A fever is one of the body's natural healing processes. By heating up, your body can stimulate the immune system to destroy infectious bacteria and viruses.

Although it can be uncomfortable, a fever should be allowed to do its job in most cases. Suppressing a fever may prolong it, since the body must use other means to overcome the "bug." Luckily, there are several herbal remedies that can be used to treat fevers.

Drinking yarrow will help the fever because of yarrow's diaphoretic properties.
©2007 Anita Gould
Drinking yarrow will help fever because of yarrow's diaphoretic properties.

Herbal Treatments for Fevers

Several herbs have diaphoretic, or sweat-inducing, properties. By initiating or increasing perspiration, these herbs rid the body of the toxins contributing to the illness and help keep the fever from going too high. Thus, the healing is accomplished and the fever breaks.

Herbal Fever Recipe
Then ext time you are down with a fever, try this herbal remedy.
  • 1 teaspoon yarrow
  • 1 teaspoon elderberry flowers
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint
  • 2 cups water
Steep dried herbs in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink hot.

Such common garden herbs as angelica, elderberry, rosemary, and yarrow are all diaphoretic. Drinking infusions of these will help the fever process. However, continued sweating can cause dangerous dehydration if you don't consume adequate fluids.
Of course, it's important to support immune function during a fever. Use immune boosters such as echinacea, licorice, chamomile, goldenseal, or Oregon grape and foods rich in vitamin C and flavonoids.

If a fever lasts more than three days or is above 102 degrees Fahrenheit in adults -- or for any fever in infants and children -- seek medical attention promptly.

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 This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, including the use of natural or herbal remedies, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies.   Use of these remedies in connection with over the counter or prescription medications can cause severe adverse reactions. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.