Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. There are 5 species of Plasmodium which infect humans:
- Plasmodium vivax
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium malariae
- Plasmodium ovale
- Plasmodium knowlesi which is less common.
Of these, Plasmodium falciparum infection is the most severe and can cause death in up to 10% of cases. It can be rapidly fatal. Pregnant women and children are especially at risk. Other types of malaria are less severe, but still may cause death.
Symptoms
- Fever, which may come and go, or may be constant
- chills
- profuse sweating
- malaise (feeling of unwellness)
- muscle and joint pain
- headache
- confusion
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- abdominal pain
- cough
- anemia.
- Plasmodium falciparum may cause cerebral malaria, a serious complication resulting from inflammation of the brain that may cause coma.
Home remedies
- Artemisia annua (Sweet Annie) contains a chemical called artemisinin that seems to be effective against the parasites that cause malaria. Some drug manufacturers make anti-malarial medications from artemisinin that they have modified in the laboratory.Sweet Annie should not be used alone for malaria since it may only inactivate the parasites that cause malaria, not actually kill them. The amount of artemisinin in sweet Annie might be too small to kill all the parasites that cause malaria, but large enough to make these parasites resistant to further treatment with more powerful malaria drugs that also contain artemisinin.Many researchers are investigating new ways to increase the amount of artemisinin in sweet Annie.
- Cryptolepis : Unlike most other plant-derived malaria medications on the market (i.e., the drug quinine, a pure compound extracted from the bark of Cinchona spp. of the family Rubiaceae, and the recently developed pure compound artemisinin and semi-synthetic derivatives from the Chinese herb quin hao or sweet wormwood, Artemisia annua L., Asteraceae), the herbal tea based on cryptolepis is a true herbal remedy containing the naturally occurring complex mixture of phytochemicals in a traditional dosage form, with a long-established history of use, just like the old remedies from which the two aforementioned malaria drugs were derived.
- Quinine : According to Drugs.com, quinine is mainly used to treat uncomplicated malaria, a disease that is transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes. Malaria is a parasitic disease that is characterized by high fever, shaking chills, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, anemia and jaundice. Malaria disease normally affects people living in warm climates such as South America, Africa and India. Malaria is not a common disease in the U.S., and the disease is mainly diagnosed in Americans who engage in international travel to countries where malaria is common. Quinine should not be used to prevent malaria, due to adverse side effects.
- Zinc is used for malaria and other diseases caused by parasites.
- Neem Tree is an effective treatment for malarial fevers.
- Sweet Annie tea taken for 4-7 days might improve symptoms and decrease the number of active parasites in people with malaria.
- Nauclea Latifolia : Local healers use an extract from the roots as a tonic and to treat malaria, fever, toothaches, cavities, diarrhea and mouth infections.
- Woolly Woodvine : Traditional healers use a tea made from the leaves to treat malaria, stomach disorders and dysentery.
- Spanish Needle : A study by V. F. Andrade-Neto and colleagues published in the August 2004 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" tested the roots for antimalarial activity. The study found that the plasmodium parasites were as susceptible to the herb as they were to conventional drugs and the researchers attribute the strong antimalarial activity to the flavonoids.
- Betel Leaf : Terpenes, which is a healthy compound that is present in betel leaves has strong anti-malaria properties. Also, the flavonoids that are present in betel leaves have strong anti-parasitic properties and they help fight against parasite related strains of malaria. Betel leaves have been used for their anti-malarial properties since ancient times, and this practice started off in Malaysia. It can certainly protect you from the fatal dangers of malaria and can help you fight against this deadly disease.
Warnings
Plasmodium falciparum infection is the most severe and can cause death in up to 10% of cases. It can be rapidly fatal. Pregnant women and children are especially at risk. Other types of malaria are less severe, but still may cause death. Specific antimalarial treatment is available and must always be started as soon as malaria is diagnosed. There is increasing resistance to currently available drugs and treatment should be carried out by an infectious diseases specialist or other expert in the field.
References
Medical Disclaimer
This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.
