A fever is a symptom that develops in response to an immune system stimulus. The body raises its temperature in order to kill bacteria or viruses that are causing an illness such as a cold or the flu. In most cases, a fever only lasts for a short period of time and can be relieved by over-the-counter medications such as aspirin. Certain individuals are unable to take these medications because they have pre-existing conditions or are taking other medications. Some individuals simply prefer to use a natural approach to curing a fever by using herbs, which can also be effective.
Step 1
Drink a cup of yarrow tea three times a day. According to the University of Maryland, yarrow decreases your temperature by causing your body to sweat more. Sweat is the body's mechanism for cooling down and can be an effective way to cure a fever. Dried yarrow can be found at your local health food store and you should steep one to two tsp. of the dried herb in a cup of boiling water for ten to 15 minutes.
Step 2
Steep one to two tsp. of dried willow bark in a cup of boiling water and allow it to stand for a half an hour before drinking. Repeat three to four times daily until the fever is relieved. White willow bark is chemically similar to aspirin and has been widely used for centuries to treat conditions such as inflammation and fever. Though it has similar effects as aspirin, while willow bark is not known to upset the stomach as aspirin sometimes does. Drink white willow bark tea three to four times daily or until symptoms subside.
Step 3
Take the herb feverfew in capsule form according to manufacturer's directions. As the name suggests, feverfew has been used for centuries to cure fever. Feverfew is also used to treat other symptoms that usually appear with a fever, including nausea and headache. This herb has been found to be relatively safe to use; however, once the fever subsides, discontinue using feverfew.
Step 4
Drink a cup of tea containing the herb ephedra, also known as ma huang, three times a day. Ephedra is effective for treating symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, colds and flu but due to its stimulant effects, this herb is banned by the U.S. FDA. You can still acquire ephedra in tea form or by seeing a licensed naturopathic or holistic health care professional. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, ephedra should be used with caution by individuals who are sensitive to the effects of stimulants.
Step 5
Drink a cup of elderberry tea three times a day until the fever subsides. Elderberry has been found to effectively treat sinus infections when combined with antibiotics. In addition, elderberry is widely used as a treatment for cold, flu and fever. Never ingest raw elderberry because it is both inedible and toxic in large quantities. Elderberry also acts as a mild diuretic and increases urination so be sure to drink plenty of fluid when using this herb.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Fever
- University of Maryland: Yarrow
- University of Maryland: Willow bark
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Feverfew
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ephedra Echinacea
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: European Elder (Elderberry)
