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Article provides information on Alternative Herbal Medicines for Fever, Hives, Indigestion and Insomnia.
Fever Most often, a fever is usually defined as having a body temperature over 98.6oF, or 37.0oC. But normal body temperature can be heightened, by the type of clothing worn, physical activity, time of the day, temperature of the person's immediate environment, or emotional stress. A child's temperature is usually between 96.8o and 99.4oF, when taken correctly by mouth. There are a broad variety of catalysts for fever, such as over-working oneself, being stung, or bitten by an insect, having an allergic or toxic reaction, being dehydrated, or having a bacterial or viral infection. When the body rises to an elevated internal temperature, a fever develops, as a natural defense to kill viruses and bacteria, which don't survive well under the heat. Usually, fever is an ally for fighting the illness within the body, any type of infection. It also increases the generation of white blood cells and enhances the time of their response, and their capacity to quickly kill bacteria and infection. Most often, with adults, the height of the fever determines how serious the illness is. However, it is important to remember, that this is not always the case with children. A child may only have a mild cold, and have a fever of 105°F , however, a child suffering from a life threatening illness, such as pneumonia, can have a low fever of only 100°F. Hence, the importance of seeking conventional, professional medical help immediately, if your child shows symptoms of a fever, and has an above normal body temperature. Adults can use herbal remedies for fever, if they have consulted a physician beforehand, advisedly. When used in a combination, Hyssop, Licorice Root, and Thyme can lower a high temperature, as can Catnip, or a tincture or tea made from Echinacea. Hives Hives are raised welts, white in color on the skin, against a red, inflamed surface of skin. At first, they burn, but afterwards, begin to itch very badly, for sometimes an extended period. They can be quite startling, and possibly frightening, because they start small, developing suddenly, and then spread, widely, and fast. Hives can even disappear from one area of the body, and reappear elsewhere on the skin. They often occur as an allergic reaction, but also to a variety of other factors, such as airborne pollutants, toxins in the environment, viruses, and stress, and can be aggravated by drinking alcohol, smoking, or drinking excessive coffee. Chamomile can be put into a bath, to alleviate inflammation, and soothe the intensity of the itch. Use Alfalfa to cleanse toxins from the bloodstream, while Nettle Juice can be applied topically, directly to the hive to speeding healing, and reduce swelling. Gel from an Aloe Vera plant can also be applied topically, in order to reduce the itching, soothe inflammation, and prevent any infection or bacterial growth. Indigestion When the body has difficulty breaking down, and digesting foods properly, that is indigestion. Symptoms are usually heartburn, or a kind of burning feeling in the stomach, or a heavy feeling even a while after eating, having excessive gas, nausea, bloating, and a lack of appetite. Usually, indigestion is from a particular food that was eaten, or just generally a poor diet. Basically, what wears out the digestive organs, is eating an abundance of junk food, such as foods high in refined sugar, and processed foods; foods that are high in saturated fat, or greasy foods with a high content of hydrogenated oil slow down the digestive system. Smoking excessively, too much coffee, or drinking too much alcohol, make the stomach generate too much acid. There are of course, other factors that cause indigestion, such as stress, eating too quickly, being allergic or sensitive to a certain food, combining different kinds of foods improperly, having too much to drink while eating, which dilutes stomach acids, and fluids for digestion. To relieve gas, and spasms, Angelica can be used, as well as Caraway Oil, which also alleviates the feeling of being over-full. Cinnamon Oil also relieves gas, and the bloated feeling, while also easing abdominal cramps. Dandelion, eaten in a light salad, can also relieve gas, whereas a light and very diluted tea made from Fennel can be given to infants and small children, after a physician's consent, to relieve gas and frequent belching. Ginger Tea, and also tea made from Horehound, can soothe an irritated stomach, and reduce belching, as well as Peppermint, which also relieves trapped gas. For relaxation, try Hops, for indigestion that occurs because of stress, or anxiety. Gentian can relieve mild bloating or flatulence following meals high in grease or fat, while Turmeric can relieve the burning feeling in the stomach.
Insomnia
Basically, insomnia is either not being able to sleep, after going to bed, despite repeated attempts, or waking up during the night, after only a few hours, and not being able to fall asleep again. All people eventually experience some form of insomnia. But if one experiences chronic insomnia, which goes on for weeks, or over a month, one should seek the advice of a physician, because this could be a sign of a serious illness, or medical condition, and the underlying cause needs to be discovered and diagnosed as soon as possible. Around half of the cases of serious insomnia are attributed to, or symptoms of mental disorders, such as intense anxiety, depression, emotional stress, or grief. Herbs can be helpful in these cases, not only for the sake of getting sleep, and relaxation, but also in nourishing the nervous system, which relieves stress, or anxiety, and the symptoms of it. As most know, California Poppy promotes sleep, because of the opiate properties in the seeds and extract. Hops Tea and Chamomile Tea both have sedative, and relaxing benefits, which can also ease sleeplessness due to indigestion. Lemon Balm promotes relaxation, and tiredness, while Kava or Passionflower can be used as a relaxant for muscles, as well as for their sedative benefits. Skull Cap, or Valerian also induce sleep, while St. John's Wort keeps the body in a relaxed state, so that sleep can continue for a more healthy length of time. Oat Straw eases anxiety, while delivering nourishment to the nervous system. Tea made from Rooibos can also ease the feeling of painful inflammation from indigestion or allergies, while inducing sleep.
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