When you have fever, doctors advise you to rest, and the rest does mean complete rest (no reading, no watching TV). Of course, you don't feel like doing anything else other than being in bed during fever. However, the weakness and body aches make resting and sleeping (otherwise enjoyable activities when you are very busy in your life and cannot possibly find time to do these) far from enjoyable.
There are many home remedies that will make your fever-ridden days less bothersome. Some of these help bring down the temperature, others lessen the body aches and pains, and yet others help you sleep well.
What Causes Temperatures to Rise During Fever?
Fever is not a disease but a symptom. It is characterized by temperatures above 99.5 degree F. So, how does this change in temperature happen? When there is an infection in the body, the hypothalamus (that acts as the body's thermostat) brings up the body temperature. This increase in the body temperature assists the immune system to fight off the bacteria and viruses effectively because these germs thrive in a cooler environment and they cannot survive in higher temperatures.
However, prolonged periods of high body temperatures could affect our vital organs. This necessitates bringing down the temperatures to normal levels. There are many home remedies that help you do just that.
Home Remedies for Fever
- Homemade Mixtures: There are some fantastic concoctions that you can prepare at home, which are effective in bringing down fever.
- Squeeze out some grapefruit juice. Mix this with equal amount of boiled cooled water. The burning sensation of the fever can be reduced by taking this juice.
- Chop some ginger and onion; crush about half a teaspoon of peppercorn. Boil these in water with some lemon grass, 5 to 6 basil leaves, and one teaspoon of turmeric powder. Taking this three times a day helps bring down common fever.
- Mix a few drops of ginger juice and lime juice in one tablespoon of honey. Having this will effectively treat common fever.
- Apple: Naturopaths consider apple to be a very good remedy to bring down fever. Peel, deseed, and slice 2 to 3 ripe apples. Cook it in a pan along with some water (about 3-1/2 to 4 cups). Once it boils, simmer it until it is just mushy. Strain out only the liquid without the puree. Add some honey into this and have.
- Basil Leaves: Holy basil (tulsi) is one of the most effective remedies for fever. Boil about 12 g of tulsi in half a liter of water. Sieve it and drink this water when you want to bring down fever.
- Fenugreek Seeds: Boil some fenugreek (methi) seeds in water. Drinking this will not only give relief from the body aches associated with fever but also act as an expectorant (promotes discharge of accumulated mucus).
- Saffron: Boil half a teaspoon of saffron in about 30 ml of water. Seive it and have one teaspoon of this solution every hour to bring down the temperature.
- Apricot: Extract fresh juice of apricot and mix some honey or glucose according to your taste. This juice will not only bring down fever, it will also flush out the toxins from your body. This will satiate your thirst as well.
- Peepal Leaves: These are good laxatives and relieve you from the feverish feeling.
- Lettuce: It is a known fact that the body treats itself when you sleep well; however, during fever because of the discomfort, it is difficult to sleep well. Having an infusion made of lettuce will help you do just that as well as keep you hydrated. Pour boiling water on some lettuce leaves. Keep it covered for about 15 minutes. Now, strain it, sweeten it if required, and drink.
They say you should starve a fever. Of course, there are different schools of thought regarding this. However, everybody agrees with the fact that you should not tax the digestive system during fever. Starving completely may not be advisable. Most people will not like (no appetite and no taste) to eat when they are having fever. These home remedies will ensure that you get the necessary nutrients required by the body during such times.
