Post by Beth on Mar 20, 2020 22:03:51 GMT
Given the likely challenges regarding scarcity in emergency care, I wanted to bring attention to a plant that's traditionally been used to bring down fevers. Read more here about feverfew. The term literally originates from the latin roots for "fever reducer", and it's sometimes been called "medieval aspirin".
It has a history as a natural remedy on multiple continents and its uses are recorded for several centuries back. With that said, it's good to acknowledge the only contemporary clinical studies done with feverfew have focused on its uses as a remedy for migraines and other headaches. The research there is favorable -- and the American Academy of Neurology does recommend it for migraine relief. However, modern medicine is silent on the question of whether it's helpful for bringing down a fever, absent any research. My personal -- not at all scientifically vetted -- sense from reading about its historical uses across time periods and locations is that notwithstanding the lack of contemporary empirical research, it's likely to be helpful in reducing a fever.
Known side effects are mild if any, and would commonly be something like feeling queasy or nauseous. For most people, taking some ginger at the same time would resolve that challenge. It's more rare, but allergies are possible among people with a lot of pollen sensitivity. Lower doses are generally used for kids (but it's generally considered safe for children). I've used it in the form of a tea, for headaches with no side effects. The taste is not particularly pleasant (for me), but it can be mixed with other teas that you enjoy the taste of. Warning: feverfew is generally considered unsafe during pregnancy, because it can help induce contractions, and is also not recommended while breastfeeding.
It can generally be taken safely in the same time period as over the counter fever reducers (aka "anti-pyretics"), such as ibuprofen (advil), acetominophen (tylenol), and aspirin.
The leaves of the plant are what's used as a natural medicine, and the two forms I would recommend are either buying tea bags or the loose dried leaves to make as tea (using a tea strainer or fillable tea bag), or buying a bottled herbal extract or tincture. I don't recommend capsules, for a few reasons. I've never tried the brand, but there's a company that markets tea bags with feverfew and lemongrass (which can be helpful together for headaches), and their product is here. An extract version in a dropper bottle is available here. For those who would want to buy in bulk (because you might want it for headaches as well), you can buy an organic pound of the dried leaves here.
A reminder/qualifier: I would not start using feverfew if you have a low or moderate fever, as it's often best to leave the fever alone to fight a virus or bacterial infection. This would be something I would try with a temperature heading in the direction of 103 degrees.
Take care!
It has a history as a natural remedy on multiple continents and its uses are recorded for several centuries back. With that said, it's good to acknowledge the only contemporary clinical studies done with feverfew have focused on its uses as a remedy for migraines and other headaches. The research there is favorable -- and the American Academy of Neurology does recommend it for migraine relief. However, modern medicine is silent on the question of whether it's helpful for bringing down a fever, absent any research. My personal -- not at all scientifically vetted -- sense from reading about its historical uses across time periods and locations is that notwithstanding the lack of contemporary empirical research, it's likely to be helpful in reducing a fever.
Known side effects are mild if any, and would commonly be something like feeling queasy or nauseous. For most people, taking some ginger at the same time would resolve that challenge. It's more rare, but allergies are possible among people with a lot of pollen sensitivity. Lower doses are generally used for kids (but it's generally considered safe for children). I've used it in the form of a tea, for headaches with no side effects. The taste is not particularly pleasant (for me), but it can be mixed with other teas that you enjoy the taste of. Warning: feverfew is generally considered unsafe during pregnancy, because it can help induce contractions, and is also not recommended while breastfeeding.
It can generally be taken safely in the same time period as over the counter fever reducers (aka "anti-pyretics"), such as ibuprofen (advil), acetominophen (tylenol), and aspirin.
The leaves of the plant are what's used as a natural medicine, and the two forms I would recommend are either buying tea bags or the loose dried leaves to make as tea (using a tea strainer or fillable tea bag), or buying a bottled herbal extract or tincture. I don't recommend capsules, for a few reasons. I've never tried the brand, but there's a company that markets tea bags with feverfew and lemongrass (which can be helpful together for headaches), and their product is here. An extract version in a dropper bottle is available here. For those who would want to buy in bulk (because you might want it for headaches as well), you can buy an organic pound of the dried leaves here.
A reminder/qualifier: I would not start using feverfew if you have a low or moderate fever, as it's often best to leave the fever alone to fight a virus or bacterial infection. This would be something I would try with a temperature heading in the direction of 103 degrees.
Take care!