Yellow fever is caused by the bite of a mosquito which carries the flavivirus. This disease is mostly prevalent in the tropical and sub tropical parts of South America, parts of the Caribbean and Africa. Though anyone can have this disease, it is more common among the elderly people. This systemic illness causes high fever and the death of cells in the liver and the kidneys. The symptoms develop three to six days later after being bitten. Other symptoms are severe headaches, vomiting, red eyes, red face and tongue, delirium, heart dysfunctions, muscle aches, jaundice, congestion of the face and hemorrhages.
The mosquito Aedes aegypti and some other species transmit the virus to the humans when they bite them. Other than mosquitoes, the humans are the only hosts of this deadly virus. This disease originated in Africa and was introduced to South America through the slave trade. It is one of the most dangerous and infectious disease. However, certain natural remedies provide a safe way out and they cause no side effects into the bargain.
Home Remedies For Yellow Fever
Coconut Water
Yellow fever causes severe dehydration due to frequent bouts of vomiting. It is important to keep the body well hydrated and to keep replenishing the amounts of water lost due to vomiting.
Coconut water contains many valuable nutrients that help to sustain the body’s energy and to enable it to combat the infection. It keeps the body well hydrated and well nourished. Drink tender coconut water three or four times daily.
Water And Salt
Buy some distilled water. Take a glass of distilled water and mix a good pinch of salt and the juice of half a lemon into it. Drink this water every few hours. Salt and lemon will quickly replenish the depleting electrolytes and will also help to flush out all the toxins from the body. This mixture will also alleviate the nausea and vomiting.
Garlic
The immune system becomes excessively weak trying to fight the infection. It becomes of the first consequence to strengthen the immune system to help it defend the body against other bacterial infections that may easily set in.
Garlic has superb antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties which help to combat the infection and bring relief in the symptoms. Swallow six or seven finely chopped cloves of garlic twice daily.
Bitter Leaves
The botanical name for bitter leaf is vernonia amygdalina. It is a small shrub that mainly grows in the tropics of Africa. It is native to Nigeria and is called the bitter leaf due to its bitter taste. Bitter leaves are extremely rich in antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which boost immunity on a large scale.
Crush some bitter leaves and squeeze the mass to extract the juice. Take one tablespoon of the juice and mix it with some water and plenty of orange juice. Drink half a glass of this mixture twice daily for two weeks.
Cinchona Bark
Boil sixty grams of cinchona bark in half a liter of water for five minutes. Cool the decoction and strain it. Drink 20ml of it three times daily for about ten days.
