Vitamin A aids in healing skin tissue. Give your child one dose of vitamin A or its precursor,
beta-carotene, once a day, for ten days.
Vitamin C and bioflavonoids help to stimulate the immune system and resolve a fever in the initial stages of the illness. The first week, give your child one dose of vitamin C in mineral ascorbate form, and an equal amount of bioflavonoids, three to four times a day. The following week, give him the same dosage, but two to three times a day. During the third week, give the same dosage, twice a day. Then continue to give one dose, once a week, for three weeks.
Try giving your child one dose of zinc, twice a day, in tablet or lozenge form, for two weeks. Zinc promotes healing and stimulates the immune system.
Note: Excessive amounts of zinc can result in nausea and vomiting. Be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage.
If your child is restless and having difficulty sleeping, try giving him one dose of a calcium and magnesium supplement, twice during the day and once again at bedtime, for one week. Choose a formula that contains 250 milligrams of calcium to 125 milligrams of magnesium.
Note: In excessive amounts, magnesium acts as a laxative. If your child develops diarrhea, decrease the dosage.
Herbal Treatment
For age-appropriate dosages of nutritional supplements, see
Dosage Guidelines for Herbs and Nutritional Supplements.
Burdock root is high in many valuable trace minerals, and helps to detoxify the body and heal skin lesions. Give your child one dose, twice daily, until he recovers.
Echinacea and goldenseal help to clear infection, support the immune system, and soothe the skin and mucous membranes. Echinacea is a powerful antiviral. Give your child one dose of an echinacea and goldenseal combination formula, three times a day, for up to ten days or until he recovers.
Note: Echinacea should not be given on a daily basis for more than ten days at a time, or it may lose its effectiveness.
If your child is feeling very restless, give him a cup of chamomile tea, twice a day, as needed.
Red clover, like burdock root, contains many trace minerals. It helps to detoxify the body and aids in healing skin lesions. Give your child one dose, twice daily, until he feels better.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic Calendula, in tincture, oil, or gel form, helps to relieve itching and promote healing. Apply the preparation topically in the morning, in the afternoon, and at bedtime.
Grindelia tincture, applied topically to the pocks, helps to relieve itching. Apply the undiluted mother tincture in the morning, in the afternoon, and again before bedtime.