Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite (genus Leishmania) transmitted by the bite of a female phlebotomine sandfly.

Symptoms

The clinical spectrum of leishmaniasis ranges from a self-resolving cutaneous ulcer to a mutilating mucocutaneous disease and even to a lethal systemic illness.

Natural Treatment

• The roots of the plant Pentalinon andrieuxii have been used by Mayans for years to treat infections from the parasite Leishmania, and researchers know now why: a compound from the plant : Pentalinonsterol, newly synthesized in the lab, reduces parasite load in infected mice.
• A clinical study conducted in Iraq tested the effectiveness of a topical herbal remedy on 150 patients with leishmaniasis skin lesions. The ointment contained aloe juice, turmeric, fat, and Euphorbia milii. The majority of patients were cured within about 4 months. Results of the turmeric-containing ointment were similar to those treated with conventional injections of Glucantime
• Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng): Withania somnifera Dunal or ashwagandha was found to be effective against Leishmania donovani. Indian ginseng has antibacterial properties and causes the apoptosis-like death of leishmanial cells.8
• Garlic (Allium Sativum): Garlic’s abilities to heal Leishmaniasis was explored in one study where garlic therapy was administered along with vitamin A.9
• Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): Ayurvedic herb tulsi is also renowned for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial powers. Studies have found it shows strong leishmanicidal activity when taken orally. Its immunomodulatory effects also help with recovery from the illness.
• Calcium-containing Bhasma: Shankha bhasma, Muktashukti bhasma, and Pravala bhasma, common calcium-containing Ayurvedic remedies for ulcers and piles, may also be useful in treating sores.
• Goldthread
• Caper : Capers are used for diabetes, fungal infections, chest congestion, worms in the intestines, and a skin disease caused by parasites called leishmaniasi

References

• Antileishmanial Effects of Traditional Herbal Extracts Against Cutaneous Leishmaniosis In Vivo. Mohammad, Bahrami Ali. [ed.] Abdel Rahman Al-Tawaha. 10, Ma'an: AENSI Publications, September 2011, Advances in Environmental Biology, Vol. 5, pp. 3188-3195. ISSN: 1995-0756.
• Sharma, Umakant, Thirumurthy Velpandian, Pawan Sharma, and Sarman Singh. “Evaluation of anti-leishmanial activity of selected Indian plants known to have antimicrobial properties.” Parasitology research 105, no. 5 (2009): 1287-1293.
• Ahmadi-Renani, K., A. Mahmoodzadeh, A. M. Cheraghali, and A. A. Esfahani. “Effect of garlic extract on cutaneous leishmaniasis and the role of nitric oxide.” Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences 27, no. 3 (2015): 97-100.
• Suzuki, Akiko, Osamu Shirota, Kanami Mori, Setsuko Sekita, Hiroyuki Fuchino, Akihito Takano, and Masanori Kuroyanagi. “Leishmanicidal active constituents from Nepalese medicinal plant Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.).” Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 57, no. 3 (2009): 245-251.
• Singh, A., S. D. Dubey, K. R. C. Reddy, S. Patne, and V. Kumar. “Anti-Ulcer Activity Of Calcium Based Ayurvedic Bhasmas And Pishti Prepared From Marine-Sourced Animals.” Electronic Journal of Pharmacology and Therapy 2 (2009): 71.