Fever

Ayurvedic understanding of the cause of fever:

Fever is caused by toxicity (ama) in the rasa dhatu. It can also be caused by some kind of infection.

General practices to follow in case of fever:

• Do not eat. Total fast should be done if the person is strong enough. If the person is weak, drink water, fruit juice and some herbal teas.
• Do not drink milk.
• Do not drink anything that is cold.
• Do not exercise or travel while you have fever.

Recommendations:

• Take 2 tsp of cilantro juice thrice a day.
• Drink a tea made by steeping ⅓ tsp each of lemongrass, basil and fennel in boiling water for 10 minutes. This will make one sweat and therefore help in reducing temperature.
• Steep 1 tsp of mixture of coriander, cinnamon and ginger in 2:2:1 in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink such tea every few hours until the fever breaks.
• Drink a tea made by steeping ⅓ tsp each of cumin, coriander and fennel in boiling water for 10 minutes.
• In chronic case: Steep 1 tsp of holy basil in boiling hot water for 10 minutes. Add ¼ tsp of black pepper and 1 tsp of honey to it. Drink it thrice a day.
• Drink a cup of grape juice with ½ tsp each of cumin, fennel and sandalwood powder.
• Take a bowl of cool water and add 1 tsp of salt to it. Dip 2 pieces of clean cloth in it. Put one on the forehead and one on the belly button.
• If the person with fever is also pitta dominant, grate an onion. Wrap half of it first damp handkerchief and the second half in another damp handkerchief. Place one on the forehead and one on the belly button.
• Take ½ tsp of maha sudarshan churna twice a day with warm water. You should especially try to do this if you are travelling while suffering from fever.
• In chronic case: Take ½ tsp of maha sudarshan churna mixed with 1 tsp of tikta ghee thrice a day on empty stomach.

See the doctor immediately if:

• The one suffering from fever is under 4 months old.
• Fever is above 104 degrees F in an adult.
• Fever is above 101 degrees F in an adult above 60 years of age.
• Fever lasts longer than 3 days.
• Fever is accompanied by stiff neck and a severe headache.
• The one suffering has any chronic disease like heart issues, diabetes, respiratory disease.

References:

Primary Reference: The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies - Vasant D Lad - Part 3