Some home remedies, such as chamomile, mint and St. John’s wort teas, are great options for dengue fever, because they have properties that help alleviate symptoms such as muscle pain, fever and headache.
These teas help to complement the dengue treatment recommended by your doctor, which may include the use of antipyretic and antihistamine medications, for example. Find out how dengue fever is treated.
However, some teas that contain salicylic acid, such as white willow and ginger tea, should be avoided. This is because this compound interferes with blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding.
1. Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea has analgesic, digestive and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache and muscle pain. Discover more benefits of peppermint.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of peppermint leaves;
- 150 ml of water.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, boil the water and, after turning off the heat, add the mint leaves. Cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain and drink. You can drink 2 to 3 cups of this tea per day.
Care: This tea is not recommended for children under 4 years of age. It should also not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Homemade serum
Homemade serum is a drink that helps to regain hydration, because it replaces water and mineral salts in cases of diarrhea or vomiting in children or adults.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar;
- 1 teaspoon of salt;
- 1 liter of filtered or boiled water.
Preparation mode:
In a jug, place all the ingredients and stir well, until the salt and sugar dissolve. take small sips throughout the day. Children can take homemade serum in spoons.
Care: You should not drink more than half a glass of homemade whey at one time. Homemade serum should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
3. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea has analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, therefore helping to relieve headaches and nausea.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (4g) of dried chamomile flowers;
- 150 ml of water.
Preparation mode:
In a kettle or pan, boil the water. After turning off the heat, add the chamomile flowers, cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain and drink then. It is recommended to drink a maximum of 4 cups of this tea per day.
Care: This tea is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age and for people allergic to chamomile and plants such as daisy, ragweed and chrysanthemums.
Tea with simple chamomile (Matricaria recutita) can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, Roman chamomile tea should be avoided, as there are still no studies that prove the safety of this type of plant during these phases.
4. Coconut water
Because it is rich in potassium and magnesium, coconut water helps with hydration and is mainly recommended to prevent dehydration in cases of diarrhea and vomiting caused by dengue fever. See other benefits of coconut water.
You can drink up to 3 glasses of coconut water a day, at any time, before or after meals. The ideal is to prioritize the consumption of natural coconut water. However, if this is not possible, you can drink coconut water from a box or bottle.
Care: People with kidney problems should only consume coconut water under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.
5. Lemongrass tea
Lemongrass, or lemongrass, is rich in myrcene and citral, which are bioactive compounds with analgesic action that helps alleviate dengue symptoms such as headache and muscle pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped lemongrass leaves;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode:
In a pan or kettle, boil the water. After turning off the fire, add the lemongrass leaves, cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain and drink then. You can drink up to 4 cups of this tea per day.
Care: This tea is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. In addition, people who use calming medications or to control blood pressure should consult a doctor before consuming lemongrass tea.
6. St. John’s wort tea
As it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, St. John’s wort tea helps combat muscle pain. Discover other properties of St. John’s wort.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon (2 to 3g) of dried St. John’s wort flowers and leaves;
- 200 ml of water.
Preparation mode:
Boil water in a pan and then turn off the heat. Add St. John’s wort to the water, cover the pan and wait for 5 minutes. Afterwards, strain and drink the tea. It is recommended to drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day after meals.
Care: This tea is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, people with allergies or sensitivity to this plant and people with severe depression. Furthermore, this tea should also not be used by pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding or women who are using oral contraceptives.
People taking antidepressants such as sertraline, paroxetine or nefazodone should also not consume St. John’s wort.
In addition, people who use medications such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, amprenavir, indinavir, irinotecan, warfarin, buspirone, triptans, benzodiazepines, methadone, amitriptyline, digoxin, finasteride, fexofenadine, finasteride or simvastatin should talk to a doctor before consuming this tea.
Teas that you cannot take for dengue
Some teas made with plants that contain salicylic acid or similar substances, such as white willow, devil’s claw, cat’s claw, ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, boldo-do-chile, weeping, sinceiro, rattan, osier and mustard , are contraindicated in cases of dengue. This is because these medicinal plants can weaken blood vessels and cause bleeding.
Furthermore, herbs such as ginger, rosemary, garlic, oregano, thyme, parsley and onion are also contraindicated during dengue fever, as they make clotting difficult, favoring bleeding and hemorrhages. See what to eat and what to avoid to recover from dengue.
Plants that keep mosquitoes away
The plants that ward off the dengue mosquito are those that have a strong smell, such as mint, rosemary, basil, lavender, spearmint, thyme, sage and lemongrass. These plants can be grown at home so that the scent helps protect the environment against Temples of the Egyptians, care must be taken to prevent the vase from accumulating water. See tips for growing these plants at home.
