Home Remedies For Reducing Fever

Fever has been described as an increase in body temperature. Body temperature from 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit has been termed as normal. Body temperature varies throughout the day. For example, in early morning, body temperature remains low while in late afternoon, it becomes high.  In certain conditions, body temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit and it is said that a person is suffering from fever. Usually, temperature up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit should not be a matte of concern for any person. However, when the temperature exceeds 102 or 103 degrees Fahrenheit, it is the time to become alert.

If body temperature increases to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or more, it is the time to seek immediate medical care, as such high temperature can cause different types of disorders. Though many antipyretic drugs are available over the counter for reducing body temperature, these are not devoid of side effects. For example, Paracetamol is one of commonest antipyretic medications but is said to affect lever. For reducing fever, some home remedies can be tried. These do not have any side effect. In case, temperature is not lowered, health care provider must be consulted for proper diagnosis.

Home Remedies for Reducing Fever

Consumption of water helps in reducing body temperature. Thus, ample quantities of water should be consumed in feverish conditions. This also helps in replacing the fluids lost from the body, which is very common in fever. For bringing the body temperature down, a person should rest as much as possible, as this avoids sudden changes in surrounding temperatures. Diet is one area in which extreme care should be observed when fever is encountered. Until body temperature becomes normal, solid food substances should be avoided. In no cases, supplements containing zinc and iron should be taken. This is because zinc is not absorbed by the body during fever. On the other hand, consumption of iron supplements can increase the problems for the body systems.

Lukewarm water baths are very helpful in brining down the body temperature. Very often, children fall sick and suffer from fever. In such conditions, rather than providing Aspirin to them, they should be given a lukewarm water bath. For adults too, this remedy works equally. For this purpose, bath tub can be filled with lukewarm water and body should be submerged into it for five minutes. If needed, this action can be repeated. Cold water bath should be avoided as these can lead to shivering of patient. If needed, cool water bath can be taken, as this brings down temperature immediately.

Fruits and their juices can also do wonders in bringing body temperature down. For example, juice of apricot is effective in reducing fever. A cup full of apricot juice can be taken with one teaspoon full of honey. It helps in eliminating the waste materials from the body and in quenching the thirst. Similarly, juice of grapefruit is very effective in reducing fever. This juice works well in all kinds of fever and is very helpful in removing the burning sensation that is normally experienced in fever. For reducing the fever, grapefruit juice and water should be mixed in a glass in equal quantities till glass is completely filled. This mixture should be consumed two or three times in a day for getting relief. In reducing fever, oranges are also considered as very effective.

Oranges not only bring the temperature down in all types of fevers but also improves the digestive system, which gets adversely affected in fever. In fever, there is generally lack of saliva on the tongue, which leads to a coating. This layer destroys hunger and thirst of patient. Toxemia, a type of blood poisoning, also occurs in fever. All these symptoms are effectively treated through orange juice. Orange juice also provides energy and increases the urinary output. Since resistance of body against different types of infections is improved through orange juice, recovery occurs in a fast manner. As a result, body temperature is brought down.

For reducing fever in children, lemon balm and sage tea proves very useful. For making tea, few leaves of each of these can be used. These leaves and some water are added to a mug. This mixture is then steeped for about ten to fifteen minutes. Afterwards, honey is added to the mixture for improving taste. Some other sweetener may also be used in place of honey. This mixture should be sipped by child four to five times in a day. Lemon balm and sage results in sweating of body and as a result, fever is reduced. This remedy is effective for adults also. For reducing the fever, quantity of mixture consumed should be increased.

Olive oil also helps in reducing fever. For babies up to two years of age, olive oil can be rubbed over entire body before bed time. Body is then wrapped in a blanket or some cotton clothing. After half an hour, body temperature starts coming down.

For reducing the fever in children, wet socks can be used. However, it must be ensured that socks are long enough to cover the ankles. Socks are first wetted in cold water and then, excess water is wringed out. These socks are then put on the feet of child. When the socks dry out, these should again be dipped in cold water and entire step should be repeated again. This application may not be liked by children but is an effective way of reducing fever.

Ginger and raisins can also be used for reducing fever. Some clumps of ginger and about 10 grams of raisins are crushed and put in 200 milliliters of boiling water. It should be stirred over flame until it reduced to one fourth of original quantity. For bringing down body temperature, this solution should be drunk warm. Similarly, raisins extract can also be used for reducing fever. Raisins extract can be made by soaking 25-30 raisins in a half cup of water. After few minutes, raisins are crushed in this water. This solution is then strained. For enhancing the taste and effectiveness, half spoon of lime can be added. This extract should be taken two times in a day for bringing down body temperature.

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