Herbal Health

Life’s constant changeability sometimes presents us with rather unusual questions. For example, is it not strange that, in some parts of the world infectious diseases are declining whereas the death toll from metabolic disorders and other ailments associated with living in an industrialised society is showing a sharp increase? Could this, perhaps, be attributed to our having acquired increased resistance to certain infections? On the other hand, what is it exactly that makes us so vulnerable to metabolic and other disorders? While all this is somewhat puzzling, if we carefully review what experience and observation have taught us, we will find the explanation.

During the time I spent in the Amazon area, an outbreak of measles took the lives of thousands of Indians living there. Yet in Europe and North America, for instance, it is practically unheard of for a child or an adult to die as a result of this disease. Why should that be so? The virus is just as toxic and virulent as ever, but nature is always a step ahead of human wisdom. The layperson as well as the physician should become familiar with the body’s inherent defence mechanisms and their capacity to face up to and adapt to new situations, and learn to respect them. Thanks to the wonderful generosity and benevolence of our Creator, these automatic mechanisms or ‘laws of nature’, given time, are able to produce an effective counterforce to any violent attack by invading organisms and substances. In the beginning a virus causes widespread disaster among people and takes numerous lives, but the very next generation is born with a degree of immunity and after a few more generations the illness has only negligible consequences. The history of tuberculosis provides a good example of this. Only sixty years ago tuberculosis was a major cause of death everywhere. Diphtheria and other infectious diseases, likewise, are no longer the scourge they once were.

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Pulsatilla, Belladonna, sulphur and Mercurius solubilis, in homoeopathic potencies, are the best remedies indicated for treating inflammations of the ear. At the first sign of suppuration Hepar sulph. 12x is very effective, and if there is a danger of septic infection, Lachesis 12x can still save the situation. In cases of prolonged discharge, Silicea 12x taken in alternation with Causti-cum (freshly burnt lime according to Hahnemann) will help. Should there be a tendency to a relapse, recourse to an occasional dose of the constitution-building remedy Baryum carbonicum lOx is indicated.

Anyone prone to ear problems should take the fresh plant extract of ribwort over a longer period of time. Known by its botanical name Plantago lanceolata, ribwort is one of the best remedies for the ears and will also sharpen the auditory senses. Ginkgo biloba is excellent for the same purpose and therefore recommended for people who are hard of hearing or suffer from tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear).

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Just as with any one of the other organs, the tongue is a marvellous work of Creation. The singular design, structure and arrangement of this muscular organ gives it a flexibility that no other organ in the body possesses. The tongue’s shape can change from flat to broad, from thin to thick, by manipulating its muscle fibres which respond to command as does a circus horse to its trainer. Yet the most interesting feature in the structure of the tongue is its surface, which, when greatly magnified, looks rather like a lunar landscape. Every elevation and every little crater-like cavity is equipped with minute receptors of taste sensations that enable us to taste and enjoy our food and drink. The mucous glands in the taste cavities see to it that there is always a small amount of local mucus or fluid present, for chemicals taken into the mouth have to be dissolved for us to taste them.

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Sometimes it will be necessary to give the child a biological calcium preparation and at the same time encourage the elimination of metabolic toxins through the kidneys. Thydroca, a fresh herb preparation containing Drosera, Thymus, Coccus cacti, Hedera helix, and others, is excellent for whooping cough. The homoeopathic remedies Ipecacuanha 3x and Coccus cacti 3x have also proved to be effective. As soon as the coughing attacks have stopped, the child can gradually stop taking the remedies. In their place Santasapina pine bud syrup can be given, as it is beneficial to continue with some medication for a little while after the cure seems to be complete.    

Chest compresses are a must in cases of whooping cough. They can be either simple compresses made with a hay flower infusion or, in more severe cases, onion compresses. A horseradish poultice is stronger in its effect and a mustard poultice even more so. A correctly applied mustard poultice or a mustard bath (made using mustard powder) has saved the life of many a child who had already turned blue from a severe case of bronchiolitis (inflammation and gradual blockage of the tiniest air tubes in the lungs) and who was frantically gasping for air. But care must be taken that the skin is not exposed to the active ingredients of the mustard for too long at a time. An intense reddening of the skin is desirable, but blisters should never be allowed to form. If cases of whooping cough are treated as described above, children can be protected from serious complications.

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Household remedies and other medicines should be chosen with the greatest care. Babies react quickly to even the smallest dose and can tolerate only very light stimulants without suffering ill effects. This is especially true of teas (herbal infusions) and great care must be taken because an apparently harmless herbal tea can trigger serious upsets.

Homoeopathic remedies are ideal for the treatment of children. In fact, babies should only be given such remedies and it is lamentable that paediatricians do not prescribe them more frequently. Many allopathic drugs do more harm than good even for adults, so how much less would a young child be able to cope with their adverse effects? The amazing results achieved by homoeopathy should convince many doubters; they cannot be explained away as being ‘imaginary’ or ‘psychological’ effects, as some opponents try to do, for it can hardly be expected that babies and young
children imagine these things.    

It should be stressed again that infusions of herbs (teas) for small children should be very weak indeed, barely coloured. The herbs listed below have been found to be effective.

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