Combat Viral Fever with These 5 Incredible Natural Herbs

Monsoons always bring in their trail viral fevers among several other distresses. Yet, just because you, or a loved one is sniffling, have body aches, and a raging fever does not mean that you must seek antivirals. The wisest thing to do would be to see your family doctor, or one of our physicians to rule out any major ailment which should be treated with antivirals, or at least needs a course of antibiotics to prevent secondary infections. Remember, antibiotics are normally not needed for virus related infections; but only for bacterial infections.

Know That Herbs Can Work Wonders To Provide Relief

However, if the symptoms are mild, or you want to act as soon as you experience distress; then read on to learn about these herbs which can work wonders to provide relief. Some viral fevers need to run their course. Under such circumstances, the primary goal of the care giver is to provide relief from incessant coughing, a runny nose, sneezing, and body aches. Even though you may not have realized it, the most effective remedies are in your kitchen, or in the fridge. They often are a part of your daily cooking. Barring sweet dishes in northern and western India, there are probably few recipes which do not incorporate ginger, garlic, and turmeric.

Give Life That Extra Tang

Ginger is a multi-purpose herb. Slice it into juliennes, grate it, juice it, grind it, or powder it to use in tea, in curries, and to dress salads to give your food that extra tang. Use ginger to make an unguent to relieve aching joints. It will give immediate relief in nausea (a common malaise in viral fevers); soothe your sore throat; ease cramps; and clear your lungs. Gingerol in ginger wards off bacteria, adds an extra sparkle to your smile by preventing gingivitis and other periodontal diseases, helps you digest your food better to prevent gas and dyspepsia; while its anti-inflammatory properties help in treating symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. To reduce fever without OTC drugs, add ginger juice to a spoon of honey, and the juice of black basil (Krishna tulsi) leaves, and warm in an iron ladle. Drink the juice warm, and don’t eat or drink anything for at least an hour.

The Versatile Turmeric Gives You Many Interesting Options

Curcumin in turmeric gives it antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is common enough to add turmeric to gravies, and daals; use it to coat raw vegetables and fish before frying; and add it to a glass of warm milk to relieve pain from trauma. Its antimicrobial character limits the replication of many different fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Most importantly, its ability to boost your immunity will ensure that you do not succumb to any viral infections easily. In case you do get infected, it will inhibit replication of viral cells to enable reduction of symptoms, and help you recover faster.

Know the Power of Garlic

Adding garlic cloves or paste to cooked food not only enhances its flavor and taste; its antiviral properties spur activity against rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, influenza A and B, HIV, HSV-1, and viral pneumonia. It is also known to fight bronchitis. However, to get the full benefit of garlic’s multifarious properties, you should swallow a full, peeled clove on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Freshly crushed garlic and black pepper in raasam can go a long way in boosting your immune system, and helping to fight infections. You might want to add freshly crushed garlic, not paste, to bone broth, and drink it hot to nourish, strengthen, and hydrate you, while relieving you of fever. Adding garlic juice to hot water, and drinking it will not only reduce fever when you are suffering from a viral infection; it will flush out toxins from your body when you begin sweating as a result.

Use the Antioxidant Rich Oregano to Combat Viral Fevers

Ajwain seeds, and its extract, referred to as aquaptychotis, are used often in most Indian homes. When it is called oregano, kids imagine that it is a Mediterranean herb. It is rich in antioxidants thymol, carvacrol, limonene, terpinene, ocimene, and caryophyllene. The oregano flavor and fragrance that pizza lovers are familiar with comes from the dried, crushed leaves of the herb. It can be used as a topping or stuffing of baked dishes; as a seasoning for several dishes, especially fish lentils, sauces, and legumes by way of marinades; as an essential oil; or simply kneaded into the dough of pizza, parathas, and cheese bread. Oregano fights depression, boosts immunity; overcomes inflammation; battles fungal, bacterial, and viral infections; relieves asthma; aids digestion to fight cramps and diarrhea; and soothes aching muscles. It is a natural antibiotic as it is loaded with phytonutrients thymol and carvacrol.

Start Whistling with Black Pepper

Often it is thought that the main use of black pepper is in continental dishes. Ironically, few people are aware that black pepper is one of the spices which have grown in India from time immemorial. It is extremely beneficial for the throat and lungs to help strengthen respiratory health. It keeps viral infections at bay as it is rich in vitamin C, and other antibacterial and antiviral properties boost the immune system. Crush it, powder it, wet grind it, or simply add it whole to the chhonk (tempering) of the fried rice, daal, meat, or egg gravy. The pungency it adds might make you whistle, but will fight colds, coughs, sneezes, and fever more effectively than most prescription medicines.
Avoid these: Sugar helps viruses and bacteria thrive. So, you should avoid like the plague oversweet carbonated drinks during a viral fever. Dairy products might aggravate your cough and cold. So, it would be inadvisable to drink milk or lassi when you have a fever.

Content Reviewed by – Asian Hospital Medical Editors

 

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