Fever as valuable tool

A fever indicates there is something amiss in the body; an imbalance is present. Rather than suppress (stop) the fever, it is preferable to act on the cause of it. The Homeopathic process seeks to rebalance this cause, therefore, the body temperature normalizes.

A fever indicates there is something amiss in the body; an imbalance is present. Rather than suppress (stop) the fever, it is preferable to act on the cause of it. The Homeopathic process seeks to rebalance this cause, therefore, the body temperature normalizes. Taking over the counter painkillers such as Advil, Tylenol, or aspirin will suppress the fever and not address the underlying cause. At a later time the suppressed fever and the source of it are apt to resurface. I suggest allowing the fever to act as an indicator of restored health. The remedy chosen to address the root cause of an illness will also reduce the fever. The end result will be a normal body temperature and regained health.

Low grade fever means weak immune system

A temperature that rises and lowers is not as dangerous as one that is constantly high. It is common to see a temperature reach 103-104 degrees. The temperature of a healthier child will spike to 102-104 degrees suddenly. A child that has low grade fevers (99-100 degrees) for days does not have as strong an immune system (vital force). A fever present for a few days, rising up and down, usually means something is brewing. From my experience, it often means some kind of skin eruption is trying to surface. In children, it is apt to be chicken pox, measles, or mumps. A child can still get these diseases, even after vaccination.

Patterns of temperature

The body has a daily temperature pattern. Fevers will tend to follow this same general pattern. Did you know that temperatures tend to rise at about 3:00-4:00 p.m. (the “Bewitching Hour”) and into the evening? It will lower again at around 3:00-4:00 a.m. The day after a significant fever, it is best to check the temperature prior to the “Bewitching Hour”. A temperature is not considered normal until it has been 98.6 degrees all day. At that point the fever is not likely to return. There is no cause for alarm if the temperature drops briefly below 98.6 degrees when using Homeopathic remedies. This is quite common.

Set a goal, have a plan

The goal in reducing a fever is to have the temperature rise no higher than the highest reading of the day before.

Example: Monday the temperature was 104 degrees, our goal is a high temperature of no more than 103.9 degrees on Tuesday. Wednesday, our goal is to have the temperature no higher than 102.9 degrees, and so on.

Which thermometer?

Several types of thermometers are marketed. There are digital and glass oral thermometers, anal thermometer, and ones that record the temperature from inside the ear. I prefer the digital oral thermometer for accuracy, ease and flexibility of options for use.

Using ear thermometer

When taking the temperature from the ear, you should take three readings from the same ear for accuracy. It is best to take the temperature from both ears (six readings); record, then continue taking the temperature from the ear that has the highest reading. Significant temperature differences may indicate an ear infection.

Feverish and sleeping?
Let them sleep

Let them Sleep. If a child is sleeping, he or she is probably comfortable with the current temperature.

Taking a child’s temperature is sometimes a difficult task in itself. Measuring the temperature with an oral thermometer under the arm is another way to monitor a fever. Be sure to add a whole degree to the reading. This method can be a lot easier, especially with children, using a glass thermometer, and is less intrusive. Parents, worried about a persistent fever, can even monitor the child’s temperature using this method, without waking the child. If a child is sleeping, he or she is probably comfortable with the current temperature.

Rough transitions

Parents often question “Why is my child comfortable at 102 degrees or 104 degrees, but is uncomfortable and irritable at 103 degrees?” A fever in transition between two stages may cause more agitation than a fever that has stabilized. This is because the body is registering change and trying to acclimate.

Homeopathic selection for fevers

There are many remedies for a fever, depending on what symptoms are present. A fever is only part of the total health picture. When the symptoms are addressed in their totality, the fever, as a piece of that total picture, is normalized.

Examples: Flu symptoms require a remedy to address the flu, and then the fever will lower. Earache symptoms call for a remedy for the ear pain and the fever will reduce.

Depending on the symptoms that are present, the first remedies that come to my mind for fevers are Ferrum Phosphorus and Belladonna. If you need either of theses remedies for a fever, the chances are the other symptoms will also be addressed. You may sometimes need to follow up with an additional remedy for any remaining symptoms.

People who would benefit from Ferrum Phosphorus have a temperature of 99 degrees or higher; the keynote is they are pale. Belladonna symptoms are a temperature of 99 degrees or higher; the keynote is a reddish to bright red face. Sometimes, with Belladonna, the face becomes so flush that you see a white ring around the mouth.

Choosing potencies

A good potency for addressing fevers with Ferrum Phosphorus is 30 x/c. Belladonna 200 x/c is a preferable potency to work with. A lower potency remedy can be used as a starter until a higher potency remedy can be obtained. The more intense the symptoms are the higher the potency and frequency of the remedy.

Monitoring the fever

The following scenarios may help to create a plan of action to reduce, and eventually balance out the fever and the underlying cause. You will notice a pattern of temperature monitoring and remedy administration. Results are more reliable, and the process is easier when working within a schedule. Always take the temperature first, before administering the remedy. Keep a written record of the temperatures and times of administering the remedy. The day after a significant fever, it is best to check the temperature prior to the “Bewitching Hour”.

Scenario #1
Administering remedy

Johnny is pale and not feeling well. He has a low-grade fever. Experience says something is brewing. Keynotes show Ferrum Phosphorus 30 x/c is the remedy of choice. Take his temperature (99.6 degrees) and record it. Succuss Ferrum Phosphorus ten times and give him a sip or if dry, give one to three pellets. Wait fifteen minutes, then take his temperature again and record it (99.5 degrees). * Noticing Johnny’s temperature has lowered one tenth of a degree, the remedy will not be given. Wait fifteen minutes and again take his temperature (99.4 degrees), record it. No remedy will be given until his temperature starts to rise. Monitor his temperature every one half hour to one hour. If Johnny’s temperature should start to rise again, then check his temperature every 15 minutes. Give him Ferrum Phosphorus every fifteen minutes until his temperature lowers. Be sure to succuss the remedy each time before giving Johnny a sip.

Scenario #2
Adjusting remedy

Fifteen minutes after Johnny takes his first dose of Ferrum Phosphorus and his temperature is the same or higher, record his temperature then succuss the remedy ten times and administer it. Take Johnny’s temperature fifteen minutes later and record it. If his temperature has not come down, not even one tenth, raise the succussions to twelve on the Ferrum Phosphorus and give him a sip. Check his temperature fifteen minutes later, seeing if it has lowered, and record it. Has his fever decreased? Follow * Scenario #1.

Should Johnny’s temperature remain the same or is higher, repeat Ferrum Phosphorus at twelve succussions. Check his temperature fifteen minutes later, if his temperature is the same, raise the succussions to fourteen and give him a sip. If his temperature has risen higher, stop the remedy and wait fifteen minutes to see if the temperature lowers. A lowered temperature indicates over stimulation (aggravation) has occurred. Check his temperature every one half hour to one hour, monitoring the fever. If Johnny’s temperature should begin climbing, repeat the remedy. Return to Ferrum Phosphorus, at the number of succussions that was last efffective, in fifteen minute intervals.

If Johnny’s temperature continues to climb, a remedy change is needed. A flushed face is a keynote of Belladonna, see Scenario # 3. When his face is not flushed, look for other symptoms. These are clues for choosing another remedy.

Scenario # 3
Flushed face – Belladonna

Suzy has a bright red face, radiating heat. She has a throbbing headache. Belladonna is the remedy of choice. Take and record her temperature. Give her Belladonna 200 x/c at ten succussions. Wait fifteen minutes, should her temperature lower, follow * Scenario # 1. Should Suzy’s temperature be the same or is higher, record it and succuss the Belladonna ten times, then give her a sip. Fifteen minutes later repeat taking and recording her temperature. If her temperature has not come down even one tenth of a degree, raise the succussions to twelve on the Belladonna and give her a sip. Check Suzy’s temperature fifteen minutes later and record it. Follow * Scenario # 1, if her temperature has lowered. A temperature that has stayed the same or is higher, indicates it is time for guidelines in Scenario # 2. Check Suzy’s temperature fifteen minutes later, if her fever is unchanged, raise the succussions to fourteen and give her a sip.

Stop Belladonna if the temperature has risen higher, and wait fifteen minutes to see if her temperature lowers. A temperature that has risen, after the remedy has been administered, then lowers, over the course of ten to fifteen minutes, is an indication an over stimulation has occurred.

Once Suzy’s temperature stabilizes, check her temperature every one half hour to one hour, monitoring it. If her temperature should start to climb, return to Belladonna at the number of succussions that was last effective, in fifteen minute intervals.

After raising the succussions by two on Belladonna and the temperature did not improve stop the Belladonna and give Calcarea Carbonica 30 x/c or 200 x/c as in Scenario # 4.

Scenario # 4
Calcarea Carbonica secret

The secret here pertains to the relationship between Calcarea Carbonica and Belladonna. A person with a Calcarea Carbonica constitution will show Belladonna symptoms in an acute situation.

Suzy’s temperature remains the same or is higher after the Belladonna adjustment; Calcarea Carbonica 30 x/c or 200 x/c is now indicated. Give Suzy one dose of Calcarea Carbonica at ten succussions or one dry pellet on the tongue. Check her temperature fifteen minutes later. If her temperature is lower do not give her any remedy. Repeat Calcarea Carbonica every fifteen minutes, as with Belladonna in Scenario #3, if her temperature starts to rise. After administering one dose of Calcarea Carbonica, if Suzy’s temperature stays the same, return to the Belladonna at the last succussion that was effective following Scenario # 3.

Once the temperature has lowered, do not repeat the remedy unless the fever starts to climb. Routinely monitor the temperature throughout the course of the day. Administer the remedy only if the fever begins to return.

The secret here pertains to the relationship between Calcarea Carbonica and Belladonna. A person with a Calcarea Carbonica constitution will show Belladonna symptoms in an acute situation.

Scenario # 5
The next day, no fever

Jane was feverish all day, yesterday. The fever was brought under control with the remedy of choice. Upon wakening, Jane looks much better. Take her temperature and record it.

Jane’s temperature is 98.6 degrees or lower. More than likely her fever will not return. No remedy is needed. See Scenario # 7.

Scenario # 6
The next day, mild fever

Jane’s temperature is slightly elevated (+/- 99 degrees). Repeat one dose of the remedy at the last number of succussions that was effective yesterday. Check Jane’s temperature an hour or two later. If her temperature is the same or elevated repeat the remedy. Check Jane’s temperature about one hour later. If it is constant or higher raise the succussions by two. Continue responding to Jane’s temperature as in Scenario # 2.

If Jane’s fever is lower proceed as in Scenario # 1.

Scenario # 7
Bewitching Hour

The day following a significant fever, regardless of the scenarios you followed, it is wise to check the level of temperature prior to the bewitching hour of 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This way, you can head off any return of the fever, with a dose of the remedy of choice.

You may need to return to Scenario # 2 procedures if the fever does return. Follow day three directions from Scenario # 6 on how to give the remedy on subsequent days until the temperature has stabilized at 98.6 degrees.

Emotional events bring on symptoms.

Emotions brought on by events of our lives, both perceived as positive or negative, can create changes in our internal balance. These shifts are projected out as physical symptoms. Consider Pulsatilla, if there is a feeling of abandonment. A parent is gone for a few days, or Johnny is leaving and has developed a fever.  Gelsemium can be considered if there is anticipation of an event (dentist, test, etc.).

Additional remedies can also be considered to address emotional issues. Whichever remedy is chosen, follow the directions on administering the remedy as illustrated in Scenario #1.

Don’t be discouraged

As was referred to earlier, working with a game plan or a written schedule, will help to simplify this process. The complexity of these instructions will diminish as one focuses on the specifics of one’s own situation. These more complex directions are an attempt to explain many situations.