Not only by taking over-the-counter fever relievers, traditional fever medicines can also be used to lower body temperature when you have a fever. What are the traditional fever medicines?
Fever is a form of the body's immune reaction against infections, whether caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. The normal human body temperature is around 37°C. But when you have a fever, your body temperature can increase by about 1 – 5oC.
When you have a fever, there are several ways that you can also try to relieve a fever, including:
- Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses (about 2 liters) a day.
- Enough rest. When sick, the body needs adequate sleep (at least 8 hours).
- Take a shower with warm water.
- Use a fever compress with room temperature water (not cold or hot water).
Various Traditional Fever Medicines
In fact, fever does not always need to be treated with fever-reducing drugs. If the fever is mild (no more than 38.5°C), simple treatment steps can be taken by drinking more water, resting, or taking traditional fever medicine.
However, if the increase in body temperature has reached 38.5°C or more, then medical treatment needs to be done immediately. In children and infants, high fever is at risk of causing febrile seizures and dehydration.
If you want to use traditional medicine, here are some traditional fever medicine options that you can try:
1. Ginger
The first traditional medicine that can relieve fever is ginger. This traditional herbal medicine contains substances that can eradicate bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and have a good anti-inflammatory effect to relieve fever and pain.
Besides being used as a traditional fever medicine, ginger can also help relieve coughs, colds, sore throats, and nausea.
2. Turmeric
Besides being used as a cooking spice, this native Indonesian spice is also useful for reducing fever naturally. This is thanks to the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties present in turmeric.
In addition to fever, turmeric is also believed to be useful for dealing with other health problems, such as colds, sore throat, infections, and hypertension. However, the claims for the benefits of turmeric still need to be investigated further.
3. gotu kola leaves
gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is widely used as a herbal medicine to treat several skin disorders, such as eczema and psoriasis, helps wound healing, and disguises scars.
Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, gotu kola leaves are also considered good for traditional fever medicine. However, the effectiveness of this plant as a traditional fever medicine still needs to be investigated further.
4. Sambiloto
Although it tastes very bitter, the anti-inflammatory content contained in bitter is considered useful for overcoming fever. In addition, this herbal plant is also traditionally known to treat coughs, colds, digestive disorders, sore throats, and sinusitis.
5. Ginseng
Ginseng is an herbal plant from Korea that has been worldwide. Plants that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and antiviral effects are good for relieving fever. In addition, ginseng is also traditionally used to treat pain and premature ejaculation.
In addition to the various natural ingredients above, there are still some natural herbal remedies that are known to help relieve fever, such as telang flower and brotowali.
The traditional fever medicine mentioned above is indeed considered good for relieving fever. But scientifically, there are not many medical studies that can confirm these claims.
If the fever does not subside despite trying some traditional fever medicines, it is advisable to use over-the-counter fever medicines, such as paracetamol.
If your fever doesn't subside after 3 days, if your fever is over 39°C, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a severe headache, sore throat, skin rash, vomiting, and shortness of breath, you should get checked out. Go to the doctor for further treatment.