Fever: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Fever, a rise in body temperature above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, is a symptom of infection, inflammation, or illness caused by factors such as bacterial or viral infections, allergic reactions, or autoimmune diseases.

If left untreated, high fever can lead to complications like dehydration, organ damage, and even death. To alleviate fever, herbal remedies like peppermint, ginger, and elderflower can be used in teas, infusions, or tinctures.

However, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially for children and those with underlying health conditions, as excessive use can lead to adverse reactions or interact with medications.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of fever, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of fever?

The main causes of fever are typically infections, which can be bacterial, viral, or fungal in nature, and occur when the body's immune response is triggered by the presence of pathogens such as viruses (e.g., influenza, COVID-19), bacteria (e.g., streptococcus, staphylococcus), or fungi (e.g., candida, histoplasma).

Other causes of fever include inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders, like lupus, and allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis. Additionally, fever can be caused by non-infectious factors, including medications, such as antibiotics, vaccines, and certain types of cancer, like lymphoma. In rare cases, fever can be caused by other medical conditions, such as kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and some types of neurological disorders.

The onset of fever can also be triggered by environmental factors, including exposure to extreme temperatures, dehydration, and certain toxins.

• Urs: Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply, causing an immune response that leads to a fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
• Pneum: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the lungs and cause inflammation, leading to a fever as the body responds to the infection.
• Gastro: Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, is an infection of the stomach and intestines caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, resulting in a fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
• Tonsill: Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, leading to a fever as the body responds to the infection.
• Sinus: Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection of the sinuses, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, resulting in a fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
• Mening: Meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to a fever as the body responds to the infection.
• Ear In: Ear infections, also known as otitis media, occur when bacteria or viruses enter the middle ear and cause inflammation, resulting in a fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
• Rheum: Rheumatic fever is a complication of strep throat, caused by an autoimmune response to the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, leading to a fever as the body responds to the infection.
• TB: Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body, resulting in a fever as the body attempts to fight off the infection.
• Malaria: Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, causing a fever as the body responds to the infection.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for fever?

The main medicinal herbs used for fever are Echinacea purpurea, Cinchona officinalis, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Eucalyptus globulus, Sambucus nigra, Andrographis paniculata, Artemisia absinthium, Curcuma longa.

Echinacea purpurea's alkylamides inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing fever's intensity. Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, which has antipyretic properties by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, lowering fever. Zingiber officinale's gingerols and shogaols possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, providing symptomatic relief from fever.

The antipyretic properties of the remaining herbs vary, with Ginkgo biloba's flavonoids and terpenoids, Glycyrrhiza glabra's saponins and Eucalyptus globulus's eucalyptol, Sambucus nigra's anthocyanins, Andrographis paniculata's andrographolide, Artemisia absinthium's thujone, and Curcuma longa's curcumin all exhibiting varying degrees of antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity.

• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea helps with fever by stimulating the immune system to produce interferon, a protein that inhibits viral replication and reduces fever.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis helps with fever by containing quinine, a compound that reduces fever by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that induce fever.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale helps with fever by containing gingerols and shogaols, compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, which help to reduce inflammation and fever.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have a direct effect on reducing fever, but it can help to improve circulation and oxygenation of tissues, which can aid in the recovery from fever.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with fever by containing glycyrrhizin, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, which help to reduce inflammation and fever.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus helps with fever by releasing camphor and eucalyptol, compounds that have decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to relieve fever and congestion.
• Sambucus nigra: Sambucus nigra helps with fever by containing flavonoids and anthocyanins, compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which can help to reduce fever and alleviate symptoms of respiratory infections.
• Andrographis paniculata: Andrographis paniculata helps with fever by containing andrographolide, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, which help to reduce inflammation and fever.
• Artemisia absinthium: Artemisia absinthium does not have a direct effect on reducing fever, but it can help to improve circulation and oxygenation of tissues, which can aid in the recovery from fever.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa helps with fever by containing curcumin, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, which help to reduce inflammation and fever.

What are the main herbal preparations used for fever?

The main herbal preparations used for fever are Decoction, Tincture, Poultice, Salve, Suppository, Capsule, Ointment, Cream, Elixir, Gel.

Decoction is a liquid extract made by boiling herbs in water, releasing fever-reducing compounds such as salicylic acid from Willow bark or terpenoids from Echinacea root. Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made by steeping herbs in a solvent, providing a standardized dose of fever-fighting compounds like glycosides from Yarrow or alkaloids from Ephedra. Poultice and Salve are topical applications applied directly to the skin, using herbal extracts to reduce fever and relieve associated symptoms, often containing menthol from Peppermint or camphor from Camphor tree.

Suppository, Capsule, Ointment, Cream, Elixir, and Gel preparations deliver fever-reducing compounds directly to the body, often using ingredients like acetaminophen from Willow bark or ibuprofen from Ginger root.

• Decoction: A decoction of herbs such as Echinacea purpurea helps with fever because it releases bioactive compounds that modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation in the body.
• Tincture: A tincture of herbs like Ginkgo biloba helps with fever because it contains glycosides and flavonoids that have antipyretic properties, reducing the body temperature and alleviating symptoms of fever.
• Poultice: A poultice of plants like Calendula officinalis helps with fever because it releases antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce heat and swelling in the affected area, promoting healing and comfort.
• Salve: A salve of herbs like Aloe vera helps with fever because it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like aloe-emodin that reduce heat and swelling, providing relief from fever and associated discomfort.
• Suppository: A suppository of herbs like Willow bark (Salix alba) helps with fever because it releases salicin, a compound that has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing body temperature and alleviating symptoms of fever.
• Capsule: A capsule of herbs like Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with fever because it contains menthol, a compound that has a cooling effect on the body, reducing heat and discomfort associated with fever.
• Ointment: An ointment of herbs like Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) helps with fever because it releases antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce heat and swelling, promoting healing and comfort in the affected area.
• Cream: A cream of herbs like Aloe vera helps with fever because it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like aloe-emodin that reduce heat and swelling, providing relief from fever and associated discomfort.
• Elixir: An elixir of herbs like Ginkgo biloba helps with fever because it contains glycosides and flavonoids that have antipyretic properties, reducing the body temperature and alleviating symptoms of fever.
• Gel: A gel of herbs like Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with fever because it contains menthol, a compound that has a cooling effect on the body, reducing heat and discomfort associated with fever.