With school just getting started, and the increased incidence of illness in the cooler months, I’ve gotten several emails and Facebook questions lately about natural ways to bring down a fever, especially in young children. My personal solution is somewhat unconventional, but it has helped my family fight illness more quickly and usually prevent recurring infection.
[Note: I am not a doctor, nurse or medical professional and do not play one on the internet. Always check with a doctor or medical professional if a medical need arises.]
Here’s what we do to treat a fever naturally:
What Causes a Fever?
Fever is a natural response to infection or illness. Many illnesses thrive at normal body temperature, and a fever (even a high one) is a good indication that the immune system is functioning to ward off the infection. In fact, a fever is a good sign as it means that the body is responding to fight the infection, and in most cases it is part of a natural bodily response that should be allowed to continue.
Fever can be caused by bacterial or viral illness, or in rare cases by poisoning, heat stroke, environmental toxins, or a malfunctioning hypothalamus. For the majority of us, fever is caused by a simple infection (most often a virus) and will fade on its own as the body heals. There are a few exceptions, but more on that later …
Is a Fever Dangerous?
Despite what seems like popular belief, in most cases, a fever less than 103 will not cause brain damage, and a fever stemming from an infection will usually not go above this unless other factors (hot environment, etc.) are present.
In many cases, those who suffer brain damage or other problems from an illness suffer this from the illness itself, not the fever. Even Medicine Plus, as service of the Natural Institutes of Health and U.S. Library of Natural Medicine states that a fever less than 107 is unlikely to cause brain damage or other problems unless accompanied by more serious symptoms (though I don’t like letting them go this high and have never had a child with a fever anywhere near this high).
Even fevers high enough to cause febrile seizures do not indicate a severe problem in themselves. From this article: “However, most febrile seizures are over quickly, do not mean your child has epilepsy, and do not cause any permanent harm.” I highly recommend the book How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor for a more detailed explanation about the benefits of a fever and why reducing it can be harmful.
If one of my family members has a fever less than 103-104 degrees that I know is not the result of poisoning, severe bacterial infection, heat stroke, or toxins, I personally find it best to wait it out, monitor symptoms and take measures to make the person more comfortable. This is my personal preference in this situation, and while I’ve never found temperatures at this point or lower to be harmful, it is always important to do your own research and talk to a medical professional if you feel the situation warrants it. In my experience, the majority of fevers from illness hover in the 101-103 range and are an effective part of the body’s response to illness.
Why Reducing A Fever Can Be Counterproductive
There are several reasons it is better not to reduce a fever. Since fever is part of the body’s natural way of fighting illness or infection, reducing the fever can actually make the illness last longer, as it lets the cause of the illness live for a longer time.
Additionally, most conventional methods of lowering a fever can do more harm than good. Tylenol and Advil (the two medications most often given to children to reduce fever) both have side effects and cause liver failure in adults and children each year, especially when given regularly. Medications are also foreign substances in the body, which must be metabolized and filtered by the body and this takes energy the body could be using to fight the illness.
While a fever can be uncomfortable, it is possible to comfort the person who is ill without reducing the fever. Often, the medications that reduce fever also get rid of body aches or uncomfortable symptoms, so the two are thought to go hand in hand. While certainly, medical intervention and medicine are absolutely warranted at times, they aren’t my first line of defense for most fevers.
When Medical Care Is Critical
In the majority of cases, a fever is a natural healthy response that should be allowed to run its course. There are exceptions and in these cases it is important to seek medical care and make sure there is not a more serious problem. While I personally let the majority of illnesses run their course in our home, I don’t hesitate to seek medical help immediately either if the situation warrants it.
The need to talk to get medical advice quickly in cases like this is one of the many reasons why I’ve partnered with this service that matches you with a dedicated online doctor (one that actually knows you and your family). Of course it doesn’t always replace going to a local doctor or even the emergency room, but it is a helpful first step in evaluating a situation.
When to Go to the Doctor
In general, these are the times I seek medical care for a fever, but a parent’s intuition/research and conversation with your own doctor are important for determining when a fever is serious. I seek help when:
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- A child under three months has a fever over 100.4 or exhibits any serious symptoms
- Child exhibits a fever over 104 as this can signal a more serious infection or poisoning
- Fever for more than two consecutive days
- The ill person has other symptoms like stiff neck, listlessness, or sensitivity to light
- The person is unable to hold down food for more than a few hours or shows any signs of dehydration
- Person exhibits any sign of respiratory distress (Seek immediate help)
- Person has been exposed to toxins or poisons that may have caused the fever
- My mother’s intuition says there is something more serious going on, even if the child appears fine
Of course I am a mom, not a doctor, and the above are just my own personal guidelines. You will want to come up with your own together with your doctor’s advice.
What I Do Instead
While I don’t use conventional methods of treating illness, I’m also not in favor of letting an ill person suffer any more than is necessary. Fortunately, there are some easy, natural ways to comfort the afflicted without drugs or medicine. For most illnesses, this is my protocol:
- Lots of fluids to ward of dehydration and help the body flush the illness. We stick to water, herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or catnip.
- Double doses of Fermented Cod Liver Oil, which seems to greatly reduce the duration of the illness and also gives the ill person important immune boosting nutrients. We use capsules for adults and gel for kids who can’t swallow pills. I also give this daily to all family members to help boost immune function so the body is ready to handle illness more quickly.
- Probiotics– You’ve probably heard the saying “All disease begins in the gut” and I give probiotics to support immune and gut health. We take these all the time, but especially during illness.
- Homemade elderberry syrup to boost immune function and make the ill person more comfortable. Here’s a recipe to make your own much less expensively than store bought options.
- Lots of bone broth and homemade soups to nourish and provide nutrients that aid in healing.
- Small doses of coconut oil mixed in to food or smoothies for its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
- We do warm baths with epsom salts or magnesium and a sprinkle of powdered ginger to help alleviate muscle aches. Peppermint tea also works for head/muscle aches associated with an illness.
- If the person is achy or having trouble resting comfortably, I’ll sometimes give a natural sleep tincture or chamomile tincture to help soothe achy muscles and promote relaxing sleep.
- Feverfew– I don’t generally recommend feverfew for kids without a doctor’s advice, so check with yours, but this herb has natural anti-inflammatory benefits.
TIP: I highly recommend printing out a version of this and keeping in on hand in a cabinet with the remedies in case you become ill. While I am prepared to help a family member who doesn’t feel well, I’m often not the best at remembering to do these things myself sick. This way, my husband can help me remember to do these things when I’m under the weather.
What do you do when a family member is sick? Have any natural tips or tricks? Share them below!
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I am surprised echinacea was not mentioned. I can personally vouch for it’s healing capabilities. When I was sick with strep throat and no other alternative remedies worked Echinacea came to the rescue. When my toddler had a urinary tract infection, with a fever for over a week, not eating but nursing, she would puke if we tried to give her echinacea. I took it instead so she could get it through my milk and it cleared it up. Two instances when antibiotics are routinely given but were avoided with echinacea. Make sure it has augustifolia not just purpurea echinacea and make sure you take it a lot if you are fighting infection. I took it every hour for the strep throat.
Strep throat NEEDS to be treated with antibiotics or the bacteria will go to your heart and eat away at your valve. This is the cause of rheumatic heart disease. Very serious condition that could be prevented if people would just take the simple penicillin for strep pyrogenes. Just saying, sometimes antibiotics are definitely warranted.
Also, I completely agree with everyone about not necessarily decreasing a low grade fever (100.4-103) if it’s not necessary. If you or your child has a temperature but are able to hold down fluids, then there’s no real need to decrease the temp. I tell my patients that some kids run around with a temp of 104, but you would never know it because they are acting fine and dandy. Then there are some kids that look like death and they don’t even have a legit fever, just a temp of 99.9, but those kids need to be treated because they can get dehydrated very quickly. Okay, I’m stepping off of my soap box now. 🙂
I got rid of strep throat by immune boosters and Echinacea and Goldenseal. Your body has an unbelievable system for fighting disease: your immune system. When you work with it not against it you’d be amazed what it can do.
echinacea is actually a bio antibiotic. my mom used it to heal teat infections on are cow when she got them it isint as strong as penicillin so it takes more but it works.
on another note if you do get strep or something its a good idea to get a checkup at some point to make sheer your good…
I disagree with you about always taking an antibiotic for strep throat..I had 5 kids out of 7 plus my husband on a spring break with it..took them to emerg to be checked and after a throat swab sent us home…I gave them homeopathic remedy for it for 5 days and by time hospital called back to say they all had it their throats were not sore but they still wanted to treat it…I did treat it just not their way…not saying their isn’t a place for antibiotics but there is alot of fear placed in people..antibiotics cause so many side effects and I’ve yet to see a side effect using homeopathic which I have been for 16 yrs.
I am curious what homeopathic remedy worked for your family? I have heard hepar sulf can be used to treat strep.
We are on round 7 of documented CURED strep throat between me my husband and 4 kids! Doctor confirmed. Apple cider vinegar 5 capful a day 5 times a day mixed with all natural apple juice for younger kids, chased with raw honey. I used to get strep 2 to 3 times a year on antibiotics, now I’ve been strep free almost 2 years and my two youngest have only had it once. Guess we have finally built an immunity or the use of vinegar at first first tickle in the throat has stopped it from ravaging our family of 6 🙂
Peppermint essential oil on the feet work every time …lots of fluids.. Especially Coconut water… And fruit when my daughter is sick. Hasn’t been since 3.5 and she’ll be 6 in October . I know it’s not luck but the times in which I let her body heal on its own as well as the fact we juice and her diet is much better than the normal six year old diet.
This is very interesting. My daughter is autistic and she has always run a little hot. When she has a fever she becomes more lucid, conversation is easier and she is more coherent. I’ve always thought this was because the fever was burning whatever is blocking her. Something to think about…
You know what, my daughter is autistic and she has always run a little hot as well. her normal temp it 37.9. And when she doe shave a fever ( she just got over the flu this weekend and her fever went up to 102.6) she is more coherent as well and easier to talk to. Weird.
Wow, so curious. This is really intriguing. Neither of my kids is autistic, but one of my cousins is. I wonder, if, when their fever is up, if you could ask them what it is they’re experiencing that makes it easier for them to communicate. I wonder if Oliver Sacks has anything to say on the subject.
Interesting. It makes me wonder, having read many articles suggesting a possible link between gut bacteria and autism (GAPS) if the high fever might not be killing off some pathogenic bacteria resulting in a temporary improvement. Now THAT is something that should be explored by the mainstream…
Dear Crystal
some other ideas, raw cut or sliced onion on the bar feet cover with socks or plastic wrap to keep onion
on feet, will break a 106 fever down to a productive fever around 99 degrees, and specifically gently rubbing
the right temple area of the head will raise the bodies temperature as to how the person feels, and rubbing the
left temple will lower the bodies temperature as to how the person feels,,,
if a person feels hot most of the time— rub the left temple for a few moments until one feels cooler,,, I had one of my patients had never felt warn in 40 years,,, I taught her to begin rubbing her right temple to raise her from feeling cold all the time,,, she wrote me after a few week that she was feeling warm for the first time in her life….
This is a great . Every time someone gets sick in our house, I have to try and remember all of these natural remedies that were taught to me, instead of panicking and rushing to the doctor, which can be a difficult switch if you grew up with the other, I’m sure many can relate. Anyhow, having 3 kids, we’ve never seen a fever over 104, and when we feel that the child needs to be seen, we usually go to the doc and make sure it’s nothing serious. Most of the time it has been due to a virus, and there’s nothing that they can do for that, so having this information, which I’m sure your regular doctor isn’t going to recommend is an awesome reference. I have always wanted a natural way to make my family feel more comfortable without reducing a mild fever with Ibuprophen. We have been to the ER before, told we had a virus, but were offered antibiotics, “just in case” something bacterial came up. After seeing a Naturopath, we realized most of the times we caught a virus, or so we thought, the fever was the bodies reaction due to food sensitivities (dairy and many others). Well, I’m glad to have found your blog 🙂
Same here. We also have three kids. I occasionally use OTC for my son bc he is so miserable at 102-103. My youngest goes to 104 for 2-3 hours and then it’s over.
I get the RN commenter’s concern, but I think the moms who read this blog are probably very aware of their kids responses to pain, skin issues and even elimination. My youngest could only sign so I we took the extra step of visiting the dr bc I wasn’t sure if she had a UTI. My son gets clingy but doesn’t cry even with a double ear infection. (we’ve since eliminated some foods from his diet and he hasn’t had one in two years AND we know clingy means probable ear issue for him)
I am an R.N. and I have quite a bit of experience working in the Emergency room and ICU…I am also quite holistic in my own personal approach to life and health. I’ve four homebirths and treat a variety of ailments with herbs, tinctures, and good food, but this article leaves me with some very serious concerns.
In my 20 years of experience working as a registered nurse I have NEVER heard of ANYONE endorsing doing little to nothing about a fever above 104, ESPECIALLY in a child. AND the only people I’ve treated with fevers in the range of 105-107 (and yes, I’ve seen both of these numbers) died. I think it’s dangerous, especially in the case of kids to ignore high fevers. High fevers like that usually indicate something much more serious is going on.
I really believe in the general theory…let your body work itself out, but that majority of the article left me with some real concerns.
My then1 year old son had a temperature of 105.4, I rushed him to the hospital and they just sent us home, told me to give him a bath at home. I thought that with it being so high that they would keep us or make a bigger deal about it, but they didn’t seem all that worried.. That has happened again since then, and every time it was the same… Or antibiotics were given. They never once told me his fever was so high that he could have died.
Sweetheart, I am not saying that many fevers, esp. in children, are not benign, rather, I am saying that when you have 17,000 facebook followers and you post an article (that has now been edited) that downplays the potential danger and significance of high fevers it is irresponsible.
My child’s fever went to 105 also when she was little, and I was told to take a cloth with rubbing alcohol and continue to wash her feet with it; it was to bring her temperature down one degree. I did this and it worked. Then my husband and I took her to the hospital and they gave her a shot and she got better. I hope this helps.
My experience is that each person is so different. When my son has a fever it is almost always near 104. When my daughter has a fever it rarely reaches higher than 102. I believe the number on the thermometer only gives a small fraction to what is going on with the body. The general demeanor of the person is a greater indicator in my opinion.
If a body is sick, time and care are crucial to regain health. There is no instant fix, no matter how inconvenient it may be, and we should not strive for one. However, occasionally we do need modern medicine. I think the key is to do the diligent care that needs to be done, and seek and accept help when that care is not enough. So many are only willing to one or the other.
A similar thing happened to me as well. When I was 16 I sprung a fever between 104 and 105, with rotating Tylenol and ibuprofen. I was delerious (I normally run 97.4) and my mom rushed me to the ER. The doc looked at the chart, then at my mom and said “well what do you expect us to do about it?!”, and discharged me immediately. No tests were even run! My doctor found it was a raging uti. But yeah, the ER did not seem to care a lick about the fever. I think the point here is use common sense and trust your gut. Don’t just go by the number on the thermometer.
I agree
“Trust your gut”. This brings me back to what the article said about “All illness begins in the gut”. I have been reading and researching a lot about gut health and I strongly agree with taking care of your gut as it houses almost 80% of our immune system. A good, high-quality probiotic definitely will be helpful. Consuming them in natural form (i.e. yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented food) would be beneficial. If you feel that you are not getting enough, taking a good probiotic supplement would do the trick. I didn’t mean to digress from the main topic but I strongly advocate keeping our gut healthy as that would address a whole lot of our health issues.
Yes, that was a very unsettling statement for me as well. :/ My baby always tends to spike fevers in the 104-105 range when he’s ill. I’ve taken him to the pediatrician every time and once to the ER. They are more concerned with if it responds to antipyretics and how many days it has gone on. Some people do jut run hotter.
I agree! took my 19 month old to the ER, they did not even rush, while I was panicking for a fever of 105.
This is a change in many ERs over the last 10years. I’ve personally experienced this myself- but it is not an indication we should just relax over 105. Let me explain:
A) many hospitals have shifted to cost structured care. As a result many emergency rooms have shifted to ‘is death imminent’? If you aren’t having a heart attack or stroke, even if you were severely ill (and needed surgery or it may be fatal within a few hours-days), you were discharged. Many news stories of patients discharged and later dying filled the news over the last decade (for those whose newsfeeds were geared towards looking).
B) as more doctors At For Profit Hospitals have rebelled against the insurance companies and pushed for wellness focused care, this has started to shift back. Many are fired for it.
C) you can still find good care at non profit hospitals. (As hospitals were originally were).
D) 105+ is deadly and likely indicative of a more severe infection. Even if the fever is Lower, even 102-105, if dehydration is present or other factors (you know yourself/your child) they should go to
The hospital… maybe this should go first lol
I suffered with a fever of over 105 from strep throat (which I ended up getting antibiotics for- much to my dismay), and made it through all right. My oldest son also suffered from a fever of over 105 due to a viral throat infection- 10 years ago. Not saying that I agree/disagree with anything/everything the author says, but maybe “the only people I’ve treat with fevers in the range of 105-107 die” is a bit of an exaggeration?
she said in HER experience the two times she saw those numbers the people who had them died…she did NOT say that if you have a fever of 105 or 107 you are going to die…
I had the flu a few years back and my fever reached nearly 106. I had to crawl on the floor to get to the phone as i was very dizzy. The hospital stated that it was a very bad flu that was going around. Take a lukewarm bath and Tylenol and re take my temperature again. I did just that and within an hour or so the fever began to go down. I did not die… nor did the hospital believe I would die. I also did not suffer from any other side effects from the fever.
Feeling dizzy is a side effect of high fever
What about dengue fever…
You must have read something in the article that I didn’t, cause I don’t see her endorsing people to not do anything for a fever 105 or more.
Well Mary, the reason this article left you with some real concerns is because unlike the writer, you have sense. The OP suggests using your ‘parents intuition’ to gauge the seriousness of the fever. What a wacko….
I have 3 boys, one is 15, one is 9 and one is 1 and so far MY mothers intuition has been right 100%. If you are a mom and you don’t have it, then I feel bad for you. I had a friend that didn’t have it either. And guess what? She was a wacko…hmmm makes me think. She also said if a fever is over 103-104 you may want to be seen by your Dr. … I read something earlier on Dr Sears site (from the show the Doctors) and he said the same thing. If its under or at that range, no need to rush to the doctors. And theres no need to bash her and call her a wacko because you have a difference of opinion. That just makes you RUDE and IGNORANT, just sayin
I know a woman who doesn’t have the mother’s intuition. She had to give her baby away because she literally can not love children even her own… yet mother’s who have “feelings” are the wackos. pfft. I know when something is wrong with my child. Right not he has a fever of 102 but he’s alright. He’s breathing good and feeling well enough to tell me to go away. A mother knows her child…that is not wacko. When you live with someone for so many years (plus the 9 months that person not only lived with you but inside you) you know when something is wrong. I was told when I was pregnant if I ever get a feeling of “doom” to rush to the hospital no matter what…because doctors, good doctors, believe in “feelings” too and even if occasionally the feeling is wrong it’s always better safe than sorry.
If you dissagree with this author….. I suggest you DO NOT use the websight!
Also “eye” for “I” is dumb…. but “to each his own”.
The comments section is quite terrifying. There are people here making serious medical decisions for children, thinking they know better than a Doctor, yet don’t have enough of an education to know the difference between “eye” and “I” and “are” and “our”!
A) The blogger states in the article to seek medical attention for fevers over 104.
B) I am also an ER nurse and we routinely see kids with fevers around 105…none have died.
C) Fevers are not the problem. They are an indication of something else. Sometimes that something else needs to be investigated and sometimes…it’s just a virus and the fever is going to help kill the virus.
As mothers we should let the fever stay…keeping in mind our kids comfort.
I agree with you 100%… My daughter had a fever of 107° when she was 5 (7 years ago) and I took her to the ER. It was very scary!!
I am all for a somewhat natural approach in general but when my kids have a fever, I give them Tylenol. They are miserable and uncomfortabe with a fever and the Tylenol works very quickly. Giving them Tylenol once or twice a year is not going to hurt them one bit. Breathing the air in Los Angeles on a smoggy day is probably worse for you!
I am wondering if there wasn’t something else going on with the nurses and doctors, if the only patients you saw with a fever of 105-107 died. I had a fever of 106 for about a week, and yes I wound up in the hospital, but obviously, I am still here, and have no neurological issues, or other related issues from the high fever. Your place of employment is now suspect, in my mind!
it was said if it is below that temo. that she generally does little to nothing. try reading it again.
thats what i understood from it.
Whenever my son gets a fever, it runs about 104-105….no Tylenol or ibuprofen has ever been given to him…He has never been on antibiotics (he’s had ear infections, sinus infections)…I don’t do nadda, but try to make him as comfortableas possible, and let it run its course. He got the flu really bad when he was two, I did nothing but make him as comfortable as I could. He has not had it since….He is now 9, and every year he is the only child in his class that doesn’t get it….All of my children have only had the flu once. They get the fever, (usually between 103-105) and that is as far as it goes!!!…..#ilovenaturalimmunity
You rock mom! I love this article. Natural moms ftw! My little one has her first fever, no Tylenol, all I’m doing Is nursing and skin to skin!
Hi Rachael,
I just started doing things the all natural way and what do you give your kids when in fever and sickness? I heard juicing up turmeric root is earth’s natural antibiotic.
I agree. I am an adult who has the stomach bug and am losing it from both ends. I have not slept in over 2 days due to the leg aches and my temp is almost 103. I don’t agree with not treating a fever. I am extremely dehydrated because I can’t even keep water down.
Our naturalist said as long as they are coherent during the fever you can just watch them. Our daughter regularly spiked a fever of 105-106 with no seizures..that was her trend…I managed it with homeopathic remedies but nothing else…I have 7 kids and only use homepathic remedies. Fevers are good not bad! Everytime you lower fever with Tylenol or ibuprofen you give that virus a better chance of grasping on to you.
exactly, totally agree.
i used to run to tylenol right away because that is what i was told to do by pediatricians. ever since i opened up my eyes and realized that western medicine is for profit, i do not listen to anything they say. if anything, i question everything they say.
it’s funny when someone who works in the western medical field says something like this, “i am an RN with such and such experience, been working for x amount of years, i have seen people die, blah blah blah” ….. lol! typical western medicine mentality. and typical “i am smarter than you are”
not that western med is bad, it has its place, but definitely not for getting to the root of health problems. and those who practice it and see no other way, are not as smart as they think they are. wellness mama is telling people to use common sense. she is not advocating to ignore a high fever lady. if you are smart, you would know this, but obviously, you are ignorant to say other wise.
go back to you nursing floor. also, if you truly want to help patients, advocate for them, stand up to all of the doctors who work in your hospital and are giving drugs left and right causing more health problems. and since you mentioned you are pediatric nurse, what about vaccines? stand up to that too. bet you aren’t, are you?
I have to agree. Any number above 104 would have me and my little one in th e.r.
Kidneys can flatline, arrythmia, oh boy a bunch of things I could not support at home.
I will be sure to demand being ever aware of gut health for sure the onslaught of antibiotics :is a reality.
And real nourishment. Maybe I just bring my own food.
104+ in a child is time to call for help. Imo
Mary Beth Sponsler – Registered Nurse – no wonder there are so many mistakes made in hospitals! Read it thoroughly if you’re going to comment! The article recommendation for OVER 104 degrees was to seek medical advice/help!
Personally, as a fever gets over 102, it’s quite painful, so I will give my child something OTC to relieve the discomfort if it’s getting above that level. But I don’t give anything for a fever 102 or below. My daughter spiked a 104 fever last week, and it was frightening because she was agitated and irrational–she has mild neurological issues and this happens when she has fevers, but fortunately she is rarely ill. I definitely want to bring fevers like that down!
Warm baths (not cold) below the level of the fever can help bring a fever down a little and help your child relax. I use a thermometer to measure the water temperature to make sure it’s not too warm or cold.
I have the same approach to colds–I think the sneezing, coughing, and low grade fever are your body doing the job it was designed to do and I don’t try to interfere other than simple comfort measures like warm tea and broth, saltwater gargling, and 100% saline nasal rinses.
Several years ago I started upping my water intake during illness, and I discovered that the illnesses went away much more quickly without much fever. I was still a bit uncomfortable, but the fever was much less than it usually was and the illness (a sinusitis/croup thing that takes away my voice when I contract it) cleared up much more quickly than I would have without the water intake. I’m going to try the elderberry syrup and the cod liver oil this winter and see if I can prevent the little colds I occasionally come down with!
That sounds like either viral bronchitis or laryngitis. It’s from a flu virus and not just a common cold.
Thank you!!
My little pie (14mo) had a fever and I wasn’t concerned about it, but the screaming that came with it alarmed me and I sensed pain. I’ll keep these strategies at hand, although I hope it’s never repeated!
What about vitamin C? Do you take it? Is it overrated? Thanks 🙂
Sarah, I would stay away from synthetic vit C (ascorbic acid). opt for natural vitamin c, squeeze lemons & make a lemonade with raw honey, this way you also hydrate. Read more here about synthetic vit C https://www.naturalnews.com/040147_vitamin_c_ascorbic_acid_synthetic_vitamins.html
never give honey to children under 2 years old it can cause infection that can be deadly
Kelly, Pediatric RN
Children over 1 year can have honey.
I don’t know about that one…As soon as all four of my children hit 12 months, They’ve been getting raw honey on a daily basis…Before school and after…My oldest is now 13…..Shoot, they got a lot of stuff doctors and nurses told me not to give them….Eggs, honey, dark chocolate, goats milk (since I can’t breast feed)….Unfortunately, we can trust or believe the things that come out of some medical professionals mouths these days
You are awesome! What eye have learned over my 9 years of mothering, YES science is an amazing element/ when used appropriately and for the good of man-kind. YES, doctors can be insightful and often helpful. and YES, the medical industry has and continues to produce millions of customers/patients annually. On this note, eye would concur with you while medicine can be “beneficial” you cannot trust everything that comes from a health professional’s mouth. They are the shield to the business. Just take it back old school, it has proven historically to preside over so many ailments. CHEERS!
I share this view completely. Help your body get rid of the cause; don’t just smooth over symptoms! The last few times my husband or I had a fever, we bundled ourselves up — blankets, heater, herbal tea, sweatpants, socks, the whole shebang — till hot and sweaty, and then just tried to sleep as much as possible. Helping the fever along broke it sooner, and we always woke up the same night with sweet relief . Of course, since going paleo, this never happens to me anymore. But I’ve recently gotten pregnant and have fallen off the wagon. I’m hoping a summer of crackers and bagels doesn’t set me back too far for another illness-free fall and winter!
Bundling up is not always the best. Yes, it breaks the fever but it can also bring it up. Probably the best way to break a fever without possible damage to the body is striping down to the bare minimal of cloths, laying under a thin blanket, and consuming LOTS of fluids. This may sound uncommon but you loose the most heat through your skin.
Katie
On the subject of probiotics, do you think that kefir is as strong as the purchasable probiotics?
Depending on how it is made, it can be and fermented foods can also be a good addition. I still keep the probiotics on hand though for during pregnancy since gut bacteria is so important, and during illness when we don’t feel like eating. My kids will actually chew the capsules of the one I linked to above.
plain yoghurt is just as good
Plain yogurt is made from cow milk (usually) & can be high in sugar, which are inflammatory & can be counterproductive when ill. I’d stick with probiotics.
Plain yogurt is made with two/three ingredients and one of them is not sugar.
Yogurt comes from milk. Milk contains lactose. Lactose is a sugar.
Yogurt doesn’t contain lactose. That is why you can have it even when you are lactose intolerant. Some aged dairy doesn’t have lactose.
Both the dairy and the sugar in yogurt are inflammatory. Particularly if you have a URI, it just increases mucus.
Probiotic food like Kefir and sauerkraut have been live saving for our family and they have helped tremendously recover our health but when we have a cold we have to stop them and only have them again when all symptoms are gone otherwise the coughing will never stop. Probiotics are ok though.
A good probiotic will have about 10-15X the amount of bacteria than a cup of yogurt.The probiotics you find in the refrigerated section are the best.
Kefir has more probiotics than yogurt and doesn’t have to be heated to culture it. We culture out own kefir. The longer you let it culture the more beneficial and more of the lactose is consumed by the kefir grains. Yogurt is good, kefir is better. So is kombucha.