Old Cajun Tradition of 'Pulling Fever' With a Glass of Water

LOUISIANA - Throughout Louisiana, and especially with Cajun and Creole families in Acadiana, there are numerous home remedies for countless ailments that have been passed down for generations. There's one I recently came across that's called “drawing the heat out” or “pulling fever with a glass” used to treat fever, headache, and heat exhaustion that seems to have possibly been lost to time.

Until now, I've never heard of this South Louisiana home remedy to "draw the heat out" but, if it works, it's definitely something you're going to want bring back and pass down.

Cajun And Creole 'Pulling Fever' Technique

The basic idea usually goes like this -

1. A person has a fever, headache, heat exhaustion, or feels “overheated.”

2. Someone places a glass, jar, or cup of water on or near the person’s head — sometimes directly on the crown with a cloth barrier, sometimes upside down after using a candle or heated air to create suction.

3. People belie the water or suction would “pull the heat” or sickness from the body.

There are actually a few different versions of the tradition across Louisiana.

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The Simple 'Water on the Head' Version

This is the most common version. A cool glass of water would be balanced on the head or pressed gently against it while prayers were said or the person rested quietly. People believe the water absorbed excess body heat or bad energy.

The Suction Or Vacuum Method

This one overlaps with folk healing practices found in French, Acadian, Caribbean, and even some Native healing traditions, and according to louisianafolklife.org, in this version -

A candle or match is briefly lit under a glass.
The glass is quickly placed on the skin or scalp.
As the air cools, suction forms.

This is actually somewhat related to old-world “cupping” traditions seen in many cultures worldwide.

Heat Exhaustion — Unsplash Via Alain Moreau

Does It Actually Work?

Scientifically, there’s no evidence that a glass of water can literally “pull heat” or illness from the body. However, as you see in the video above, this isn't just an old Cajun and Creole technique, it's actually something people across Acadiana still do today to "pull the bad out".

This is one of those uniquely Louisiana traditions that sits right at the crossroads of Cajun storytelling, folk medicine, Catholic faith, and old family wisdom.

Have you ever heard of this technique? Have you ever done it or seen it done, and if so, did it work?

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