natural ways to handle sunstroke

14 Natural ways to handle sunstroke

Priya Nair,

In summer, the scorching heat of the Sun can sometimes be unforgiving. Not only does it increase the outside temperature, but it also raises your body temperature. Staying outdoors for a long time during summer is not recommended because it leads to many health problems, sunstroke being one of them. Sun stroke, also referred to as heat stroke is the most serious type of heat injury and is considered a medical emergency. This condition usually occurs as a progression from milder heat related problems such as heat cramps, heat syncope or fainting, and heat exhaustion.

Sun stroke is a serious condition caused by the prolonged exposure of your body to high temperatures, as a result of which your body gets overheated. Your normal body temperature is 37 degree Celsius and if it rises above 40 degree Celsius, it can cause damage to your brain and other vital organs. Due to profuse sweating, the fluid levels in your body reduces, leading to severe dehydration. So it is very important that you drink adequate amounts of water to replenish the fluids lost through sweating.

What are the Symptoms of Sun Stroke?

The following are the symptoms experienced by a person having sun stroke:

  • Excessive sweating and dizziness
  • Rapid breathing
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Increased heart rate
  • Throbbing headache
  • Seizures
  • Confusion, disorientation or staggering
  • Flushed skin or redness
  • Muscle weakness of cramps
  • Loss of consciousness or coma

Ways to Treat Sunstroke Naturally

Sunstroke should not be taken lightly. It is important that you attend to the heat stroke sufferer as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Mother nature has in store for us numerous remedies for curing all sorts of ailments. Likewise there are many natural remedies for treating sunstroke as well. Let’s have a look at these easy remedies that can be a real lifesaver.

  1. Onion Paste

Onion has heat absorbing properties and therefore is a great remedy for sunstroke. Make a paste of onion and apply it to the forehead of the person suffering from the condition. Do this twice a day and you will notice positive results very quickly. Applying onion juice behind the ears and on the chest is also helpful in bring down your the  body temperature. This is one of the most effective remedies for sun stroke that many Ayurvedic practitioners recommend this as the the first thing to do when hit by sunstroke.

  1. Drink Plenty of Water

It goes without saying that you need to drink a lot of water during summertime to make up for the water lost through sweat. Water is one of the best coolants and keeping your body well hydrated can help prevent sunstroke and other kinds of heat illnesses. When the outside temperature is too much to bear, the water that we drink acts as a coolant and prevents the rise in body temperature. As your body sweats, the evaporation of water works as a natural air conditioner. So if you see anyone showing the symptoms of sunstroke, make sure to give him/her generous amount of water to prevent dehydration.

If you plan to stay outdoors for a long time, you can make an oral rehydrating solution and drink it. Mix together a teaspoon of sugar, two pinches of salt and a pinch of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda and take the mixture with about 200 to 300 ml of water. The salt in the solution helps retain the amount of water that you drink so that you feel hydrated while the sugar boosts your energy, which is much needed by your body to maintain its normal temperature. Finally, the baking soda in the solution promotes the functions of minerals and electrolytes in your body.

[Read more about health benefits of water]

  1. Tamarind Drink

Tamarind, a rich source of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes is also a great remedy for sunstroke. Boil some water and soak some tamarind in it. Strain it, add a pinch of sugar and drink it once a day. Drinking this decoction helps in lowering your body temperature. You can also grind the seeds of tamarind with water, strain the mix, add some sugar and then drink the liquid.

  1. Raw Mangoes

Raw mangoes are not only tangy and tasty, but they are also very healthy. They are one of the most effective natural home remedies for curing as well as preventing sunstroke. Raw mango juice, also called aam panna is a popular drink in India that provides fast relief from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To make this drink, boil 500 gms of raw mango in water with half a teaspoon of cumin powder, half a teaspoon of salt, a sprig of mint leaves and sugar to taste. Once the mangoes are cooked, blend them with more water. Drink this juice two or three times a day. In addition to cumin, you can also add other ingredients such as pepper, fennel, coriander and jaggery.

[Read more about Home remedies for sunburn]

  1. Fenugreek Leaves

Another way to treat sunstroke naturally is with the help of dried fenugreek leaves. For this remedy, take some dried fenugreek leaves and soak them in cold water for some time.  Using your hands crush the leaves so that the juice of the leaves and all its magical healing properties are released into the water. Sieve the solution, add some honey and drink it every two hours. You will soon start to notice amazing healing results.

  1. Plums

Plums are also a wonderful natural remedy for sunstroke because they possess hydrating properties. Besides being hydrating, these tiny fruits are also rich in antioxidants that help prevent the internal inflammation that may be caused by sunstroke. Soak some plums in water until they become soft. Mash them thoroughly in the water and then strain it. This drink not only keeps you hydrated but is also an effective treatment for a heat stroke.

[Read more about Health benefits of Sunlight you never knew]

  1. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is an excellent summertime drink that is also beneficial in treating sunstroke. It is a great body coolant and contains natural supplements that can help control your body temperature. The probiotics in buttermilk helps replenish your body with essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that may be lost due to excessive sweating. Drink buttermilk two or three times a day to get the best results.

  1. Coconut Water

Just like buttermilk, coconut water also helps a person suffering from sunstroke by providing energy and replenishing the body with plenty of electrolytes. Drinking coconut water two or three times a day helps in rehydrating your body as well as in keeping the body temperature under control.

[Read more about Health Benefits of coconut water ]

  1. Lemon Juice

Drinking lemon juice helps recover from sunstroke or heat stroke. It is a great coolant and is packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals that helps in replenishing your body with the water and nutrients lost through excessive sweating. So before going out in the Sun, drink a full glass of lemon juice. It hydrates your body and helps prevent sunstroke.

  1. Coriander and Mint Leaves

The juice of coriander and mint leaves is another easy and effective natural remedy to cool your body and treat sunstroke. According to Ayurvedic medicine, coriander and mint leaves have cooling effects on the body. In order to bring down your body heat, extract the juice from coriander and mint leaves, and drink it with a pinch of sugar.  Topical application of the juice of coriander leaves on the skin is helpful in soothing the itching skin.

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar

The high heat of summer causes you to sweat excessively, leading to loss of minerals and electrolytes from the body through the sweat. Apple cider vinegar helps to replenish these lost minerals and electrolytes. Add a few drops of the vinegar and honey to a glass of water and drink it. You can also mix it with fruit juice and then drink the concoction.

[Read more about Vitamin D – Benefits of Sunshine vitamin]

  1. Fennel Seeds and Tulsi

A mixture of tulsi seeds in rose water is helpful in cooling down your system instantly. Fennel seeds are also a well known cooling spice. Just soak a handful of fennel seeds  in water and keep it overnight. Strain the solution in the morning and drink the water. This is will keep your body cool down and prevent heat stroke.

  1. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera, which is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants is one of the best remedies for heat related illnesses. It has the ability to increase your body’s natural ability to adapt to the various external changes. In addition to being a good remedy for sunstroke, the  juice of aloe vera also helps in improving your overall health.

[Read more about Health benefits of watermelon seeds ]

  1. Ice bags

During a heat stroke your body finds it difficult to balance its temperature and so the body temperature continues to increase rapidly. Ice bags can help in lowering your body temperature. So if you see any symptom of heat stroke, immediately put ice bags under the arms, on the neck, back and also in the groin area because these are areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin. So cooling these areas may help reduce body temperature.

Sunstroke is a common and dangerous condition that can be life threatening if not treated right away. If you are looking for ways to treat sunstroke naturally, the simple and easy natural remedies mentioned here could be of great help. These remedies can be used as a first aid for sunstroke. However, you should seek immediate medical care in order to prevent further damage.

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