Pakistan Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research Review Article

Natural and Herbal Remedies for Dengue Prevention

Madiha Mehboob1, Faisal Nouroz1 and Shumaila Noreen2
1
Department of Bioinformatics, Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan
2
Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Corresponding author: faisalnouroz@gmail.com

Abstract
Dengue affects a great number of people from more than 125 countries and is a viral born disease. This disease is the
source of a large number of deaths. Several treatments have been investigated to control or reduce it. Till now, there
is no effective antiviral medicine or drug for treating the dengue. This review will provide a general idea of natural or
herbal remedies for this disease that are vital in controlling infection of Dengue Virus. Homeopathic medicines,
herbal medicines and home remedies for dengue are natural, pure, possess no side effects and are also extremely
effective and moreover invigorate the immune system of patient. Some fruits and vegetables are considered as best
remedies to control this disease like Neem, Methi leaves, Vitamin C riched fruits (Embellica, Psidium guajava,
Carica papaya) and other plants genera like Astragalus, Carapichea, Eupatorium, Tinospora, Ledum, Ocimum and
Echinacea etc. Due to easy availability, low cost and high affectivity, these natural and herbal remedies are
recommended to dengue patients to cure the disease.

Introduction Effective natural remedies for dengue

Dengue is transferred by the bite of a mosquito
belonging to Aedes family, is a viral disease and in
previous few years has grasped shocking levels. Today
pervasive in more than 125 countries, approximately
50-270 million people are affected by this disease each
year which results in a substantial number of demises 1.
Indeed, dengue seems to be overhauling malaria, in
terms of indisposition and monetary effect of this
disease 2. Tactlessly, because of absence of sufficient
investigation methods in the developing and under
developed countries, the precise level of the problems
are not yet identified. Tourists from non-endemic zones
to the dengue affected zones too are unprotected from
the chance of getting infection 3. This marks it a global
public health alarm; as it is affecting unexpectedly
people from those countries, where the disease is not
dominant. In early 19th century, Dengue I virus
appeared. In all over tropical and subtropical areas,
dengue is most common. Epidemics have happened in
recent times in the Caribbean, also Puerto Rico, In
Cambodia, Costa Rica in Central America, Vietnam,
Cuba and South America Philippines and Malaysia.
From 2001 to 2008, the cases reported were 1020333,
the Western Pacific Region countries have reported
with the uppermost records of cases and deaths. The 1st
incurable epidemic of DHF happened in Pakistan in
1994 4. Home remedies for treating or preventing
dengue are most effective. These home remedies are
natural and pure with no side effects. They provide aid
from various symptoms related naturally with dengue 5.
A lot of natural or herbal drugs or medicines motivate
the immune system. In spite, struggling against a
particular disease, whole immune system is stimulated
by these herbal medicines, facilitating the body to fight
bacteria, viruses and diseases by proliferating the extent
of white blood cells to avert signs and symptoms. For
instance dengue is a viral disease, herbal anti-viral are
specified 6.
Herbal medicine to control Dengue Virus
Echinacea
Echinacea (also called coneflowers) is an exceptionally
famous herb, particularly for treating the colds and flu.
In the daisy family Asteraceae, Echinacea is a genus of
herbaceous flowering plants. The plant has real anti-
viral properties as it motivates cells to yield additional
proteins and interferon, made and discharged by
lymphocytes in reaction to the occurrence of bacteria
and viruses. Echinacea will likewise avert and treat
dengue, because the colds are viral. Echinacea certainly
increases Interferon and consequently motivates the
immune system as a whole 7.
Ipecacuanha
On account of Hemorrhagic dengue, a homoeopathic
doctor can make use of home remedies as Ipecac root or
Ipecacuanha (Carapichea ipecacuanha). Carapichea
ipecacuanha is a member of flowering plants from
family Rubiaceae. This is prepared from the dried roots
of the plant and helps to stop bleeding. Patients will be

PJCBR Vol. 2 No. 2 Jul. – Dec. 2014 44


alluding to a hospital if they need intravenous fluids or
blood transfusion. To avoid pandemic disease as
dengue, Ipecacuanha could be recommended daily
throughout the peak seasons of dengue. Statutory
remedies might be assumed at the beginning of the peak
season and recurring once every 4 weeks in the course
of the peak season 8.
Supplements that stimulates the immune system
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) raises interferon to protect
contrary to dengue. Vitamin C at adequately high
dosages can avert viral disease and significantly speed
regaining from a severe infection of virus. Vitamin C
upgrades numerous roles of the immune system,
particularly making of Interferon that helps to keep cells
from being septic by a virus. The recommended dosage
is 500 mg for 6 days 9. Zinc raises number of interferon
to protect against dengue and is the key nutrient to
sustain the regular functioning of the immune system.
Inappropriately, Zinc shortage is tremendously
common. Zinc is key factor to legitimate T cell and
Natural Killer Cell function activity. Supplementation
of Zinc enhances the making of Interferon in our bodies.
Dosage suggested is 25mg once on daily basis 10.
Mosquito repellants
The important oil citronella is a very effective mosquito
repellant available from pharmacies and can be safely
utilized on kids under 12 months. A mixture of
eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender, calendula oil and
citronella (equal amounts) helps to stop the mosquito
bites and stops the disease 11. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is
water soluble vitamin that contributes a lot in metabolic
chemical reactions occurring in the human body. If
vitamin B1 is ingested more than body’s requirements,
excess amount is expelled in urine and from skin by
perspiration. The way vitamin B1 is removed by the
skin provides the possibility to avert mosquitoes.
Particularly if commercially available mosquito
repellents are not available, this thiamine could be
justified regardless of an attempt 12.
Fruits rich in vitamin C
Fruits rich in vitamin C like Embellica officinalis (amla)
are recommended for dengue treatment as vitamin C
supports improved iron absorption and it is also a
chelator. Outbreak with dengue can be countered by
vitamin C at 500mg for kids. There are also tales that
supplements of chlorophyll were utilized contrary to
dengue fever. Chlorophyll comprises magnesium that
too is a chelator 13. Orange juice is deliberated to be the
major rival of the disease. To treat dengue fever, orange
is an efficacious home remedy. It is an efficacious home
Natural and Herbal Remedies for Dengue Prevention
remedy to treat the dengue fever. Drinking of black
grape juices twice or thrice a day is the alternative but
very effective home remedy to treat the dengue fever. It
will enhance the blood counts in the body 14.
Vitamin C content in guava (Psidium guajava) is 5
times greater than that found in oranges. Besides its
fruit, the guava leaves are thought to be beneficial in
dengue fever anticipation. Extract from guava leaf may
possibly hinder the dengue virus. Guava was also
capable of raising the platelet numbers to 100,000
platelets per cubic millimeter deprived of side effects.
Taking 3 or 4 fruits of guava or its juice is
recommended on daily basis, until the symptoms and
signs are decreased 15. Natural treatment for dengue
fever is Papaya (Carica papaya) juice. The Papaya
leaf’s juice is a certain treatment for platelet shortage.
The raw papaya leaf’s extract helps to increase platelets,
also identified as thrombocytes. A tea prepared from the
papaya leaves may help some patients having dengue
fever; however it is not clear whether the patients
improved on their own or as a result of taking the tea 16.
Neem leaves and oil
Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves and Neem oil is
incredible purifying agent and ought to be applied two
to three times daily on a moist warm cloth in doses from
15 to 60g. Two percent mixture of Neem oil with
coconut oil applied to the uncovered parts of body of
human volunteers, gave thorough protection for twelve
hours from bites of mosquitoes. Laboratory
investigation into Neem’s antiviral properties
demonstrated that extracts of leaves of the plant hinder
replication of 2 antagonistic viral strains and displayed
the outcome of Neem compound on the replication of
the type-2 dengue virus 17.
Ayurveda Remedie
The best and effective treatment for dengue is planet
Ayurveda herbal remedies. They help to provide
alleviation from dengue. An Ayurvedic medicine Giloy
(Guduchi) or Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia) can also be
given to dengue patients. It possesses antipyretics and
anti-inflammatory properties. For dengue virus, Giloy
capsules are Ayurvedic remedy as it raises the platelet
counts. The capsules can be purchased from Ayurvedic
pharmacy and taken two to three times a day 18. Powder
of wheat grass is exceptionally powerful and a rich
source of dietary fiber which is utilized for the cure of
dengue. A tea spoon of wheat grass powder is mixed in
any favorite juice or plain water; stir it well and taken
two to three times a day. Pomegranate juice and wheat
grass juice will produce new blood cells and give power
to the patient 19.
PJCBR Vol. 2 No. 2 Jul. – Dec. 2014 45
Madiha Mehboob, Faisal Nouroz, Shumaila Noreen et al
Traditional un-centrifuged sugar, Gur also
interpreted as Jaggery is a devoured in Africa and Asia.
Jaggery with raw small onion (Allium cepa) ought to be
eaten instantaneously, for treating dengue fever
influenced people. Blood platelets begins to decline for
those people and this drug will helps in rising the count
of blood platelets and upsurges the immune power 20.
Spirullina is one of the best influential antioxidant and
protein’s richest sources. A Spirullina capsule is highly
effective and improved immunity against contagious
and also utilized for curing dengue, or keeps us
energetic and active. It is recommended two times a day
20
. foods will not give enough nutrition essential for the
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic treatment is successfully utilized on a vast
scale in India to avert and cure dengue fever.
Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) is the medication for
"bone pain" and is directed to cure dengue fever.
Eupatorium moreover has repute as a dengue
preventive. For this it ought to be utilized two times per
week yet the utilization of this medication should not
disregard to overlook other preventive measures and see
a homeopathic doctor. Ledum palustre is a medicinal
plant used for each type of rupture wound that can
comprise dengue mosquito stings and bites 21. The
decoction made from tawa-tawa plants is also useful to
control dengue virus. The patient of dengue fever must
drink 1 to 1.5 glasses of diluted decoction after every 60
minutes for twenty four hours. The internal
hemorrhaging will end and dengue fever will recover in
twenty four hours 22. Basil or tulsi (Ocimum basilicum)
leaves served in a warm drink like tea can help to avoid
an outburst of dengue. Basil leaves about 10-15 in
number ought to be chewed two times per day. The
basil leaves can be boiled in water on slow heat and
taken two to three times a day. This reinforces the
body’s protection mechanism. Ten Tulsi leaves and one
black pepper is grinded to make pills of pea size to used
with water reduces dengue fever 23.
Fenugreek or methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
leaves can be taken as herbal tea for the reduction of
fevers. This drink acts as a relaxing and purging tea for
the human system. While talking about natural remedies
used for dengue fever, one cannot ignore fenugreek
leaves (methi). Herbal tea prepared by methi is useful
for alleviating fever. Make the powder of slightly
roasted fenugreek leaves, while making tea, add 2
teaspoons to it. Drink it warm after straining, with a
little clarified butter. A mixture made from Indian
mallow or Kanghi (Abutilan indicum) is an effective
treatment for decreasing the dengue fevers. Plant’s
petroleum ether extract is found effective in
46 PJCBR Vol. 2 No. 2 Jul. – Dec. 2014
slaughtering larvae of mosquito’s that is extremely
beneficial in those countries, which are hit area with
dengue fever like Pakistan 24. Intake of caffeine can
overstress the impacts of dengue. So ingestion of neural
stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine can be evaded
throughout the retrieval phase of dengue, for instance
alcohol is the reason of dehydration in the system that
will increase the symptoms. It is also instructed to stay
away from foods with high sugar content, junk foods,
stuff that is the source of empty calories. Foods that are
fried must be completely avoided because it will stress
the dengue symptoms. Aside from this, these types of
patient’s body to improve from the dengue 25.
Overview of remedies against dengue fever
From the several published reports in scientific
literature, a lot of herbal medications for example
Ipecacuanha, Astragalus and Echinacea motivate the
immune system and viable against dengue fever 7. The
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and important oil citronella is an
active repellant for mosquito’s, and likewise help in
averting dengue 12. Vitamin C rich fruits such as papaya
leaf, grape juice, orange juice, guava fruits/leaves and
amla are home remedies highly effective to treat the
dengue fever 13. Research in laboratory on anti-viral
properties of Neem demonstrated that leaf extract
hinder replication of 2 antagonistic strains of viruses
and indicated the influence of Neem compound on the
replication of the type-2 dengue virus 17. Homeopathic
treatment and Planet Ayurveda herbal remedies are very
effective in curing dengue. They help to provide
reprieve from dengue 18. In conclusion, home remedies
doubtlessly suggest a low-cost and perhaps effective
dengue treatment. On the other hand, at present, it is
also required not to depend completely on the home
remedies and overlook standard dengue treatment still
the profits are made. Randomized clinical trials on large
scale in dengue confirmed a patient is required to create
their expediency. It is recommended that 1st all patients
suffering from dengue fever must test their platelet
count. Then authorized vaccination (licensed) should be
used, however none of these vaccines is exceptionally
effective.
Conclusions
There are several natural and herbal home remedies
such as use of Ipecacuanha, Astragalus, Echinacea,
papaya, Neem, grape and orange juices etc to control
the dengue virus and fever. As home remedies are easily
available, inexpensive, valuable and highly effective, it
is recommended to dengue patients to use these home
remedies.

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