Typhoid Fever – Home Remedies | Health Tips

Typhoid, also known as typhoid fever, occurs due to infection by the salmonella typhi bacteria. It spreads through ingestion of contaminated food and water. It can also spread through close contact with someone who has the infection. Typhoid leads to symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea. The symptoms are alleviated with the help of antibiotic medications. Typhoid, in some cases, may result in serious life-threatening complications. There are vaccines available for typhoid. While the new vaccines for typhoid do offer considerable protection they are not guaranteed to work, but can considerably lower the risks of infection. Individuals who are travelling to regions where typhoid fever is widespread are advised avail of the vaccine.

Remedies for Typhoid :-

Typhoid fever treatment typically involves antibiotic medications. There are some additional measures that could help to manage the symptoms, but keep in mind that medical attention is absolutely necessary. Home remedies for typhoid may help to alleviate the symptoms and could even facilitate recovery, but they should only be used to complement medical treatment. It should also be pointed out that most of these home treatments are not backed by scientific studies. Some such home remedies include:

• Drink plenty of fluids as this helps to prevent dehydration which occurs due to high fever and diarrhea. Individuals, who suffer from severe dehydration, may have to receive fluids intravenously.
• It is also important to follow a healthy diet. Nutritional deficiencies can easily develop due to the illness and hence you need to consume high-calorie, nutritious meals.
• Home remedies for typhoid include honey and water. Add some honey to warm water and drink this, as this soothes the digestive tract. Honey also supplies energy to the body.
• Combine a few basil leaves, saffron and a few black pepper corns. Grind into a paste by adding a small amount of water. Divide the paste into small tablets and have one twice daily along with lukewarm water.
• Cloves are a beneficial cure for typhoid. Add four to five cloves to water and bring to a boil. Continue boiling until the solution reduces to half its original quantity and then filter it. This should be given to the patient every day for a few days.
• Add one to two teaspoons of fresh coriander juice to a cup of buttermilk and drink twice every day.
• Avoid stimulants such as alcohol, caffeinated beverages, tea, carbonated drinks and spicy foods.
• Avoid milk and dairy products if you have diarrhea.
• Increase your consumption of coconut water, fresh fruit juices, soups and glucose water.
• Rice gruel is often recommended for those with typhoid fever. It is easy on the stomach and provides many important nutrients.
• Avoid drinking water along with meals.
• Consume foods that are high in fiber if you suffer from constipation.
• To improve bowel movements, add psyllium seeds to warm milk and drink.

Cold Compresses :-

When you have a high fever, apply cold compresses to help your body temperature come downquickly.

• Soak a washcloth in cool tap water, wring out the excess water and place it on your forehead. Change the washcloth frequently. Follow this treatment until your temperature drops.
• You can also use a cold damp washcloth to sponge areas like your armpits, feet, hands and groin to reduce body temperature. Do this at regular intervals to control a high fever.

Note: Do not use very cold or ice water as it can worsen the condition.

Increase Fluid Intake :-

Due to high fever and diarrhea, you may become dehydrated. To prevent this, increase your fluid intake. It will keep your body hydrated and encourage elimination of waste material and toxins.

• Drink about 8 to 10 glasses of bottled or purified water daily. To be on the safe side, boil your drinking water if using tap water.
• Along with water, increase your consumption of coconut water, herbal teas, fresh fruit juices, soups and glucose water.

Homemade ORS :-

Fluid replacement or fluid resuscitation is essential to replenish fluid lost through diarrhea and prevent dehydration. You can do this with oral rehydration solution (ORS). ORS will reduce the intensity of typhoid symptoms and aid recovery.

You can use ORS approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) that you can easily buy from any health store. You can also make ORS at home.

• Mix ½ small spoon of salt and 6 small spoons of sugar in 4 cups of clean drinking water.
• Drink this homemade ORS several times a day until you recover completely.

Apple Cider Vinegar :-

Apple cider vinegar is energizing and a good remedy for typhoid fever. Its acidic property helps draw heat out of the skin, which in turn reduces high body temperature. Moreover, the minerals in apple cider vinegar replenish minerals lost due to diarrhea.

• Mix ½ teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a little honey in a glass of water. Drink it before eating your meals. Follow this remedy for 5 to 7 days.
• You can also prepare a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar and two parts cool water. Soak a washcloth in it, wring out the excess water and place it on your forehead and abdomen. Change the washcloth once it becomes warm. Repeat as needed until your fever has dropped.

Basil :-

Basil is another effective treatment for typhoid fever. This herb has antibiotic and antibacterial properties that can help get rid of the bacteria that cause typhoid fever. Moreover, it helps bring down a fever, calm the stomach and boost your immune system.

• Add 20 basil leaves and 1 teaspoon of crushed ginger to 1 cup of water. Boil it until the solution reduces by half. Add a little honey and drink this tea 2 or 3 times a day for a few days.
• You can also extract the juice from 5 to 7 basil leaves. Add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper to the juice and eat it 2 or 3 times a day for a couple of weeks.

Cloves :-

One of the other helpful home remedies for typhoid fever is using cloves. The essential oils in cloves contain antibacterial agents, thus cloves can fight off the bacteria that cause typhoid fever. In addition, cloves also help ease diarrhea and vomiting as well, two typical symptoms of typhoid. For the best results, you can use it as following steps.

• Add clove buds (5 to 7) to water (8 cups).
• Boil this mixture till it reduces by half.
• Remove from heat, next cover and then let it to cool.
• Strain and then consume this solution throughout the day.

It is suggested to repeat this herbal treatment for about 1 week.

Bananas :-

Bananas can treat diarrhea and bring down the fever in people enduring typhoid. Especially, the pectin in bananas is a soluble fiber which helps absorb liquid in the intestines, thus decreasing diarrhea. Furthermore, the potassium present in bananas will help replace electrolytes lost during diarrhea and fever. What you need to do:

• Eat ripe bananas (2 to 3) every day till your typhoid symptoms subside.
• Alternatively, you can mix two mashed bananas in yogurt (½ cup) and add honey (1 teaspoon). It is recommended to eat this at least two times every day for a few weeks.

Buttermilk :-

Drinking buttermilk is another excellent herbal treatment for typhoid fever. It is easy on the stomach and aids recovery. It will also prevent dehydration.

• Drink a few glasses of buttermilk daily until you recover completely.
• You can also add 2 teaspoons of freshly extracted juice of coriander leaves to 1 cup of buttermilk. Drink this 2 times daily for 1 to 2 weeks.
• To help bring down the fever, add the pulp of 1 banana to a glass of buttermilk. Drink this 2 times daily.

Eat High-Nutrition Foods :-

When you become weak from typhoid, it is important to follow a special diet to provide your body proper nutrition. A good diet will also help balance your body’s fluids and electrolytes and boost your immune system.

• Increase your caloric intake to provide energy.
• Eat foods high in protein like eggs and milk to help your body recover.
• High-carbohydrate foods must also be included in your diet to meet the body’s energy requirements.
• Due to fever and sweating, you may have low levels of electrolytes like potassium and sodium. Drink fruit juices, soups and broths to compensate for the mineral loss.

Honey :-

During the fever the digestive system is seriously affected and its functionality is impaired. Hot water mixed with honey has a cooling effect on the intestines, and prevents the patient from getting weak. Moreover, honey is a natural energy booster, and its healing properties aids in the treatment of typhoid fever.

Consult Doctor before applying above points. These are for universal people, it may differ to any single Individual.