HEALTH SPECIAL ....................... FEVER BRING IT DOWN

FEVER BRING IT DOWN

Got a fever? Here are some home remedies

T he human body has a preset healthy temperature, that falls between 98.4 and 99.5 degrees F. When you pick up a virus or bacteria, or if you have a certain disease or disorder, this healthy temperature gets elevated and that’s what we call a fever.

According to ayurveda, a fever marks the beginning of the body’s effort to heal itself. Your temperature goes up either because your body is fighting the germs or because it is cleansing itself of the toxin.

So a fever is a useful condition – but it can be extremely unpleasant. If it’s caused by an infection, it usually comes in cycles, and is often accompanied by shivers. It is important not to eat foods like curd, dairy, packaged foods, non-vegetarian and processed foods.

FEVER-BUSTING INGREDIENTS

Guduchi (also called giloy)

Honey (ideally, organic)

Tulsi (holy basil, 5-10 leaves)

Ginger (about 1 teaspoon per dose, crushed)

Saffron (kesar, a pinch per dose)

Raisins (1 tablespoon per dose)

Methi seeds (fenugreek, half a teaspoon)

THE FEVER DIET

When you have a fever, you don’t want to eat or drink much. However, hydration is important. Sponge the body with tepid water, and drink water frequently. When the fever breaks, drink sweet lime juice or musk melon juice for electrolytes. Eat grapes, chiku and oranges.

Crush tulsi leaves and add crushed ginger. Boil this paste in water to make a decoction. Add a teaspoon of honey to this decoction. Take this two or three times a day.

Guduchi, also known as giloy, is a herb that is available as a decoction and also as tablets. When guduchi is taken with jaggery, it balances the pitta dosha. Taken with ghee, it pacifies the vata dosha. And taken with honey, it pacifies the kapha dosha.

If your fever is due to an infection, take guduchi with jaggery. Drink a lot of water to maintain the hydration and detoxification process.

Soak about 10 raisins in water for a few hours. When they have swollen with absorbed water, grind them to a paste. Now add some more water and bring the paste to a boil. Once it is lukewarm, add a few drops of lemon juice and drink.

·         SHIKHA SHARMA HTBR26APR15