Herbal Medications Used to Treat Fever

Nurs Clin North Am. 2021 Mar;56(1):91-107. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2020.10.008. Epub 2020 Dec 28.

Abstract

Fever is a natural body defense and a common symptom of disease. Herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat fever. Many herbs have anti-inflammatory properties. Some are useful in reducing the release of cytokines and mediators of inflammation, whereas others work as natural aspirins to inhibit cyclooxygenase. In addition, herbs have known antipathogenic properties and can be effective in the treatment of infection from numerous microorganisms. Last, in traditional Chinese medicine, herbs are used to restore imbalances between the nonpathogenic and the pathogenic clearing interior heat and treating heat patterns in a variety of ways.

Keywords: Fever; Herbals; Herbs; Infection; Inflammation; Pyrexia; Traditional Chinese medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Fever / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional / statistics & numerical data*
  • Phytotherapy / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal