Jwara an Ayurvedic Understanding of Fever

by Kottakkal Support March 01, 2024

Jwara is a Sanskrit word for fever and according to Ayurveda it is considered the "king of all illnesses". This is because Jwara affects not just the body but also the mind and senses. Ayurveda understands jwara as not only an increase in body temperature but is also a feeling of malaise, unease, and discomfort, and involves the deha (body), & indriya (senses), and mana (mind).

When the doshas, vata, pitta, and kapha are in a balanced state of homeostasis, the person will feel healthy. The perfect synchronization of circulating fluids, digestion, metabolism, and the elimination of waste materials creates a healthy person. And when the doshas are unbalanced or aggravated then symptoms like pain, inflammation, lethargy, etc. will be present.

Jwara is primarily an unbalanced state of pitta dosha and may also involve the other two doshas. The aggravated doshas disrupt the natural process of digestion, metabolism, nutrition and elimination. When food is not properly digested it produces an indigestible substance that Ayurveda calls ama. Ayurveda recognizes ama as a sticky residue that is produced in the digestive system but also moves deeper throughout the body. Ayurveda recognizes ama as the predisposition to many types of symptoms and illnesses. It is particularly important to effectively manage jwara, so it does not create other complications.

Two Types of Jwara

Jwara manifests in two ways, from the external environment which is infectious disease or trauma and from the internal environment which is caused by an improper diet and lifestyle. Jwara is both acute and chronic, and both conditions can be caused externally or internally.

Vata Dominant Jwara

• Sudden onset, with an irregular rise in temperature
• Temperature increases after eating and during the vata time of day
• Greyish discoloration of skin, eyes, urine, stool, and dry skin
• Reduced appetite, urination and stool
• Debilitating pain from head to toe, feeling of numbness and lose joints
• Astringent taste, loss of appetite, sensitive teeth
• Dry vomiting, cough, loss of sneezing and burping, tinnitus

Pitta Dominant Jwara

• Sudden onset with high intensity
• Temperature spikes during meals and pitta time of day
• Pungent taste, inflammation of the nose, mouth, throat with unquenchable thirst
• Delirium, fainting, vomiting of bile (pitta), diarrhea, aversion to food, and malaise
• Reddish patches on the skin with green or yellow tone to the eyes, urine, feces

• Excessive migraine, burning sensation, desire for cold things

Kapha Dominant jwara

• Slow onset with mild intensity
• Temperature increases after meals and kapha time of day
• Body feels heavy, less appetite, sweet taste, nausea, vomiting, sleepy
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, coldness, mucus
• Whitish patches on skin, coldness, whiteness of eyes, face, urine and skin

 Ayurvedic Protocol for Jwara

With all types of acute Jwara, Ayurveda recommends a light or fasting diet. It is known that Jwara originates in the stomach and by overeating the ama will develop and this increases the effects of Jwara. Take herbal products for early symptoms, along with a light diet of watery soups spiced with ginger, black pepper, or cumin will minimize the effects caused by Jwara.

With all types of chronic Jwara, the internal use of ghritam is recommended. Ghrita pacifies vata by its unctuousness, pitta by its coldness, and kapha when combined with kapha pacifying herbs. Ghrita is useful, like a fire subsides with water. As water is sprinkled on a burning house to douse the fire, ghee is administered to manage chronic Jwara.

Ayurvedic Products for Jwara

• Amrita Arishtam balances pitta and kapha dosha, the main herb Guduchi helps cool the body and supports lowering body temperature, inflammation, and pain.
• Samsamani Vati balances pitta dosha, the only ingredient is Guduchi which is a natural immunomodulator that helps support fever, cold, flu, and cleanses ama from the body. Guduchi’s cooling qualities help lower inflammation and supports healthy heart and liver.
• Sudarshana Asavam balances pitta dosha, the main herb is Kiratatikta which helps lower body temperature and has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
• Amritotharam Kashayam balances both pitta and kapha dosha, the herbs guduchi and ginger help lower body temperature, body ache, and cleanse ama from the stomach.
• Shadangam Kashayam balances pitta dosha and is also helpful for kapha dosha. The main herb chandan (sandalwood) has cooling qualities that support pitta dominate disorders, Jwara (fever), excessive thirst, indigestion, bleeding disorders, burning sensation, diarrhea, and delirium.
• Balaguluchyadi Kwatham balances both pitta and vata dosha, the main herb guduchi helps support swelling in the joints, burning sensation, pain and Jwara (fever).
• Guluchyadi Kwatham balances pitta dosha, the main herb guduchi supports lowering body temperature and burning sensation, supports healthy skin.
• Sitajvarari Kwatham balances pitta dosha, the main herbs tulsi and black pepper help to lower body temperature.
• Indukanta Ghritam balances both pitta and vata dosha, the main herb dasamula supports healthy digestion, immunity, weakness, chronic Jwara (fever), cough and tiredness.
• Tiktaka Ghritam balances pitta and kapha dosha. The combination of bitter herbs helps remove ama (toxin) pitta and kapha from the blood, liver, gut, and skin, and supports healthy skin and complexion. It can be used as a preparatory procedure called snehapana therapy and is helpful for balancing a healthy mind.

AYURVEDIC CONSULTATION

Kottakkal is committed to offering the highest quality Ayurvedic Healthcare. We offer two ways to have an Ayurvedic consultation. 1. Free 15-minute Consultation with our Ayurvedic practitioner, Julie Wardwell, for when you need a product recommendation for a basic health problem. 2. In-depth Consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor, Vaidya Vishwanath Guddadar for when your condition is chronic with multiple symptoms.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kottakkal Ayurveda products and information are not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. If you have serious, acute, or chronic health problems, please consult a trained health professional. If you are seeking the advice of a trained Ayurvedic professional, call (800) 215-9934 or email us at contact@kottakkal.shop. We will provide you with information to consult with Ayurvedic professionals. Always check with your doctor before taking herbs when pregnant or nursing.

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