A bite from a mosquito infected by the plasmodium parasite can cause malaria. You may experience fever, chills, headache, joint pain and nausea within a few weeks of being bitten, but the parasite can also remain dormant in your body for years. Conventional treatment may include drugs like chloroquine and mefloquine, but they can have serious side effects and the parasite is resistant to them in may parts of the world. Herbs may be effective in treating malaria, especially the drug-resistant forms of the disease. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal therapy for malaria.
African Peach
African peach, or Nauclea latifolia, is a small tree found in tropical savanna forests of Africa. Local healers use an extract from the roots as a tonic and to treat malaria, fever, toothaches, cavities, diarrhea and mouth infections. Active ingredients include monoterpenes, triterpenes, indole alkaloids and saponins, and the roots have anti-malarial, analgesic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. A study by J. Abbah and colleagues published in the January 2010 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested a water extract of the roots on animals with induced malaria symptoms. The extract reduced fever, pain and inflammation, and the researchers state that the plant is useful for the symptomatic management of malaria. This study supports the traditional use of African peach extracts for treating malaria. Consult a knowledgeable practitioner for advice on dosage and duration of use. Avoid this herb if you are pregnant.
Woolly Woodvine
Woolly woodvine, or Sabicea villosa, is a perennial vine native to Central and South America. Traditional healers use a tea made from the leaves to treat malaria, stomach disorders and dysentery. A study by V. Roumy and associates published in the July 2007 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested 14 anti-malaria plants used by the local people in Loreto, Peru, an area with a high frequency of chloroquine-resistant malaria. The study found that a leaf extract of woolly woodvine was among the four most effective treatments against infection by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This study supports the local use of woolly woodvine teas and extracts for treating drug-resistant malaria. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant, and check with your health care provider for advice about dosage.
Spanish Needle
Spanish needle, or Bidens pilosa, is a tall annual plant found in tropical areas throughout the world. Hawaiian traditional healers use the aerial parts to treat colds, flu, indigestion, hepatitis, gout, bacterial infections, insomnia, bronchitis and urinary infections. In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb "clears heat" and is known as Gui Zhen Cao. Spanish needle is rich in flavonoids, triterpenes, sesquiterpenes and steroids, and the plant has antimalarial, hypotensive, anti-ulcer and hypoglycemic properties. 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. Do not use Spanish needle if you are pregnant or have kidney or bladder problems. Consult a health care practitioner for dosage instructions, since high doses can irritate the urinary tract. Some constituents in the herb may be weak esophageal carcinogens.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology": Pharmacological evidence favouring the use of Nauclea latifolia in malaria ethnopharmacy: effects against nociception, inflammation, and pyrexia in rats and mice.
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology": Amazonian plants from Peru used by Quechua and Mestizo to treat malaria with evaluation of their activity.
- "Phytotherapy Research": Antimalarial activity of Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) ethanol extracts from wild plants collected in various localities or plants cultivated in humus soil.
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