Healing a Fever Naturally: Time-Tested Jewish Remedies for Recovery

A fever isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s the body’s way of fighting to cleanse itself. According to traditional wisdom, including teachings from the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of Judaism’s greatest physicians and sages), a rise in body temperature signals the body is actively working to expel waste and return to balance. Rather than suppressing a fever, the goal is to gently support the body's natural process of healing.

One of the most helpful ways to bring down a fever is through compresses. These don’t just help lower the heat, they support the body in addressing the root cause. Once the body releases what it needs to, the fever naturally goes down.

You can use either cold or warm compresses, depending on the situation. Here’s how they work:

When the body builds up waste, it often raises its temperature to help push it out. The skin is one of the main channels for this waste to leave, through its many pores. Heat opens the pores, while cold closes them. A warm compress encourages the pores to open while it’s on the skin. Then, when you remove it, the body responds by closing the pores again but in that transition, waste is expelled. A cold compress closes the pores, but when you take it off, the pores often reopen, also helping the body get rid of toxins.

In short, when the body has a clear path to release what it needs to, the fever can ease.

You can place compresses on areas like the forehead, chest, or other large parts of the body.

A shower can also help lower a fever. End the shower with cold water and gently scrub the skin with a sponge. This helps open the pores, letting the heat and toxins escape. It’s important not to finish the shower with hot water, because that will close the pores and trap the heat inside.

One helpful natural remedy is a eucalyptus infusion. Boil eucalyptus leaves in water, let the mixture cool, then soak cloths in it to use as compresses on the forehead. The scent is soothing and the properties of the leaves help reduce fever.

Another traditional, although not scientifically proven, remedy is to massage the body with olive oil mixed with a bit of crushed garlic. This helps the body sweat, which is another way the skin releases toxins, and may lower a fever.

Drinking jasmine root tea is also known in traditional healing circles as helpful for reducing fever.

To your health and healing!

Note: This article is not a substitute for medical advice from a certified healthcare professional. Please consult your doctor for any health concerns.