As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and the more severe heatstroke. While immediate medical attention is paramount for serious conditions, there are helpful herbal remedies for heatstroke that have traditionally been used to support the body in cooling down, reducing fever, and maintaining balance.
Exploring Herbs for Heat Stroke
Today, we’ll explore some of these botanical allies, always remembering that herbs in for such a serious condition are best used as a supportive measure, not a replacement for professional medical care in an emergency.
When the Heat Hits Hard: Specific Herbal Support
For heatstroke or heat exhaustion, certain herbs are specifically highlighted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and other traditional practices:
- Evodia San Ya Ku (Bitter Evodia Root): Described as a refrigerant and antipyretic, this herb is indicated for “wind heat onset of viral infections,” including heatstroke and fever. It’s also noted for its anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, detoxicant, analgesic, and antipruritic properties. Usually taken as a tincture, 2-4ml.
- Gypsum Shi Gao: This mineral, when decocted, is recommended for “spiking/dangerous high fever” and “Yang Ming stage/Qi level heat” conditions, which often manifest with profuse sweating, thirst, and irritability – all classic signs of severe heat. It can be administered in larger doses for very high fevers. Usually taken as a tea/decoction.
- Fragrant Solomon’s Seal Root (Polygonatum Yu Zhu): Known for “heart Yang deficiency patterns seen in heart failure and heat exhaustion,” This herb is described as a sedative and relaxant for both the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It may help “clear internal wind” and reduce arterial and coronary spasms.
- Mormon Tea (Ephedra/Ma Huang): Intriguingly, this herb is listed as a heart tonic for heatstroke and a cardiovascular/arterial circulatory stimulant, used for conditions like hypothermia, circulatory collapse, and heatstroke. Usually taken as a tincture.
- Cautions: Mormon Tea comes with significant warnings due to its warm and stimulant nature. Excessive use can cause heavy sweating, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, restlessness, and insomnia. It should be used with caution, especially in individuals with high blood pressure, cardiac asthma, spontaneous sweating, or insomnia. Its use in heatstroke seems to be specifically aimed at circulatory collapse, and its stimulant properties necessitate professional supervision to avoid exacerbating “excess heat” conditions. Use with caution and only if under the guidance of an experienced herbalist!
- Hydration Tea: A simple yet effective blend for heat exhaustion includes lemon balm leaf, rosehips, nettle leaf, chickweed leaf, and salt to add hydration and electrolyte balance.
- Cooling Foods: Foods like watermelon, mung beans, and black soybeans are specifically noted for clearing “summer heat,” a condition akin to heat exhaustion characterized by profuse sweating, fever, irritability, exhaustion, and extreme thirst. Cucumber is also helpful for clearing summer heat and restoring some hydration. learn how to make my favorite electrolyte drink HERE.
General Fever and “Heat” Reducers
Many other herbs are widely recognized for their cooling properties and ability to reduce fever, making them broadly applicable to various heat conditions like heatstroke:
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): A gentle fever reducer and powerful diaphoretic (promotes sweating) that stimulates the immune system and alleviates fever discomfort. A hot infusion of yarrow is considered excellent for inducing a sweat and breaking a fever, and it is energetically cooling and drying. Usually taken as a tea or tincture (5 drops – 3ml 3x daily).
- Elderflower (Sambucus nigra): A cooling and drying febrifuge with decongestant and antiviral properties, often used in hot tea for fever to promote sweating. Taken as a tea or tincture (30-90 drops 3x daily).
- Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Considered excellent for fevers, particularly those accompanied by muscle aches and pains. It is a febrifuge and diaphoretic, promoting perspiration when taken as a warm tea. Taken as a tea or tincture (20-40 drops in hot water 3x daily).
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): A cooling diaphoretic that helps lower fevers and can calm the stomach. Recommended as a hot tea for fever or cold tea to cool the body.
- Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua): A cooling diaphoretic that encourages blood flow to the surface, promotes sweating, and can lower blood pressure. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects for “wind heat” conditions. Taken as a tea or in capsules.
- Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides): This “Clear Heat and Drain Fire” herb is antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial, used for acute high fever, severe thirst, sweating, and clearing heat, dampness, and toxins.
- Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa): A “Clear Heat and Cool Blood” herb that treats advanced stages of fevers with depleted body fluids, aiding rehydration. It also cools and rebuilds blood after blood loss.
- Sage (Salvia officinalis): Can be beneficial for fevers, especially those with intermittent chills or night sweats. It can be taken hot to induce perspiration and helps balance body fluids, either by constricting them in cases of excessive sweating or by opening pores for fever. Sage is not appropriate in active, excited conditions. Taken as a tincture (30-60 drops as needed).
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus): These “Heat-clearing herbs” are used for symptoms of “Excess Yang,” such as high fever, thirst, red face, restlessness, and irritability. Goldenseal also possesses antimicrobial properties. Taken as tinctures.
- Bupleurum (Bupleurum Chinensis): This herb “cools and releases the Exterior” and has antipyretic, diaphoretic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties for Exterior disorders.
- Pueraria: This herb relaxes muscles and releases the surface, treating fever, colds, flu, headache, thirst, and sore throat associated with “Heat” conditions. It is also a diaphoretic.
- Scute (Scutellaria baicalensis): Known for clearing heat, drying dampness, and possessing anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antibacterial actions. It is used for high fever, irritability, and thirst. Taken as a tincture (1tsp 2-3x daily).
- Licorice: Aids expectoration and has antispasmodic properties that soothe inflammations. Taken as a tea or tincture (1-3 dropperfuls a day).
- Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica): Used in formulas to clear colds with mucus from “Heat,” acting as expectorants to alleviate cough and soothe inflamed conditions. Mullein specifically cools and dissolves phlegm.
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): An assisting herb that opens the body’s surface, lowers fevers, and clears “Heat toxins”.
- Blue Vervain (Verbena officinalis): Helps release tension and can open the skin to promote sweating when it’s otherwise difficult in a feverish ailment. It is combined with yarrow and elderflower to break fevers when drunk hot. Taken as a tincture (¼-1 teaspoon a day).
- Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua): Used for conditions brought on by heat, including fever, headaches, and dizziness, and is effective for chronic fevers. Taken as a tea or tincture (30-90 drops 6x daily)
- Contrayerva (Dorstenia contrajerva): An aromatic, stimulant, and sweat-inducing herb, sometimes used in the early stages of serious fevers.
Heatstroke, also known as sunstroke, is considered an emergency condition that requires immediate first aid measures.
When to Take Herbs for Conditions Like Heatstroke or Severe Heat/Fever:
- Immediately for Acute Conditions: For conditions akin to heatstroke, such as “summer heat” syndrome or high fevers, the general principle is to act quickly. Herbal interventions for acute fevers and heat conditions are designed to respond rapidly, sometimes even within the same day if properly treated.
- Frequent Dosing During the Acute Phase:
- For high fevers, diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) herbs like boneset, yarrow, elder flower, and peppermint are recommended to be taken frequently. For instance, boneset tea can be consumed every few hours, and yarrow tea can be drunk every few hours until the fever breaks.
- For heat exhaustion, a Hydration Tea (see above) can be consumed as needed.
- Temperature of Herbal Preparations:
- To effectively induce sweating and help lower a fever, diaphoretic teas (such as yarrow, boneset, peppermint, and elderflower) are best consumed hot. For example, a warm tea of yarrow is considered one of the best remedies for inducing a sweat and breaking a fever.
- For overall cooling or when dealing with existing “Excess Heat” conditions, cooling herbs or preparations are preferred.
- Duration of Treatment: For acute heatstroke, seek medical attention immediately. If help is a ways off, use the quick cooling methods above and the herbs if you must.
- Contraindications: It’s crucial to understand that hot baths are contraindicated for heatstroke. Also, excessively heating herbs should rarely be used in the summer months.
After implementing immediate physical cooling measures, herbal remedies aimed at reducing internal heat and promoting healthy perspiration should be administered promptly and frequently, often as hot teas for diaphoretic action, or cool preparations for direct cooling, and continued until symptoms subside.
The Signs and Symptoms of Heatstroke:
- Very high, sudden fever. This implies hot skin.
- Profuse/heavy sweating or profuse perspiration.
- Exhaustion or lassitude.
- Extreme thirst.
- Delirium or a disturbed mind.
- Coma or loss of consciousness/sudden fainting.
- Shortness of breath.
- Restlessness or agitation.
- Flushed face.
- Dizziness or vertigo.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Irritability.
- Diarrhea.
- Tremors.
- Paresis (partial paralysis).
- Psychosis.
- Retention of fluids
Immediate First Aid and Cooling Methods for Heatstroke/Sunstroke:
- Rapid Cooling: The individual should be immediately wrapped in wet bedding or wet clothing. They can also be immersed in cool water or cooled with ice friction and fanned while waiting for transportation. Continue cooling until the heat of the skin and fever drop, but be careful not to overcool them.
- Remove excess clothing: Take off any unnecessary clothing to help with cooling.
- Cold Compresses: Cold compresses can be used to bring down a high body temperature. They should be frequently soaked in cool water and reapplied for maximum benefit to the armpits, neck, and groin.
Hydration and Electrolyte Replacement:
- Hydration is crucial for heat exhaustion, which is very similar to heatstroke. When running a temperature, the body loses more fluids, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to replace them.
- Water and Electrolytes: Water is a good choice for rehydration. Electrolyte drinks and broths are also recommended. Coconut water and broth can help replenish electrolytes. A basic rehydration salt recipe includes ½ teaspoon of salt and 4 teaspoons of sugar mixed into 500ml (8 fl oz) of warm water, to be sipped throughout the day. Fruit juice can also help restore glucose levels.
- Avoid certain drinks: Gatorade may have too much sugar and not enough sodium and potassium.
- Pre-emptive hydration: Do not wait until you feel thirsty to drink water, as thirst indicates mild dehydration. Regular water intake throughout the day is encouraged.
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Summer Heat Relief – Cooling Herbs
How to Make a Cooling Peppermint Hydrosol
