MANAGEMENT OF FEVER ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

Ayurveda, a holistic medical system, emphasis that fever is due to toxicity in the rasa dhatu (the body 's basic vital tissue) and manages fever by: Fasting (langana), Sudation (swedana), Time- Waiting/Patience (kala), Light diet (yavagu), Bitter drugs (tikta bheshajam) and Detoxification (ama pachana), Yogasanas.

The treatment depends on the duration, the cause of the fever and the other symptoms that accompany it.

1. Fasting

- Strengthens the digestive system and eliminates ama which in turn cleans the channels of the body. Strong person can fast whereas weak persons can take up a light diet. A lot of liquid diet like vegetable soups or just hot ginger water which alleviates the aggravated dosha and increases the appetite should be taken.

2. Sweating

- One can drink a simple spicy tea to induce sweat or he can be covered with a blanket so that he is made to sweat as this process clears toxins, raises the body temperature that kills the virus and normalizes the body temperature.

3. Light Diet

- After the body achieves the normal temperature he should take light diet of fresh fruits and lightly cooked vegetables.

4. Bitter Ayurvedic drugs

- Burns ama, increases the white blood cell count which help the body to fight infections. Jwarhar Vati, Laxmi vilas Ras, Anand Bhairav rasa and Mahasudarshan vati, Sanshamani vati

5.Detoxification

-After fever the patient is advised to undergo a Detoxification (mild purgative regime - Panchakarma) treatment as it expels remaining ama and strengthens the digestive system. Then he undergoes a preventive regime which will reduce the chances of recurrence of fever.

6. It also suggests yogasanas like suryasana and matsyasana to be practiced to pacify the aggravated pitta dosha which is the root cause of fever and meditation helps to deal with fever with a balanced and clarify of mind.

Thus Ayurveda manages fever by restoring the agni (fire) in the body and enhancing the proper metabolism.

DO'S AND DON'TS FOR TREATING FEVER

1. Drink as much water as you can in order to replace fluid loss. It will also help to bring down body temperature.

2. Take adequate rest.

3. Avoid eating solid foods until the fever is gone. You can replace the foods by drinking plenty of distilled water and/or juices.

4. Put ice cubes on your forehead and put your feet in warm water.

5. If the person is sleeping don't wake him up to give medicines or to take the temperature, sleeping is more important.

6. Always consult with a doctor before giving medications to the patient.

The patient needs full physical examination that will include a detailed evaluation of the skin, eyes, ears, throat, neck and abdomen to look for the causes of fever
Dr. Ripudaman Singh

About the Author

B.Sc.(Med.), B.Ed., M.A.(Edu.), M.Litt.(Edu.), Ph.D.(Edu.Psy.), PGDCA. Served as Science Master, Employment Department as Vocational Guidance Officer. Retired from Employment Department, Punjab India as Dy. Director (Off.) and Remained Incharge of Overseas Employment Cell of Punjab Govt. for 5 yeras. More than 60 articles published in Punjabi News Papers like Punjabi Tribune, Daily Ajit, Jagbani and Chardhikala. Serving now Arihant Computer Center