Taking the Fear out of Fever with Homeopathy
- Ann Lovatt
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
Here’s a simple guide to help you manage fevers with confidence.
Fever is indicated by a rise in body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius, although this can vary in the individual child. Temperatures of up to 39 or 40 degrees commonly occur in children with an infection. When your little one has a fever, they might have swings of temperature, feeling hot, then cold and shivery, looking pale, having a headache or tummy ache, feeling unwell or just lacking energy. Children may also experience sweating, chills, loss of appetite, or be irritable or weepy. Sometimes, with a high fever, a child may even become delirious — saying strange things, hallucinating, or becoming afraid and disorientated.
It’s totally natural for parents to feel concern when a fever shows up.
Many quickly reach for medications like Calpol / Tylenol to bring the temperature down. Homeopaths believe that fever is an important part of the healing process and that it should not be suppressed with medications like Calpol or Tylenol — unless absolutely necessary.
Why is fever seen as important?
Fever is the body’s natural response to infection, allergic reaction, or injury. The hypothalamus — the body’s thermostat — raises the temperature to activate the body’s defences. A healthy immune system often responds with a high fever for a short time, clearing infection quickly. In contrast, those who don’t generate strong fevers may experience lingering colds and infections. Interestingly, a child who has chronic colds may finally throw a strong fever after receiving the right homeopathic remedy, clearing deeper patterns and boosting their overall health. It's thought that children need to have fevers to strengthen their immune systems and clear inherited weaknesses.
Do you have to intervene?
Often, a fever can run its course without any treatment. If the child is comfortable, well-hydrated, and resting, no intervention may be necessary. However, if your child seems in pain, has signs of infection, or struggles with the symptoms, there are homeopathic remedies that can gently support them. Fevers also often show up at the beginning of illnesses like chicken pox — supporting the fever helps the body fully express the illness and heal properly.
Self Help for Fevers
Hydration: Offer little sips of water or breastfeed as needed. Ice cubes and wet flannels can be soothing but be wary of sponging down with cold water as this can cause shivering which will warm the body up! A warm flannel gently dabbed on the face and body can be soothing.
Food: Don’t worry if your child doesn’t want to eat. Light foods like fruit or soup are enough if they are hungry.
Rest: A calm, quiet environment helps your child’s body focus on healing.
When to Seek Medical Help
Although most fevers pass safely, there are times when you should get professional advice:
If the temperature rises to 40.5 degrees Celsius (105°F).
If your child has a history of convulsions or has one.
If your baby is under 6 months old with a prolonged fever.
If an older baby has a temperature over 40 degrees for more than 24 hours.
If your child is listless or floppy.
If fever appears after a wound (it could be septic).
If your child complains of severe headache, especially at the back of the head, or shows a fever with a rash.
If there are abdominal pains, nausea, or signs suggesting appendicitis.
Common Homeopathic Remedies for Fever
Here’s a simple guide to help you match symptoms to the right remedy:
Aconite: Fast, early onset high fever after a cold wind or fright, chills alternate with heat, dry, burning heat, restless, thirsty for cold drinks.
Belladonna: Red, flushed face, burning hot skin with icy cold hands and feet, glassy eyes, worse between 3pm and 3am, unquenchable thirst or no thirst, anxiety and restlessness.
Chamomilla: Irritable, fussy, whiny and moaning, nothing consoles them, wants to be carried and held, chilly but gets easily overheated, sweaty heads, during teething or ear infection.
Ferrum Phosphate: Early, first stage of mild fevers, flushed cheeks, gradual onset, like Bell, intense heat of the head and face whilst the rest of the body remains cool. At a stage after Acon and Bell but before the sluggishness of Gelsemium.
Arsenicum: Burning hot but wants to be wrapped up warm, very thirsty for sips of water or hot drinks during chill, worse around midnight and all night, very anxious, restless, exhausted and fearful.
Bryonia: Fever with a dry cough, prefers to lie still - everything is worse for movement, irritable, excessive thirst, chilliness dominates, painful continued fever, worse after anger.
Gelsemium: Drowsy, dull and droopy, trembling and wants to be held, droopy eyelids, muscular aches and chills, chills up and down the back, in influenza, exhausting heat & sweats, little thirst.
Eupatorium: Intense, violent bone and muscle aches and pains, feels bruised, shivering, chill then thirst, worse 7-9am, great weakness in influenza.
Phosphorus: High fever but often still playful, craves ice cold drinks, known as the human barometer, Phos is very sensitive to external impressions - light, sound, storms, odors, touch, chilly in evenings in warm room, can be anxious, flushes all over, fever on falling to sleep, flushed cheeks, worse twilight.
Pulsatilla: Tearful, clingy, moaning, thirst-less, better with fresh air, lower-grade fevers where the body is hot & limbs cold, external heat is intolerable, worse stuffy rooms.
Is Homeopathy safe for a Fever?
Absolutely — and many families have found it works beautifully! I can say hand on heart that I’ve seen fevers managed at home using homeopathy, without needing to reach for Calpol or make emergency doctor visits. However, always stay informed, follow your parental instincts, seek urgent care or a Doctor's advice if you are at all concerned.
Having a Homeopathic Remedy Kit, like the ones available from Homeopathy247, can be incredibly helpful. Don't forget we offer a 24/7 hour acute service if you need help - use us!
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