How to Relieve the Symptoms of Hansen's Disease Naturally

Keep in mind that this is a highly contagious disease and that, even if you don't immediately have symptoms, it is best to be cautious when dealing with it. Learn more in this article.

Written and verified by the doctor Nelton Abdon Ramos Rojas.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Hansen’s disease starts out gradually. It may take several years, and sometimes more, from the time of exposure to the infection, until leprosy begins to show its symptoms. Then, it follows a slow and long course.

Any strange spot on the surface of your skin, which is sensitive to temperature, pain, or touch, is a warning of a possible attack of this disease. The skin and nervous cells are the main things that are affected.

In this article, we’ll teach you much more about this disease and we’ll show you some natural options to help fight your symptoms.

Symptoms of Hansen’s Disease, or leprosy

The early symptoms are often nosebleeds, headaches and fever .

There are two fairly well-defined varieties of Hansen’s Disease (although a patient may have a mixture of both), which are characterized by the appearance of nodules and a diffused infiltration of the skin:

• The lymph nodes are dilated .
• The nodules, which are frequently found on the face and elsewhere, are quick to alter the patient’s appearance. These nodules tend to burst and ulcerate, sometimes hurting the patient’s ears, nose or both.  Sometimes they leave the skull bare and attack the eyes. Other times, they leave large gaps in the cheeks so that the inside of the mouth can be seen.
• It causes hair loss, which affects beards and eyebrows, and gives the cheeks, eyebrows and ears a swollen and irregular appearance.
• Occasionally, chewing food is almost impossible , and swallowing is difficult.

When the larynx is affected:

• The voice becomes hoarse or is lost completely.
• Breathing is very restricted, the gums develop ulcers and teeth fall out.
• Senses of smell and taste are generally lost.
• The nodules can appear on the extremities, causing the patient’s flesh to fall off and the bones to protrude.

Causes

Leprosy is caused by a germ called Hansen’s bacillus. It is similar to tuberculosis in several ways. The disease is contagious, but it works slowly.

Leprosy develops in 10% of the children whose parents have leprosy, but through exposure, not inheritance. Also, there have been some cases in which the infection was apparently caused by the placenta.

These germs are most often found in tears, sputum, nasal fluids, urethral and vaginal secretions. In certain autopsies, they have been found in the liver, spleen and other internal organs. Hansen’s germs usually penetrate the body through the mucous in the nose or through skin lesions.

Some insects may carry the germs to the skin, and it’s very possible that there are other means of infection.

How to relieve the symptoms of Hansen’s Disease

Hansen’s disease is one of the many terrible diseases that affects humanity. Luckily, with the help of natural remedies, and the significant amount of herbs they contain with excellent healing properties, it’s possible to treat and alleviate its symptoms.

1. Gotu kola

This natural remedy, because of its excellent anti-inflammatory, healing, soothing and therapeutic properties, is very beneficial for calming the symptoms of Hansen’s disease.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon crushed gotu kola seeds (15 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

Preparation

• First, boil the cup of water and add the tablespoon of gotu kola seeds.
• Then, let it steep for 5 minutes and strain.
• Drink the infusion in the morning and in the evening.

2. Valerian

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dried Valerian leaves and flowers (15 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

Preparation

• Heat the water. When it boils, add the tablespoon of Valerian leaves and flowers.
• Let steep for 10 minutes.
• Drink it three times a day.

Chamomile

This is one of the most popular remedies if your nerves are targeted. Because of its great soothing and therapeutic properties, chamomile relaxes the body and helps to alleviate the symptoms of Hansen’s disease.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers (15 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

Preparation

• Boil the cup of water.
• When it reaches its boiling point, add the tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers and let steep for 10 minutes.
• Drink it at night, before going to sleep.