First, I am NOT a doctor and each individual needs to do what is best for them. I am simply sharing what works for me and my child. With this said…
I can count on one hand how many times Luna, my three year old, has been sick during her lifetime. All the ailments were minor colds and one 24 hour stomach bug. This past weekend Luna woke up with a fever on Saturday morning. I wasn’t worried because she was happy, ate breakfast as usual, drank the juice of three fresh squeezed oranges and continued her morning routine like normal. I went to work and returned around midday to learn Luna was burning up. When she woke up from her nap, we ate lunch as usual and played. No symptoms, only a 101-102F fever. Again, no concern because she acted as she normally did and showed no signs of discomfort. Luna’s fever continued through the weekend, reaching a high of 103.5F on Sunday and a low of 99.8F on Monday. Again, acted completely normal with her playing, running, eating and drinking. Luna was completely without fever on Tuesday – it had run it’s course naturally.
Getting back to why Luna has only been sick less than 5 times in her life – I am not your run of the mill mom and I have to remind myself that what I do is not the norm. I live, embrace, breath a lifestyle of complete health from foods to products and so does my child. If you allow a body to grow and mature without the poisons/toxins that it can be subjected to, it WILL fight disease beautifully and efficiently.
Fevers are normally safe. The fever is the body’s way of controlling it’s immune response. It’s one of the body’s line of defense in fighting viruses, so why would you want to lower or rid it when the fever is the actual cure… Unless the child is three moths of age with a fever over 100.4F or has heart problems, the fever should be allowed to run its course. Research actually shows that unnaturally bringing fevers down can actually prolong illnesses! As for febrile seizures, they are caused by rapid change in body temperature. Research shows they are quick and do not cause brain damage nor do they harm the child – they are upsetting for a parent to watch though. Did you know that bringing down a fever too quickly with fever reducing products can in fact cause febrile seizures too!? Food for thought…
My protocol for this past fever:
1. I rubbed 3 drops of Oil Of Oregano on Luna’s feet and covered them with socks. I did this 3 times a day. She is still too young to ingest. Children from ages 6-10 can ingest 1-3 drops mixed in water once a day. Children 10 years and older can ingest 1-3 drops 2 to 3 times a day. Why Oil Of Oregano? It is known to be a VERY potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic oil that can reduce pain & inflammation and effectively fight off infections, while strengthening the immune system.
2. I also placed cool, damp, cold cloth with apple cider vinegar on Luna’s forehead, back of neck and under arms on Sunday when fever spiked.
3. I kept her more hydrated than usual and made sure to give her extra fresh squeezed orange juice. She had the juice of 7 oranges on Sunday alone! I also gave her Peppermint tea which reduces fevers and cools the body internally, while causing external sweating to rid toxins. I have also used Peppermint Oil on Luna’s feet to reduce a fever as well as on chest and behind ear lobes to clear sinuses. Luna also drank Licorice Tea (her favorite) which is a great detoxer of the body.
4. I gave Luna 1 teaspoon of Manuka Honey, another huge antiviral and antibacterial food that boost immune system. Luna has a teaspoon of this everyday as is or mixed in teas or with apples. Ok, maaaaybe a little more than 1 teaspoon! 😉
5. I tried to keep her calm with puzzles, books, coloring and anything where she sat or lied down – especially on Sunday.
6. Blueberries – we have these every morning anyways; but did you know they are high in natural aspirin, can help lower fever and relieve aches and pains?!
7. Coconut Oil – 1 teaspoon provides antivirus, antibacterial and anitfungal properties. I use it to grease pan for eggs in the morning.
Other Natural Fever Reducers:
Lavender Oil – place on forehead, temples, back of neck, and bottoms of feet. Works great too!
Elder Flowers – Act not only as a relaxant (nervine), but also as a diaphoretic (makes you sweat), which is important with fevers. The relaxing part of the herb will help the tissues relax and allow blood flow to increase to the peripheral areas of the body. This causes the skin’s pores to open up and let the body sweat. This sweating helps to release the built up tension within the body and to cool it down as well. If you are planning on using elder flower tea for your little babe when they have a fever, you need to get them to drink it as hot as possible for it to help them with their fever. If they drink it cool, it will only cause them to pee, and that’s not what you’re looking for.
Here’s How To Make Elder Flower Tea – Boil hot water and pour over a tablespoon of Elder Flowers, cover it and let sit for 5 minutes. Add some raw or local honey. You can give 1 – 2 cups
Ginger Tea – boil water and place an inch of fresh ginger root along with honey and lemon to bring down fever. Ginger is an antimicrobial, honey is an antimicrobial and antibacterial, and lemon has high amounts of Vitamin C.
Apple Cider Vinegar – soak cloth in apple cider vinegar and wrap around feet, pour one cup of it in a bath and soak, and soak cloth and place on forehead and tummy (I’ve only used soaked cloth on forehead, neck and underarms).
Calcium Lactate – This can help a sick child and adult feel more comfortable. It works with a fever to make it more effective and usually being over more quickly 🙂 When the body fights infection it takes calcium out the bones to be used by white blood cells. This process can make you feel achy, so sometimes it’s easier to give the body what it needs.
Warm Bath – A cold bath can shock the body into trying to raise the internal temperature even more – exactly what you don’t want! A bath should be warm to very warm, having the temperature drops slowly as it cools down.
Soak your socks – Try the wet-sock treatment, a popular folk remedy for fever. First warm feet in hot water. Then soak a thin pair of cotton socks in cold water, wring them out, and put them on just before going to bed. Put a pair of dry wool socks over the wet ones. This approach helps ease a fever by drawing blood to the feet, which dramatically increases blood circulation.
Garlic Paste – Chop or food process 2 cloves of garlic into a paste, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil. Place mixture on gauze and use tape to secure around bottoms of feet. Cover with socks. Leave on for 4 hours or so at night while child sleeps
Other Options To Speed Up Recovery:
Fermented Cod Liver Oil – Dose is 1/2 teaspoon for children 3 months – 12 years. This seems to greatly reduce the duration of the illness and also gives the sick person/child important immune boosting nutrients.
Probiotics – The immune system is directly correlated with the gut. This supports immune and gut health.
Bone Broths – Broth (or technically, stock) is a mineral rich soup made by boiling bones of healthy animals with vegetables, herbs and spices. It’s an excellent source of minerals and is known to boost the immune system and improve digestion. Its high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and very high in the amino acids proline and glycine which are vital for healthy connective tissue.
Most importantly, is nourishing your body and your child’s body with organic, healthy foods that will support and boost the immune system naturally. Therefore, preventing illness and not needing medical attention all together.
Be happy and stay healthy!
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