Lets Talk About Fevers

We are living thru a historic event. The coronavirus will be something our grandchildren learn about in history class. We want them to talk about how well we handled this. Right now, not a lot is being said about what to do if you think you have the virus. They are recommending that you STAY AT HOME. This is nothing new to those of us in Natural Medicine. A visit to the emergency room needs to be avoided if at all possible. If you go and you are not sick, you just exposed yourself and loved ones, because THAT is where the sick people are! If you are sick, you just exposed everyone you came into contact with on the way there. So, they are recommending that you CALL your doctor and stay home. This is very scary to a lot of people, because they don’t know what to do. How do I care for someone sick at home? Our grandmothers did it – and we can too! Knowledge is power, and I hope to share some old-fashioned knowledge that may help you, if you need to care for someone in your home.

Let’s Talk About Fevers

Why do you run a fever? Most fevers are caused by viral or bacterial infections. When the body is infected, it responds by making more white blood cells and leukocytes that destroy viruses and bacteria. Fever increases the activity of these cells, a process called leucotaxis. A normal temperature is between 96.6 – 99.4. An infection may cause a fever of 105. Although a high fever is frightening, most of the time the body will work thru it without medical intervention. Remember this, FEVER IS YOUR FRIEND. It helps to burn out the virus or bacteria infection. Fever can help most viral infections go away more quickly than drugs. There is nothing the doctor can do to dispose of a viral infection any quicker than you can. In fact, medication often interferes with the bodies’ attempt to get well since it works to suppress the fever. If you lower your temperature by taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen, you simply hinder the process, not to mention damage to the liver, kidneys, or stomach lining.

Isn’t a high fever dangerous? The main danger to be aware of with a high fever is DEHYDRATION. You must keep the body moist. Remember this: Dry heat kills – Moist heat heals! A small child (20-30 lbs.) needs to drink at least 1-2 oz every hour, a 40 lb. child needs 3 oz every hour, a medium size child (85 lbs) needs 6 oz. every hour and an adult needs 12 oz or more. It really works best to use a cup that you can mark the measurement and keep track of what they are drinking. Taking a nice warm ginger bath is another way to get fluid into the body. The only time to be really worried about a high fever is after a head injury, poisoning, or heat exposure, otherwise in most cases, the body knows when to shut it off – your body is smart!

Won’t a high fever cause convulsions? No, it really is the rapid rise in fever that might cause them. So if the fever is rising fast, you might try to slow it down a little. Some people have used a cloth dipped in apple cider vinegar and then gently wiping the arms and legs down. It smells, but as it evaporates, it helps the body to cool down a bit. Yet, doesn’t interfere with the job a fever needs to accomplish.

If you feel the need to reduce a fever, you may make a tea/infusion, of elder flowers and peppermint leaves, steep 15 minutes, strain and sweeten. Another great herbal tea to use with children is red raspberry leaves; it has a lot of minerals/electrolytes which help balance the body and are lost during a high fever. Natural electrolyte supplements are also available. I like EmergenC pkts, Cell Food, Ionic Minerals, and Liquid Chlorophyll. Electrolytes are also lost during diarrhea, so if you have that plus the fever, you need to be doubly sure to STAY HYDRATED!

What does dehydration look like? A dehydrated person will be listless, pale, and his skin is looser and kind of floppy. Check him in a plump area, like the forearm or legs, by pinching the skin to see if it is loose or normal. If you are not able to keep them HYDRATED, you must get medical help! We are so used to going to the hospital for an IV, but if you keep on TOP of it, you can prevent dehydration and stay safely at home.

I hope this helps you to understand the work of a fever in your body. There is no need to “shut it off”. Let it run its course. It is very important to STAY HYDRATED! Remember, FEVER IS YOUR FRIEND, helping you to fight off the virus or bacterial infection.

Sore Muscles, Headaches, Anxiousness, and Sleeplessness

What do these things have in common? Lack of magnesium. Symptoms of magnesium depletion include stress, fatigue, low energy, inability to sleep, muscle tension, spasms and cramps, anxiousness and nervousness, irritability, headaches, weakness, PMS, hormone imbalances, weakening bones, abnormal heart rhythm, and constipation. If you suffer from several of these, you might want to consider a daily magnesium supplement.

Most magnesium is stored in your cells, not in your blood, so blood tests aren’t really a helpful measure for this deficiency. I am sure you have experienced doing hard work and then feeling the achy muscles that follow. Some of that is caused by the body using up that stored magnesium in those muscles. Stress also will burn up a lot of magnesium from the body’s stores, so make sure to supplement more magnesium during times of stress or intense labor/work out.

Heart palpitations may also be caused by lack of magnesium, the heart is a muscle after all and the body likes to store magnesium in the muscles. One of the first things they will give you in the emergency room with heart palpitations is an IV of magnesium. Been working out in the hot sun and now feeling weak? Electrolytes including magnesium and minerals are important to be replenished to keep the body balanced.

One of my favorite forms of magnesium is CALM by Natural Vitality. It is a powder, which is mixed into water and then will fizz up. Best taken about an hour before bed, this will help with sleep. Magnesium relaxes the muscles and the mind from thinking too much. Ah yes…relax and be calm! This same company has come out with CALM Gummies that are delicious and wonderful for children too. I also like the CALM Magnesium Cream to rub directly on those hurting muscles. My daughter used this cream to relieve the horrible backache she had after her open heart surgery. The cream is another great thing to use with kids, try it for those “growing pains” or terrible leg/foot cramps.

Many people like the “glycinate” form of magnesium. It works well and is recommended often by doctors for women’s cramping and PMS issues. The glycinate form is a bit easier on the bowels and so can be taken in higher doses. Typically magnesium oxide is helpful for constipation, but some forms may be too harsh for those prone to diarrhea or IBS. Glycinate or malate forms may be helpful in these situations.

Another product which includes magnesium that I always keep in my purse is Formula 303. It is a homeopathic preparation which means that it has very little chance of side effects or interactions with medications. Formula 303 contains magnesium, valerian, and passion flower. I use it for headaches, achy muscles, or to help me relax when stressed and to help me sleep. This one I always take with me when I travel.

Stop by the store to try a sample and to discuss with me which product might be the best for your needs. Too much yard work or exercise? We have safe options for pain relief!

Mullein: "The Respiratory Herb"

Mullein is one of my favorite herbs to have on hand for winter. I used it often in our home while raising my children and now for my grandchildren. It is soothing for respiratory symptoms, coughing, drainage down the back of the throat, or earaches. Mullein, Verbascus thapsus, grows in fields and along the side of the road in Ohio. You may even find it in the crack of the driveway. It loves poor soil. Mullein is a biennial, which means it only lives for two years. The first year it grows in a simple rosette of soft, fuzzy, oblong leaves. The second year it sends up a tall stalk and blooms with tiny yellow flowers. Leave the stalk to release seeds for the next year.

You can use flowers, leaves, and roots for herbal medicine. I use the leaves the most, as an expectorant and bactericidal, wonderful for the respiratory system. Its long list of traditional herbal uses include: allergies, asthma, bronchitis, broken bones, coughs, croup, diarrhea, earaches, emphysema, swollen glands, lungs, swollen joints, and pain. It also has sedative properties. Mullein flowers can be used as an antiseptic for wounds, to prevent infection, and soothe nerve pain. I love to make earache oil from the flowers. I call it, “liquid gold”, because you have to go out each day to pick just a few flowers and save them up until you have enough to make the oil. Mullein roots have uses too – make into a tincture for bedwetting, symptoms of facial nerve pain, or for bones when something seems “out of joint”.

I have used mullein for swollen glands in the neck. Make a tea of the leaves, add peppermint and sweeten if you like, and drink a quart a day. Also make a strong tea to use externally on a cloth over the swelling. You will quickly see the lymphatic inflammation go down in the gland. You can also dip a whole fresh leave in hot water and use it as a poultice on the swelling.

I have seen mullein do wonders for people just out of the hospital with bronchitis or complications of COPD.Mullein tea makes a very inexpensive, safe, and effective herbal medicine! A favorite combination for use with asthma or other breathing difficulties is to use 3 parts mullein with 1 part lobelia in a tincture form. See Dr. Christopher’s writings to learn more about how to use mullein to help with breathing and opening up the bronchial airways.

Nature’s Sunshine has a terrific formula called ALJ. I use it and keep it as a staple in my herb cupboard. I like to make it into a glycerite tincture for my granddaughter, as she likes the taste of my homemade remedy better. This recipe is tried and true – it works! I use it as a decongestant/expectorant with colds and allergies. Here is how I make it.

Lisa’s Version of ALJ – In a pint jar place one-fourth cup of each herb: Boneset, Fennel Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds, Horseradish Root, and Mullein Leaves. In a large measuring cup mix together: One and one-third cup hot water with two-thirds cup vegetable glycerine. Pour the liquid over the herbs in the jar, make sure the herbs are covered well. Screw on lid. Let set for 2 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain and put liquid into a tincture bottle. Dose: 2 dropperfuls every 2 hours for an adult for 3 days, as you feel better reduce the dose to 3 times a day. May use once a day for more chronic allergies, usually in the morning. To figure a child’s dose, go by body size – half an adult size body gets half a dose (1 dropperful), a smaller child maybe one-fourth a dose or half a dropperful.

Directions for Earache Oil – Collect as many mullein flowers as you can, dry them slightly by laying them out for a few days on a plate. Place the wilted and dried flowers in a glass canning jar that is size appropriate to the amount of flowers you have gathered, they should only fill it halfway. Cover the flowers generously with olive oil. Screw on lid. Let set for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and place in a tincture bottle with dropper. To use, warm the oil by setting the bottle in a glass of hot water, test the oil on your wrist. Place 3 drops warm oil in the ear, followed with half a cotton ball to keep it warm. Use as needed for the pain.

Take the time to gather your herbs, dry them, and make your tinctures and oils before you actually need them. Be prepared with these wonderful remedies at home. Save money, use less drugs, have less need for doctor’s appointments, and keep your family healthy! Call ME, your local herbalist, if you need help.