Measles: A Holistic Perspective

Teresa Glick
Mar 9
8 min read

At the time of this writing, there has been much in the media regarding an outbreak of the Measles virus in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control website, as of March 6, 2025, there are 222 reported cases in the U.S., with the greatest concentration seemingly being in Texas and New Mexico. The CDC reports that 38 of the 222 cases required hospitalization and that there have been 2 deaths (with one death not confirmed as being due to measles as of this writing).

The following post will be as concise as possible, yet will attempt to share valuable information regarding facts about the disease, as well as preventative methods and supportive therapies.

Basic information about Measles:

Measles (Rubeola) is a viral illness caused by the Morbillivirus, which is a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus. From the CDC website: Symptoms "appear 7-14 days after contact; high fever (104 degrees or more); cough; Runny nose; Red, watery eyes; Rash." The Koplik spots that can form inside the mouth 2-3 days after the start of symptoms can be used to differentiate between Rubeola and Rubella (also known as the "3-day measles", which is milder and does not have the spots).

The measles virus is extremely contagious. From wikipedia: "measles is the most contagious virus known; remains infective for up to 2 hours; 90% of non-immune people with close contact will become infected; humans are the only natural host".

Measles can cause significant immunosuppression and is not a disease to take lightly. Complications can include diarrhea (8%); otitis media (middle ear infection) (7%); pneumonia (6%); and less commonly (as well as most dangerously), encephalitis.

On a personal note, my husband is of an age that he contracted measles as an infant and nearly died due to complications from pneumonia. He was not breast-fed and there were other family stresses at the time (moving into a different location including with 4 older siblings), which could account for his increased susceptibility (there was no vaccination at that time, and even if there had been, he was under 12 months of age) . I recall my mother- in- law sharing how terrifying it was when he was so sick as a baby. However, with proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, measles is very rarely as serious as his case was. Severe cases are seen more often in developing countries with poor nutrition and hygiene. More on natural methods of care and prevention later in the post.

Conventional Prevention:

Currently, prevention of measles in conventional medicine is via vaccination with one of the combination vaccines currently on the market. The M-M-R ll by Merck and Priorix by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals are two common vaccinations used in the United States. These vaccinations combine measles, mumps and rubella into one administration. The CDC recommends doses as follows: one dose at 12-15 months of age; second dose at 4-6 years of age; older children and adults dosage as needed. Although the vaccine seems to be fairly efficacious (this is somewhat debatable given how the clinical trials are conducted), there have been various studies that indicate that fully vaccinated people can still infect other fully vaccinated people (Rosen JB, Rota JS, et al. "Outbreak of measles among persons with prior evidence of immunity, New York City, 2011": Clin Infect Dis 2014 May; 58(9): 1205-10). Other such papers have been written (see book, entitled "Miller's Review of Critical Vaccine Studies" by Neil Z. Miller).

It is also important to note that the vaccine is not compared to an actual placebo in any of the clinical studies. In the package insert for this vaccine, it states that this M-M-R ll vaccine was compared with the Varivax vaccine (a vaccine used to prevent chicken pox). The dictionary definition of placebo is as follows: "an inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug". The gold standard for clinical studies is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, yet most vaccines do not adhere to this standard (with regard to using a true placebo). Also of note is that, as of 1986, with the signing of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, vaccine manufacturers were deemed no longer liable financially for the safety of their products. All of these facts can be researched via a simple google search.

One can find the package inserts for vaccinations on the FDA website as well as the manufacturers site and on immunize.org The practitioner package insert is especially enlightening (the patient insert does not have nearly as much information, but can still be helpful). Although, possibly cumbersome for the lay-person to read, the practitioner's insert is important for understanding various potentially hazardous aspects of the vaccination in question as well as for information on contraindications, etc . For the M-M-R ll, the insert states various contraindications such as: "hypersensitivity to any of the components of the vaccine (including gelatin); do not administer to individuals with history of anaphylaxis to neomycin (an antibiotic in the vaccine); immunosuppression; fever; tuberculosis; pregnancy."

Also from package insert: "Adverse reactions noted during clinical trials or reported post-approval include the following: Panniculitis (atypical measles, fever, headache, dizziness, malaise); Vasculitis; Pancreatitis; Thrombocytopenia (purpurea, regional lymphodenopathy, leukocytosis); Anaphylaxis (angioedema either peripheral or facial, bronchial spasm); Arthritis; Encephalitis (Guillain-Barre, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, febrile convulsions or seizures, ataxia, polyneuritis, polyneuropathy, ocular palsies, syncope); Pneumonia; Stevens-Johnson syndrome (urticaria, injection-site rash); nerve deafness (otitis media); Retinitis (optic neuritis, conjunctivitis)".

The ingredients in the M-M-R ll vaccine can be found on the package inserts as well. For this vaccine, the ingredients are listed as: "Active ingredients: weakened form of measles, mumps, rubella viruses". It also lists "inactive" ingredients, some of which could actually be an issue in various segments of the population. The inactive ingredients are listed as " sorbitol, sucrose, hydrolyzed gelatin, recombinant human albumin, fetal bovine serum, other buffer and media ingredients, neomycin." The sorbitol can potentially cause issues in individuals with undiagnosed hereditary fructose intolerance. Although the neomycin (an anti-biotic) contained in the vaccine is in residual amounts, the black box warning for the drug includes: "dehydration, hearing impairment, nephrotoxicity (toxic to your kidneys), neurotoxicity, ototoxicity (toxic to one's ears), renal disease (kidney disease), renal impairment."

In the description of the above stated measles vaccine, within the insert, it states that the vaccine was prepared with an "attenuated line of measles virus derived from Enders' attenuated Edmonston strain and propagated in chick embryo cell culture; Mumps virus vaccine live, the Jeryl Lynn (b level) strain of mumps virus propagated in chick embryo cell culture. Rubella virus vaccine live, the Wistar Ra 27/3 strain of live attenuated rubella virus propagated in WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts."

It has been written in various studies that vaccines made with human fetal cell lines that contain human fetal DNA fragments (the package insert above states that this vaccine is), can be associated with genetic mutations and autism. Deisher TA, Doan NV, et al "Impact of environmental factors on the prevalence of autistic disorder after 1979." J Public Health Epidemiol 2014 Sept; 6(9): 271-86.

In addition, the vaccine propagates in chick embryo cell cultures, so can contain traces of egg protein, which can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.

There is much more information included in the vaccine package inserts, and I encourage people to take the time, and if needed, to use a medical dictionary or grab a willing health care practitioner to help to translate the medical terminology within the insert in order to make an educated, informed decision regarding this method of prevention.

"Homeoprophylaxis never causes anaphylaxis or shock, never results in secondary infection, never leaves in its wake serum or vaccine disease or any other severe reaction; it simply protects surely and gently." Dr A.H. Grimmer, MD

Homeopathy

Dr. Dorothy Shepherd, MD homeopath wrote, "Inoculation with any type of serum in any of these infectious diseases is harmful and can easily be replaced by a remedy or remedies, proved according to our Law of Similars that like cures like on healthy individuals. Nosodes..of the actual diseases are often the most active preventatives"(Shepherd D. Homeopathy in Epidemic Diseases).

Kate Birch, CCH homeopath writes in her book, "Vaccine Free: Prevention and Treatment of Infectious, Contagious Disease with Homeopathy", "The best prevention for both diseases (measles and rubella) is the homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla Nigricans. If you are aware that you have been exposed, 30C daily for seven days should be sufficient to subvert the disease. If you are traveling to an area where measles is epidemic, Pulsatilla, 30C, once weekly is sufficient."

Other homeopathic remedies that can be used in this way include: Morbillinum: the nosode of measles (taken preventatively, if exposed, but not if sick with measles); Aconite at first sign of illness (Dr Samuel Hahnemann said that aconite is "almost miraculous" in the treatment of measles); Belladonna (high fever, beginning stage), Gelsemium, Bryonia, Antimonium tart, Apis mellifica, Arsenicum album, Euphrasia may be indicated if the eyes are tearing and are very irritated, and others. Typically a 30C potency is safe for home use. Consult a homeopath for further information. Homeopathy has an extensive history of being very efficacious during epidemic diseases.

Herbs

Anti-viral herbs can assist the body in healing from measles. These include: elderberry, echinacea, osha, astragalus root, and burdock root, among others. For my clients, I use an online dispensary called Fullscript (see the "consultations" page on my website toward the bottom of the page for the link to my fullscript and for other resources). I have recommendations for pediatric herbs, supplements, homeopathic remedies, etc. through this company. Herbal baths can also help to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of the rash that accompanies the measles.

Supplements and other supportive care

It is important for a child with the measles to rest and stay hydrated and to eat a nutritious diet, as well as to be quarantined from other children or susceptible adults. If the child's eyes are uncomfortable/sensitive to light (which they typically are with measles), have them lie in a room with the lights dimmed (or off) and curtains closed at the bedroom windows. Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin A (cod liver oil), ginger tea, and herbal baths can all be supportive and provide comfort. Various essential oils, such as lavender oil, Tea tree, German Chamomile and Ravensara can be added to a basin of water or to a carrier oil and a cloth can be soaked with the solution and applied to the rash of the ill person in order to help with itch or discomfort. It is important to be careful not to add the oils directly to the skin.

Conclusion:

Measles can be a serious illness, especially in under-nourished and developing countries. With proper nutrition, preventative homeopathic remedies (that match the similimum during an epidemic), supplements such as cod liver oil and others, herbs, and essential oils, the human body can safely heal from the illness and have immunity for life. If one chooses to be vaccinated, please contact a homeopath or naturopath to get recommendations for support of the body before and after the innoculation. See the book, "The Vaccine Friendly Plan" by Dr Paul Thomas, MD for alternative pediatric vaccine schedules. Also, for more information on homeoprophylaxis, see my blog post pertaining to the topic (which includes books and website information) .