ester C Archives | Natural Health with Merrilyn Hope

Scarlet Fever Outbreak in Hong Kong/Homeopathic Alternatives

Homeopathic Belladonna is the classic remedy for Scarlet Fever. It will help prevent it if given at the first sign of an outbreak. It is also one of the best remedies to help to cure it if you get the illness. More about this later on:

Who Is Susceptible to Scarlet Fever: Children under the age of five are usually more susceptible to Scarlet Fever, but children up to the age of 15 can succumb to this childhood illness. Scarlet Fever is not usually life threatening these days. Scarlet Fever has not been so much of a problem illness since antibiotics such as penicillin were invented. Penicillin and other antibiotics have been effective in bringing Scarlet Fever outbreaks under control, because they kill off the germs which cause Scarlet Fever. But there is a down-side to using antibiotics, or vaccines, for the common childhood illnesses:

Scarlet Fever In Hong Kong: The trouble with this new Scarlet Fever outbreak in Hong Kong is that it seems to be a particularly virulent strain which might have mutated, or immunized itself somehow against the common antibiotics which are used to treat the illness. It does not seem to be responding to antibiotics.

Now this IS a worry, because it suggests that the Scarlet Fever bacterium may have gotten so strong BECAUSE of our use of antibiotics to manage the common childhood diseases. Bugs find other ways to survive if they are bombarded with antibiotics. They become stronger, and more resilient.

And this is always the concern which people have about child immunization, because the more vaccines, or immunizations, or innoculations that your child is given, the weaker your child’s immune system becomes. This means that your child’s immune system might be weakened to such a large degree that it cannot naturally fight off any unknown diseases, such as new strains of the common illnesses.

Vaccinations Weaken The Immune System: If a child is continually being vaccinated for this or that, then that child’s system will expect the help of a vaccine for anything and everything which comes along. Their systems will not be able to tackle these new diseases. When the day comes that there is not a vaccine to protect your child, because the disease has suddenly mutated and formed a new strain of bacteria, then there will be serious cause for concern.

Alternatives To Antibiotics: Of course, if your child is sick, then you must see a Doctor. But in the meanwhile, you might be interested in finding out more about the natural remedies and treatments for scarlet fever which are listed below.

Natural Remedies For Scarlet Fever/Vitamin C and Homelopathy

Vitamin C Therapy: Remember that large quantities of Vitamin C, especially Calcium Ascorbate, or Ester C, have an antibacterial and antiviral effect: This treatment has been proven to be effective in the treatment of Swine Flu, and many other disease. But you could go to a Homeopathic doctor, or an Ayurvedic medicine practitioner, BEFORE your child gets sick, to investigate the alternatives of treatment for these childhood illnesses.

How To Prevent Scarlet Fever:

Hahnemann, who discovered Homeopathy, discovered that Homeopathic Belladonna is a prophylactic in Scarlet Fever. This is an incredibly useful piece of knowledge in the case of a Scarlet Fever outbreak, as a prophylactic is a PREVENTATIVE.

Belladonna is a preventative of scarlet fever. So, you would begin taking the Homeopathic Belladonna as soon as there was a warning about an outbreak, BEFORE your child got the infection.

More On Belladonna as a Natural Remedy For Scarlet Fever: W.A. Dewey says in his book “Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics“, that Belladonna for preventing Scarlet Fever “has been abundantly verified in practice.” We do not know for sure that this new strain will also respond to Belladonna, but it is quite likely that Belladonna will be just as effective.

Homeopathic Sulphur is reputed to be the next best thing for the treatment of Scarlet Fever. (see W.A. Dewey)

I found Homeopathy to be a wonderful alternative to allopathic medicine and antibiotics. It seemed to be especially effective in treating my children, I think, because children generally are quite sensitive, and so they respond well to Homeopathy. People who have used mountains of antibiotics and other medications do not respond so well to Homeopathic treatment, because their systems have become hardened through long term use of medications.

Homeopathic Remedies: So here are some Homeopathic remedies which have been used to treat Scarlet Fever. Again, I urge you to go to a Homeopathic practitioner, or an Ayurvedic professional, before your child gets sick.

If your child is sick, then do not hesitate – go to the doctor.

Generally speaking, only one remedy should be used at a time. You can buy an Aconite, Belladonna, Chamomilla mixture at most health shops, called ABC. This is a good general remedy for many children’s ailments, and it might still be good for treating or preventing Scarlet Fever. However, for a serious disease, the remedy needs to be chosen carefully. Each remedy has a specific action, and so the ‘case’ needs to be examined thoroughly before deciding on a remedy.

List of The Most Common Remedies for Scarlet Fever: Belladonna; Gelsemium; Bryonia; Ailanthus; Rhus toxicodendron; Lachesis; Ammonium carbonicum; Zincum. These remedies are outlined in the book “Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics” by W.A. Dewey, B. Jain Publishers PVT. Ltd. New Delhi. He also states that Homeopathic Belladonna was discovered by Hahnemann to be a prophylactic of Scarlet Fever: It prevents Scarlet Fever.

Other Homeopathic remedies which W.A. Dewey indicates could be useful for different stages of the disease are: Cuprum; Calcarea carbonica; Kali sulphuricum; Rhus tox; Arsenicum; Sulphur. Of course, only one remedy would be chosen out of this list, perhaps to follow up the treatment which might have begun with Belladonna, or Gelsemium. Get some professional advice, unless you know your Homeopathic medicines.

Calcium Ascorbate for Varicose Veins

Calcium Ascorbate is a Healer.

Calcium ascorbate for Varicose Veins: Calcium Ascorbate has the power to draw poisons out from the body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and has a healing effect on the tissues of the body: Calcium ascorbate is one of the best ways to take megadoses of vitamin C for the purposes of healing, as this is a non-acidic form which is soothing on the gut. Ester C is another type of non-acidic vitamin C which you can use to help heal varicose veins and other conditions.

The antioxidant and healing effects of Vitamin C, especially when used in non-acidic form such as calcium ascorbate and ester C, make Vitamin C one of the most valuable vitamins in helping to cure any disease.

Calcium ascorbate for varicose veins is highly recommended. It will help to dissolve build-ups of calcium deposits and other matter in the veins. It can help to reduce blood clots, and will help to thin the blood. It will help to heal the walls of the veins and arteries and make them strong. It will help in the assimilation of your food so that you gain the optimum nutrition from the food which you eat.

Of course, you must ask your doctor or health professional if you are sick or have varicose veins. Professional advice must be sought, especially if you are already taking medications or treatments of any kind, to see if Vitamin C is suitable for you to use.

Some medications thin the blood, and these must not be taken in combination with vitamin C, as Vitamin C also thins the blood. This brings to mind the question of whether warfarin is necessary at all to thin people’s blood: this is derived from rat poison, and has many negative side effects.

Vitamin C such as calcium ascorbate, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and fresh fruit and vegetables are some of the natural things which thin the blood. This is why doctors often tell people who are taking warfarin and suchlike drugs, to avoid these items. But in an alternative treatment these drugs would not be used at all: high doses of calcium ascorbate or some other vitamin C would be presecribed in combination with some other treatments, including a specially designed diet whose objective is to thin the blood, if that is what is necessary.

However, if you are not taking medications, then Vitamin C in the form of calcium ascorbate powder, or ester C, is generally speaking one of the most safe vitamins which you can use. It is not dangerous to use, and we hope that it will always be available to us for purchase at local supermarkets and health stores, so that we can help our own condition of health without having to go to a doctor for a prescription. And without having to pay double the price to a drug company who might be capitalizing on the product.

Vitamin C and Colds

Vitamin C : Colds

Does Vitamin C work as a treatment for the common cold?

Research done thus far suggests that Vitamin C, as an additional supplement to the diet, does not work on its own as a prophylactic for the common cold in most cases.

However, in groups of people who were tested as for the efficacy of vitamin C in treating the common cold, it was found that Vitamin C did actually work to reduce the expected duration of the common cold. Dr Holt and Iona MacDonald have an essay entitled ‘Vitamin C and the common cold’ which you can find in their book entitled ‘Natural Remedies that Really Work: A New Zealand Guide, published in 2010 by Craig Potton Publishing, P.O. Box 555, Nelson, New Zealand.

Also, people who took Vitamin C regularly were more likely to resist getting the common cold as a result of hard exercise followed by chilling, than those who did not take Vitamin C.

This would suggest that Vitamin C in fact does improve resistance and increase immune function.

In the studies which Dr Holt and Ms MacDonald mention, Vitamin C was just used as a supplement: 1000 mg daily was recommended as an average, safe supplement.

These studies do not discuss the use of other herbal treatments such as the use of garlic, or lemon juice which is taken in drinks, or other known herbal remedies which help to reduce the symptoms of the common cold.

Vitamin C, I think, works best when it is taken, not on its own as a supplement, but with those foods which complement it, such as lemon juice, and garlic, ginger and cinnamon.

Lemon juice contains high amounts of Vitamin C on its own. The common cold is best treated when the juice of a lemon is made into a hot drink, with added ginger, garlic, and cinnamon, and taken with honey. If a supplement of Ester C, or Calcium ascorbate, is taken at the same time, with about 500mg-1000mg of vitamin C, then the effect of the spiced up and honeyed lemon drink are remarkably pronounced. Use only 500 mg of Vitamin C for children under twelve years, and 1000 mg for adults. Up to three doses can be given per day, and continued for three days if the cold is severe.

Note: Dr Holt does not recommend doses of more than 1000 mg of Vitamin C per day for adults. Note that Vitamin C can interfere with some medications, so if you are on medication, then you should not take ANY Vitamin C without consulting your health practitioner for professional advice. Even if you are not taking medication, consult your doctor or naturopath to see about taking Vitamin C.

In my experience, this is the best way to use Vitamin C supplements, fo treating the common cold: that is, in combination with lemon drinks, garlic, ginger and cinnamon.

Home Remedy For Acne

Try a Home Remedy For Acne: Here are some tried recipes for home treatment of acne. These ideas have worked for many people, although this is no guarantee that you will necessarily have success with any of these remedies: there are different strains of bacteria and conditions which cause acne, and so every case is different. What works for one may not work for another.

Go to a doctor or an alternative health therapist if your condition persists, in case there is a hormonal imbalance, thyroid disfunction, candidiasis, or some other underlying condition which predisposes you to acne.

The First Home Remedy for Acne on our list is the

Chick Pea Cleanser. This idea comes from Ayurvedic medicine. It has a cleansing effect on the pores of the skin and helps to dry out acne. It is a good alternative to soap, which tends to make the skin too alkaline. Chick pea flour helps to whiten the skin, and has a mild tightening effect.

To Make the Chick Pea Cleanser: Take a portion of chick pea flour and mix it with a little water, just enough to make a smooth paste. Massage this gently into the skin. Rinse off with warm water.

The Chick Pea Cleanser can be followed with another home remedy for acne which will moisturise the skin a little. This Yogurt Turmeric Treatment recipe has added antifungal and antibacterial qualities because of the lactobacilli organisms in the yogurt, and because of the use of turmeric, which is a strong antiseptic. Here is the

Yogurt Turmeric Treatment for acne.

To Make: Simply add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to half a cup of probiotic yogurt, preferably one which has L. acidophilus added to it. Yogurt which still has live probiotics in it, such as L. acidophilus, will contain bacteriocins. These are are compounds which help inhibit the growth of disease producing microbes. These bacteriocins should, hopefully, help your skin to heal.

Mix well together, then apply to the yogurt to the areas of skin which are affected by acne. Leave on for 20 minutes, then wash off in warm water. Use for a week, or less if the acne condition has cleared up.

If you do not enjoy the slightly yellowing effect of the turmeric in the above recipe, which will wash off within a few days, then omit the turmeric from this recipe. However, the turmeric which remains on the skin is helpful in treating acne.

Kiwifruit Juice Home Remedy for Acne

Kiwifruit has strong enzymes and acids which work well as antifungal and antibacterial agents. Its enzymes also aid digestion. Kiwifruit is a great healer, both internally and externally. Eat plenty of Kiwifruit to cleanse out the bowels and kill off unwanted organisms. This will help your skin condition. The beneficial bacteria do not seem to be harmed by Kiwifruit, as digestion improves from eating Kiwifruit.

Use Kiwifruit juice directly on the skin as another Home Remedy for Acne. Leave the juice on overnight, and wash off in the morning, for the best results. Otherwise, you can apply the juice and wait for it to dry before rinsing off.

Another simple Home Remedy for Acne is the Watermelon Treatment. Watermelon also has enzymes which benefit the skin and which work as bacteria inhibitors. Eating watermelon is good for your skin also, as it cleanses the intestines, and also helps the kidneys, which in turn will benefit your skin.

Watermelon Treatment: Simply smear the juice over the skin. Let dry, and leave on overnight. Rinse off in the morning.

Aloe Vera Juice is another home remedy for acne. You can grow this herb at home. The aloe vera juice can be applied to the skin and left on overnight. You can also take aloe vera juice raw as an internal medicine. Aloe vera juice taken internally has proven beneficial to people whose immune systems are weakened. It has helped some people to cure themselves of cancer, in combination with other treatments.

Apple Cider Vinegar sometimes is effective in treating acne. Apple cider vinegar works as an antibacterial agent, and provides potassium, pectin, and other beneficial minerals to help the skin remain healthy. Dab the undiluted cider vinegar onto the affected areas. Note: if your condition is severe and painful, then see your doctor or alternative therapist.

Wine Paste As a Home Remedy For Acne

This recipe uses wine as an antibacterial agent, with pea flour and egg yolk.

Take half a cup of pea flour
Add half a cup of red wine. Mix well.
Add one egg yolk to the mixture.
Finally, stir in two teaspoons of almond oil, or grapeseed oil.

Add a little more wine if necessary. The constituency of the mixture should be paste-like, but thin enough so that you can apply it easily to the skin.

Apply the wine paste to the areas which need treatment. Leave on for half an hour, then wash off.

Hot Water Remedy: Drinking from four to eight glasses of moderately hot water throughout the day can have a beneficial effect on the skin. Hot water flushes out the toxins from the body quickly, which is why it is so effective in many cases. Wait until the water has cooled a little. It should be fairly hot, but not straight from the kettle.

Ayurvedic Medicine gives a breathing technique which is worth a try. This is involves shutting off the right nostril with the thumb, middle finger and index finger resting on the eyebrow center. Breathe in and out through the left nostril only. Do for about five or six breaths. Build up to ten breaths in and out through the left nostril. This has a cooling, pacifying effect on the senses, This can help soothe the emotions, which is helpful to the acne condition.

Diet for Acne: It is best to avoid dairy products for the meantime. Avoid cheese, especially, as this putrifies in the bowel readily when your digestion is functioning poorly, and this causes a build up of toxins in the body. Avoid wheat products, especially bread. Wheat turns to sugar very quickly, and this can cause problems with your sugar metabolism, so it is best to avoid wheat. Bread contains yeast, and yeast is best avoided when you are treating acne. Avoid all yeast products, and foods which have been fermented such as alcohol, miso, tempeh, tofu, vinegars and soy sauce.

Eat brown rice instead of bread and pasta and potatoes, at least until your skin has recovered.

Eat more protein, and less of the grain foods. Eat plenty of fish, especially those which have omega 3 fatty acids such as sardines, mackerel, tuna and salmon. Eat organic free range eggs.

Eat plenty of high fiber greens such as broccoli, cabbage, celery, spinach, kale and leeks. The brassica family, such as cabbage and broccoli, are high in calcium , iron, and other nutrients which boost the immune system and help the skin. Eat plenty of onions and garlic. Eat carrots, unless you have a problem with candida.

Take Non-acidic Vitamin C such as Ester C, or Calcium Ascorbate, in 1000mg doses. You can take this dose up to four times a day. Use only for several days, to help clear your body of unwanted toxins, then reduce the dose to 1000mg of Vitamin C a day. If you take 1000mg last thing at night, this will help you to sleep well, as Vitamin C is a mild tranquillizer.

Take Halibut liver oil capsules. Use as directed on the label.

Take a Vitamin B Complex.

Take Zinc and Magnesium.

Iodine is essential for healthy skin and for hormonal harmony. Paint a few dabs of liquid iodine onto the scalp or the soles of the feet once or twice a week.

Note: Ask your doctor about taking these supplements, just to make sure. You should not take supplements without professional guidance if you are on any blood-thinning medication such as warfarin, or aspirin, or other drugs.