Fever being a natural healing crisis, it should be helped to run its normal course. Any interference with this natural process by administration of drugs will only enable the body to retain the morbid matter which caused this condition. If dealt with in natural way, the common fever, where there are no complications, will subside in two or three days.
To begin with, the patient should be put on a fast on orange juice and water. The procedure is to take the juice of an orange in a glass of warm water every two hours during the day. It will provide energy, increases urinary output and promote body resistance against infection, thereby hastening recovery. Warm-water enema should be given daily to cleanse the bowels during this period.
After the temperature has come down to normal and the tongue has cleared, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for further two days. In this regimen, he should take three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apple, pear, grapes, orange, pineapple, peach, melon or any other juicy fruit in season. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or plain water, either hot or cold may be taken. Thereafter, the patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on fresh fruits and raw or lightly-cooked vegetables.
Certain home remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of common fever. The use of the leaves of holy basil (tulsi) is the most effective of these remedies. A decoction made by about 12 grams of these leaves, boiled with half a litre of water, should be administered with milk, sugar and powdered cardamom (chhoti elaichi). This will bring down the temperature.
A tea made from fenugreek (methi) seeds is equal in value to quinine in reducing fevers. It is particularly valuable as a cleansing and soothing drink. Fenugreek seeds, when moistened with water becomes slightly mucilaginous, and hence the tea made from them has the power to dissolve sticky substance like mucus.
Other Measures
Cold compresses may be applied to the head in case the temperature rises above 103°F. If this method does not succeed, cold pack may be applied to the whole body. The procedure is to bring out a sheet or large square piece of linen material in cold water, wrap it twice around the body and legs of the patient and then cover completely with a small blanket or similar warm material.
This pack should be applied every three hours during the day while temperature is high and kept on for one hour or so each time. Hot water bottles may be applied to the feet and also against the sides of the body.