When your body is fighting illness with a low-grade fever, one simple trick can really help speed up the healing process.
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How to Assist a Fever in Healing
There will probably be few times in your life when you actually need to give medication for a fever. When I was growing up, people rushed to get the body’s temperature down using medications, but that is not the case anymore.
Today, we know that a fever is the body’s way of fighting certain infections that it cannot handle by other means. Various bacteria and other organisms cannot live in elevated temperatures, and fever is one technique the body uses to kill them off.
That is quite amazing, don’t you think? The intelligence of the body continually stuns me.
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Throughout my life, I’ve found it to be true that it is best to let a fever run its course. Apparently, a fever is a problem if it gets over 104 degrees F for very long. I suppose that upper number is a bit debatable, but it’s the one I’ve used. However, I’ve never had (or known anyone who has had) a fever higher than that.
Help a Fever Heal Your Body by Elevating Temperatures in Localized Areas
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I have also used this principle of fever to help heal in localized areas.
When I am getting a bit of a sore throat, I’ll wear a neck wrap to help elevate the temperature in that area. The idea is to help create a fever in that specific area of the neck and throat. It does help.
Another thing that I’ve found immensely helpful with fevers (or even before you get that sick) is to take a very hot bath or spend time in a hot tub. The principle here is that I am helping my body warm up. I am using the heat of the water to help elevate my overall temperature.
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If your body has to create all the heat of a fever by itself, it uses up a lot of energy—which is quite draining at a time when you most need to preserve it. Having an external source of warmth aids the healing process by reducing your body’s workload when it’s getting your temperature up.
I remember a time a few years back when my daughter started showing the first signs of coming down with the flu (achy muscles, slight fever, cranky temperament). I went with her to the hot tub (although a hot bath would have also done the trick). We soaked together for a good long time, until our bodies felt like it was time to get out. By the time we returned to the house, my daughter was back to her happy, perky self.
I would say that, in my personal experience, the hot tub/hot bath treatment has worked about 90 percent of the time.
What Do You Think?
What about you? Have you had good results with using general or localized heat to help your body heal? What’s your favorite way to support your body when you have a fever? Let me know in the comments below!
(And be sure to read through the existing comments, too—our Community has offered some really great additional suggestions!)
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This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on January 17, 2014.
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Marjory Wildcraft is the founder of The Grow Network, which is a community of people focused on modern self-sufficient living. She has been featured by National Geographic as an expert in off-grid living, she hosted the Mother Earth News Online Homesteading Summit, and she is listed in Who’s Who in America for having inspired hundreds of thousands of backyard gardens. Marjory was the focus of an article that won Reuter’s Food Sustainability Media Award, and she recently authored The Grow System: The Essential Guide to Modern Self-Sufficient Living—From Growing Food to Making Medicine.
COMMENTS(71)
As you note, a fever is the body’s attempt to create an environment in which bacteria cannot thrive. Hence the frequent lack of a fever in viral infections.
It is possible for a fever to become so high that brain damage can occur, though I have read that runners in hot weather often reach body temperatures of over 105–marathoners often lose control of their body temperature by the end of a race, hence the “space blankets” one often sees at the finish line. I don’t think the garden variety fever is likely to reach anywhere near that height.
Many cultures, of course, were treating fevers with willow bark and other materials containing salicylates millenia before the “invention” of aspirin. Aspirin and related medicines have benefits that go far beyond mere fever reduction or pain relief. The anti-inflammatory properties can be of great use in reducing effects of an illness other than fever.
Of course, with any “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory”, one must be cautious in use with children due to the risk of Reyes’ Syndrome.
Nice comment. Thanks.
I agree—neck wraps & hot baths have a great effect. I’ve done that & gone to bed in heavy clothing & felt perfectly fine the next day.
Thanks for all your great posts.
Hi Marjory,
Another good “tool” for helping the body “heat up” and actually is more therapeutic in many other ways, is a far infrared sauna. The far infrared penetrates deeper into the body and the effects are at a cellular level. It increases lymphatic flow and helps the body rid toxins safely, it reduces inflammation, and helps soothe achey muscles and joints. It is good for the heart and skin (which is the largest organ in our body).
Like a hot tub, one would be best to find an alternative way to power it but I suppose even old old fashion type sauna where there is a use of water and hot stones to provide a “steam” would help open the skin pores to allow the lymphatic system to move more freely and get toxins out. It would heat up the body temp as well. Though there are some potential downsides to this, (potential mold growth) it very well could be better than nothing and seems I’ve seen something like this somewhere, where there isn’t a power source needed. Maybe one could even build this with resources on their own homestead.
Thanks for your caring heart and commitment!
Carrie
Hi Carrie,
Oh I would love to have access to one of those far infrared saunas. Great for detoxing – or so I’ve read.
Yes, I think a homemade steam bath would work quite well too. same idea – warm up the body so it doesn’t have to do the work itself.
From what I have learned, the body’s immune system activity increases exponentially with a rise in body temperature. (it approximately doubles for each degree rise above 100deg. F.) For most illnesses, the LAST thing you want to do is take aspirin or any other action to reduce the body temperature. The “cold sheet treatment” is a powerful way to induce an increase in core body temperature (like a fever would do) then draw toxins out through the skin as the body is cooled. This is an alternative treatment widely used along with bowel cleansing to assist the body. It even has great benefit for cancer patients.
This is a comment about your article regarding fever reduction. I am not a medical professional, but I do try to keep up with the latest in medical technology and procedures for myself and my family.
While a soak in a hot tub can be relaxing, I don’t think it is the correct treatment for a high fever. If someone is hitting a fever in the range of 104 F and up, the idea is to cool down the patient, and quickly, so the fever does not cause brain damage. This is especially important in children. If someone comes into an ER with a high fever, sometimes they will pack ice packs all around the patient to cool the patient down. My preference would be to cool the patient down with cool towels, moving on to ice packs if the fever does not go down. This is worth some research, because adding heat to an already overheated body may be just the thing to not do. I would like to see some updates on this issue in your future articles if you find out anything different.
Thanks for your articles. They are informative and thought provoking.
Hi sidney,
I agree that if the body is already way up there in temp, the hot tub might not be that helpful. But if the body is working to get a higher temp up, then the hot tub does help tremendously. Because you are adding heat, you are helping the process.
For really high, dangerous spiked fevers suffered by little babies (105 deg. F.)
Homeopathic meds., specifically, Belladonna, can be used.
I second this. A few of my children do spike high fevers easily (104 and yes 105). Belladonna homeopathy is amazing at getting a fever down often within just a minute or two. I highly reccomend reading “How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor: One of America’s Leading Pediatricians Puts Parents Back in Control of Their Children’s Health
by Robert S. Mendelsohn MD” for more info. along the lines of this article but geared towards children.
We have always used Great Gramma Pyfer’s “cure” of tea (Herbal black willow with whatever, depending on what it is for), toast, & aspirin if willow tea is unavailable. We have also been taught that it is better to NOT get sick in the first place so food, drink, & taking care of yourself before you have a chance to get sick was her first line of defense. I am fortunate that I had her in my life even for just a few years. My Mom’s Mom made sure that we had this information. Thanks for letting me reminisce.
SORE THROAT REMEDY:
I have discovered positive, simple, and highly effective solution for dealing with even the most severe sore throat. The solution is an extremely healthy and pleasant one. It involves a mouthwash and gargle formula consisting of in this ratio:
1 pint drinking water
30 granules of common table salt creates a mild saline healing solution.
1/2 teaspoon xylitol (diabetic safe anti-bacterial birch wood sugar available locally at most health food stores)
__________________________
mix the above into the water and wait 1/2 hour to one hour until the solids dissolve into the water, mix thoroughly. Simply gargle with this solution as often as desired. Almost immediately the sore throat will begin to heal. Nothing in this solution will cause negative side effects or tooth decay. Affordable? most certainly.
Do you know about the Warm Sock Treatment? Got it from my ND and it works with the same idea of getting you temp up to 102 but not over 103.
This information does NOT apply to infants, young children, or anyone who has ongoing health problems. Always follow the direction of your doctor and seek medical help if your fever goes too high or if you think it might be something other than the good old flu bug.
Put a hat on if it is a head cold and scarf for sore throat. Keep covered once you get into bed.
Warming Sock Treatment
The warming socks treatment is best if repeated for three nights in a row.
Indications:
Sore throat or any inflammation or infection of the throat, neck pain, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections.
Supplies:
• 1 pair thin white cotton socks
• 1 pair thick wool socks
• Towel
• Warm bath or warm foot bath
Warming Sock Application
Directions:
• Take a pair of cotton socks and soak them completely with ice-cold water. Be sure to wring the socks out thoroughly so they do not drip.
• Warm your feet first. This is very important as the treatment will not be as effective and could be harmful if your feet are not warmed first. Warming can be accomplished by soaking your feet in very warm water for at least 5-10 minutes or taking a warm bath for 5-10 minutes.
• Dry off feet and body with a dry towel.
• Place cold damp socks on feet. Cover with thick dry wool socks. Go directly to bed. Avoid getting chilled. You can also place plastic bags over your feet so your bed dose not get wet.
• Keep the socks on overnight. You will find that the damp cotton socks will be dry in the morning
Beth,
That is interesting. Why go to the effort of having your feet moist?
MW, You are a good Mom 🙂
From a Chinese medicine perspective, you want to sweat out the wind, if the disease is not too deep in the body.
I like to make some sun green tea in a jar and take it into a sauna, to bake myself for an hour or so. Staying hydrated with the tea.
Yes, Virginia, staying hydrated is important too.
I believe when your immune system is down and you are subjected to stress, you are more likely to have a fever. I assist my fever to heal faster by taking zinc and lysine and lots of water with rest. I also dab Vicks in my ears. It may not help but the aromatheraphy works wonders.
Old holistic principles say that viruses and bacteria cannot survive in a body that is considered more “alkaline” than “acidic.” Scientists are just discovering this principle. To alkalize the body eat fruits & veggies, though some fruits (like blueberries) are acidic while lemons (though initially acidic, turns alkaline when the body metabolizes it). Also, exercise, de-stressing (meditation) and proper sleep further helps alkalize the blood/body. The ratio is 80% alkaline foods to 20% acid foods. Processed foods are all acid. Plenty of books & online info on this principle plus lists of foods that are acid & alkaline. I like the simple principle: “If God didn’t make it, don’t eat it…” Try to alkalize the body when a fever occurs. This is the best way to recover from illness.
JS, very good point. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise will prevent anyone from getting sick in the first place.
I don’t want to cause trouble – but God made the processed foods also. Isn’t everything God’s creation? But I get what you are saying….
Marjory,
Please accept me jumping in here. Processed foots are made by man but adulterating the substance for long term storage. There’s a book about the ‘foods that Jesus ate’ that is in the title, I can’t find my copy right now. But processed foods are an invention of the last hundred years or so. There’s a lot of information on the net about the dangers of processed food, especially now because a lot contain GMO grains and veggies. FYI.
As for fevers, my mom (born in rural Romania) used to dunk us kids in a cold bath to break a fever, it worked. I would urge caution nowadays because our overuse of antibiotics has created superbugs like MRSA that will do serious damage to the human body. I know a young woman my age who got MRSA after having fluid taken off her knee. Eight months later after dying three times, she managed to get her heart valves replaced and is trying to lead a normal life, but the bug is still in her body. This is not something to messed with lightly but MRSA kills and I have seen it happen. It also means we need to get back to God because HE is the divine healer and will intervene when we PRAY. We are after all body and spirit. Perhaps the research should focus on both aspects of healing because this is very important for our times. I thank you for your research in this area because scripture tells us that plants are given to us as medicine….something we don’t understand well at all in this chaotic time. God Bless you.
Hi Ingrid,
I understand.
It is very clear that this experiment of mass porcessing food for people doesn’t work. Our strength as a people depends on a netowrk of family farms, and individuals with small plots in their yards. We are already in an epidemic of sickness in this country. Fortunately the solution is available to anyone – just take s a little work which really is fun with the right attitude.
As I read on a BottomLine Health Secrets email earlier today : The Ayurvedic herb Ashwaganda can reduce or end most fevers. I prefer Graviola fruit extract myself. TV’s Dr. Oz has just recommended Graviola for cancer prevention which may drive the price up.
LOL – good point about the price change.
I have also seen this applied to more “exterior” infections, like infected wounds, by exposing the area to a localized heat source, such as a light bulb (unless its a newer one). My mom calls this “drawing the infection out” but I believe the principle is basically the same.
Oh Amy, thanks for pointing that out.
Shortly after the birth of my first child I developed a bladder/kidney infection. (The doctor blamed an improperly sterilized catheter.) When my fever got above 104–it peaked around 104.5 if I remember correctly–I started to get delirious. I would suggest the beginning of delirium is a good signal to start bringing the body temperature back down.
Maxi, that is a good point. Although one time I had a fever that was getting very high. I wasn’t measuring so I don’ know exactly – but I did start to get delirious. I had some visions but with them came a strong sense this was important and not to worry. Maybe more delirium, but everything did turn out all right.
I have been using my hot tub for over 15 years to warm bodies that have a cold or a like ailment. I make them use a thermometer in their mouth and get out when their temp is 103. I keep my tub at 110 and when ever you start perspiring on your forehead, it is time to get out.
Maybe the hardest thing I have done in my life was to take my 4 year old daughter to the hospital when her fever hit 105. She is now 40, but she still remembers that. The nurses said it is usually easier for the dads to hold their children in the tub filled with ice and water. With only two arms and two legs, that girl was fighting like she had 4 of each. The nurses keep saying, “you can do it dad. Keep her under the water”. I had to watch the ice cubes she was slinging at me, but we got her temp down and we went home.
Also, some great lady told me how to make a “4 thieves tonic” to lower body temp and I just yesterday found horseradish root. I will me making this today. Thanks Marjory for all your wisdom.
Hi John, wow, a hot tub of 110 is HOT. We keep ours at about 104/105.
Putting a feverish child in ice can cause seizures. My oldest is 45 and nurses confirmed this. I had to fight ex to keep him from icing down our son.
Marjory, are you famillia with Dr. Ben Kim? He is a chiropractor from Canada. He just posted information about fevers and other tips for dealing with colds and flu. I feel he is a very honest and sincere person. You can find him on the net.
…Bill
Bill, I am not familiar with him. Got a link?
hmmm. Interesting all of them.
I’m not a Dr. I have just found that what works for me for fevers associated with a flu is.
Making Red Hibiscus Tea, cool it and drink lots of it.(helps with fever)
Soak my feet in warm water(easily in the bathtub) and rub a natural version of vicks/eucalyptus,willow,menthol on the bottom of my feet and put on clean, cotton socks. (loose ones, not tight fitting).
Keep a dozen or so t-shirts near my bed and as I sweat, change them and put on a new dry one. By the morning I find that most of the time I have used most of the t-shirts and sweated the virus out my skin onto the t-shirts and I feel better. I immediately wash the t-shirts and bed sheets in hot water as to not re-absorb the virus or transfer it onto other clothing.
I tend to get high fevers (I always have even as a kid) so anything that does not go away and goes over 101.3 I’m on the phone with my Dr. to double check what to do next. Usually though, I don’t get to this point anymore if I can do the above and go right to bed. Also, I have found that as I maintain my peace levels(meditation/sit in silence) and raise my vibration, I don’t get sick anymore.
FEED A FEVER,, STARVE A COLD! yA just got to feed da fever the right stuff. Vit ‘C’, bioflavinoids, and much water. Water is the Key.
When in fever mode, the body is mobilizing calcium from the bones back into the blood stream. Calcium is a very effective infection fighter. Using calcium lactate(either a powder in water or tablets)on an empty stomach (it needs hydrochloric acid to be absorbed, and not with food)which will largely remain in the blood….will lead to a lowering of the fever….because you supplied the body with what it is working towards…..calcium in the blood stream.
This is basic nutritional knowledge that has largely been lost to pharmakia over the years
Oh Allen, that is a very good point. I wonder if that is why chicken soup – which mostly is bone broth and rich in calcium – is known to be so effective in colds and flu’s. Note I am talking about REAL CHICKEN SOUP not commercial canned stuff. I am going to work on getting out that video on bone broth making soon.
About the chicken soup…I worked respiratory therapy for 30 years in hospital setting, so my ears perk up for anything that helps in this area…heard this years ago from a doc; chicken soup has mucolytic amino acids in it that literally dissolve mucus, so your body can mobilize it and move it out. “Grandma” was soooo right! Thanks for all you do! Evelyn
High body temp.is rare in healthy humans,young or old !
When it hits home it’s a good time to check the system in full.
A person under 4 years of age,a parent can make sure to check the child’s stools.If any thing has been ingested it will show up the stool!
While an adult with a fever,could stop eating food for 8 hours,this allows the body to burn out the germs that has cause the temp.
WE have a very bad habit of paying no attention to what our own body is eliminating…
Colon care makes for a life time of good health.
It can also be our own teacher, as to what is going on inside us!
Yes, Jari, good points. And the best way to keep the colon healthy is to eat lots of fresh salads, vegetables, and fruits – high fiber stuff. On a daily basis.
Hi Marjory,
Per your email about a fever.
I used to be an EMT/firefighter. And worked for an ambulance service on weekends for about 5 years.
I agree with letting a fever run its course.
However, what I used for area’s of concern was a temp of 103F or higher for an adult. Or 105F or higher for a child.
Keep up the good work!!
Shawn M.
Hi Shawn,
Yes, those are the levels where it gets dangerous. I’ve had a few pike up to 104, but they dropped down again pretty quickly. If it ever stayed about 104 for very long, then we would switch to emergency cooling down.
i find all the comments interesting but will share mine. when we were kids and i had a fever, my parents put me in bed to heat it up with my own fever. in the meantime, they ran a tub of cold water. then with a warm towel wrapped around me, they escorted me to the tub, i jumped in and rolled around for 10 seconds, keeping my head dry. then jumped out again into the warm towel wrapped around me, then back to the hot bed. when i awoke the next morning i was all better. i still enjoy the tingling feeling of jumping out of the cold water. it worked every time. as a family we hardly were ever sick. when i tell that to people they immediately fear getting a heart attack.
Yes, raising the body’s temperature does kill infections but please be careful not to get a burn.
I have a H T E HotHouse (YS-50), I do not sell it nor have any financial interest in it. More expensive than the hot tub soak. It is a Far Infrared Ray technology that has reduced the use of Anti-Biotics to 0.
An hour and a half South of Calgary, a man that had 4th stage Prostate Cancer was sent home to die but he finally took his son’s advice and used it and lived to shock his doctor by not dying and today is Cancer Free.
It is Health Canada Approved. Do your research.
I believe that Richard; I heard about a man that did that, along with some other alternative med and is incredibly healthy after being told to, “Get his affairs in order.” Wish my sweet daddy had known that…only 58..prostate ca met to the bone. Thanks for sharing this vital information.
My mother always rubbed the palms of our hands and feet with a baking soda/water solution when we had a fever. My great grandmother was know for her home remedies way back in the day.
Monica,
I wonder why backing soda?
There are many natural remedies out there. In Chinese medicine, the yin qiao san herbal formula is good for the flu. And like Virgina was saying in a previous comment you can mechanically expel some types of cases with sweat, particularly if it’s at the beginning onset. Cold due to exposure can be expelled using ginger boiled into a tea. Other herbs with anti-viral properties exist that can be useful. There are others for bacterial infection. Essential oils applied topically can be effective at killing viruses and fungus. There is also Sambucol syrup with has shown in studies to resolve H1N1 type virus. Homeopathic remedies also exist that stimulate the immune response. And finally there is nutrition that can improve your constitution as prevention to help withstand anything that might come your way.
Adrian, Acupuncture Physician
I have met two different people, one a teen, who were left retarded, or whatever the politically correct term is nowadays, due to fevers left untreated too long.
And I had a fever once, while in the hospital, which went up to 104.6, due to an infection. Once it got over 104 they restricted me to bed, and brought in ice water for me to keep splashing on my face and to keep my hands in.
Twice when I had had back surgery, no idea what the fever had been, but I woke up during the night with chills and shivering and the medical staff around me piling blankets on me for the chills. They just told me I had had a high fever that broke, leaving me with those chills. By the next day I was OK both times.
When I worked nights at an ER in San Antonio as unit clerk, while going to college during the day, I was once pressed into service when a man brought in his three or four kids, unconscious with high fevers. They did not have enough people to rub the children down with alcohol rubs to try to bring the fever down while they were trying to determine what had made the children so sick and so I was asked to help out with one of the kids. Their fevers were apparently over the 104 area and the fear was brain damage if we did not get it down quickly. Found out later they had had some type of food poisoning. They did all recover.
One of my friends gives her grandchildren popsicles when they have a high fever to bring it down. Don’t know if that is recommended but it has seemed to work with her family.
If you are already weak with a bug and you take too hot a bath, you can actually end up passing out or getting very dizzy. I don’t remember why, but have had a doctor warn me against that.
Hi Gena,
Thanks for posting. 104 and above is dangerous.
For some time whenever I’ve felt ‘off’ it’s down to the gym and into the steam room or sauna to put a quick end to the flu or cold like symptoms.
Yes, same idea.
I had a temperature of 106 degrees F once. My husband would not allow me or take me to the doctor after I had a baby and got a urinary tract infection. It took the hospital two days to bring my temp down by packing ice all around me. Ex said there was nothing wrong with me, that I had just had a baby and of course I was feverish.
Are you still married to him? Yikes.
The increase in body temperature has several advantages during infections: it results in inhibition of bacterial growth, increased bactericidal activities of neutrophils and macrophages, stimulation of acute-phase protein synthesis, iron sequestration, anorexia, and somnolence. Through these physiological changes, fever has an important adaptive role in the individual’s survival during infectious episodes. Speaking to sequestration of iron, which is so important as bacteria/virus require iron to replicate and one’s fever stimulate the body to “hide” the iron in other stores within the body. Ever wonder why you don’t get more eye infections..your eyes are a warm moist environment exposed to the enviroments bacteria/virus your tears contain lactoferrin which attracts iron molecules so the pathogens are not able to replicate. The same is secreted from the cells that line your urinary tract. Raw milk also contains lactoferrin,ever wonder how your forefathers were able to have milk and butter. My raw milk lasts much longer than store bought milk,and it contains vitamin D3 not the minimal D2 added to store milk.
Vitamin D plays a greater role in your immune system than you can know. How much vitamin D does one need, you will produce 50,000units of vitamin D after 15minutes in the noon sun wearing shorts and tee shirt. This is why by winter our vitamin D stores are low and we experience illness. Getting your vitamin D level tested is necessary and taking a minimum of 2000units a day. The good thing about vitamin D you can take it once a week, 2000X7 or 14,000units on “sun”day the sunshine vitamin and you won’t forget. The darker your skin the more vitamin D you will need,the melanin will block the suns rays keeping you young but lacking in Vitamin D.
Hi Denise,
Yes I recently had my vitamin D levels tested and was very surprised to find them so low. I always look for the holistic solution before supplementation, so getting it right from the sun is my idea also. but I recently found that throughout most of N. America, during the winter months, the angle of the sun is too low and you cannot get the necessary light tfor your body to synthesize viatmin D. Even here in Central Texas – pretty far sounth, it won’t be until late Feb. / early March bore sunbathing at noon will create vitamin D. Mercola has some excellent articles about the subject. I’ll write up a post about it.
vitamin D is critical for immune system health and a big reason why I tend towards sinus congestion at this time of year.
Thanks for posting!
The older you are and the farther from the equator you are, the more Vitamin D you need. Elderlly females above the 45th parallel need the most.
I an surprised that you are still using electric heaters for your hot tub. A well made solar water heater panel should be more than adequate for mantaining the temperature of your hot tub. Your biggest problem will probably be keeping the temperature cool enough to use during the summer. There are many options for controlling the temperature including; manually adjusting the flow rate and covering the solar panel.
If you are interested in being self reliant, I’m surprised that you aren’t already using solar water heating panels to provide much of the heat for your hot water.
Oh Bill, getting the hot tub off the grid is on the list of projects. We have the solar collectors ready to go, and even put in the piping when we dug the systems location. But the ‘to do’ list is a long one. One step at a time. I am not perfect.
Want to come help?
Our mom would make us a hot Toddy. She’d melt down some soft peppermints in about 8oz of weather, add some lemon and we’d drink it as hot as we could then she’d rub us down with Vicks save on front and back of our chest. She’d have a thick blanket laid out and we’d lay down in it and she’d roll us up…..talk about as snug as a bug in a rug…..any way in a few hours, when we awoke, we’d be fighting to come out. We’d be sopping wet, hair and all! Fever would be gone and Mom would then give us a warm bath, wash our hair, dry it and put us in our bed, to rest with some chicken or vegetable soup 🙂 sweet memories.
I learned about a ginger bath last year and have used it with great success. I first read about it on the Urban Homestead. They said to grate some fresh ginger into a bath as hot as you could stand. The idea is to raise your temperature to induce sweating, at which point your fever breaks. The first time I needed to use it I did not have any fresh ginger, but I had ginger capsules. I just emptied several into the bath tub and they worked just fine. I soaked for about 20 minutes. I was sweating within a few minutes. When I got out of the tub my fever was gone and I began to improve. I used it again in December with one of my sons. He seemed to have flu symptoms, along with fever and chills. He spent 20 or 30 minutes in the bath and his fever broke. He started improving right away.
As an acupressure practitioner I like to hold the top of the shoulders to bring down a high fever. You can sit or stand behind the person with the fever and just very gently rest your hands on their shoulders. I hold that for 5 – 20 minutes depending on the severity. Thanks for the great post…
I am a cancer survivor; had 4 bladder cancer surgeries in a 7 years period. The doctor told me that the way the cancer was coming back so rapidly, it would come back more powerful. That was about 6 to 7 years ago. I bought the book, ‘The One Minute Cure’. It discusses drinking 35% FOOD GRADE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. A few drops to a 10 oz glass of water three times daily. Since i had cancer, there is a formula (listed in the book) to increase the drops, one per day to 25 and then reduce one drop per day back down to 3 drops three times daily. I credit this to ridding my body of the cancer. In addition, since i started taking this, i no longer get colds. I also use to get those fever blisters on my lips every year for probably 20 or so years. Since taking the drops, never again. The 35% FOOD GRADE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE kills all viruses in the body. Keep in mind, it MUST be diluted. PLEASE, read the book before taking. You can get it on-line. Note: The drug companies are against this, because it can destroy their multi-billion a year profits.
Michael,
that is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. Hah… another book to buy and look into!
It is wonderful how many alternatives there are.
In the past, I’ve seen people sponge bathe children in alcohol to bring high fevers down. This is an absolute NO!NO! The alcohol on hot skin of an infant or child can be absorbed into the body and cause alcohol toxicity, seizures, and death. If the fever is over 104 degrees, wrap the head in an ice cold towel and change it frequently. As cold feels good on your head when you are hot, it also feels good on a child or infant. Putting cold on a child’s body, even when he is hot, will stress and upset him. NSAIDS SHOULD NOT BE USED ON AN INFANT UNDER 6 MONTHS OF AGE, nor aspirin under the age of 18 years. Let the fever do it’s work until it reaches 103 unless the child has a history of seizures.
I read about Russians pouring cold water over their body when they start getting sick. Studies have show these causes your body’s temperature to spike as high as 112 for a split second when using ice water. This damages the infection and body temps quickly return to normal. l have used this a few times and it does seem to end a sickness.. However, its a bit stressful mentally.
Scott, that sounds really stressful.
but lots of cultures have a thing ab out jumping into cold water regularly – for a healthy person to keep u their health. Wonder if it is because it causes this fee thing and kinda ‘cleans the slate’ so to speak.
There are a lot of interesting comments, some with a grain of wisdom, some with some ‘out there’ advice. I recommend taking them all with a grain of salt, along with my own comment! I personally prefer to ‘sweat out’ a fever, because I am well aware it is my body responding to some invader.I will go full out with covering my head, heavy clothing or covers, hot toddy, etc. When it comes to children, the age depends on what ‘number’ you start to worry about. Fevers in infants are always a concern. The older they get, the concern becomes less. The same can be said about folks who are immunocompromised. Use your common sense. Should a fever go above 101 or 102, know what signs to look for that intervention may be needed, based on age and immunosupression status. TheTuse of less clothing/covers, damp cloths on the neck, forehead, ice/cold packs in the armpits and groins are less aggressive ways of bringing a temp down, less ‘schocking’ to the body than a cold bath/shower/packing in ice. Over aggressive lowering of body temp can cause problems too. Note that the armpits/groin are access to the lymphatic system and major blood vessels and can also be used to warm a body. Over aggressive use of ice/cold can also lead to frostbite.
As a naturopath, i prefer alternative treatments. When i got lyme disease, and was spiking a 105 temp, wearing a winter coat in summer and still shivering, and unable to focus my glassy eyes and fuzzy brain, my friend handed me an antibiotic which i took. All symptoms were gone in 3 hours. I know that once you start antibiotics you have to finish the cycle. When i was done, I did an herbal parasite cleanse, and felt cured. My body had a different idea. Every night for one month, i awoke at least four times during the night and had to change my sweat drenched nightshirt and bedding (i slept on 7 towels which i could remove quickly). Each morning my temperature was normal, and i functioned normally thru the day. I learned a lesson from that episode. I think both sides of the fever argument are correct. I believe the body knows and instructs us. However i also think that the external fever we create for the body might be better utilized in alternation with intervals of respite from extreme treatments. After my experience with the nocturnal sweats, I changed some of my treatment protocols. We all know that as long as we can drag ourselves to work, we will….against best advice of family and MD. Since nighttime is when our body is best able to cleanse and recuperate, I do the following when i feel “IT” coming. I eat light, fast as much as possible, soak in a hot bath(slowly increasing to my tolerance of 117 degrees). I wrap my head and neck in a cold towel, and put a fan blowing on my face. During to 20 – 60 min i soak, i drink 4-6 cups of hot water with lemon or hot herbal tea. I cool as i get out of the tub, then bundle up for bed in many warm layers, including a wool hat and socks. During the night i peel off one layer at a time as my body decrees….sometimes i am still bundled in the morning. Usually that treatment works miracles in a day or two….with herbal tea fasting during the day. But, when i have the flu and dont have the energy to move, I simply bundle, sweat, drink hot herbals, and sleep until i feel well enough to start hot soak.
An old chiropractor taught my mom to treat fevers (and most illnesses) with a 3-step formula: 1. Make fresh lemon juice (1 oz lemon to 8 oz water; with a bit of raw honey) and drink. 2. Soak in a hot tub, preferably w/ Epsom salt (you can drink your lemon while soaking!). 3. Then bundle up in bed and sleep. She raised me using this formula, and I raised all 3 of my kids this way. It works!
No one mentioned a heating pad, electric blanket, or electric mattress pad. I wonder whether sleeping extra warm PREVENTS infections and fevers.
I once spiked a 108 degree fever in the hot Florda sun moving flower pots around for a few hours. 108 was the limit of the thermometer, so maybe more. I just felt a little weird is all. Husband made me come inside because I looked flushed. I thought he was being fussy. No treatment, it passed.
Missionary told of some Indians in Canada taking his 3 year old child who was coming down wih polio (I don’t know how he knew this.) and putting the child in a deep hole filled with leaves covering the child for many hours. He was not allowed in the ceremony. End of polio.
My mother who did not drink would drink a small bottle of whisky (the flask-shaped size) on an empty stomach and get under a pile of covers sweating. She was able to go to work that afternoon.
Hey Marjory – this is Barbara Roberts and I met you at a MEN fair years ago, so that makes me qualify as someone you know. I have unfortunately had a fever up to 105 degrees. Many years ago, before I knew better, I took a flu vaccine and got really sick afterward. I lived by myself so I went to bed and later took my temperature. It was 103 degrees and I thought I was going to die. Some time later, I took it again and it was 105 degrees and I WISHED I could die! A while later it was back down to 103 again and I felt SO much better. All things are relative! I did eventually get over that but I have never taken another vaccine since then. I sure learned my lesson!