Fever is a widely misunderstood term and is often confused with a form of illness. But in reality, it is the immune system’s reaction to an invasive body.
In a way, the rise in body temperature is a good thing, as most bacteria and viruses cannot survive such heat. However, depending on the kind of foreign body that caused the temperature spike, it is necessary to consult a physician.
If you experience symptoms like dizziness, difficulty in breathing, abdominal pain or anything that you’re not too familiar with, visit a doctor immediately. If the temperature is too high, say 104 degrees F, or if you’re dealing with a sick baby, medical care might be necessary.
However, in most cases when the cause of fever is usually something along the lines of a common cold, you can keep the temperature under control at home using some natural remedies. There are plenty of easily accessible herbs and essential oils that can really help settle a fever without any side effects.
One of the most common natural methods of treatment consists of using essential oils. These are very popular and used extensively across the world. The effects are proven and most of them should work in your case too.
Note: Please ensure that the patient isn’t allergic to any of the mentioned ingredients.
What are the Best Essential Oils for Fever?
1. Peppermint oil
Mix peppermint with a carrier oil, like almond or coconut oil. Apply this mix to the soles of your feet, and behind the neck. In case of a severe cold, you can even massage this mix onto your chest.
Peppermint oil is a quick remedy to lower your fever to a tolerable level. It won’t make the fever completely disappear, but you’ll be feeling a lot more comfortable after applying this miracle balm.
2. Chamomile oil
Just add a few drops of this essential oil to warm water and stir the mix. Now take a sponge, and after dipping it in this solution, sponge your entire body with the liquid.
Chamomile oil causes your body to perspire excessively. And since sweating is technically a form of excretion, it helps your body to flush out all the toxins and infectious agents that may have accumulated.
This also reduces the temperature of the body and provides the patient with some form of relief from the fever, making the sickness easier to deal with.
This remedy is used primarily to treat babies as the other oils may be too strong for their tender skin. But it works wonders on adults too.
3. Lavender oil
The effects of lavender oil is quite similar to those of peppermint oil. But most people prefer lavender as it’s less potent and doesn’t need to be mixed into carrier oils before use.
Just dilute a tiny bit of lavender oil in cool water and apply the mix to your skin with the help of a cloth. Try focusing on the back of your neck because that’s the heat centre of your body, and cooling it down will drastically reduce the fever.
More Natural Remedies for Fever
4. Basil or Tulsi Leaves
Regarded as a holy plant by religions across the world, basil or tulsi is very effective in tackling high fevers, and can be used in a number of ways. Here you can read more about amazing health benefits of basil herb.
You can make basil tea by boiling a handful of leaves in water till you smell the aroma of the leaves, or for 5 minutes. Drink this special tea at least 4 or 5 times a day and the severity of the fever should go down.
If you absolutely can’t stand the taste, try adding a bit of honey or ginger to the tea. Both these ingredients possess antibacterial properties and help improve the taste of this bitter mix.
5. Ginger
Ginger is one of the best natural antibiotics out there and in addition to fighting off foreign bodies, it also helps your body to dissipate heat, lowering its temperature.
There are two ways to consume ginger when dealing with a fever:
- You can boil ginger in water to make ginger tea. Drink the mix 4 to 5 times a day to help reduce your fever.
- The other option is to powder the ginger and throw 2 or 3 tablespoons of it into a bathtub. While having a bath in this mix, be sure to rinse your entire body as the ginger will help remove toxins and lower your temperature.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is often used to treat open wounds by acting as an anti-infectant. However, it’s also well known for its effectiveness in treating fevers.
This herb gives your immune system that much-needed boost to fight infections. It helps your body to speed up the recovery process and kill dangerous bacteria, helping to get rid of the fever.
To take turmeric, grind it into a powder and mix half a tablespoon of it in warm milk. Drink this turmeric milk twice a day – once in the morning and once before going to bed. Your fever will disappear in no time.
7. Vinegar
Soak a cloth in a bowl of apple cider vinegar and use it to wipe your forehead and the back of your neck.
Vinegar is extremely rich in various minerals, and helps to replenish your body with the nutrients that are expelled from it due to the fever.
Vinegar also causes perspiration and helps to lower your body temperature, bringing about a speedy recovery from most illnesses.
8. Mint leaves
Mint is known for its ability to cool the body. It helps to draw heat out of the body, lowering its temperature and reducing a fever.
To use mint properly, boil a spoon of crushed mint leaves in water and drink the mix at least thrice a day. You can even add ginger or honey to this concoction as they add flavour and impart antibacterial properties to the solution.
9. Rest
During a fever, it’s imperative that you remember not to overexert your body. Do as little physical activity as possible so your body can direct all its energy to getting rid of the fever.
Get as much sleep as possible, because that’s when your body is able to treat itself optimally without having to respond to outside stimuli.
It’s also a good idea to limit brain activity as much as possible, so don’t go solving any sudoku puzzles when you’ve a fever of a 103 degrees!
10. Drink Plenty of Water
During the course of a fever, your body uses its water content to flush out any toxins that may be causing the illness.
As a result, you’ll be making constant trips to the bathroom, and this results in dehydration. So keep your body hydrated by drinking as much water as you possibly can. This will help your body get rid of viruses more quickly.
It’s also a good idea to consume as much natural fresh fruit juice as you can. Not only will this keep your body hydrated, but fruits also possess a variety of nutrients that your body needs to fight the fever.
11. Stay Indoors
This tip cannot be stressed enough! Most people think that going for a brisk walk and taking in the air will help cure your fever faster. But that’s only if you’re living somewhere in the Swiss Alps, where the air is fresh!
By going out in the city, you’re exposed to a host of pollutants and other viruses that are in the air. Not only will this slow down the recovery process, but it could lead to a host of other problems. Your immune system already has its hands full trying to fight the fever, and it doesn’t have the firepower to take on another foreign body.
These are just a few tips to help you reduce your fever to a much more tolerable level. Of course, these cures may not completely eradicate your fever, but will help you deal with it a lot more easily and while allowing your body to recover faster.
It’s best to let a fever run its course, because your body requires the high temperature to kill off unwanted bacteria and foreign bodies. You can make things easier with the help of these cures mentioned above. They’re a lot safer than modern medicines, which get rid of your fever, but produce harmful side effects.
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