Dengue (pronounced DENgee) fever is a painful, debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. These viruses are related to the viruses that cause West Nile infection and yellow fever.
Apart from a host of allergies and infections, monsoons provide perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Mosquito bites can lead to diseases like malaria, chikungunya, and dengue, which can prove to be fatal. Some of the symptoms of dengue are high fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, exhaustion, skin rash, and low pressure. You cannot cure dengue fever with home remedies, but you can alleviate the symptoms of the fever through them.
Those pesky tiny mosquitoes can surely cause so many problems for your body. One bite can get you bedridden with fever, skin rashes, joint pain, and fatigue. Even though medications are the best way to treat dengue, trying a few home remedies for dengue fever can get the fever under control.
What Is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is the result of a viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is also referred to as dandy fever and breakbone fever. Its causes are discussed below.What Causes Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is mainly caused by viral infections transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes family. The most common culprit is the Aedes aegypti mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected individual, the dengue virus enters that mosquito. This mosquito then transfers the virus to the next person it bites, and the cycle continues.
There are four types of dengue viruses (DENV) that cause dengue. If you are infected by one of these viruses, your body becomes immune to that particular mosquito. But in such scenarios, your chance of becoming infected by the other three types of dengue viruses and developing dengue hemorrhagic fever increases.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection and last for up to 10 days, may include:
- Sudden, high fever
- Severe headaches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Severe joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin rash, which appears two to five days after the onset of fever
Mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising)
Sometimes, symptoms are mild and can be mistaken for those of the flu or another viral infection. Younger children and people who have never had the infection before tend to have milder cases than older children and adults. However, serious problems can develop. These include dengue hemorrhagic fever, a rare complication characterized by high fever, damage to lymph and blood vessels, bleeding from the nose and gums, enlargement of the liver, and failure of the circulatory system. The symptoms may progress to massive bleeding, shock, and death. This is called dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
People with weakened immune systems as well as those with a second or subsequent dengue infection are believed to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Home Remedies To Treat Dengue Fever
Vitamin K
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is often accompanied by bleeding, and vitamin K is known to stop excessive bleeding. Following a diet containing vitamin K-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, and cereals can help in curing dengue fever.
Kiwi Juice
You Will Need
1 cup of fresh kiwi juice
What You Have To Do
Consume a cup of kiwi juice.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice daily.
Why This Works
Kiwis are packed with various nutrients and minerals that can help you overcome fatigue and weakness – two symptoms of dengue fever. They also contain vitamin C that helps in boosting your overall immunity. These fruits are also helpful in increasing the blood platelet count.
Goldenseal
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of goldenseal root
- 1 cup of hot water
- Honey
What You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon of goldenseal extract to a cup of hot water.
- Allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes and then add some honey to it.
- Consume the tea before it turns cold.
- Alternatively, you can also take 350-500 mg supplements for goldenseal. However, consult your doctor before doing so.
How Often You Should Do This
Have goldenseal tea twice daily.
Why This Works
Goldenseal has many surprising benefits, one of which is its use in the treatment of dengue. It has been used for ages to cure the symptoms of fever and other infections due to its antiviral properties. Goldenseal is also beneficial in improving the blood platelet count.
Neem Leaves
You Will Need
- A few neem leaves
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Take a cup of water and add the neem leaves to it.
- Bring this concoction to a boil and let it simmer for some time.
- Strain the solution and allow it to cool.
- When the neem tea is warm enough to drink, add a little honey to it and consume immediately.
How Often You Should Do This
You can drink this neem solution 2 to 3 times daily.
Why This Works
Neem leaves are well known for their amazing healing potential. One of the many uses is their role in the treatment of dengue fever. Neem leaves are quite helpful in increasing the number of blood platelets and white blood cells, both of which see a drastic decrease in those affected by dengue.
Apple Juice
You Will Need
- 1 cup of fresh apple juice
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Take a cup of apple juice and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it.
- Consume this juice mixture daily.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this 2 to 3 times daily.
Why This Works
This remedy can help increase the number of blood cells, which, in turn, improves your blood platelet count. Also, apples are natural antioxidants and can help protect your blood cells from free radical damage.
Jaggery And Onion
You Will Need
- A small block of jaggery
- 2-3 small onions
What You Have To Do
- Take a small piece of jaggery and crush it along with a few small onions.
- Consume the onion-jaggery mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume this mixture twice a day.
Why This Works
Onions are known to exhibit antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. And, in combination with jaggery, they increase the platelet count in your blood, thus helping cure dengue fever.
Guava Juice
You Will Need
1-2 cups of fresh guava juice
What You Have To Do
- Drink a cup or two of guava juice.
- You can also have a bowl of cut guavas instead of the juice.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume guava juice twice daily for maximum benefits.
Why This Works
Guavas are a rich source of tannins, vitamins, and minerals. The high vitamin C content of the fruits can help boost your immunity naturally. They are also known for their ability to increase the blood platelet count and are hence a great way to treat dengue fever.
Giloy Juice
You Will Need
- 500-1000 mg of giloy extract
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add the giloy extract to a cup of boiled water.
- Mix well and consume it.
- Alternatively, you can also use giloy leaves.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Giloy is a plant commonly found in the tropical regions of India. It has natural antioxidant properties that can boost your immunity and protect your body from free radical damage. Giloy is also an antipyretic and is hence effective in reducing chronic fever. This plant is also believed to increase blood platelet count, and is thus one of the best natural options for treating dengue fever.
Goat Milk
You Will Need
1 cup of goat milk
What You Have To Do
Drink a cup of preboiled goat milk.
Why This Works
Dengue fever is often accompanied by selenium deficiency and decreased blood platelet count. Goat’s milk is an easy and effective remedy to cure dengue as it is rich in selenium and is known to increase the blood platelet count.
Papaya Leaf Juice
You Will Need
A handful of papaya leaves
What You Have To Do
- Take a handful of papaya leaves and crush them using a pestle and mortar.
- Squeeze the papaya leaf extract and drink the juice.
- You can also mix the papaya leaf extract with some honey or fruit juice to improve its flavor.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume two tablespoons of papaya leaf extract thrice daily.
Why This Works
The extract from papaya leaves is a proven way to cure dengue fever. Papaya leaves are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants that help boost your immunity. Dengue fever often leads to a low platelet count, and papaya leaves can help by improving your blood platelet count.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Fenugreek Seeds
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup of hot water
- Honey
What You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon or two of fenugreek seeds to a cup of steaming hot water.
- Let it steep for 5 minutes, after which you can add a little honey to it.
- Drink the fenugreek solution before it turns cold.
How Often You Should Do This
You can drink this concoction 2 to 3 times daily.
Why This Works
Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and various minerals, which makes them a great option for treating dengue fever. While the vitamins improve your immunity and prevent bleeding, the antipyretic properties of fenugreek seeds help in bringing down your fever
Turmeric
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 glass of hot milk
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of hot milk and mix well.
- Add some honey and consume the milk before it cools down.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this once daily, preferably before going to bed.
Why This Works
Turmeric has many medicinal benefits and is used in the treatment of various ailments. Most of these benefits are due to the presence of curcumin in it. The immunomodulatory functions of curcumin help in boosting your immunity, while its antiviral properties help in combating the root cause (viral infections) of dengue.
Tulsi Leaves And Black Pepper
You Will Need
- A handful of tulsi leaves
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 cups of water
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Add the tulsi leaves to two cups of water and bring it to a boil.
- To this, add a pinch of black pepper powder.
- Simmer for 5 minutes and strain.
- Let the solution cool for some time. Add honey.
- Consume this concoction.
- Alternatively, you can also chew on some tulsi leaves.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink this 2 to 3 times daily.
Why This Works
Tulsi is also known as basil. This plant has some wonderful medicinal properties that are used in the treatment of various infections. Tulsi is a natural antioxidant that can improve your immunity and protect your body from free radical damage. It also has antimicrobial properties that can help eliminate the dengue virus.
Barley Grass
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of barley grass powder
- 1-2 cups of hot water
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Take a teaspoon of barley grass powder and mix it with a glass of hot water.
- Add some honey as per your requirement once the solution is cool enough to drink.
- Drink the barley grass solution daily.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink this solution at least twice daily.
Why This Works
Barley grass is yet another remedy that may be of immense help in treating dengue fever with its ability to increase your blood platelet count. It has antiviral and antioxidant properties that can fight the viral infection causing the dengue fever and boost your overall immunity.
Crab Soup
You Will Need
A bowl of crab soup (1 to 2 crabs per meal)
What You Have To Do
Consume a bowl of freshly prepared crab soup.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink this soup twice daily.
Why This Works
Crab soup is a rich source of various nutrients that are beneficial to your health. The intake of crab soup on a regular basis can help increase your blood platelet count, thus resolving one of the most serious complications associated with dengue fever.
These remedies can help accelerate your recovery from the disease. If you have been fortunate enough to steer clear of dengue fever till now, you might want to take a look at the following tips to avoid contracting the infection.
Preventive Tips
- Keep your house well-screened or air-conditioned.
- Always use a mosquito repellent.
- Wear protective clothing like long shirts and pants.
- Keep your house and its surroundings clean.
- Avoid consuming oily food. Instead, opt for a diet that includes oranges, lemons, coconut water, vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich foods.
Dengue fever can turn life-threatening if not treated on time. So, start right away and keep your house and surroundings clean to protect yourself and your loved ones from this deadly infection. And if you are infected, get yourself treated immediately by a doctor and the above mentioned home remedies for dengue fever will always come in handy to speed up your recovery.
