How to Break a Fever Fast: 7 Natural Home Remedies for Adults and Kids

You wake up in the middle of the night. Your child feels hot. The thermometer reads 101.5°F. Now what?

A mild fever is often part of the body's normal response to infection, but that doesn't make it comfortable.

If you're wondering how to break a fever fast, start with the basics: fluids, rest, light clothing, and simple comfort measures.

This guide covers 7 natural home remedies for fever, including traditional options such as ginger, chamomile and elderflower, plus practical advice on how to reduce fever without medicine, whether you can sweat out a fever, and when medical care is needed.

How to reduce a fever fast naturally

If your goal is to reduce fever discomfort without medicine, start with the basics before reaching for herbs or supplements.

These measures do not necessarily "switch off" the immune response.
Instead, they help prevent dehydration, reduce overheating and make the fever easier to tolerate.

1. Stay hydrated

Fever increases fluid loss through sweating and faster breathing, so drinking regularly is one of the most useful things you can do.

Water is usually enough for a mild fever.
Broth, diluted juice or an electrolyte drink can be useful when sweating, vomiting or diarrhea has caused additional fluid loss.

Rather than forcing a fixed number of glasses, drink regularly according to thirst and aim for pale urine.

→ Electrolyte drinks (aff)

2. Rest and sleep

Rest reduces physical demand while the body is dealing with the underlying illness.
If you feel tired, give yourself permission to sleep.

There is no need to stay completely motionless, but strenuous exercise is not a good idea while feverish.

At night, choose light bedding and add a blanket only if chills make you uncomfortable.

3. Eat according to your appetite

It is common to lose your appetite during a fever, and you do not need to force large meals.

Soups, broth, fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, rice, eggs or other easy-to-tolerate foods can provide fluids and nutrients without making digestion feel like hard work.

Foods rich in vitamin C, protein, zinc and other nutrients support normal immune function.

4. Can you take a bath with a fever?

Yes, if it makes you feel more comfortable, but lukewarm is better than very cold or very hot water.

A comfortably warm or lukewarm shower or bath can help you feel refreshed when you are hot, sweaty or achy.

Avoid ice baths or very cold water.
If cooling makes you shiver, stop: shivering is a sign that the body is trying to generate more heat.

5. Cool or lukewarm compresses for comfort

A damp cloth on the forehead or neck can feel soothing when you are hot and uncomfortable.

Use cool or lukewarm water rather than ice-cold water, and remove the compress if it causes chills or shivering.

→ Fever paired with a scratchy throat?
Soothe the irritation with these home remedies for sore throat

What are the best home remedies for a fever?

Natural remedies do not all work in the same way.
Some are mainly useful for hydration and comfort, while others have a long history of traditional use during colds and feverish illnesses.

None of these remedies needs to force the temperature down to be useful.
The goal is to help you feel more comfortable, stay hydrated and support recovery while you monitor the fever.

1. Is chamomile tea good for fever?

Chamomile tea has been used traditionally during colds and feverish illnesses, especially when chills, restlessness or difficulty sleeping accompany the fever.

It should not be thought of as a proven antipyretic, but a warm cup can provide fluids, comfort and relaxation when you feel unwell.

How to prepare it: Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers or one tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Drink warm.

You can add a little honey for a sore throat or cough if desired.
Never give honey to a child under 1 year old.

→ Organic chamomile tea (aff)

2. Does garlic help when you have a fever?

Garlic has a long reputation as a traditional food remedy during colds and other respiratory illnesses.

Laboratory research has identified several biologically active sulfur compounds in garlic, but human research has not established garlic as a direct fever reducer.

That does not mean garlic has no place in home care.
As a food, it can be an easy way to add flavor and plant compounds to soups, broths and light meals when appetite is low.

How to use it: Add 1 crushed clove to soup, broth, vegetables or another meal.
If you enjoy raw garlic and tolerate it well, it can also be mixed into food rather than swallowed by itself.

For adults → Odorless garlic capsules (aff)
For children: Use normal culinary amounts in food rather than concentrated garlic supplements.

3. Does ginger tea lower fever?

Ginger is one of the most useful traditional remedies to keep in this guide because it can serve several purposes at once.

It has a long history of use during colds, while its best-established benefit is for certain types of nausea.
That makes ginger particularly interesting when fever is accompanied by an unsettled stomach or poor appetite.

How to prepare ginger tea: Add 2-3 thin slices of fresh ginger to about 2 cups of hot water and steep for 5-10 minutes.
Strain and drink warm.

Add honey or lemon if you like and if they are appropriate for the person drinking it.

What to expect: Ginger tea may help you feel warmer and more comfortable and can contribute to fluid intake.

4. Can turmeric milk help during a fever?

Turmeric milk, sometimes called golden milk, is a traditional warming drink used in several cultures when someone feels unwell.

Turmeric contains curcumin and other compounds that have been extensively studied for their biological effects, including inflammatory pathways.

Its main value here is as a comforting, nourishing drink that may be easier to tolerate than solid food when appetite is reduced.

How to make it: Stir about ½-1 teaspoon of turmeric powder into a cup of warm milk or an unsweetened plant-based drink.

A small pinch of black pepper can be added if tolerated.
Honey may also be added for taste in adults and children over 1 year old.

→ Prefer a supplement? Turmeric powder or curcumin supplements (aff)

5. Is coriander tea good for fever?

Coriander seed tea is a traditional remedy used in parts of Asia and other regions for digestive discomfort and during feverish illnesses.

Scientific evidence specifically showing that coriander lowers human body temperature is limited, so I would not call it a proven natural antipyretic.
But it can still have a place as a mild traditional herbal drink, particularly when fever is accompanied by digestive discomfort or reduced appetite.

How to prepare it: Lightly crush 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds, add them to a cup of hot water and steep for about 5-10 minutes.
Strain before drinking.

Start with a small amount rather than making the tea excessively concentrated.

→ Whole coriander seeds (aff)

6. Elderflower tea: a traditional remedy for feverish colds

Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) is one of the most interesting additions to this list.

It has a long history in European herbal medicine for colds and feverish respiratory illnesses.
The European Medicines Agency recognizes elderflower preparations for the traditional relief of early common-cold symptoms, based on longstanding use rather than strong clinical trial evidence.

How to prepare it: Use an elderflower tea product according to the package directions, usually steeped in hot water and drunk warm.

Traditionally, elderflower tea is used when a cold begins with a feeling of heat, chills, congestion or general malaise.

Important: EMA's traditional-use monograph applies to adults and adolescents over 12.
I would therefore not extend this remedy to young children on the basis of tradition alone.

7. Linden flower tea: a classic traditional fever drink

Linden or lime flower tea (Tilia) has traditionally been drunk during colds and feverish episodes, particularly in European herbal practice.

It is often described as a gentle warming or soothing tea and has historically been associated with perspiration during colds.

That traditional reputation does not prove that linden directly lowers core body temperature.
Its more realistic role is as a warm, hydrating and soothing drink during a mild fever.

How to use it: Prepare linden flower tea according to the directions supplied with the herbal product and drink it warm.

→ These fever remedies are one of many tips from our guide featuring all Winter Natural Remedies

How to break a fever while sleeping?

Fever often feels worse at night.
Body temperature naturally tends to run higher later in the day, and chills, sweating, headache or body aches can make it difficult to get comfortable enough to sleep.

Before bed

1. Drink some fluids - water, broth, an electrolyte drink or a warm herbal tea.
2. Wear light, breathable sleepwear rather than several heavy layers.
3. Keep the bedroom comfortably cool, but not so cold that you start shivering.

During the night

• Keep water within reach and take small sips whenever you wake
• Change damp clothing or bedding if sweating becomes uncomfortable
• Do not wrap yourself or a child in several blankets in an attempt to force sweating

Can you sweat out a fever naturally?

This is one of the oldest home-remedy questions: can you sweat out a fever?

There is a grain of truth behind the idea, but not in the way it is often explained.

When a fever begins to resolve, the body's internal temperature set point falls back toward normal.
At that stage, you may suddenly feel hot and begin sweating as your body releases excess heat.

That is why people often say "My fever broke and I started sweating"

But the sweating usually accompanies the change in fever; it is not necessary to force sweating in order to make the fever break.

Traditional ways people encourage sweating

Many traditional systems of home care use warm herbal drinks, rest and warmth during chills.

Traditional fever care often includes warm herbal teas such as ginger, elderflower, linden, yarrow or chamomile.

These practices can still be used sensibly for warmth, hydration and comfort.
What I would avoid is deliberately overheating the body.

What should you do if you start sweating heavily?

• Change wet clothing or bedding
• Drink water or another suitable fluid
• Remove unnecessary blankets
• Rest and recheck how you feel rather than trying to produce still more sweat

So, can sweating be a sign that a fever is breaking?
Yes, it can. But there is an important difference between allowing natural sweating and deliberately trying to force it.

What herbal teas are best for fever?

Herbal teas are among the oldest traditional remedies used during feverish illnesses.
They also provide fluids and can be chosen according to the symptoms that accompany the fever.

Chamomile, ginger, elderflower, linden and coriander are discussed in more detail in the 7 home remedies above.
Yarrow remains mainly a traditional fever herb, while peppermint may feel cooling without necessarily lowering core body temperature.

Honey can be added when fever comes with cough or sore throat.
Never give honey to a child under 1 year old.

What natural antipyretics may help lower a fever?

Antipyretic means fever-reducing.
Herbal remedies do not generally have the same predictable effect as conventional fever medicines, but some plants have a longstanding traditional association with fever.

Willow bark

Willow bark (Salix species) is particularly interesting because it contains salicin-related compounds and has a long history of use for pain and fever.

The European Medicines Agency recognizes its traditional use for relieving fever associated with the common cold, although this is based primarily on longstanding use rather than strong modern clinical trials.

Important: Willow bark is not suitable for children or adolescents under 18 (Reye's syndrome risk) and should also be avoided by people who cannot take aspirin or salicylates, including those with certain bleeding or stomach conditions.

Elderflower, linden and yarrow also have traditional associations with feverish illnesses, but their role is better considered supportive herbal care than a predictable way to lower body temperature.

How to manage a fever after vaccination?

A mild fever can occur after some vaccinations as the immune system responds.
Other common short-lived reactions include tiredness, reduced appetite and soreness or swelling where the vaccine was given.

Most mild reactions improve on their own.

What can help after vaccination?

• Offer fluids more often
• Allow extra rest if the person feels tired
• Use light clothing if they feel hot
• Place a cool, damp cloth on a sore injection site if needed
• A lukewarm bath or sponge bath can be soothing if fever is uncomfortable

Children may also eat less for a short time after vaccination.
Fluids are generally more important than forcing food during those first hours.

What about fever reducers?

There is no need to automatically give a fever-reducing medicine simply because a mild post-vaccination temperature appears.

When should you call a doctor after vaccination?

Seek medical advice if the reaction is unusually severe, lasts longer than expected, the fever is very high, or you notice symptoms such as breathing difficulty, seizure, marked weakness, persistent inconsolable crying in a young child, or anything else that concerns you.

For infants, the usual age-specific fever precautions still apply.

Fever and cold hands and feet: Is it normal?

Cold hands or feet can sometimes occur during the chill phase of a fever.

When the body's internal temperature set point rises, blood vessels near the skin can narrow and you may feel cold, shiver or notice cooler fingers and toes even though your core temperature is increasing.

So the sensation itself is not automatically unusual.

However, there is an important distinction: very cold or unusually cold hands and feet in a sick child should not automatically be dismissed as "just the fever".

When cold hands and feet are less concerning

If the person is alert, drinking, breathing comfortably and their skin color looks normal, cooler hands or feet during chills are usually less concerning.

When cold hands and feet can be a warning sign

Seek urgent medical advice if cold extremities occur together with:

• pale, grey, blue or mottled skin
• difficulty breathing or very fast breathing
• unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking
• confusion
• a rash that does not fade when pressed
• poor responsiveness
• severe weakness or rapid deterioration

What essential oils can help during a fever?

Essential oils are sometimes used during feverish colds for comfort, relaxation, headache or congestion.
They should not be presented as direct fever reducers.

Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint contains menthol, which creates a strong cooling sensation on the skin and in the airways.
That sensation can feel refreshing when you are hot or headachy, but feeling cooler does not necessarily mean core body temperature has fallen.

For adults, properly diluted peppermint preparations are sometimes used topically for headache or as aromatherapy.

Important for children: Do not apply peppermint oil or menthol-containing essential oils to the face of infants or young children, as inhaled menthol close to the nose and mouth can affect breathing.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender is better suited to relaxation and comfort than to lowering fever.

A small amount used appropriately in aromatherapy may help create a calmer environment when aches, restlessness or poor sleep accompany an illness.

How to manage fever with COVID, flu or another viral infection?

One important update from the early COVID-19 years is that ibuprofen is not generally considered something people with COVID need to avoid simply because they have COVID.

Current guidance allows over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to be used for symptom relief when appropriate for the individual.

When viral fever needs more attention

Seek medical advice if fever is accompanied by breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness, dehydration, worsening symptoms, or another concerning change.

People who are older, immunocompromised or have conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 should also seek advice early because antiviral treatment may need to be started within the first few days of symptoms.

→ Dealing with a reduced sense of smell or taste? See our guide to regaining smell and taste after illness.

How to recognize a fever

Body temperature naturally changes during the day and varies slightly from one person to another.

A temperature around 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is commonly considered a fever, although the exact threshold also depends on where and how the temperature is measured.

Fever often occurs because the immune system has temporarily raised the body's temperature set point while responding to an infection.

When should you call a doctor for a fever?

There is no single temperature that tells the whole story.
Age, symptoms, underlying health and how the person is behaving are just as important as the thermometer reading.

Get prompt medical advice if:

• a baby younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• a child is unusually drowsy, difficult to wake, very irritable or not interacting normally
• the person is struggling to breathe or has chest pain
• there is a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion or unusual sensitivity to light
• there is a seizure
• vomiting is persistent or fluids cannot be kept down
• there are significant signs of dehydration
• the fever is accompanied by a concerning or unexplained rash
• an adult has a temperature around 103°F (39.4°C) or higher
• the fever keeps worsening or lasts several days without improvement

People who are immunocompromised, frail, recently had surgery or have significant chronic illness may also need advice sooner.

Your fever action plan

For babies under 3 months: a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher requires prompt medical advice.

Helping your body through a fever

For most uncomplicated cases, the basics remain surprisingly useful: fluids, rest, comfortable clothing and careful monitoring.

Traditional remedies such as chamomile, ginger, elderflower, linden, coriander and garlic may also provide comfort or symptom relief.
Some are better studied than others, but limited research does not automatically erase longstanding traditional use.

The key is to use natural remedies realistically: for comfort and supportive care, while recognizing when a fever or its accompanying symptoms need medical attention.

→ Is it more than a fever? If flu symptoms are developing, see our complete guide to Natural Remedies for Flu and Cough.

FAQ: Common fever questions

Is fever always a sign of infection?

No. Viral and bacterial infections are among the most common causes of fever, but fever can also occur with inflammatory conditions, reactions to certain medications, vaccinations and other illnesses.
Heatstroke is different: it involves dangerous overheating rather than the body's usual fever response and requires urgent treatment.

Why does fever often spike in the evening?

Body temperature naturally follows a circadian rhythm and tends to be higher in the late afternoon and evening.
When you are ill, this normal daily variation can make a fever appear to rise at night and fall again in the morning.

Should I eat normally when I have a fever?

Eat according to your appetite rather than forcing yourself to finish normal-sized meals.
Soup, broth, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, rice, eggs and other easy-to-tolerate foods can provide energy and nutrients while also being easier to manage when appetite is low.

Fluids are generally more important than forcing food during a short-lived fever.

When should you see a doctor for fever?

There is no single fever number that applies equally to everyone.

Seek medical advice sooner if the person is a very young baby, elderly or frail, immunocompromised, has a significant chronic illness, or appears much sicker than the temperature alone would suggest.

For an adult, a temperature around 103°F (39.4°C) or above is also a reason to contact a healthcare professional, especially if it persists or other symptoms are present.

Can honey reduce fever?

Honey is not a direct fever reducer. However, it can be useful when fever comes with cough or sore throat.
A spoonful in warm tea or water can soothe throat irritation and may help reduce coughing.
Never give honey to a child under 1 year old.

How long does a fever last with flu?

With influenza, fever often lasts several days and is commonly strongest during the first part of the illness.
The exact duration varies from person to person.
A fever that disappears and then returns, persists longer than expected, or is accompanied by worsening symptoms deserves medical advice.

What is fever without other symptoms?

A fever can occasionally appear before other symptoms become noticeable.

A mild viral infection may initially cause little more than fever and tiredness, while other causes are also possible.
Rather than trying to diagnose the cause from the temperature alone, watch for new symptoms and consider the person's age and general condition.

How to lower fever in elderly people at home?

Older adults may develop a less dramatic rise in temperature even when they have a significant infection.

For a mild fever in an otherwise stable older adult, home care may include:

• regular fluids
• rest
• light clothing
• a comfortable room temperature
• easy-to-tolerate food if hungry
• monitoring for confusion, weakness, breathing problems or dehydration

Seek medical advice earlier in a frail or elderly person if their condition changes noticeably, even if the thermometer reading does not seem very high.

Can you break a fever in 24 hours?

Sometimes a mild fever resolves within a day, but there is no home remedy that can guarantee that a fever will disappear within 24 hours.
How quickly it improves depends mainly on the underlying cause.

The most useful approach is to stay hydrated, rest, manage discomfort and watch for warning signs while the illness runs its course.

What is the fastest natural way to reduce fever discomfort?

Start with the simplest measures:

• drink fluids
• rest
• remove excessive clothing or bedding
• keep the room comfortable
• use a lukewarm bath or damp cloth if it feels soothing

Herbal teas can then be added for hydration and traditional symptom relief.

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* Last updated: September 2026