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Nobody’s safe from the nasty bugs lurking on every door knob and office printer. As previously mentioned, there are ways to prevent your body from the worst and boost your immune system but what to do once you caught it? You don’t have to immediately go to extreme measures and pump your system with antibiotics, there are some good proven natural ways to relieve symptoms, lower temperature and help your body to recover. Some might sound odd but give it a shot, you’ll be surprised:

Lowering the body temperature – the natural way

When you are experiencing a high body temperature, it’s usually the body’s way of self-defense. A lot of viruses and bacteria are very sensitive to temperature and die at around 37°C, your body heats up to protect you.

Therefore medication should only be given if you reach a threatening level which normally is considered at and above around 39°C. It is never wrong to see a doctor when feeling unwell, however, one or two days of a slight fever is usually nothing to worry about. If the temperature rises and or you experience other symptoms, a doctor or nurse should be consulted.

The most simple and easiest remedies to recovery are rest, plenty of water and fluids (that doesn’t include boozing!), leg or calf compresses, foot baths and vinegar socks.

• Lots of rest and sleep is crucial when you’re experiencing  high temperature. It help the body to recover and fight off the nastiness. Also make sure there’s plenty of fresh air in the room.
• Drinking is also very important, 0.5 to 1 litre of fluids per degree above 37°C, is a good start to keep your body hydrated. In addition you want to have some soup or stock to give your body some needed minerals. Don’t drink alcoholic fluids.
• Very well known and common remedies for a fever are leg and calf compresses. It has been a well proven traditional remedy to bring down a high temperature, it’s easy to do and doesn’t require any other ingredients except water. Using room-temperature water, soak two towels, wring them out and wrap them around the calves or around the whole legs. Leave them for about 20mins then check your temperature again, it should have now come down by about 0.5°C. The compresses can be repeated several times a day.
• Foot baths can be useful in the early stages of a high temperature. You should start off with filling your bucket,container ect. with water at room-temperature. Soak your feet and gradually over the next ten minutes the temperature of the water should be increased to 39°C by adding warm water.
• This one usually works very well: vinegar socks. This natural way of lowering a high body temperature isn’t very well known but is a must try. Apple cider vinegar is known to have lots of beneficial qualities: amongst many others it has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, can be used as a toxin cleanser, reduces swelling and pain and can also stimulate the immune system. To use normal apple cider vinegar as a fever reducer, take two cups water (at room-temperature) and two cups vinegar and place a pair of socks. Soak the socks in the water-vinegar mixture and wring out well. Now put them on and leave to do it’s magic for about 45 to 60 minutes. This can be repeated up to 3 times a day.

Curing straight out of your kitchen, five good ways to tackle the fever:

• A good herbal fever recipe:
  • 1 teaspoon yarrow
  • 1 teaspoon elderberry flowers
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint
  • 2 cups water 

Steep herbs in boiling water for about 10 minutes and drink as hot as possible.

• A good way to keep kids hydrated when having a temperature is Popsicles.
• Apple water is a delicious way to relieve fever and hydrate the body at the same time: peel, skin, core, and slice 3 sweet apples. Put them in a pan with 3 3/4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the apples are barely mushy. Remove, strain without pressing apple puree into the liquid, and add 1 or 2 tablespoons honey.
• From the spice rack: Mix 1 teaspoon basil with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and steep in 1 cup hot water to make a tea. Add 1 teaspoon honey and drink two to three times a day.  
• Blackberry vinegar is a fantastic fever elexir but takes preparation and few days to make. How to make it: Pour cider vinegar over a pound or two of blackberries, then cover the container and store it in a cool, dark place for three days. Strain for a day, since it takes time for all the liquid to drain from the berries, and collect the liquid in another container. Then add 2 cups sugar to each 2 1/2 cups juice. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes while you skim the scum off the top. Cool and store in an airtight jar in a cool place. Mix 1 teaspoonful with water to quench the thirst caused by a fever.