In the world, close to 96 million dengue cases have been reported each year. It especially affects the tropical countries of Taiwan, China, India, South-East Asia, Islands on the Pacific, Mexico, South America, Africa, and also Americans who travel to these countries, live in warmer states or live on the border between US and Mexico.
Summary About Dengue:
Dengue fever was known as ‘break bone fever’, and is caused by the virus called, DENV-1 and is spread by mosquitoes. In its earlier stages, dengue is not fatal but if not tended to immediately, then serious complications could make it so.
Aedes mosquitoes are the carriers of dengue fever, and a single bite is enough to transmit the disease, however, it is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. These mosquitoes become active during the rainy seasons and breed in stagnant water-borne areas such as, barrels of water, ponds, flower vases or pots, etc. which are left open.
Dengue Symptoms: -Chills
-Extreme headaches
-Pain when moving your eyes and redness
-Lower back pain
-Loss of appetite
-Sudden and fluctuating on and off fever, usually ranging to 40° Celsius or 104° Fahrenheit
-Low heart rate
-Low blood pressure
-Joint and muscle aches
-Extreme fatigue
-Nausea and vomiting
-Skin rashes
-Easy bruising
-Bleeding from gums or nose
-Low blood platelet count
-Blood plasma wastage
The symptoms usually become obvious around 3 days to a week after being infected, they vary from person to person and especially affect someone who has a weak immune system. If you see one or more of these signs, do get a blood test done immediately and talk to a doctor.
Natural Remedies:
Investing and healing with herbal remedies for such a serious illness may seem a little discouraging. However, natural methods are 100% natural, have close to no side-effects, and do without toxic chemicals being added to your body. Here are some of them:
1. Drink Plenty Of Plain Or Flavored Water
Dengue like other illnesses deplete a lot of the body’s needed fluids, so drink as much warm water as can so it can help flush out those nasty toxins which are helping the virus stay in action. The increased water intake will help stop your platelet count from reducing. If you are bored of normal water, it would be better if you keep drinking some orange or lemon juice. Having a lot of fresh fruit juices is said to be a mandatory dietary recommendation for dengue, say most physicians.
2. Papaya Leaf Juice
After conducting some research studies, papaya leaf juice is said to be quite effective for healing dengue. First, get a handful of fresh papaya leaves, cut them into slices, and remove the veins. Add 10 ml of water grind it and filter it. Make sure this juice is drunk about 4 times a day. This should be taken upon noticing the primary symptoms of dengue. The leaves contain enzymes of papain and chymopapain, said to improve and normalize the platelet count and liver functions, both of which deteriorate in dengue patients. It also has Vitamin C which can help strengthen the immune system and flush out nasty toxins from the body and blood. Having this should be avoided if the person is pregnant, breastfeeding, allergic to latex or papain or recently had surgery.
3. Neem Leaf Juice
Neem leaves have potent dengue fighting properties, all you have to do is soak some leaves overnight in some warm water, grind and strain the mixture and have around 10 ml of the juice 3 to 4 times a day. It helps counter the fever and bring the body temperature back to normal without many fluctuations, it helps increase the white blood cell and platelet count, fight inflammation, destroy viruses, help detox and purify the digestive and respiratory tracts, thanks to some enzymes like nimbin and quercetin. It could however harm infants, diabetics and those who are pregnant.
4. Basil Leaves Tea
These leaves are a traditional remedy and also called Tulsi in India. The basil leaves are boiled with water and said to reduce the fever in dengue. All you have to do is boil around 15 fresh basil leaves in water, let the mixture cool to room temperature, strain it and drink it 4 to 5 times a day. Another trick is to just keep chewing fresh and washed basil leaves around 4 times a day. This tea stimulates sweating, releases toxins, and, the cinnamic acid in it helps with blood circulation, while the flavonoids help protect the cell lining. Its oils are highly anti-bacterial, relax the blood vessels and regulate the heartbeats to normalcy. Those who have any bleeding disorders such as clotting, anemia or blood pressure should not have this.
5. Coriander Leaf Juice
As a green remedy for dengue, it effectively fights viral infection related fevers and readjusts body temperature. Wash a bowl of coriander leaves well, mix them in a bowl of drinking water and blend the mixture well. Drink this juice about 5 times a day. The cineole, linoleic acid, and, vitamin C, boost immunity and relieve joint aches and pain. It also helps regulate liver functions and enhances digestion. Do not consume this if you are diabetic.
6. Pomegranate Juice
The rich red rubies of a fruit boost the blood platelet count and are a wonderful alternative to the bitter papaya leaf juice. The chemicals called punicalagin and punicalins help promote heart health, while its antioxidants like polyphenols, lower blood pressure, reduce blood platelet depletion, and, help bring it back to normal. This juice is not recommended for those who have high blood pressure.
7. Barley Grass Or Wheatgrass Juice
Boiling barley and drinking its water, or even freshly ground wheatgrass juice helps drastically boost the blood platelet count, within the hour. As a powerful fighter of dengue and its symptoms, it also stimulates the patient’s bone marrow to increase production of platelets, red blood cell production and help make the person feel less weak. All you have to do is grind a cup of wheatgrass or barley grass with some warm water, strain it and drink it just 2 times a day. It may taste like you’re drinking a glass of freshly mowed lawn at first but it does wonders. The folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and, iron, all boost the body’s immunity, protect cells from being harmed, and detox the body. Those who are gluten sensitive or diabetic should avoid drinking it.
Other Tips:
8. Get A Fish Pond Of Guppies
If you have an unused pool or little pond, mosquitoes may be attracted to it to breed, so add a few guppies in there as they feed on mosquito eggs and larvae, and hence reducing its count immensely.
9. Covering Up And Shutting Out
Cover any open water-bearing containers, keep windows closed during early hours of the day and late hours of the night, and do clean out the drains every now and then.
10. Invest In Some Mosquito Killers
Make sure you use insecticides, set mosquito traps and apply mosquito repellents around the place
11. Put Up A Force-field
Use netting mesh around beds and protect yourself by wearing full covered bright colored clothing
Do consult a doctor about these or their own natural treatments as a supportive measure or alternative to pharmaceutical meds.
