Fever 101: Safe and Effective Natural Remedies for the Whole Family

Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is intended to be medical advice.

Mindset Matters

I believe there’s a time and place for mainstream medical interventions, medicines, and surgeries. In fact, the United States excels at certain things, like trauma care, heart transplants, and neonatal care for premature babies. These medical feats are truly impressive. The survival rates for pre-term infants born at 28 weeks gestation? A staggering 94%. Trauma centers in the U.S. lower the risk of death for seriously injured patients by 25%. This is medicine at its finest.

But at some point, we lost sight of the power of our bodies' natural healing processes. We’ve become so focused on the shiny new pill or procedure that we’ve forgotten about the ancient, proven remedies that have stood the test of time.

So, let’s get one thing straight before we dive in: When it comes to fevers, mindset matters. I know, I know—it sounds a little woo-woo, but hear me out. Your mental framework greatly influences the decisions you make. If you believe that fevers are dangerous or that your body is some random machine incapable of healing itself, your actions will reflect that. But if you view your body as “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14), designed to heal itself using innate intelligence, you’ll make decisions that honor and support that process.

I used to be someone who thought that mainstream medicine had all the answers and that natural remedies like essential oils were just a bunch of superstition. But when I dug deeper, I realized that these practices have been used across cultures for thousands of years. They weren’t just passed down because people were desperate—they worked.

Mindset Shift: Do you see fever as a natural therapeutic response to infection or as a danger? Do you view your body as something that needs constant external intervention, or as something that can heal itself naturally? Kick fear out of the driver’s seat and start making decisions based on a more thorough assessment.

Once I embraced this shift in perspective, I also had to educate myself. And that’s where facts come in. Let’s address some of the myths about fever so we can make informed decisions.

Myth vs. Fact: Fever Myths You Should Know

1. Myth: My child feels warm, so they have a fever.

Fact: Children can feel warm for many reasons—like after playing hard or being in a warm room. They’re just “giving off heat,” and their temperature will return to normal in about 20 minutes. If you want to be sure, take the temperature.

2. Myth: All fevers are bad for children.

Fact: Fevers are actually beneficial—they turn on the immune system and help fight infection. A fever between 100°F and 104°F (37.8°C - 40°C) is generally a sign that the body is doing its job.

3. Myth: Fevers above 104°F (40°C) are dangerous and cause brain damage.

Fact: It’s very rare for fevers to reach this point. Only temperatures above 108°F (42°C) can cause brain damage—and that usually happens in extreme circumstances (like being left in a hot car).

4. Myth: If the fever is high, the cause must be serious.

Fact: High fevers don’t always mean something is serious. What matters more is how the child looks and acts.

For more on fever myths and facts, check out this resource from Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Why You Shouldn’t Be So Quick to Medicate a Fever

Fever is one of your body’s natural, therapeutic, healing responses to infection. Here are a few research-backed reasons why you should reconsider the urge to immediately reach for fever-reducing medication:

1. Delayed Healing: Fever is part of the immune response. It helps inhibit pathogen replication and boosts immune activity. Suppressing fever can slow down these important processes, which may delay healing.

2. Increased Viral Shedding: Using fever-reducing medications during infections like the flu may lead to prolonged viral shedding, meaning you remain contagious longer. This can heighten the risk of spreading illness in communal settings.

3. Antibiotic Resistance: Suppressing fever often leads to mismanagement of infections, which may prompt unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, a growing health concern.

Supporting the Body While Dealing with Fever

I believe in supporting the body’s natural response without making the fever feel worse than it has to. Treating fever naturally doesn’t mean doing nothing—it’s about supporting your body’s natural healing process and providing comfort along the way.

1. Hydration:

They say “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and when it comes to fevers and dehydration, this is especially true. Fevers can decrease appetite (maybe I’ll do a future blog post on how fasting is another one of your body’s natural therapeutic responses to infection), but they don’t decrease the need for fluids. Hydration is critical for all major biological processes. A lack of hydration can cause its own set of problems. Encourage sips of water, coconut water, or diluted organic juices every time they wake from sleep and every 1-2 hours while awake, and monitor urine output—dark urine means dehydration, while lighter urine indicates hydration.

2. Warm Baths:

Forget lukewarm baths. I know it’s what the “official” recommendation is from so many sources. But please tell me I’m not the only one who can’t stomach the idea of being sick, feeling like crap, and soaking in tepid water. In my experience, a warm bath does wonders for reducing fever naturally. I’ve consistently found that a warm bath lowers the fever, improves mood, and helps me and my kids rest better. My hypothesis is the warm water helps maintain internal body temperature, reducing the need for the body to produce its own heat to fight infection. So turn the water on, make sure it’s comfortably warm to the touch, and soak!

3. Essential Oils:

Essential oils are a powerful tool in my natural health toolkit. I like to diffuse them and apply them topically for a calming effect, especially when dealing with fever. My go-to oils include lavender (calming), tea tree (infection fighting), eucalyptus (respiratory support), peppermint (cooling, aches and pains), frankincense (grounding, anti-inflammatory), and basil (antiviral, anti-stress). They don’t directly reduce fever, but they can help make the process more comfortable and support your body’s immune response.

Here’s how to use them:

- Diffuser: Add up to 10 drops of your chosen oils to a diffuser filled with distilled water.

- Topical Application: Dilute the oils with a carrier oil (like jojoba, coconut, or almond oil). I recommend a 2% dilution for kids and adults—about 20-30 drops of essential oils in 4 oz of carrier oil. Apply to the soles of the feet, chest, back, or spine for maximum benefit. Avoid applying oils to mucous membranes like the eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals.

When deciding where to apply essential oils, the soles of the feet are one of the most safe and effective locations. There is a lower risk of skin irritation, there are no sebaceous glands on the soles of the feet which means they more easily absorb the oils, and the oils will bypass the liver and will not accumulate there.

4. Homeopathy: When it comes to fever management, homeopathy is another tool in my arsenal. The remedies I reach for most relating to fever are Aconite and Belladonna. These are particularly useful for the early stages of fever and high fever with redness, respectively. Homeopathic remedies are selected based on symptoms. To read more about homeopathy see my previous blog post!

• Aconite

  • Fever Onset: Aconite is traditionally used in homeopathy for the early stages of fever, especially when the onset is sudden and intense, often following exposure to cold wind or sudden chilling. It's recommended when fever is accompanied by restlessness, anxiety, and chills.

  • Homeopathic Dosage: Aconite is commonly used in low-potency (e.g., 6X or 30C) doses, taken every 15-30 minutes in acute cases, reducing frequency as symptoms improve. Typically, one pellet is dissolved under the tongue.

• Belladonna

  • High Fever with Redness: Belladonna is traditionally indicated for high fevers, especially with symptoms like flushed skin, heat radiating from the body, and throbbing, intense headaches. It's typically chosen when the feverish individual has red cheeks, bright eyes, and a heightened sensitivity to light or noise.

  • Homeopathic Dosage: Belladonna is often administered in a 30C or 200C potency, especially in cases of high fever. Doses are typically taken every 2-4 hours until symptoms subside. One to three pellets are placed under the tongue.

When to do More

Natural remedies are wonderful, but there are times when you should trust your instincts and seek professional help. These include:

1. Intuition: If you have a deep knowing that something is wrong, even if you can't logically explain it, you should take action (give a fever reducer, seek medical attention). There's really no limit to the number of scenarios that this could include, so I won't even try to list them. Trust your instincts. Period.

2. Extreme Symptoms: It’s natural to feel more irritable or tired when sick and feverish. However, if fever is accompanied by extreme agitation, lethargy, persistent pain, or rapid worsening of symptoms, consider giving medication or seeking medical attention.

Final Thoughts

Fever is the body’s natural, God-given response to infection. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s a sign that the body is working to heal itself. By supporting the process with natural remedies like hydration, warm baths, essential oils, and homeopathy, we can help the body do its job while keeping the discomfort at bay. Make sure to check out my Fullscript dispensary for high quality supplements and plans that make choosing the right products stress free.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. Trust your body, trust your instincts, and when in doubt, consult with a healthcare provider.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking any medications. The content here is intended to support your knowledge and well-being, not replace personalized health or medical guidance.