About the Illness
Herpes zoster (shingles) is an illness caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It tends to affect adults, even if they had chickenpox as children, and is a very common problem amongst HIV+ adults. If a line or patch of painful blisters suddenly appears on one side of your body, it is most likely Herpes zoster.
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Common Symptoms
A rash of small blisters developing in a line on one side of the body. They usually occur on the back, arms, face/neck, thighs, stomach/waist or chest and can cause weakness in the arms. Blisters usually disappear after 2-3 weeks. Before they appear, a patient may experience fatigue, headaches, fever and stomach problems. 3-4 days before blisters develop the area feels sensitive and there is often an itching, tingling sensation.
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Children's Issues
Children do not normally suffer from Herpes zoster, but it is quite common in HIV+ children.
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Important Information
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Moringa oleifera
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HABITAT Drought resistant tree found at coast and dry areas. eg. coast, Makindu, Mandera and Nyanza.
PART USED Leaf Seed Root
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STANDARD/ENGLISH Moringa Horse radish tree
USES Hair loss Ulcers Skin – fungal infection Herpes zoster Genital thrush Herpes simplex Syphilis Anaemia Arthritis Nutrition
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KISWAHILI Mzunze
VERNACULAR Muzungi (Giriama)
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Tagetes minuta
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HABITAT Found mainly as a weed in upland agriclutal areas from central Kenya through to western areas and Rift Valley.
PART USED Leaf Flower
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STANDARD/ENGLISH
Wild marigold
USES
Herpes zoster
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KISWAHILI
Bangi ya shambani
VERNACULAR
Instaka (Luhya)
Nyanjago (Luo) |
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Aloe spp.
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HABITAT Aloe species grow all over Kenya.
PART USED Leaf
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STANDARD/ENGLISH Aloe
USES Constipation Indigestion Boils Herpes zoster Ringworm Herpes simplex
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KISWAHILI
VERNACULAR Kiluma (Kamba) Kiruma/thukurui (Kikuyu) Ogaka (Luo) Osuguroi (Maasai)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Most people talk about Aloe vera, but this species is not actually indigenous to Kenya. However, there are many aloes that grow in Kenya which are medicinal and can be used in the same way as Aloe vera.
The most common medicinal species are: Aloe lateritia Aloe graminicola Aloe scabrifolia Aloe secundiflora Aloe turkanensis
It is important to note that some aloes are poisonous. If you are not sure whether an aloe species that grows in your area is medicinal or poisonous, the best thing to do is to check with your local herbalist.
Pregnant women should not take Aloe internally.
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Moringa oleifera
Close This Window
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HABITAT Drought resistant tree found at coast and dry areas. eg. coast, Makindu, Mandera and Nyanza.
PART USED Leaf Seed Root
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STANDARD/ENGLISH Moringa Horse radish tree
USES Hair loss Ulcers Skin – fungal infection Herpes zoster Genital thrush Herpes simplex Syphilis Anaemia Arthritis Nutrition
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KISWAHILI Mzunze
VERNACULAR Muzungi (Giriama)
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Plumeria alba
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HABITAT Grows in warm climates at low altitudes. Commonly found at the coast and Kisumu.
PART USED Milky sap
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STANDARD/ENGLISH
Frangipani
USES
Herpes zoster
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KISWAHILI
VERNACULAR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For external use only.
Do not swallow. |
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Lantana camara
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HABITAT Originally from America. Widespread in mid-altitudes of Kenya eg. western and central areas and agricultural areas.
PART USED Leaf
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STANDARD/ENGLISH Curse of India Tick berry Lantana
USES Diarrrhoea Herpes zoster
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KISWAHILI Mshomoro
VERNACULAR Mushomoro (Giriama) Mukiti (Kamba) Mukigi (Kikuyu) Obengle (Luo)
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Herbal Therapy
Firstly, you need to fight the infection from the inside. To do this take one of these tonics: Withania somnifera Tea and Inhalation Boil a handful of leaves in a covered pan of 1.5 ltr water. Use as an inhalation and drink 1/2 glass 2x daily for 1 month. (6-10 yrs steam + 3 tbsp 2x daily; 2-6 yrs: steam + 3 tbsp 2x daily; up to 2 yrs: bathe in water + 2 tbsp 2x daily.) Do not take on an empty stomach. Symptoms should improve after 4 days. If you can, start treatment when you experience the tingling sensation, and this should prevent it developing into a full blown attack.
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Tea/Decoction
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This is a good method for extracting substances from thick leaves, roots or bark.
- Boil 1 handful of plant material together with 1 ltr of water for about 20 minutes.
- Try to use a clay pot or stainless steel saucepan. Do NOT use aluminium saucepans as they can react adversely with the medicine.
- Prepare a fresh decoction every day.
- If you need to sweeten the decoction, use honey instead of sugar because honey has more medicinal value than sugar.
![[Tea/Decoction]](./scale_image.php?filepath=./images/herbal_preps/prepMed03.jpg&width=75)
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Good for:Kids
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Moringa and Wild Marigold Tea Place a handful of Moringa leaves and a handful of wild marigold leaves and flowers in 1 ltr water and boil for 30 minutes in a covered pan. Drink 1 glass 2x daily for 2 weeks. If you use dried and powdered leaves and flowers, dissolve 1 tsp of each in 1 ltr water and take 1 glass 2x daily. Symptoms should improve after 1 week.
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Tea/Decoction
Close
This is a good method for extracting substances from thick leaves, roots or bark.
- Boil 1 handful of plant material together with 1 ltr of water for about 20 minutes.
- Try to use a clay pot or stainless steel saucepan. Do NOT use aluminium saucepans as they can react adversely with the medicine.
- Prepare a fresh decoction every day.
- If you need to sweeten the decoction, use honey instead of sugar because honey has more medicinal value than sugar.
![[Tea/Decoction]](./scale_image.php?filepath=./images/herbal_preps/prepMed03.jpg&width=75)
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Good for:All
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If you do not catch it in time to prevent sores developing, clean the blisters 2-3x daily by using: Aloe vera Juice Apply juice to the wounds to clean them 2x daily for as long as necessary. This helps to prevent scarring.
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Cold Water Extract
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- This is used to extract ingredients that are destroyed by heat.
- For the best results, cut leaves into small pieces or pound roots with a mortar and pestle.
- Soak plant parts in water overnight unless the recipe advises otherwise.
- Filter before use.
- Prepare freshly every day.
![[Cold Water Extract]](./scale_image.php?filepath=./images/herbal_preps/extract.jpg&width=75)
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Good for:All
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Moringa Leaf Bath Boil a handful of leaves in a covered pan with 1 ltr of water. Allow to cool and use the liquid to bathe wounds 2x daily for as long as necessary. Having cleaned the wounds, apply one of the following remedies to help soothe the pain, dry out blisters and prevent scarring:
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Cold Water Extract
Close
- This is used to extract ingredients that are destroyed by heat.
- For the best results, cut leaves into small pieces or pound roots with a mortar and pestle.
- Soak plant parts in water overnight unless the recipe advises otherwise.
- Filter before use.
- Prepare freshly every day.
![[Cold Water Extract]](./scale_image.php?filepath=./images/herbal_preps/extract.jpg&width=75)
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Good for:All
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Frangipani Sap After cleaning the wounds apply drops of the sap/milk from the flower onto the wounds. Only use white and yellow flowers.
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Cold Water Extract
Close
- This is used to extract ingredients that are destroyed by heat.
- For the best results, cut leaves into small pieces or pound roots with a mortar and pestle.
- Soak plant parts in water overnight unless the recipe advises otherwise.
- Filter before use.
- Prepare freshly every day.
![[Cold Water Extract]](./scale_image.php?filepath=./images/herbal_preps/extract.jpg&width=75)
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Good for:All
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Lantana camara Juice After cleaning the wounds, apply drops of juice from crushed leaves to blisters.
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Cold Water Extract
Close
- This is used to extract ingredients that are destroyed by heat.
- For the best results, cut leaves into small pieces or pound roots with a mortar and pestle.
- Soak plant parts in water overnight unless the recipe advises otherwise.
- Filter before use.
- Prepare freshly every day.
![[Cold Water Extract]](./scale_image.php?filepath=./images/herbal_preps/extract.jpg&width=75)
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Good for:All
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Food and Nutrition Advice
- Prevent infection by keeping immune system strong through diet and immunity boosters.
- Eat foods with high Vitamin C content.
Body Work and General Advice
N/A
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