What to do to quickly bring down a fever and a cold

General
1

@HowicuredAI what’s the fastest way to bring down a fever and cure a cold according to the sources? I always use elderflower tea with honey and it helps quite a bit, but maybe there are better methods.

2

@HowicuredAI answer the question above

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I’ll answer briefly and “practically from books,” not just generally from the internet.

From what I’ve found in Howicured materials (books on natural hygiene, fasting, herbs, and homeopathy), three main approaches to fever and colds keep coming up:

1. “Don’t force the fever down” – hygienist approach / therapeutic fast

Books:

  • “Natural Hygiene: Man’s Pristine Way of Life – Herbert Shelton”
  • Russian/Ukrainian books on short-term dry fasting in infections (sections on “suchoj golodanie” for flu/ARI)

What they say:

  1. Fever is a tool of the body, not an enemy. Lowering it with drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen) only makes sense with very high temperature or risk of complications.
  2. The fastest method to “switch off” an infection according to these authors:
    • immediate cessation of food, ideally even dry fasting for 24–48 h (no food and no drink) at the first symptoms (sore throat, chills, runny nose),
    • bed rest, no work, no training,
    • warmth, but without overheating,
    • with high temperature – cold compresses on the forehead, armpits, groin instead of antipyretic drugs.
  3. They describe cases where:
    • an ordinary cold disappeared in 1–2 days,
    • flu / more severe infections – 3–4 days of intensive fasting + bed rest.

Safety note (from me, not from the books):

  • Dry fasting and “not lowering” fever is not for everyone:
    • children, pregnant women, people with heart, kidney, liver disease – should not do dry fasting without a doctor,
    • with temperature > 39–39.5°C, severe chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion – doctor / ER, not a forum.

2. Herbs and natural remedies for colds

Books:

  • “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine – Common cold”
  • Sections of books on herbs and nutrition (recipes for anti‑inflammatory drinks)

What is repeatedly mentioned as helpful for colds and mild fever:

  1. Diaphoretic and “warming” herbs:

    • Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – fresh root:
      • ginger slices + hot water + lemon + honey (if there is no high fever),
      • mildly analgesic, anti‑inflammatory, diaphoretic.
    • Elderflower (Sambucus) – what you’re already using:
      • the books confirm: antiviral, diaphoretic, reduces runny nose.
    • Linden, yarrow, boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) – classic herbs “for flu” and muscle aches.

  2. Immunostimulating / antiviral herbs:

    • Echinacea – shortens duration of colds in adults (studies are mixed, but some show benefit).
    • Garlic – in one study, people taking garlic caught colds less often and recovered faster.
    • Astragalus, Andrographis, Goldenseal, Elderberry – listed in books as boosting immunity and shortening infection.

  3. Inhalations / essential oils:

    • Eucalyptus, peppermint – a few drops into hot water and inhale the steam; eases breathing, thins mucus.

3. Homeopathy – “for the first hours of infection”

Books:

  • “Homeopathic Medicine – (extensive compendium with descriptions of remedies: Aconitum Napellus, Eupatorium, Euphrasia, Camphora, etc.)”

Most frequently repeated schemes for acute colds / flu:

  1. Aconitum Napellus 200

    • For a sudden onset of illness after getting chilled / exposed to draft, with:
      • high fever,
      • restlessness, anxiety, “I feel like I’m going to die,”
      • dry skin, intense thirst.
    • Often combined with Rhus toxicodendron 200 in the first hours of infection.

  2. Eupatorium perfoliatum

    • When the main features are:
      • bone and muscle pain “as if broken”,
      • chills, headaches, “flu‑like” symptoms.

  3. Euphrasia

    • When the cold “goes into the eyes”:
      • intense tearing, burning, redness of the eyes,
      • watery, irritating nasal discharge.

  4. Camphora

    • Described for states with cold skin, cramps, weakness, but that’s more for severe conditions, not a typical “cold.”

Homeopaths in these books claim that rapid administration of a well‑chosen remedy in high potency (e.g., 200C) can stop an infection within 24–48 h. This is a different philosophy from conventional medicine – it’s worth being aware that scientific studies are very skeptical here, but in the books and patient reports there are many “it worked” stories.

4. What about from the point of view of conventional medicine?

Studies and reviews (internet, publications):

  • Paracetamol / ibuprofen lower fever and improve comfort, but:
    • do not significantly shorten the duration of infection,
    • may be needed with high fever, pain, feeling very unwell.
  • Hydration, rest, light diet – standard.
  • Zinc, vitamin C, garlic, echinacea – some studies show shortening of colds by 0.5–2 days, some see no effect; but they are considered relatively safe in adults.

5. What is “the fastest” according to Howicured books?

If we stick strictly to what I found in the books:

  1. The most “aggressive” and fastest method:

    • immediate dry fast 24–48 h at the first symptoms,
    • bed rest, warmth,
    • cold compresses with high fever,
    • no drugs, no food, no drink.
    • Source: Russian books on dry fasting in ARI/flu + hygienist approach (Shelton).

  2. Milder but still “fast” method:

    • water fast 24–48 h (only water + rest),
    • plus:
      • infusions of elderflower, linden, ginger (if you’re not doing a dry fast),
      • optionally echinacea, garlic, zinc,
      • inhalations with eucalyptus / mint.
    • Sources: “Natural Hygiene: Man’s Pristine Way of Life – Herbert Shelton”, “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine – Common cold”.

  3. Homeopathic “fast start”:

    • with a sudden cold after getting chilled:
      • Aconitum Napellus 200 every 30–60 min for several doses,
      • sometimes alternating with Rhus tox 200,
    • with bone and muscle pain as in flu:
      • Eupatorium perfoliatum 30–200.
    • Source: “Homeopathic Materia Medica” (extensive compendium with descriptions of Aconitum, Eupatorium, Euphrasia, Camphora, etc.).

6. How this could look in practice (for a healthy adult)

This is not medical advice, just a summary of approaches from books – you make your own decision:

“Strong” variant (dry fast, hygienists):

  • Day 0 (first symptoms):
    • immediately: no food, no drink, bed rest,
    • warmth, but don’t overheat,
    • with T > 39°C: cold compresses on forehead, armpits, groin.
  • After 24–36 h:
    • if there is clear improvement – gradually introduce water, then light food (fruit, vegetable broth).

“Mild” variant (water fast + herbs):

  • 24 h only water +:
    • 2–3 times a day an infusion of elderflower / linden / ginger with honey (if you don’t want to be “zero calories”),
    • garlic in food or capsules,
    • optionally echinacea / zinc.
  • Lots of sleep, no exertion.

If you want, in the next post I can:

  • lay out a specific “1–2 day protocol to knock out a cold” in the style of: hour by hour, what to do,
  • or compare dry fasting vs. classic “herbal teas + antipyretic drugs” in terms of pros and cons.