Dear Bob Liebert,

I have a problem here. My 14 year old daughter had an anaphylactic reaction to ibuprophen years ago...and a similar reaction to Aleve (her face swells, one eye swells shut and the last time she had trouble breathing). We've always used tylenol for a fever reducer and for the occasional headache.

My son has the flu, and spiked a fever of 105 yesterday, this morning my daughter complained of a headache, and she also has a fever (103) this afternoon. I gave her a tylenol, and she had the same reaction to it as she had to the ibuprophen many years ago. Not near as severe...but still a reaction.

What do I give her for a fever reducer now? The peds office has nothing to suggest but the hospital. There has to be some kind of natural fever reducer/pain reducer available.

They also said if she is allergic to ibuprophen, most likely she is allergic to asprin too. They said asprin and ibuprophen come from the same thing.
Can you help?

Donna

 

Dear Friend,

For an acute spiking fever in children I would suggest ELDER FLOWER extract or tea (liquid forms only will be effective). Unlike the ibuprofen, the herbs aid the process of fever, rather than suppressing it, by relaxing capillaries, opening the skin pores and relieving congestion. BONESET is good for fever with muscle ache or pain across chest, but is a more bitter herb. CATNIP may aid that headache and calm when fretful. MEADOWSWEET is good for headache and fever, with its natural salicylates. Some of these are good to have on hand for children; they can be alternated with the COLD/FLU FORMULA for any infection (it is safe for children).

Yours in healing,
Bob Liebert, herbalist

You can buy these herbs and many more in the Formula and Single Herb sections of the Teeter Creek Herb website. Herbs that don't appear in the Formula or Single Herb lists can usually be requested in the "Message" section at the bottom of the order page.

The information expressed is the personal observations of Herbalist Bob Liebert based on his personal experience and his studies of folk and traditional herbalism. These observations are not meant to be a substitute for qualified medical diagnosis and treatment. Uses of many of the herbs have not been scientifically verified.