one 12C every three to four hours, for 2 to 3 days. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy.

Antimonium Crudum: Thickly coated white tongue. Cough or bronchitis present. Person is irritable, cannot be satisfied, and wishes to be left alone.

Antimonium Tartaricum: Vesicular eruptions that are bluish in colour and slow to appear. Eruptions may be accompanied by cough or bronchitis with a lot of mucus. Person is nauseous, drowsy, sluggish, and miserable.

Rhus Toxicodendron: The most important remedy in the treatment of chickenpox. Symptoms include severe itching made better from hot applications, small, pus-filled blisters, and restlessness. If itching is the only symtpom, Rhus tox. is likely the most appropriate remedy. Otherwise, consider Antimonium Crudum or Anitomonium Tartaricum if cough or tongue coating is present.

Sulphur: To be considered towards the end of chickenpox, if case drags on. Person has an irresistible need to scratch. Itching made worse when person is warm -- either in bed or in a bath. Dosage: One 30C every three hours, for three doses.

- Lifestyle -

Lifestyle

Avoid applying ointments to eruptions, as this will only slow down a process that must run its course.

- Miscellaneous -

Miscellaneous

An oatmeal bath soothes and heals the skin and is often effective in dealing with the itchiness of chickenpox. Add 1 cup oatmeal, preferably powdered, to a warm bath.

Applying lukewarm wet compresses to the eruptions may help reduce itching.

Some people report relief when applying olive oil to eruptions to help relieve itching.

- Therapies, Healing Aids, and More -

Therapies, Healing Aids, and More

Acupuncture is an excellent treatment for the pain of shingles, as well as hastening the resolution of the outbreak.