by Brigitte Lemieux, naturopath
Hippocrates, the ancient father of medicine, saw fever as a beneficial reaction to be used as a natural process for eliminating toxic waste.3 Today, unfortunately, fever is seen more as an enemy to be suppressed with antipyretics. Perhaps it would be our friend if we knew it better?
My country is winter
Even though we are constantly urbanizing, we remain intimately dependent on the rhythms of nature. Although we are equally active in summer and in winter, like many living beings, we experience a general slowdown during the winter period. This natural numbing of our body and consequently of our immune system makes us more vulnerable.
This is why our children, who are increasingly active and stressed (daycare, school, exams, sports, family life rhythm, etc.), quickly exhaust their vitality reserves, which are sometimes poorly maintained. The lack of fresh food, a refined diet, etc.) and an excess of animal fats can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. With such an imbalance, bacteria and other viruses then find a "terrain" favorable to their multiplication and colonize, without meeting much resistance, the throat, nose, ears and bronchi.3 This is when fever comes into play.
Fever, a natural ally
Fever is defined as an abnormally high body temperature.1 It is therefore understandable that many parents consider their child to have a fever as soon as his or her temperature exceeds the normal range (37°C). However, many experts consider fever to be a temperature above 37.8°C (oral) or 38.3°C (rectal).4,9
When a child has a fever, the body is defending itself against an external or self-inflicted attack. At this point, phagocytic cells become active and, with the help of pyrogenic substances, cause the body temperature to rise. This allows white blood cells to multiply and fight bacteria, viruses and other toxins in the body.3,4,5,12 When the fever subsides, the body attempts to eliminate the toxins by causing a cough, runny nose or diarrhea.2
A fever is not a disease that should be suppressed, but simply a very useful alarm bell and an active defense of our body against aggressors.3,4,5 For Dr. Richard Moskowitz(1), fever is one of the signs of a child's health since it is a basic reaction to any aggression in the body.2,12 It is therefore easy to understand that fever should not be suppressed by medication because it could paralyze the body's natural defenses.3
Fever has been studied extensively. However, although fever should be monitored, it is now known that it should not be of undue concern up to 41°C because it is usually not dangerous and does not cause permanent damage.3,12 On the contrary, an acute attack only occurs when the body is not overly intoxicated and still resistant. It is precisely because the body is sufficiently rich in vitality that it reacts to the illness (intoxication) with a fairly violent fever that will rid it of any impurities.3 Bacterial or viral fever usually does not exceed 41°C. Higher, and therefore dangerous, fevers are mainly caused by poisoning or heat stroke. These fevers need external intervention, an antipyretic.
On the other hand, in the case of a small baby, the fever is alarming and requires a consultation. A postpartum infection could occur without any other apparent symptoms. On the other hand, if the fever persists for more than 3 days, if other symptoms appear or if the child's general condition deteriorates, consult without hesitation. Finally, it is not a high temperature that is likely to cause febrile seizures, but rather a rapid rise in temperature, for example, from 37°C to 38.5°C in 2 minutes.12
Assisting the body in its healing
In conventional medicine, doctors are taught to treat a symptom as soon as it appears. This is why medications are often prescribed to bring down fevers in children.2 In alternative therapy, the goal of treatment is to support and accompany the child's immune system so that it can learn to recognize and respond quickly to any disease-causing organism.2 Such an approach is based on trust in our body's organic abilities to overcome disease.3
In naturopathy, the first rule is to lighten the diet so that the body can save its energies for self-healing rather than digestion. This means avoiding dairy products, concentrated proteins (meat, eggs, legumes) and refined sugars (desserts, candy), as they decrease phagocytic power.3,6,12 It is essential to have the child drink regularly (water, herbal tea) to avoid dehydration.3,4,6,12
However, Dr. Smith recommends limiting the consumption of fruit juices because of their high sugar content. Instead, he favors diluted vegetable juices and soups. "And if fruit juice must be given to the child," he says, "dilute it with water. "2 Another way to hydrate the feverish child is to give him or her a 15-minute bath at a comfortable temperature 2 or 3 times a day.4,6,12 Rest is also essential to any healing process. The child should be directed to quiet, enjoyable activities. Finally, don't forget to pamper the sick child. They need to be loved and cuddled.12
Once these basic principles are respected, there are a wide variety of naturopathic nutritional supplements that stimulate the immune system in the healing of the patient.
For fever, Dr. Lendon Smith (2) suggests homeopathic remedies. These, he says, are effective, safe, economical and have no side effects.2 Among the most commonly used are Belladonna, Aconite and Ferrum phosphoricum.2,10 Belladonna treats disorders that occur suddenly, such as acute fever, influenza, tonsillitis and sore throat. Aconite is used at the beginning of an infection (cold, earache, eyeache or sore throat) that occurs quickly. Ferrum phosphoricum is very useful at the beginning of inflammation, fever and infection, before any other symptoms appear.11
Dr. Smith adds that many herbal preparations not only stimulate the immune system, but also act as antimicrobials, killing both bacteria and viruses. This is why he believes that, in many cases, antibiotics are not necessary.2 Furthermore, antibiotics only fight bacteria and not viruses.2,3 Antibiotics are only useful in the event of a real bacterial complication.3 Among the plants to be favoured are, first of all, Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia and Echinacea purpura), some of whose constituents stimulate the immune system in the event of a bacterial and viral attack.2,11 Then there is hydrastis (Hydrastis canadensis) which contains berberine, a substance with an antibacterial effect.11 Also, there is ginger (Zingiber officinale) which has the property of raising blood pressure, stimulating perspiration and thus lowering fever.11 Finally, black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is effective against coughs, colds and flu.11 It will also help the body cope with fever, but it will not suppress it as a chemical antipyretic would.2
Vitamin C is an excellent immune system booster. It is very effective and is probably the first remedy that should be given, as it is very safe.2 Some specialists even prescribe taking several grams of vitamin C per day. When the optimal dose is assimilated, diarrhea may occur, eliminating the excess. The dose can then simply be reduced.2,3 Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of non-specific antibodies and has antibacterial, antiviral and general anti-infectious effects. It is one of the best antioxidants available. It intervenes in the destruction of free radicals, which deeply disturb the immune system. According to Linus Pauling (Nobel Prize in Medicine 1960), it is an antitoxic vitamin that allows the elimination of both foreign toxic agents and organic toxins.3 Vitamin A and Zinc also nourish the immune system.2
Propolis, a by-product of the beehive, has an antibiotic, bacteriostatic and antimicrobial action.3,12 It is therefore very useful in case of a sore throat, cold or flu. A simple intake of propolis increases the production of antibodies by 32 to 36%.3
Copper-Gold-Silver (Cu-Au-Ar) is a trace element that is considered a natural antibiotic. In addition to being a general stimulant, it increases resistance to infections.12 Magnesium chloride (ClMg) also has great virtues. It increases the phagocytic activity of white blood cells by 333%, thus attacking all aggressors in the body, without distinction.3,12 However, it is contraindicated for people with kidney problems.
Over time, we need to demystify fever and partner with it as it is our first defense against aggressors. It is therefore better to assist the fever in its fight than to fight it, as we would be helping the opponent. Finally, we must have confidence in the immense wisdom of the body but also in our own skills as parents and adults responsible for our children.
(1) Richard Moskowitz, M.D., Watertonw, Massachusetts
(2) Lendon H. Smith, M.D., 30 years in practice, Author of 13 books including Feed Your Kids Right, Portland, Oregon
References:
1) Marieb, Elaine N., Anatomie et physiologie humaine, Éd. du Renouveau Pédagogique Inc., 1993
2) Goldberg Group, Burton, Alternative Medicine: the Definitive Guide, Future Medicine Publishing Inc., 1999
3) http://biogassendi.ifrance.com/biogassendi/grippe.htm
4) http://www.pharmaconseils.ch/archives/mal_hiver_99/fievre_h99/fievre.htm
5) http://www.auvervie.com/fievre/fievre01.htm
6) http://www.terre-et-vie.tm.fr/fiches/FMfievreenfant.HTML
7) http://www.allhealth.com/childrens/early/qa/0,4801,1570_121343,00.html
8) Lockie, Andrew et Geddes, Nicola, Homéopathie : Encyclopédie pratique, Sélection du Reader's Digest, 1996
9) Chevallier, Andrew, Encyclopédie des Plantes Médicinales, Sélection de Reader's Digest, 1997
10) Arsenault, Céline, Soins à l'enfant : Guide pratique, Le Dauphin Blanc,1997
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