AROMATHERAPY

Mumps

Mumps is a common, air-borne viral disease whose target is the parotid salivary glands. Two or three weeks afte infection the symptoms appear, the most characteristic of these being large, egg-like swellings on either side of the neck just below the ears . Sometimes only one side is affected .Other symptoms are mild fever, earache, pain when eating and headache. Usually mumps is a fairly harmless condition and the symptoms go after a couple of days.

Sometimes, however, the infection can spread to other glands, and in bad cases the testes, ovaries and the pancreas become involved. There is usually no danger unless the child is around puberty or older when the ovaries become painful and the testes swollen and sore, and male sterility can occur. Permanent deafness may occasionally  follow an attach of mumps. Treatment for mumps is therefore advised to make sure that your child doesn't become one of the unfortunate few.

Adult males who haven't had mumps should avoid contact with the child, as the virus is passed through saliva and nasal droplets and through the air. The child should rest in bed and not be given acid drinks such as orange juice. Dryness of the mouth can be helped by using a mouthwash. Use the following oils sprayed in the air with a plant-sprayer (new or clean) so that essential oil molecules are inhaled by the child:

Mumps Synergistic Blend  

Make up a blend of oil using 30 drops of essential oil to 30ml vegetable oil and apply gently around the sore area, the back of the neck and the abdominal area. Use three times a day for ten days. The remaining 10 drops can be used in a room spray - 5 drops to half pint of water.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood