How to treat heat stroke in children – naturally

MBOMBELA – The weatherman said today might be the hottest day in the city’s recorded history. Schools are out and children yearn to do nothing but laze at the pool on days like this. Others see it as an opportune moment to embark on a physical activity.

Whatever your children are doing, make sure they are hydrated in order to avoid getting heat stroke.

According to the Oxford Medical Journal (bja.oxfordjournals.org), heat stroke is caused by a lack of fluids and electrolytes in the body and intensified by extreme heat.

Symptoms include body cramps, light-headedness, a throbbing headache, rapid breathing, an increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting, redness in the face and excessive sweating.

Here are five natural ways to treat heat stroke, according to www.food.ndtv.com:

1. Buttermilk and coconut water

Buttermilk is known to have a large amount of probiotics,  which replenishes essential minerals which may have been lost by excessive secretion. Coconut water rehydrates the body.

2. Apple cider vinegar

This substance is fast becoming a superfood to keep in the house. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and honey mixed with water will refill vitamins and minerals. The water again serves as a rehydrant.

3. Onion juice

This may seem strange, but rubbing onion juice behind the ears and on the chest can actually lower your body temperature. Eating raw onions also helps regulate body temperature.

4. Aloe vera juice

It is known for its healing properties and high level of vitamins and minerals. Though it has a bitter taste that only a few can stomach, mixing it with honey might make the taste more bearable. Also, according to www.food.ndtv.com, it actually improves the body’s natural-defence mechanisms, which are needed to combat internal inflammation caused by heat stroke.

5. Plums

Plums are not only high in vitamins and minerals, but rehydrate the body and help to restore body temperature.