We all tend to like the temperature to be hot or warm at this time of year, however, what do you do when your or your child’s internal thermostat needs resetting?

Fever’s are frustrating in that you can be practically burning up, but feeling intensely cold and nothing can make you warm, or you can be hot and sweaty and feeling really miserable.

Homeopathic remedies can be just as useful in treating fevers as over the counter medicines and can be an effective method of making our system more capable of thwarting or reducing the effect of future bouts. The key to successful homoeopathic treatment lies in matching the presenting symptoms of the patient to the remedy. I have listed some well known fever remedies below with their typical symptoms.

Aconite: - The symptoms come on quickly, and the patient appears pale faced, with dry skin but which feels as if it is burning up, restlessness and agitation are often present. And typically the symptoms tend to be worse around midnight.
Arsenicum:- A restless, anxious and exhausted patient , who complains of feeling chilly, despite the raised temperature. They tend to be thirsty but only for small sips of water, and the fever can be at it’s worst between midnight and 2am. There can be complaints of burning pains in their legs and arms (that is if they can talk!)
Belladonna:- A high temperature that comes on suddenly, with the patient displaying a hot and very red face and a racing pulse. If the fever goes very high the patient can become very excitable and possibly delirious. They too are often worse in the middle of the night.
Bryonia:- These are irritable patients, who only want to be left alone, and are much worse if they have to move, or are moved, especially if they have a headache as well. They can be very thirsty but with long gaps in between.
Chamomilla:- A great remedy for those temperatures that come on when a patient is teething. They are restless and there is lots of crying, and one cheek is often red while the other pale.
Gelsemium:- A great flu remedy, where the symptoms include being shivery and complaining of aching muscles and heavy eyes, they are not typically thirsty despite having a fever. Love to lie still wrapped up in bed.
Phosphorus:- Despite having a high fever and associated apathetic behaviour, these patients tend to look well. They have a great desire for cold drinks, but also a tendency to bring it back up again! Love lots of sympathy and company.

These remedies are available from most health food shops or pharmacists and are contained within the First Aid remedy kits available at the Clinic. A good rule of thumb when taking homeopathic remedies is to try taking 3 a day, dissolving the pill under the tongue. If there is no improvement stop taking the remedy and re-evaluate the symptoms, and definitely stop taking the remedy when the fever is gone! A good trick for small babies is to dissolve the pill in some boiled and then cooled water and then spoon feed a mouthful of this mixture.

However – if you are worried about the general state of your patient, then it is probably best to be on the safe side and call for help first and then give the remedy. Some other things to watch out for, and to call in specialist assistance include:-Fevers above 105ºF/40ºC; persistent fevers lasting more than 24 hours in an infant; fevers with associated neck stiffness, headache, dislike of light, and a possible skin rash.

Remember, fully qualified professional homoeopaths have over 3000 homoeopathic remedies at their disposal at various potencies “strengths”. Treating oneself or family at the first sign of symptoms can be enormously useful in combating illness but seeking the assistance of a homoeopath may be what you need if your treatment doesn't seem to be making progress or symptoms are persistent.

Homoeopaths Linda Cooke RSHom or Katy Lethbridge RSHom are available throughout the week for consultations and treatment. Call the Clinic to make an appointment.

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