Got A Fever? Bring It Down at Home with These Remedies
This year, we’ve probably heard the word ‘fever’ more times than in all previous years combined. Whether it’s the common cold, flu or other illness, fever is a symptom we must always keep under control.
Sure, today’s technology allows medicine to create dozens of different pills that can bring fever down almost instantly. The most common ones are acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which you can find at any pharmacy. However, specialists advise you not to take medication immediately and let your immune system work, as this helps it to gain strength in the long run.
So if you don’t want (or can’t) use medication to lower a fever, what can you do to feel better? We have a few at-home remedies that might work for mild fevers (38.3°C (101°F) or below), so let’s have a look.
At-Home Remedies for Mild Fever
Take a bath
Not only does taking a bath relax you when you’re feeling bad, but it can also regulate your internal temperature – at least temporarily. Fill in the tub with lukewarm water and start sponging high-heat areas (forehead, armpits) gradually. As the water evaporates from the skin, it reduces the body temperature.
If you’re not in the mood for a bath, you can simply apply cold washcloths on the back of your neck or on your forehead for a similar effect.
ATTENTION! No matter how hot you feel, do not plunge yourself in cold water. Although it may seem like a good idea, the shock caused by cold water sends your blood rushing to internal organs; this, in turn, increases your temperature instead of helping you to cool down.
Drink tea
Tea is probably the most common at-home remedy we’re going for regardless of the illness. However, not every tea works in reducing a fever! Here are a few options that do:
- Yarrow tea. This herb instantly opens up your pores and triggers sweating which, as we all know, is a good sign that the fever will go away soon. All you need to do is to add a tablespoon of yarrow in a cup of boiled water and steep for 10 minutes; let it cool and drink one or two cups until you start sweating.
- This one is especially beneficial if you’re suffering from the cold or flu, as it helps reduce the overproduction of mucus. For the perfect elderflower tea, mix two teaspoons of the herb in one cup; let it steep for 15 minutes and drink three cups a day until the fever goes away.
- Hot ginger tea. Aside from its other health benefits, ginger tea can also induce sweating and give you an instant boost of immunity. To make ginger tea, steep ½ teaspoon of minced ginger root in one cup of boiled water.
BONUS: Have you ever heard of willow bark? This powerful ingredient can work just like Aspirin by easing headaches caused by fever. You can consume it in a tea, in powdered form or even as a tincture.
Soak your socks
When I was little, soaking socks in cold water was the go-to remedy for fever; later on, I learned that it actually works!
Here’s what to do: firstly, warm your feet in hot water (as hot as you can handle). In the meantime, soak a pair of thin socks in cold water. Slip the cold socks on and put a pair of dry wool socks over the wet ones.
This technique draws your blood to the feet, thus increases blood circulation. In turn, you’ll see your body temperature dropping soon enough.
