Feverish Feeling: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A feverish feeling, characterized by a sensation of heat or burning sensation in the body, often accompanied by sweating, chills, and fatigue, is a common symptom of various health conditions.

It can be caused by infections, viral or bacterial, exposure to extreme temperatures, or underlying medical conditions. If left untreated, a feverish feeling can lead to dehydration, organ damage, and impaired immune function. To alleviate this condition, herbal remedies such as peppermint, ginger, and yarrow can be used in teas, infusions, or topical applications.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of feverish feeling, 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 feverish feeling?

The main causes of feverish feeling are typically related to an overactive immune response, which can be triggered by viral or bacterial infections, such as influenza, COVID-19, or pneumonia.

Other possible causes include autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, as well as inflammatory conditions like appendicitis or diverticulitis. Additionally, certain medications like antibiotics, antihistamines, or vaccines can cause fever as a side effect. Infections caused by parasites, such as malaria or toxoplasmosis, can also lead to feverish feelings.

Furthermore, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, or other heat-related illnesses can also cause feverish symptoms.

• Common Cold: The common cold is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals that trigger a fever response in the body.
• Flu: The flu, or influenza, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system, causing inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals that stimulate the body's temperature regulation centers to produce a fever.
• Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, cause the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals and the production of pyrogens, which stimulate the body's temperature regulation centers to produce a fever in response to the infection.
• Viral Infections: Viral infections, such as chickenpox or measles, cause the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals and the production of pyrogens, which stimulate the body's temperature regulation centers to produce a fever in response to the infection.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to a decrease in the body's metabolic rate and a compensatory increase in body temperature, resulting in a feverish feeling.
• Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as antibiotics or antihistamines, can cause a feverish feeling as a side effect, often due to the stimulation of the body's temperature regulation centers or the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals.
• Migraines: Migraines are a type of headache disorder that can cause inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to a feverish feeling and other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light.
• Anxiety and Stress: Chronic anxiety and stress can cause inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to a feverish feeling and other symptoms such as fatigue and irritability.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menopause or puberty, can cause inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to a feverish feeling and other symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for feverish feeling?

The main medicinal herbs used for feverish feeling are Echinacea purpurea, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Cinchona officinalis, Eucalyptus globulus, Sambucus nigra, Artemisia absinthium, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Andrographis paniculata, Lavandula angustifolia.

Echinacea purpurea's immunomodulatory properties help stimulate the immune system to fight off infections, while Zingiber officinale's anti-inflammatory compounds, such as gingerol and shogaol, reduce fever and alleviate pain. Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, which has antipyretic and antimalarial properties, whereas Eucalyptus globulus' essential oils exhibit decongestant and expectorant effects, relieving respiratory symptoms. Sambucus nigra's flavonoids and glycosides possess antimicrobial and antipyretic activities, whereas Artemisia absinthium's thujone has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

Glycyrrhiza glabra's licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties, while Andrographis paniculata's andrographolide exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and Lavandula angustifolia's linalool and linalyl acetate display sedative and antipyretic properties.

• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea is believed to help with feverish feeling due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid in reducing the severity and duration of infections.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps alleviate feverish feeling by releasing chemical compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with fever.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba has been traditionally used to aid in reducing fever due to its potential to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, although its effectiveness in treating fever is still being researched.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, which has been used to treat malaria, a disease characterized by fever, and its antipyretic properties may help alleviate feverish feeling.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus is often used as a decongestant and expectorant to help relieve symptoms associated with colds and flu, which may include feverish feeling, due to its volatile oils that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• Sambucus nigra: Sambucus nigra, also known as elderberry, is believed to help alleviate feverish feeling due to its antiviral properties, which may aid in reducing the severity and duration of infections such as the flu.
• Artemisia absinthium: Artemisia absinthium, also known as wormwood, has antimalarial properties, which may help alleviate feverish feeling associated with malaria, although its effectiveness in treating fever is still being researched.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice root, has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate feverish feeling by reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation.
• Andrographis paniculata: Andrographis paniculata has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which may help alleviate feverish feeling by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system's response to infection.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as lavender, is often used to promote relaxation and reduce stress, which may help alleviate feverish feeling by reducing anxiety and promoting a restful night's sleep.

What are the main herbal preparations used for feverish feeling?

The main herbal preparations used for feverish feeling are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Poultice, Elixir, Tea, Cream, Ointment.

Decoction involves boiling herbs in water to create a liquid extract, often used for roots and bark, which is effective in reducing fever by releasing flavonoids and terpenoids that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Tincture, a concentrated liquid solution of herbs in a solvent, is used for its antipyretic properties, containing bioactive compounds like glycosides and alkaloids that help to regulate body temperature. Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Poultice, Elixir, Tea, Cream, and Ointment are other preparations used for feverish feeling, each containing different bioactive compounds that target fever reduction, such as antipyretic essential oils in Salve, antiviral flavonoids in Elixir, anti-inflammatory alkaloids in Capsule and Suppository, antipyretic terpenes in Tea, Cream, and Ointment, and antimicrobial glycosides in Poultice.

These herbal preparations work together to alleviate feverish feeling by modulating the body's thermoregulation, reducing inflammation, and combating infection.

• Decoction: A decoction of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) helps with feverish feeling because its primary sesquiterpene lactone, parthenolide, has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort.
• Tincture: A tincture of Echinacea purpurea helps with feverish feeling because its bioactive compounds, including alkylamides and caffeic acid derivatives, stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby alleviating fever and associated symptoms.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the dried leaves of Peumus boldus helps with feverish feeling because its primary alkaloid, boldine, has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also stimulating the immune system to combat underlying infections.
• Suppository: A suppository of Aloe barbadensis gel helps with feverish feeling because its primary compounds, including aloin and aloe-emodin, have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also soothing and moisturizing the rectal mucosa.
• Salve: A salve of Plantago major helps with feverish feeling because its primary mucilage, psyllium, has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also soothing and protecting the skin and mucous membranes.
• Poultice: A poultice of Calendula officinalis helps with feverish feeling because its primary triterpenoids, including calendulin and calendic acid, have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also promoting wound healing and tissue repair.
• Elixir: An elixir of Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with feverish feeling because its primary triterpenoid saponin, glycyrrhizin, has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also stimulating the immune system to combat underlying infections.
• Tea: A tea of Camellia sinensis helps with feverish feeling because its primary catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate, have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also stimulating the immune system to combat underlying infections.
• Cream: A cream of Symphytum officinale helps with feverish feeling because its primary alkaloid, allantoin, has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also soothing and protecting the skin and mucous membranes.
• Ointment: An ointment of Hypericum perforatum helps with feverish feeling because its primary naphthodianthrones, including hyperforin and hypericin, have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties that reduce fever and alleviate associated pain and discomfort, while also stimulating the immune system to combat underlying infections.