Whenever the body’s temperature is higher than the normal range, it is called a fever. Although we commonly hear that 98.6 degrees F, or 37 degrees C, is considered normal, this is not a set number that applies universally to all. Normal body temperature is different for children than adults and also can vary among individuals.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a child has a fever when his or her body temperature is higher than 99.5 degrees F, or 37.5 degrees C. An adult has a fever when his or her body temperature exceeds 99 to 99.5 degrees F, or 37.2 to 37.5 degrees C.
A fever is basically a symptom of another condition or illness. A fever can occur when your body is fighting an infection, such as the flu.
Additional reasons for a fever are a response to immunization in children, ear infections, urinary tract infections, certain inflammatory diseases, gastroenteritis, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and blood clots. Sudden change in the weather and unhygienic lifestyle may also contribute to a fever.
Some of the common symptoms associated with a fever include sweating, headache, muscle ache, dehydration, weakness, slight shivering and loss of appetite.
A fever is a good thing and usually will go away within a few days. But if a fever is making you uncomfortable, you can try some simple and easy home remedies to cool the body down and make you feel better.
However, if your fever exceeds 104 degrees F, or 40 degrees C, it can become very dangerous. During such a situation, you must immediately see a doctor.
1. Cool Water
Soak a wash cloth in cool tap water, wring out the excess water and then sponge areas like your armpits, feet, hands and groin to reduce the temperature.
Also, you can place cold, damp washcloths on your forehead and the back of your neck. The cloth pieces should be changed regularly after a few minutes. This remedy is beneficial when dealing with a high fever as it helps keep temperature under control.
You can also take a bath in lukewarm water to relax your body. Taking a shower, however, may not be a good idea. Plus, needless to say, take as much rest as possible as it helps the body fight the illness.
Note: Do not use very cold water as it may cause the internal body temperature to increase.
2. Basil
Basil is an effective herb for bringing down a fever. This herb is just as effective as many types of antibiotics in the market. Its healing properties will help reduce fever very quickly.
Boil together 20 basil leaves and one teaspoon of crushed ginger in one cup water, until the solution gets reduced to half. Add a little honey and drink this tea two or three times a day for three days.
Make a tea by mixing one teaspoon of basil with one-fourth teaspoon of pepper in one cup of boiling water. Steep for five minutes, and then strain and drink the tea. Drink it two or three times daily until you recover completely.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another very inexpensive and highly effective remedy for a fever. It helps reduce a fever quickly because the acid present in it helps draw heat out of the skin. Plus, it is rich in minerals and helps replenish minerals that get eliminated from the body due to fever.
Add one-half cup of vinegar to lukewarm bath water. Soak in this water for five to 10 minutes. In about 20 minutes you will notice improvement. Repeat again when the body temperature is high.
Soak a washcloth in a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar and two parts cool water. Wring out the excess solution and place it on your forehead and tummy. You can even wrap one around the soles of your feet. Once the washcloth becomes warm, change it with a new one soaked in the cool mixture. Repeat as often as required until the fever has reduced.
Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey in a glass of water. Drink it two or three times a day.
4. Garlic
The warm nature of garlic can also lower a high fever by promoting sweating. This also helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body and speed up recovery. Plus, garlic is an antifungal and antibacterial agent that helps the body fight infections as well as ward off disease.
Finely mince one garlic clove and add it to one cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and sip it slowly. Drink this twice a day and you will feel much better the next day.
Warm a mixture of two crushed garlic cloves and two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply this mixture over the sole of each foot, leaving a few spots uncovered. Wrap your feet with gauze to keep the garlic in place and leave it on overnight. For some people, this can eliminate a fever in just one night.
Note: Garlic remedies are not recommended for pregnant ladies and small children.
5. Raisins
Raisins help the body fight infections and reduce fevers. They are loaded with phenolic phytonutrients, which are known to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Also, raisins act as tonic for your body when you have a fever.
Soak 25 raisins in one-half cup of water for one hour, or until the raisins become soft.
Crush the soaked raisins in the water and strain the liquid.
Add the juice of half a lime to this solution.
Have this twice a day until your fever is gone.
6. Ginger
Ginger helps the body expel heat, which in turn helps reduce fever. Plus, ginger is a natural antiviral and antibacterial agent and helps the immune system fight any kind of infection.
Put two tablespoons of ginger powder in a bathtub filled with warm water and mix well. Soak in this water for 10 minutes. Pat dry your body and go to bed. Cover yourself completely with a blanket. Soon you will start sweating and your fever will come down.
Note: Perform a patch test on your forearm before taking this detoxifying ginger bath to check if it suits you.
Make ginger tea by adding one-half teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to one cup of boiling water and letting it steep for a few minutes. Add some honey and enjoy this tea three or four times a day.
Another option is to mix together one-half teaspoon of ginger juice, one teaspoon of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. Consume this mixture three or four times daily until your fever is gone.
7. Mint
The cooling property of mint will help keep the internal system cool and this in turn will reduce body temperature. It also helps extract excess heat from the body.
Add one tablespoon of crushed mint leaves to one cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes, strain and then add some honey. Drink this soothing tea three or four times daily for a quick recovery.
Boil a handful of mint leaves in two cups of water along with one-half teaspoon each of black pepper powder and long pepper powder and one teaspoon of ginger powder. Boil until the water gets reduced to half. Strain, and divide the solution into three equal doses. Drink it three times daily until you recover completely.
8. Egg White
You can also use egg whites to reduce the high body temperature during a fever. Egg white works like a cool gel that can absorb heat. Within half an hour, egg white can draw the fever from the head to the feet (where it can do not much damage to your body).
Break two or three eggs and separate the yolk.
Beat the egg white for a minute.
Soak a paper towel or a thin handkerchief in the egg white.
Place the soaked cloth on the soles of the feet.
Wear socks to keep the egg white-soaked cloth in place.
When the cloths dry out and become warm, replace them with new ones.
Repeat until the fever is reduced to a safe level.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric has also been proven to be an excellent home remedy for a fever. The chemical compound called curcumin in turmeric contains potent antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. This helps the immune system fight any kind of infection. It will also help prevent complications and reduce the duration of the fever.
Mix one-half teaspoon of turmeric and one-fourth teaspoon of black pepper powder in one cup of hot milk.
Drink this mixture twice a day to get rid of fever symptoms.
10. Sandalwood
The therapeutic and cooling properties of sandalwood can help bring down fever and inflammation. In fact, sandalwood will help cool and calm the entire body and mind. It will also help get rid of a headache, one of the common symptoms associated with a fever.
Mix one-half teaspoon of sandalwood powder and a little water to make a thick paste.
Apply a thick coat of this paste on the forehead.
Repeat several times a day until you get relief.
Note: Make sure to use good quality sandalwood to get the desired result.
Additional Tips
Drink lots of water and orange juice to prevent dehydration.
Do not use very cold water or ice on the body.
Take complete bed rest for one or two days.
Consume plenty of green leafy vegetables.
Avoid eating refrigerated foods.
Avoid smoking as well as alcoholic drinks.