And I need more catnip.
What can I do when I have a fever? What herbs can help?
The popular belief that fevers are bad and that we must do everything we can to stop it right away is actually harmful. Let's go over what a fever is and how best to handle them while supporting our bodies.
Fevers - Our bodies at work
Fevers are a sign that our bodies are fighting something. The type of pathogen our bodies are fighting determines the level of the fever. Some bacteria thrive up to 101 degrees - that means our temperature has to rise to 102 degrees in order to kill off that certain bacteria. If we take an over-the-counter medication as soon as a temperature reaches 100 degrees, that bacteria is able to keep reproducing. The medication stopped our body from doing what it was designed to do.
For every degree your temperature goes up, your immune system increases its activation by 10 fold.
"Feed a cold, starve a fever." - Is there truth to this old sayin
Eating or not isn't really the issue, in my opinion. If you feel like eating, that's fine, just make sure it's light and raw. The body is busy fighting off something, don't give it too much to do by adding heavy digestion to its load. The most important thing is the DRINKING. The body needs hydration. Drink water, drink herbal teas, drink hydrating liquids like coconut water, lemon water, cucumber water, fresh pressed juices. If keeping those liquids down become difficult, then sit in a bath or use a foot bath. Your body can take up hydration those ways too.
Hot Bath vs. Cold Bath
It may seem natural to head for a cold bath when the body seems hot. But that's only due to the perception that fevers are inherently bad and need to be stopped immediately. The problem with cold baths is that they work against the body. In trying to quickly bring down the temperature of the body it can cause a chill and actually do the opposite.
A hot bath supports the body in its fight against the pathogen. First off it supplies water to the body. Hydration is of utmost importance while experiencing a fever. The body knows how to regulate itself and when it has enough water, it can do just that. Dr. Christopher always said, "Moist heat heals, dry heat kills." This means high temperatures aren't to be feared when there is hydration.
Second, the heat helps open the pores so you can sweat. Sweating allows a quick and easy way for the body to release toxins.
Herbs To Help
How much yarrow tea is too much? When you tip your head and it starts coming out your ears. - Dr. Christopher
Diaphoretic herbs are the first thing I reach for in the case of a fever. This herbal action, diaphoretic, means the herb helps the body perspire. Sweating is important during a fever. Not only do diaphoretic herbs increase perspiration but they also get the circulation going, gives the toxins an easy way out via the pores, and helps naturally cool the body.
What are some diaphoretic herbs? Yarrow, ginger, elder flower, cayenne, garlic, linden, catnip, boneset, lemon balm, peppermint - to name just a few!
Dr. Christopher recommended a quart of hot yarrow tea to be taken while sitting in a hot bath with ginger or some other diaphoretic herb added to the bath.
This is why I designed the tea blend "In With The Good, Out With The Bad." The ingredients in this blend are: catnip, yarrow, elder flower, peppermint, and ginger. Those are all diaphoretic herbs. But, there is more to it than just that.
For example, catnip is great for calming and relaxing and it's great for pain. Pain usually accompanies a fever and having something that can calm things down, relax the nerves, and curb some pain is a winner in my book.
Elder flower and peppermint go great together. Elder flower, though extremely useful as a diaphoretic, can be nauseating to some and peppermint counteracts that due to its anti-nausea properties. Peppermint is also cooling and relaxing. Check and check.
Yarrow tea, as mentioned above, is a classic tea to drink during a fever. And ginger not only acts as a diaphoretic but it is also an immune stimulant. Helping your body and your immune system during a fever is key. Help your body help itself.
How To Use "In With The Good, Out With The Bad"
The best way to use this tea blend during a fever is to add some to a hot bath but also make some into a tea to drink during the bath.
Not in a position to take a bath? That's ok, just do a foot bath. Our feet are amazing at pulling in what we need and releasing what we don't.
Not feeling bad enough to take a hot bath or a foot bath? That's ok, just drink the tea and snuggle up while it does its thing.
Now, "In With The Good, Out With The Bad" isn't just useful for fevers. The action of these herbs helps with conditions that can benefit from "opening things up." Lung issues, breathing issues, that tickle in your throat that warns of something coming on, colds, flus, etc.
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