Table of contents:
- List of traditional and natural medicines for dengue fever (DHF)
- 1. Guava
- 2. Angkak rice
- 3. Echinacea
- 4. Papaya leaves
- 5. Patikan kebo (weed)
- 6. Sambiloto leaves
- 7. Eat vegetables rich in vitamin C
- 8. Zinc supplements
- Medically recommended dengue fever (DHF) medicine
- 1. Paracetamol
- 2. Platelet transfusions
- In addition to taking medication, do the following home remedies tips
- Drink lots of fluids
- Enough rest
- Eat platelet-boosting foods
Dengue hemorrhagic fever or commonly known as DHF is a disease caused by the dengue virus that is carried by mosquitoes Aedes aegypti . DHF can cause complications in the form of internal organ bleeding which can be fatal if left untreated. Fortunately, there are various drug options that you can take to treat the symptoms of dengue fever, from natural remedies to medical drugs.
List of traditional and natural medicines for dengue fever (DHF)
DHF infection causes the body's platelet levels to drop dramatically so that the number of red blood cells decreases. This increases your risk of internal bleeding which can lead to profuse blood loss.
Unfortunately, there has not been found one type of drug that is sure to work in curing diseases caused by mosquito bites Aedes this. Usually the doctor will advise you to hospitalize and take pain relievers such as paracetamol to relieve symptoms.
Well besides that, some of the following natural and traditional medicines are reported to have the potential to accelerate the healing of dengue fever (DHF). There are also those that work to increase the body's resistance to fight infection to speed up the healing process.
The following is a list of natural remedies that are recommended to treat dengue symptoms:
1. Guava
Guava fruit is the most popular traditional medicine for dengue fever or DHF. For those of you who may have had dengue fever, surely your parents or friends will suggest eating or drinking guava juice.
This fruit contains thrombinol which can stimulate thrombopoietin. Thrombopoietin is an active compound in the body that triggers the formation of new blood plates, thereby increasing the platelet count.
Guava also contains magnesium, iron, phosphorus and calcium which help increase the number of platelets. Phosphorus in particular helps repair the tissues around damaged and leaky blood vessels.
In addition, guava has been named as a natural dengue fever remedy because it is rich in quercetin. Quercetin is a natural compound that can suppress the growth of the dengue virus in DHF patients.
However, people who are sick with dengue should eat or drink something that is easier to digest. So to get around guava as a traditional medicine for dengue fever, blender the fruit first until smooth. Apart from being easy to digest, the water content in guava flesh is also good for preventing dehydration.
2. Angkak rice
Angkak is a type of brown rice from China which is fermented with yeast Monascus purpureus . There have been various studies conducted to prove Angkak as an herbal medicine for dengue fever.
One of them is research from the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) in 2012, which showed that Angkak extract capsules can increase platelets in white mice with low platelet levels. Giving Angkak which increases platelet levels can help DHF patients recover faster.
In addition, another study from IPB in 2015 reported that the combination of angkak and guava can also be a natural dengue fever medicine.
3. Echinacea
Echinacea is an herbal plant commonly used to treat colds and flu.
According to Pakistan Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research , echinacea can trigger the production of extra protein and interferon. Both of these substances function as an immune reaction to fight bacterial and viral attacks, as well as increase endurance.
4. Papaya leaves
Not only delicious as a side dish to eat rice, papaya leaves also have good potential as a traditional medicine to cure dengue fever.
There are two different studies from India investigating the compilation of reports on the benefits of papaya leaves as a natural dengue fever remedy. In conclusion, papaya leaf extract can help increase platelet levels in the blood of people with dengue fever. This is thought to be because papaya leaves help stabilize the cell walls of the blood platelets so they are not easily destroyed by the dengue virus.
You can wash 50 grams of papaya leaves under running water. Then mash the leaves until smooth but not into powder. Pour the papaya leaves and strain the water.
Drink papaya leaf boiled water 3 times a day as a natural dengue fever medicine.
5. Patikan kebo (weed)
Make sure the kebo or weed is a wild plant that grows a lot in the yard. This plant is also believed to have health benefits as a traditional herbal remedy for dengue fever. Make sure this kebo is widely used by cleaning and boiling the water to drink dengue fever sufferers.
In the Philippines, patikan kebo was tested in a study in Journal of Tropical Medicine . This study aims to determine whether or not the benefits of this weed are to overcome dengue fever. The results showed that this wild plant can indeed reduce the formation of stereotypical dengue fever virus plaques 1 and 2.
Before trying the patikan kebo plant for natural dengue fever medicine, first consult a doctor for advice and the right dosage of medication.
6. Sambiloto leaves
Sambiloto is a herbal leaf commonly used in herbal ingredients. Sambiloto in a herbal drink is healthy, but it tastes very bitter. Although bitter, this sambiloto has benefits as a herbal remedy for dengue fever.
A study from a journal Acta Tropica found the fact that sambiloto extract can eradicate the viral vector that causes fever. However, further research is still needed to test the efficacy of sambiloto as a traditional medicine for DHF that is safe for consumption.
7. Eat vegetables rich in vitamin C
Vegetables high in vitamin C such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and pumpkin can be a traditional remedy for dengue fever.
Vitamin C plays an important role in repairing and regrowing damaged body tissue. Vitamin C can also strengthen the immune system to attack germs that cause disease by increasing antibodies and the production of white blood cells.
You can also consume fruits high in vitamin C such as oranges, kiwi, and mango as a natural dengue fever medicine besides guava.
8. Zinc supplements
Apart from vitamin C, zinc is an important mineral that can be a natural dengue fever remedy. Zinc is a drug with an important role in increasing the amount of interferon which can protect your body during dengue fever. Taking zinc supplements or foods can also strengthen the immune system that is fighting the dengue virus.
You can eat foods containing zinc such as red meat, nuts, and cereals. You can also take 25 mg of zinc supplement medication once a day to help your body fight dengue fever.
Medically recommended dengue fever (DHF) medicine
Until now, there is no specific and most effective type of medicine to treat dengue fever or DHF. If you are hospitalized, the doctor will usually give you a variety of more than one type of medication to relieve symptoms while preventing your condition from getting worse.
Generally, the main treatment method of DHF in the hospital is by infusion to normalize blood pressure and flow. The infusion also functions to restore lost body fluids to prevent the risk of dehydration and shock.
The following are other medicines that doctors also commonly give to treat dengue, regardless of whether you are hospitalized or treated at home:
1. Paracetamol
Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is commonly used to reduce fever and relieve joint and muscle pain, lethargy, and malaise due to this disease. You can get this drug at the pharmacy to relieve the annoying symptoms of dengue fever.
However, types of pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, salicylates, and other types of NSAIDs should not be used to treat dengue fever. The reason is, these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding.
2. Platelet transfusions
Dengue that is allowed to continue can make the blood platelet count lower. So, sometimes platelet transfusions are needed in certain cases.
Platelet transfusion is not a drug, but a treatment method to increase the number of platelets during dengue fever.
However, not all people with dengue need to get a transfusion. Platelet transfusions are only performed in patients whose platelet count is far below 100,000 per microliter of blood.
In addition, platelet transfusions are only performed on patients who experience symptoms of heavy bleeding, such as nosebleeds that can't stop and bloody bowel movements. If there is no bleeding, platelet transfusions are not required.
In addition to taking medication, do the following home remedies tips
Whether it's hospitalized or treated at home, doctors will usually advise you on the following four things to make your dengue fever medicine more effective:
Drink lots of fluids
Drinking lots of water is the most effective traditional medicine to reduce fever due to dengue. Adequate water intake can also prevent the risk of dehydration and shock.
Fluid intake for DHF people can not only be obtained from mineral water. You can get fluids from eating watery fruits, from fruit juices, warm gravy foods, even from electrolyte solutions.
Enough rest
As long as dengue fever medicine is prescribed, people who are sick are obliged to take complete rest, aka bed rest . Rest can help restore body tissue damaged by dengue fever infection.
Eat platelet-boosting foods
As long as they are still taking medication, people with dengue fever must prioritize healthy and nutritious eating habits. Especially eating foods recommended for DHF, so that the body can normalize or increase the platelet levels in the blood.