Fever

I have run into so many people in the past while who have been ill recently. There seem to be various colds and strains of flu circulating. In fact, just last week I went through a flu, having caught it by taking care of my boyfriend. I found myself alone during the fever part of the sickness, and my first impulse, as probably strikes many people, was to take ibuprofen and make the pains and chills and heat go away. I tried it, but this time around it didn't help.

I have often read that the best way to get through a fever is to actually allow the fever to run its course. So alone, my mother calling me and my boyfriend chatting with me online, I decided to allow the fever. If the fever gets extremely high, especially in children, make sure to bring it down in whatever way you can. However, if you can handle it, try some of these recommendations.

1) First, cancel all your plans. No meetings, no homework, no work, no school, no socializing, no shopping, NOTHING. Just you and your bed. You need to rest and sleep and that's it. If you have contact with people, you will most likely get them sick. Let it end with you.

2) At the first signs make sure you have food in your fridge to get you through the next few days. You will usually know a day or so before being ill. Order through an online food delivery service if need be.

3) On a regular basis stock some of the following dry herbs in glass, amber bottles in a cool, dark place. Herbs include: sage, thyme, yarrow, boneset, elderberry. As soon as the fever begins start drinking strong infusions of herbs such as yarrow or boneset to help induce sweat. Diaphoretic herbs help the body sweat, and you want to support your fever, it is your friend! Your fever will help, for lack of a better word, kill the virus or infection and it will cool you down.

4) Tinctures I have found useful include this one from St. Francis Herb Farm. I pour hot water over it and it is so soothing on any inflamed tissues in your throat, sinuses, or chest.

5) Try hydrotherapy. There is the old practice of using wet clothes on the forehead and neck to help moderate the fever. This really helped me the second night I had my fever. I had a horrible headache and just kept laying on a cool, water soaked cloth all night long. It was a life saver for me. Also, wear wet cotton socks, this will bring the heat down from your head and cool you down. A lukewarm bath will help too.

6) Remember to drink lots of water, tea, ginger tea, ginger ale: lots of liquids.

My fever took 48 hours to pass, and it was up and down throughout. At one point I dreamt I was being burned by the sun. I'm really happy I used all the above remedies for the fever, I feel like I allowed the fever to do it's job. Remember the best remedy of all: REST & SLEEP.