DENGUE
Dengue is a high fever contracted via a bite from an infected mosquito.
The dengue fever manifests itself in the form of severe vomiting, the appearance of a rash 3-4 days after the affliction and an ongoing severe headache. After 10 days these symptoms will subside and the negative toxins will decrease. However it can take up to a month for complete recovery. The sufferer will be weak and fatigued and milder symptoms of fever can arise.
Diet for Preventing Dengue Fever (Dandaka Jwara)
As in all fevers, the diet used for dengue fever must be quite simple and easy to digest. The following guidelines need to be followed:-
Ayurvedic Treatment for Dengue Fever (Dandaka Jwara)
Dengue fever is a very serious disease and self-medication should not be done. Medical attention is extremely important. But in presence of continued symptoms, there are several Ayurvedic herbs that can provide relief. The following is a list of some herbs which are used for the treatment of common fevers (not dengue fever in particular).
1. Neem leaves, Neem Oil are a great purifying agent and should be applied on a damp warm cloth in dosages of between 15 to 60 grammes 2-3 times daily. It should be noted that usage should be restricted in both males and females.
2. Drink as much water as you can in order to replace fluid loss. It will also help to bring down body temperature.
3. Avoid eating solid foods until the fever is gone. You can replace the foods by drinking plenty of distilled water and/or juices.
4. The leaves of the coriander can be taken in the form of a tonic to reduce the fevers in dengue.
5. Kakamachi is syrup like product that can be consumed as a soothing, cooling drink that can expel negative toxins such as those that build up during an attack of dengue from the digestive system and ultimately purify it. A cup twice daily is the recommended dosage.
6. Fruits rich in vitamin C like amla (embellica officinalis) are advised as vitamin C helps in better absorption of iron.
7. Chyawanprash can be taken as it is an immune booster, blood purifier and increases blood count.
8. Hogweed (Punarnava) is used to bring down temperatures. Hogweed produces plenty of perspiration which flushes the toxins and brings the fever down.
9. The seeds of hermal are powdered and taken as either an infusion or as a decoctin to treat intermittent and recurrent fevers that are observed in dengue.
10. Boiled tulsi that is basil leaves served in a warm drink like tea can help prevent an outbreak of dengue. This bitter and pungent herb has all the properties that strengthen the internal system against fever.
11. 10-15 basil leaves should be chewed twice a day or these can be boiled in 200ml water on low heat. When half the quantity is left it can be taken 2-3 times a day. This strengthens the body’s defence mechanism.
12. Mix 360 mg of Shunthi Churna with 125 mg of Hinguleshwar and now take this mixture at least 4 times daily, you may take with tea or hot water. If case the temperature of the patient rises beyond 104°F (40°C), then you may apply cold pad, on the forehead till the temperature subsides.
13. Papaya juice is a natural cure for dengue fever. The juice of Papaya leaf is a sure cure for platelets deficiency
14. Two raw papaya leaves are pounded, and they are squeezed with a cloth to strain and filter the juice. Usually, one leaf gives one tablespoonful of juice and two tablespoonfuls of papaya leaves juice is sufficient for a day. To preserve its strength, the juice should be taken raw, without altering, boiling or any additions. No saps nor stems of the papaya leaf should be included-only the leaf should be crushed. The powerful ‘Papain’ enzyme in the papaya leaf has the ability to dissolve proteins and is already used for indigestion and stomach inflammation while another enzyme from the papaya leaf, ‘Chymopapain’ is used successfully in spinal treatment
15. Use Tulasi leaf ten pieces and one black pepper. This should be the proportion. Grind it and make pea size pills, use it with water
16. The root of the cassia (Amaltas) tree is used as a tonic for reducing dengue fever.
17. Chirayata has tremendous medicinal properties in the reduction of fevers. It is used for remedying the convulsions that accompany fevers in dengue.
18. Dhatura is the Ayurvedic version of the belladonna. Its leaves have potency in reducing the seriousness of the dengue fevers. However, the dosage must not exceed 2 decigrams, or it will lead to severe negative symptoms
19. An infusion of the Indian mallow (Kanghi) is used as an efficacious treatment for reducing the dengue fevers.
20. Fenugreek (Methi) leaves are taken as herbal tea in order to reduce fevers. This drink acts as a soothing and cleansing tea for the human system.
21. Bloodwort (Rojmari) is traditionally used remedy for all types of fevers in Ayurvedic medicine. Bloodwort when used in the form of a hot infusion brings out sweat, which expels the toxins from the body and reduces the fever.
22. Devil’s tree (Shaitan ka jhhad) is used in for the treatment of recurrent fevers as is seen in dengue. The herb is analogous in function to cinchona and quinine.
23. To increase the blood count pomegranate juice/ black grape juice should be given.
24. The orange juice helps with digestion, increased urinary output, promotes antibodies for faster healing and recovery.
25. Coriander (Hara dhania)- The leaves of the coriander can be taken in the form of a tonic to reduce the fevers in dengue.
The above herbs are effective in controlling most of the symptoms of dengue fever. But in the lieu of the seriousness of the fever, it is necessary to take even the Ayurvedic herbs under the supervision of a practicing Ayurvedic doctor
The dengue fever manifests itself in the form of severe vomiting, the appearance of a rash 3-4 days after the affliction and an ongoing severe headache. After 10 days these symptoms will subside and the negative toxins will decrease. However it can take up to a month for complete recovery. The sufferer will be weak and fatigued and milder symptoms of fever can arise.
Diet for Preventing Dengue Fever (Dandaka Jwara)
As in all fevers, the diet used for dengue fever must be quite simple and easy to digest. The following guidelines need to be followed:-
- Rice gruel (kanji) is very good food for dengue patients. If the rice gruel is too bland it can be flavored with a dash of lemon juice. Alternatively some curds can be mixed with rice and had with boiled vegetables. Oil must be avoided.
- Porridge and baked toasts (not fried) can be had for allaying hungers in the course of the day. Biscuits with tea can be had. The tea must be herbal, with tulsi, ginger, cardamom and other such fever-reducing herbs in it.
- There should be absolutely no spices in the diet. Even salt must be curtailed.
- Fruits must be taken in moderation. For people with dengue fever, apples and plantains are the only advisable fruits.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Dengue Fever (Dandaka Jwara)
Dengue fever is a very serious disease and self-medication should not be done. Medical attention is extremely important. But in presence of continued symptoms, there are several Ayurvedic herbs that can provide relief. The following is a list of some herbs which are used for the treatment of common fevers (not dengue fever in particular).
1. Neem leaves, Neem Oil are a great purifying agent and should be applied on a damp warm cloth in dosages of between 15 to 60 grammes 2-3 times daily. It should be noted that usage should be restricted in both males and females.
2. Drink as much water as you can in order to replace fluid loss. It will also help to bring down body temperature.
3. Avoid eating solid foods until the fever is gone. You can replace the foods by drinking plenty of distilled water and/or juices.
4. The leaves of the coriander can be taken in the form of a tonic to reduce the fevers in dengue.
5. Kakamachi is syrup like product that can be consumed as a soothing, cooling drink that can expel negative toxins such as those that build up during an attack of dengue from the digestive system and ultimately purify it. A cup twice daily is the recommended dosage.
6. Fruits rich in vitamin C like amla (embellica officinalis) are advised as vitamin C helps in better absorption of iron.
7. Chyawanprash can be taken as it is an immune booster, blood purifier and increases blood count.
8. Hogweed (Punarnava) is used to bring down temperatures. Hogweed produces plenty of perspiration which flushes the toxins and brings the fever down.
9. The seeds of hermal are powdered and taken as either an infusion or as a decoctin to treat intermittent and recurrent fevers that are observed in dengue.
10. Boiled tulsi that is basil leaves served in a warm drink like tea can help prevent an outbreak of dengue. This bitter and pungent herb has all the properties that strengthen the internal system against fever.
11. 10-15 basil leaves should be chewed twice a day or these can be boiled in 200ml water on low heat. When half the quantity is left it can be taken 2-3 times a day. This strengthens the body’s defence mechanism.
12. Mix 360 mg of Shunthi Churna with 125 mg of Hinguleshwar and now take this mixture at least 4 times daily, you may take with tea or hot water. If case the temperature of the patient rises beyond 104°F (40°C), then you may apply cold pad, on the forehead till the temperature subsides.
13. Papaya juice is a natural cure for dengue fever. The juice of Papaya leaf is a sure cure for platelets deficiency
14. Two raw papaya leaves are pounded, and they are squeezed with a cloth to strain and filter the juice. Usually, one leaf gives one tablespoonful of juice and two tablespoonfuls of papaya leaves juice is sufficient for a day. To preserve its strength, the juice should be taken raw, without altering, boiling or any additions. No saps nor stems of the papaya leaf should be included-only the leaf should be crushed. The powerful ‘Papain’ enzyme in the papaya leaf has the ability to dissolve proteins and is already used for indigestion and stomach inflammation while another enzyme from the papaya leaf, ‘Chymopapain’ is used successfully in spinal treatment
15. Use Tulasi leaf ten pieces and one black pepper. This should be the proportion. Grind it and make pea size pills, use it with water
16. The root of the cassia (Amaltas) tree is used as a tonic for reducing dengue fever.
17. Chirayata has tremendous medicinal properties in the reduction of fevers. It is used for remedying the convulsions that accompany fevers in dengue.
18. Dhatura is the Ayurvedic version of the belladonna. Its leaves have potency in reducing the seriousness of the dengue fevers. However, the dosage must not exceed 2 decigrams, or it will lead to severe negative symptoms
19. An infusion of the Indian mallow (Kanghi) is used as an efficacious treatment for reducing the dengue fevers.
20. Fenugreek (Methi) leaves are taken as herbal tea in order to reduce fevers. This drink acts as a soothing and cleansing tea for the human system.
21. Bloodwort (Rojmari) is traditionally used remedy for all types of fevers in Ayurvedic medicine. Bloodwort when used in the form of a hot infusion brings out sweat, which expels the toxins from the body and reduces the fever.
22. Devil’s tree (Shaitan ka jhhad) is used in for the treatment of recurrent fevers as is seen in dengue. The herb is analogous in function to cinchona and quinine.
23. To increase the blood count pomegranate juice/ black grape juice should be given.
24. The orange juice helps with digestion, increased urinary output, promotes antibodies for faster healing and recovery.
25. Coriander (Hara dhania)- The leaves of the coriander can be taken in the form of a tonic to reduce the fevers in dengue.
The above herbs are effective in controlling most of the symptoms of dengue fever. But in the lieu of the seriousness of the fever, it is necessary to take even the Ayurvedic herbs under the supervision of a practicing Ayurvedic doctor
