Herbal treatment for fevers

The following is an excerpt taken from a booklet I wrote entitled, Herbal Remedies for the Cold and Flu Season.

Fevers
A fever is your hypothalamus gland raising your body temperature in an attempt to kill pathogens in the body. Viruses and bacteria do not tolerate high temperatures, so stopping a fever prematurely can actually be doing the pathogens a favor. Of course a spiking fever in an infant, or a fever that stays too high for days can be cause for alarm and reason for intervention. In treating fevers, use your best judgment and remember our job is to support the body’s natural functions, not quell symptoms. Fevers can be serious, if in doubt see your family practitioner.


During a fever be sure to drink plenty of liquids including electrolytes. According to Heather Nic an Fleisdeir you can make your own electrolyte blend by mixing together the following in a cup of warm water.

Electrolyte Blend:
Teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or citrus
Teaspoon of honey
Pinch of salt

Elderflower:
Safe for children and adults alike, elderflower tea has diaphoretic properties that can reduce a fever. I usually take my elderflower in a tea blend as on page 10. You can also place a cup of elderflowers in a quart mason jar, fill with just boiled water and drink a half hour later.

Yarrow
This diaphoretic works by opening the pores to let the heat out. Yarrow has a strong taste and I like to tame it a little be using a blend of peppermint, elderflower and rose hips. You can also take a dropperful of the tincture in a ¼ cup of warm/hot water, each hour until symptoms subside.

Catnip
High in potassium, it helps to replace valuable minerals lost in sweating. Catnip is mild tasting, safe for children and contains mild sedative properties to help you rest.

Chamomile
Another gentle yet effective fever reducer, chamomile can be taken as a tea to reduce fevers. Since this plant is high in volatile oils, I steep my tea for 15 minutes or less.

Lemon Balm
Deliciously cooling, an infusion of lemon balm leaves can cool the body reducing an out of control temperature. It also cools the nerves. Making a brew can allay stress and reduce the duration and pain of fever blisters (herpes virus).