Page 86 - Spring2020

Doctors of underlying profit motives and irrational fear, Those who promote vaccination also make

have long both of which have clouded the judgment of the assumption that all infectious diseases are
vaccine manufacturers, public health officials bad—but are they really? Doctors have long
known that and lawmakers. Among the numerous unfortu- known that a bout with minor illness strengthens
a bout with nate consequences of these misguided policies the immune system. This has not prevented pub-
minor illness are an upward shift in the age distribution of lic health officials and the media from expound-
chickenpox cases from children (who generally ing on the “dangers” of chickenpox, an illness
strengthens recover with no complications) to teenagers and that was typically so benign that it did not even
the immune adults (who have higher complication rates), become a nationally notifiable illness until 1972.
system. as well as a painful shingles epidemic that has Of course, the bottom line is that the deci-
shifted downward the age at which someone sion to vaccinate should never be in the hands
gets shingles. Ironically, the FDA predicted of doctors, educational institutions or the gov-
a potentially significant rise in shingles cases ernment. It is the responsibility of every parent
prior to the chickenpox vaccine’s introduction and individual to weigh the risk of the disease
in 1996 but said nothing when the CDC ignored against the risk of vaccination side effects. We
its recommendation to monitor shingles rates must remember that vaccination choice is a
closely. 21 fundamental human right, and only with truly
While some hail childhood vaccines—in- informed consent for all medical interventions
cluding the chickenpox vaccine—as a victory can we ensure that we live in a free society. Our
over disease, others argue that the multitude bodies belong to us—and us only.
of vaccines given to children are causing huge
increases in chronic immune and brain dys- Kendall Nelson is a documentary filmmaker
function. Currently, the CDC’s recommended actively engaged in directing, producing and
childhood schedule includes sixty-nine doses of distributing media that matter. With over twenty
sixteen different vaccines. Meanwhile, almost years of television and film experience, Nelson’s
one in three children has an allergy, one in lifelong commitment is to bring about aware-
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six has a developmental disability, one in nine ness through her work, including advocating
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has ADHD, one in twelve has asthma, one health freedom, simple living and real food. She
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in thirteen has severe food allergies and one is a proud Idaho chapter board member of the
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in thirty-six has autism. International Women’s Forum.
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HOME CARE FOR CHICKENPOX
Home remedies that may help relieve chickenpox symptoms and prevent skin infections include:
• Taking baths with baking soda or oatmeal
• Applying cool compresses
• Applying raw honey, diluted apple cider vinegar or a baking soda paste
• Using a homemade calamine lotion with bentonite clay, baking soda, sea salt and soothing essential oils
• Taking natural immune-boosters such as astralagus, calendula, echinecea, elderberry, garlic or vitamin C
• Drinking ginger tea several times a day
• Taking supportive homeopathic remedies (Aconite and Rhus Tox are common chickenpox remedies, but there
are many others depending on the patient and the stage of illness)
• Using diluted neem or diluted essential oils such as tea tree or lavender
• Consuming plentiful bone broth to reduce digestive demands and support healing
Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms develop: the chickenpox rash becomes tender, warm or very
red; the rash has spread to one or both eyes; or there is vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, stiff neck, involuntary
muscle movements or fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
NOTE: Never use aspirin or aspirin-containing products to relieve symptoms of chickenpox. In children with
chickenpox (or influenza), aspirin is associated with Reye syndrome, a severe and potentially fatal disease that affects
the blood, brain and liver.

86 Wise Traditions SPRING 2020