Traditional Herbal Remedies for Primary Health Care, Uncategorized
Kiratatikta / Chirata Powder in Fever
Oct
Fever results from a temporary elevation in the body’s thermoregulatory set-point, which is usually set at a normal temperature of 37o C (98.6o F). There are different accompanying symptoms of fever, which depend on its underlying causes. These include chills, rigors, malaise, arthralgia, anorexia, fatigue, dizziness, sweating, etc.
Causes of fever
- Infectious diseases: viral infections, malaria, influenza, sore throat, typhoid, pneumonia, measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis.
- Tissue injury.
- Cancers of liver, kidney, lymph nodes.
- Immuno-inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis.
- Drugs and toxins.
- Exposure to high environmental temperature.
- Fever of unknown cause.
Dose and mode of administration – The dose of Kiratatikta powder for adults is 1-3 grams and for children it is 250 mg to 500 mg, with water. The dose of decoction for adults is 25-30 ml and for children, it is 5 ml to 10 ml, to be taken twice a day after meals.
Precautions and safety aspects
(1) Although no toxic effects are reported with Kiratatikta, the patient taking oral hypoglycemic drugs should take the medicine under medical supervision as Kiratatikta may interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs potentiating its hypoglycaemic action.
(2) Medication with Kiratatikta should be stopped, if the intensity of fever does not decrease within a few hours and the symptoms aggravate. Chronic and severely feverish patients should consume Kiratatikta under medical supervision.
(3) Pregnant women should take this medication under medical supervision. However, it is safe for the baby if the nursing mother is taking this medication.
Reference – Traditional Herbal Remedies for Primary Health Care