Chick Health Dictionary

Also known as varicella. An acute, contagious disease predominantly of children – although it may occur at any age – characterised by fever and an eruption on the skin. The name, chickenpox, is said to be derived from the resemblance of the eruption to boiled chickpeas.

Causes The disease occurs in epidemics affecting especially children under the age of ten years. It is due to the varicella zoster virus, and the condition is an extremely infectious one from child to child. Although an attack confers life-long immunity, the virus may lie dormant and manifest itself in adult life as HERPES ZOSTER or shingles.

Symptoms There is an incubation period of 14–21 days after infection, and then the child becomes feverish or has a slight shivering, or may feel more severely ill with vomiting and pains in the back and legs. Almost at the same time, an eruption consisting of red pimples which quickly change into vesicles ?lled with clear ?uid appears on the back and chest, sometimes about the forehead, and less frequently on the limbs. These vesicles appear over several days and during the second day may show a change of their contents to turbid, purulent ?uid. Within a day or two they burst, or, at all events, shrivel up and become covered with brownish crusts. The small crusts have all dried up and fallen o? in little more than a week and recovery is almost always complete.

Treatment The fever can be reduced with paracetamol and the itching soothed with CALAMINE lotion. If the child has an immune disorder, is suffering from a major complication such as pneumonia, or is very unwell, an antiviral drug (aciclovir) can be used. It is likely to be e?ective only at an early stage. A vaccine is available in many parts of the world but is not used in the UK; the argument against its use is that it may delay chickenpox until adult life when the disease tends to be much more severe.... chickenpox

Stellaria media. N.O. Caryophyllaceae.

Synonym: Star-weed, Star duckweed.

Habitat: Waste places, roadsides.

Features ? Stem weak, straggling, freely branched; line of white hairs along one side only, changing direction at each pair of leaves. Leaves small, ovate, sessile above, flat stalks lower. Flowers white, very small, petals deeply cleft, singly on axils of upper leaves. Taste slightly salty.

Part used ? Herb.

Action: Demulcent, emollient, pectoral.

Inflammation of the respiratory organs and internal membranes generally. One ounce of herb in 1 1/2 pints of water simmered down to 1 pint. Dose, wineglassful every two or three hours. Used externally as a poultice for inflamed surfaces, boils, burns and skin eruptions.... chickweed

(Native American) Born at daybreak

Chickoah, Chikoa, Chikoah... chickoa

Chickweed is actually the basis for a refreshing and useful tea, which can be easily found in stores and has various benefits for the whole body. So don’t pass it by. Everything about Chickweed Tea With the botanical name of Stellaria media, Chickweed is also commonly known as star weed, star chickweed or satin flower. The chickweed weed has straight green stems, small star-like white flowers and blooms from March till October. It is commonly found all over the world. Chickweed is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and contains a number of other nutrients like mucilage, saponins, silica, vitamin A and B, fatty acids or other minerals as well. Chickweed tea is a great source of nutrition with many health benefits. How to brew Chickweed Tea For a tasty tea, you can combine either 1 teaspoon of dried plant or 2 tablespoons of fresh, finely chopped chickweed into 1 cup of boiling water. Don’t forget to wash and dry preferable freshly picked chickweed leaves. Allow the plant to steep into the boiling water for approximately 10 minutes then your tea is ready to be served. Chickweed Tea benefits Chickweed Tea has multiple medical benefits both internally and externally. Chickweed Tea is a diuretic, a mild laxative; it increases the body’s metabolism and reduces appetite. That makes it ideal for a weight loss diet. It calms the respiratory system ailments like asthma, bronchitis, cough or others associated to this. Chickweed tea has anti-inflammatory properties so it can reduce any inflammation and help to relieve pain, both internally and externally. It is also a blood purifier. Chickweed tea can also be used externally as wash, poultice, or salve with good results in alleviating any wounds, allergies or skin problems due to its detoxifying properties. Chickweed Tea Side effects Although chickweed tea is generally considered safe for adults’ consumption, side effects may occasionally include upset stomach, nausea or vomiting. Pregnant or nursing women should not drink chickweed tea, as there are not enough studies to show whether it is safe for pregnancy or for children. People with allergies to the daisy plant family should avoid chickweed tea. Chickweed contains nitrate so if you drink too much tea, you may experience symptoms of nitrate poisoning like weakness, headache, fainting, bluish fingers and lips and dizziness. So be sure to keep your moderation. Although it is recommended to include it in your lifestyle, you should not drink more than 2 or 3 cups of chickweed tea per day as it will lose its benefits.... chickweed tea

Varicella. Contagious virus disease with small red spots becoming vesicles, first on chest and back but later spreading over whole body. More children than adults.

Symptoms: Slight fever with temperature rising 39°-40° (102°-104°), sore throat, heavy nasal discharge, rashes come in crops soon to progress to milky white blisters which shrivel into scabs. Irritability. The virus may lie latent in the ganglia of sensory and somatic nerves for many years to manifest later as shingles.

Object of the therapy is to reduce the temperature and promote a healthy outcropping of the rash.

Alternatives. Ensure adequate fluid intake. Antihistamine herbs: Lobelia, Goldenseal root, Parsley root, Juniper. Mucous membranes: spots on: Goldenseal, Myrrh. Ears: spots in: Instil oil Mullein or contents of Vitamin E capsule.

Teas: Boneset, Elderflowers and Peppermint, Marigold, Chamomile.

Tea. Formula. Equal parts: Red Clover, Boneset, Yarrow.

Maria Treben’s tea. Marigold 3; Nettles 1; Yarrow 1. Prepare: all teas, one heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup freely.

Tinctures. Alternatives. (1) Combine, Echinacea 2; Poke root 1; Goldenseal 1. (2) Combine, Wild Indigo 2; Marigold 1; Myrrh quarter; Dose: as many drops as the age of the child, in a little water. (Adults: One 5ml teaspoon) Dose: 3-4 times daily.

Gargle and Mouthwash, where spots appear on mucous membranes: 5 drops Tincture Myrrh or Goldenseal (or combined), in warm water.

Topical. Aloe Vera. Evening Primrose oil. Oil from Vitamin E capsule. Wash with distilled extract Witch Hazel, Lavender water, or Chamomile tea.

Cayenne. Pinch Cayenne in teas, or few drops Tincture Capsicum in tinctures heightens action.

Note: For restlessness add, equal parts, Skullcap or Chamomile. For severe itching, wash with potato water or Chamomile tea.

Diet. Commence 3-day fast, with herb teas and fruit juices only. Vitamins A and C. Carrot juice.

High Temperature. If serious: tinctures – Pleurisy root 1; Lobelia 1; Catnep 2; Valerian 1. One 5ml teaspoon every 2 hours. Reduced to thrice daily when temperature abates.

Patients suffer less itching if kept cool. ... chicken pox