Shiitake mushrooms have immune-stimulating properties. They may be taken in capsule form. Give a child over twelve years old one capsule, three times a day, for up to ten days.

Castor oil packs can be soothing to swollen glands. Heat castor oil to a soothing (but not too hot) temperature, soak clean cotton cloths in it, and apply these compresses as often as needed.

Homeopathy
Choose a symptom-specific remedy from the suggestions that follow, and give your child one dose of a 30x or 9c potency, four times a day, until the symptoms improve. If the remedy produces no improvement within forty-eight hours, try another remedy.

Belladonna 30x or 9c is for a child whose right gland is much more swollen than the left. This child has a high fever, a flushed face, and is easily chilled.

Bryonia 30x or 9c is also for a child whose right gland is more swollen than the left, and who is probably also constipated. This child's symptoms are worse with movement.

Mercurius solubilis 12x or 6c is for a child with swollen glands and a sore throat. A boy may have testicular swelling as well.

Phytolacca 12x or 6c is for a child whose glands are swollen and hard, and who has pain that goes into his ears. This child will not want anything hot to drink.

Rhus toxicodendron 30x or 9c is for a child whose left gland is much more swollen than the right, and who may feel stiff and achy in the morning.

Acupressure
For the locations of acupressure points on a child's body, see ADMINISTERING AN ACUPRESSURE TREATMENT.

Four Gates helps to relax an uncomfortable child.

Large Intestine 4 controls the head. This acupressure point can be helpful for relieving the headache that may accompany mumps.

General Recommendations
A child with the mumps should be isolated until the swelling of the glands has gone down, to decrease the possibility of spreading the disease.

Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks plenty of fluids. The increased metabolic rate that results from a fever causes the body to lose fluids rapidly.

Give your child an echinacea and goldenseal combination formula.

Select and administer a symptom-specific homeopathic remedy.

Apply warm or cool compresses to ease the discomfort of the swollen glands.

Use an herbal arnica or peppermint oil rub to help relieve headache.

If your child is uncomfortable and restless, give him soothing and calming chamomile tea.

Give your child vitamin C with bioflavonoids, zinc (once your child is eating meals), and beta-carotene.