Is Coconut Oil Good for Fever? Tips to Find Relief

Using Coconut Oil to Reduce Fever

Fevers occur as part of the body's natural immune response to fight off infections. While fever itself is not dangerous in most cases, the accompanying symptoms of chills, body aches, and dehydration can leave you feeling quite miserable. When looking for natural ways to find relief from fever discomfort, coconut oil is an option worth consideration.

What Causes Fevers?

Fevers take hold when the hypothalamus, the body’s internal thermostat in the brain, shifts the set point to a higher temperature. This ramps up the metabolic rate, resulting in increased heat production and elevated body temperature.

In most cases, fevers are triggered by:

• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections like cold, flu, or COVID-19
• Inflammatory conditions
• Immunization reactions
• Heat-related illnesses
• Some medication side effects

Benefits of Fevers

Though uncomfortable, fever serves an important function for health:

• Ramps up the immune system - higher body temperature amps up the activity of infection-fighting white blood cells.
• Makes body less hospitable to viral and bacterial invaders - heat and increased metabolism stops pathogen growth.
• Signals immune response - lets you know your body is fighting an illness.

Using Coconut Oil to Help Reduce Fever Symptoms

Research over the past decade has revealed many health benefits of coconut oil, from supporting brain health to boosting energy levels. When it comes to fever, coconut oil offers a soothing, cooling sensation that can temporarily provide relief from uncomfortable fever symptoms. The key active ingredient is lauric acid.

Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil

Lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, makes up nearly 50% of coconut oil. When applied to skin, lauric acid displays anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Research shows lauric acid can reduce skin inflammation and irritation from insect bites, burns, and other wounds. This natural compound provides a cooling effect as it evaporates from skin which helps lower skin temperature.

Using Coconut Oil to Cool Feverish Skin

During a fever, as body temperature elevates, blood vessels near skin widen (vasodilate) in an attempt to shed excess heat. This makes skin red, hot, and sweaty. Applying coconut oil can provide a gentle cooling effect to soothe uncomfortable fever skin symptoms. Follow these tips for relief:

• Cleanse skin and pat dry before applying coconut oil
• Apply a thin layer of extra virgin coconut oil to fever hot spots like the forehead, neck, chest, and back
• Reapply coconut oil as needed for continued cooling sensation

The evaporative effect of coconut oil helps reduce body heat escaping through the skin surface capillaries, enabling the body to retain enough heat to keep battling an infection without the extreme discomfort of overheated skin.

Other Benefits of Coconut Oil for Fevers

Along with cooling overheated skin, using coconut oil for fevers can:

• Provide antioxidants to support immune health
• Moisturize skin, lips, and throat preventing dryness
• Soothe muscle aches from fever when used topically
• Boost immune power with antifungal and antibacterial properties

Precautions When Using Coconut Oil for Fevers

While generally safe and effective for helping manage a fever’s side effects, keep these precautions in mind:

• Monitor fever with thermometer - seek medical care if temperature exceeds 103 F for adults, 102 F for children
• Do not rely only on coconut oil to lower a fever in place of medication
• Discontinue use of coconut oil if skin irritation occurs and wash area with soap and water
• Avoid getting into noses or eyes as irritation can occur if sensitive tissues are exposed

How Coconut Oil Can Support the Immune System

In addition to topical cooling relief during a fever, regularly consuming coconut oil may help support immune health to reduce your risk of infections that trigger fevers. Here’s how coconut oil wields antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects to fortify your body’s defenses:

Lauric acid

This beneficial medium chain fatty acid in coconut oil creates disease-fighting monolaurin in the body. Both lauric acid and monolaurin destroy lipid membranes of dangerous pathogens like influenza, measles, herpes, streptococcus and other bacteria and fungi.

Caprylic acid

With potent antimicrobial effects, caprylic acid in coconut oil attacks bacterial cell membranes. By disrupting membranes, it destroys invasive candida fungus overgrowth and fights off harmful gut bacteria preventing inflammation and infections.

Vitamin E

Abundant in coconuts, vitamin E functions as an effective antioxidant in the body. It supports a robust immune response while protecting cells against damage from harmful free radicals.

Selenium

This trace mineral further boosts coconut oil’s antioxidant content. Selenium supports efficient immune function by stimulating production of killer T cells that destroy infected cells to stop viruses and other pathogens in their tracks.

Incorporating Coconut Oil to Bolster Immune Health

Enjoy certified organic, unrefined extra virgin coconut oil daily in your diet to strengthen immune function. Here are some easy ways to add it in:

• Saute vegetables in coconut oil
• Use as butter replacement on toast
• Add to herbal tea or coffee
• Blend into smoothies
• Make coconut oil capsules
• Use in baking

Aim for 1-3 tablespoons per day either consumed orally or applied topically to nourish skin and immunity simultaneously.

The Takeaway

During those miserable times when fever strikes along with chills, body aches and sweats - reach for coconut oil. Apply topically to ease overheated skin discomforts safely and naturally. Daily coconut oil intake powers up antioxidant reserves to help prevent illness in the first place. Harness coconut oil’s cooling sensations and immune enhancing benefits on your wellness journey!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.