Fight fever naturally

With viral fevers and infections on the rise, there is a growing trend to seek benefits from traditional healing herbs. Many of these have been found to ease complications and aid recovery. Among these are papaya leaf, giloe and tulsi.

Papaya leaf: Anecdotal evidence suggests that the extract of raw papaya leaf helps to boost platelets, also known as thrombocytes and relieve symptoms. Few recent studies have shown the effect of papaya leaf juice in curing the dengue fever. A recent study done in Malaysia on mice in 2009 also reported significant improvement in thrombocyte count in the group which received papaya leaf formulations compared to the control group. It seems that this bitter green juice is showing benefits without posing any serious ill-effects.

Papaya leaf has also been found to possess powerful anti-malarial and anti-cancer properties. The leaf extract has been used as a prophylactic to prevent malaria in endemic regions. A study by researchers at Purdue University showed that papaya leaf consists of over 50 active ingredients found to kill fungi, worms, parasites, bacteria, and many forms of cancer cells. In addition, papaya leaves also contain important nutrients that support the immune system, including vitamins A, C, and E. Papain is an important enzyme in papaya leaves that breaks down proteins naturally and aids digestion.

For dengue fever it is suggested that the papaya juice is extracted by crushing and sieving fresh leaves of papaya. One leaf of papaya gives about one tablespoon of juice, which is quite bitter in taste. Two tablespoons of papaya leaf juice should be given to dengue patient three times per day after every 6 hours interval.

Giloe also known as Guduchi (plant which protects from diseases, Sanskrit), enjoys the reputation of being one of the most famous medicinal plants used in treatment of large number of human ailments as mentioned in Ayurveda.

Giloe too has been reported to help treat dengue in early stages without any side-effects. It has been reported to increase the platelets in a significant manner and lower the body temperature.

Giloe, known as Rasayana plant in ayurveda, has been reported to enhance general body resistance and promote longevity. It has also been reported to have anti-stress and adaptogenic properties.

Nutritionally, giloe is high in fibre, potassium and chromium, a good source of protein, carbohydrate, iron and calcium. Several bio-active components like alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins and plant steroids have been isolated from different parts of the plant and contribute to its high antioxidant status and curative properties. These components have also been reported to play an important role in blood glucose regulation, anti-diabetic potential, cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects. Giloe has also been reported to possess immune-stimulating properties, which can reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy such as immune-suppression.

Tulsi, the “queen of herbs”: As implied by its name “Ocimum Sanctum” in Greek and “the incomparable one” in Sanskrit has been regarded as one of the holiest and most cherished herbs by virtue of its health promoting and healing properties.

Among its innumerable benefits, tulsi reduces stress, enhances endurance, increases oxygen utilisation, boosts the immune system, slows aging, reduces inflammation, prevents gastric ulcers, protects against radiation, lowers fevers, cholesterol and high blood pressure, protects teeth and gums, fights bacterial, viral and fungal infections, improves digestion and provides a rich supply of anti-oxidants and other nutrients. A premier adaptogen, tulsi offers remarkable preventive and curative potential with respect to many stress-related degenerative disorders, such as, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, hepatitis and neurological dementia. The leading active compounds in “holy” Tulsi include eugenol (volatile oil), ursolic acid and rosmarinic acid. Seeds contain essential fatty acids - linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Although, of not much nutritional significance, tulsi does contain vitamins like A and C and minerals calcium, iron, and zinc.

Although, tulsi has a long history of use and safety in traditional medicine, it has also been reported to have mild hypoglycemic (lowering of blood sugar) and blood thinning properties which must be kept in mind by diabetics and heart patients on medication.

As the long-term use of herbal medicines/ preparations has not been well established, these must be administered under professional supervision and guidance. In addition, herbal medicines must not be had by pregnant women, nursing mothers, toddlers and infants. A word of caution for especially for those suffering from auto-immune diseases and taking immune-suppressants, as these may interfere with medications.