Mumps are the epidemic parotitis which refer to a virus infection caused by the Paramyxovirus which is a member of the Rubulavirinae family and affects the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands located on each side of the face just below and in front of the ear. It can also infect the gonads and occasionally other parts of the body. It is a contagious disease that occurs most frequently in children and young persons between the ages of five and fifteen years.
The disease spreads from child to child in schools. Babies may have temporary immunity from their mother for several months after birth. Most persons have mumps only once in their lives, but one person in ten may have a second attack. After someone is exposed to a case of the mumps, it takes about two weeks for the disease to appear.
Symptoms of mumps
- The first sign of mumps is swelling and pain.
- The pain is first felt under one ear with stiffness of the neck and jaw.
- There is a slight fever which subsides in three or four days.
- The swelling appears first under one jaw and then extends under the other jaw.
- The gland becomes tender on pressure.
- On account of the pressure of the swelling, mastication and swallowing becomes difficult.
If the disease occurs after puberty, the testicles may be affected. The ovaries may be infected in females. In males, the testicles are usually swollen.
If the disease spreads to the testicles, the swelling and pain are very considerable, there is a high fever, and the patient may become depressed and confused. Please see Orchitis for more information and natural remedies.
Mumps can also lead to meningitis (inflammation of the soft membranes of the brain) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) with delirium, severe headache and other signs of irritation of the meninges, or it may spread to the pancreas, when the symptoms include pain in the abdomen and loss of appetite. The patient may vomit.
Treatment for mumps
The patient should stay in bed for several days until the temperature returns to normal. They should be kept on a diet of fruit or vegetable juice diluted with warm water on a 50 : 50 basis for a few days.
Juices for first few days of mumps
- Apple
- Carrot
- Grape
- Mosambi
- Orange
- Pineapple
Hot and cold fomentations should be applied every two hours during the day for about 10 minutes and should consist of two or three hot applications, followed by a cold one.
A soft scarf around the cheeks may be gently tied at the top of the head to give some relief from the swelling.
The mouth should be cleaned with an antiseptic wash. Aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar or bicarbonate of soda, diluted in warm water are good choices.
Nature Cures remedies for mumps
When the child can swallow food comfortably and the swelling has subsided, an all-fruit diet should be adopted for a day or two. Thereafter, they may be allowed to gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of natural foods, with emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Carrot juice (raw)
- Lettuce
- Swede
- Sweet potato
- Turnips
- Watercress
Fruit
Dried fruit
- Dates
- Figs
- Raisins
Seeds (can be ground and added to soups and smoothies)
- Asparagus
- Fennel
- Hemp seeds (whole)
- Sunflower
Herbs
- Barberry
- Basil
- Coriander
- Neem leaves
Spices
External remedies for mumps
- Aloe vera gel
- Chebulic myrobalan
- Indian aloe
- Peepal tree
The seeds of asparagus are valuable in mumps. These seeds combined with the seeds of fenugreek should be ground together to a consistency of a paste. This paste can be applied over the swelling.
The herb Chebulic myrobalan is one of the most effective remedies for mumps. A thick paste should be made from this herb by rubbing in water and applied over the swelling to provide relief.
Dry ginger is considered beneficial in the treatment of mumps. It should be made into a paste with water and applied over the swollen areas. As the paste dries, the swelling will be reduced, and the pain will also subside.
The use of the herb Indian aloe is a well-known remedy for inflamed and painful parts of the body in the indigenous system of medicine. A piece of a leaf of this herb should be peeled on one side and sprinkled with a little turmeric and extract of Indian barberry and bandaged over the swelling after warming.
Neem leaves and turmeric should be made into a paste and applied externally over the affected parts to provide relief.
The leaves of the peepal tree are another effective home remedy for this disease. The leaves should be smeared with ghee and warmed over a fire. They should then be bandaged over the inflamed areas.
Related subjects
Join our mailing list to receive your monthly emailed newsletter with all the latest scientific findings for natural health remedies.