Malaria Treatment
Proper malaria treatment is possible using herbs as long as you know what type you have. Malaria is a very contagious parasitic infection that is common in tropical and subtropical regions. Some strains can remain dormant in the system for months or years after the initial exposure. There are three types of malaria: Tertian Fever, Quartan Fever and Malignant Fever. In Tertian Fever, the attacks happen on alternate days. With Quartan Fever, the attack of fever happens after an interval of two days, for example, first fever will occur on the first day, then again on the 4th day, then the 7th, and so on. Malignant Tertian is a very severe type that is the most alarming.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, shaking chills, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms may come and go. Symptoms appear seven to nine days after being bitten.
Causes
Malaria is caused by a protozoan that infests the body known as Plasmodium. This protozoan lives within the red blood cells. These protozoa are transmitted from person to person by the Anopheles mosquito, which is native to tropical and subtropical regions. There are four Plasmodium protozoan species that are responsible for causing malaria. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver. Once there, it grows and multiplies. While the parasite is in the liver there are no visible symptoms. The parasites multiply quickly, resulting in destruction of red blood cells. With this knowledge it is possible to choose herbal malaria treatment that can fight this disease successfully.
Cautions
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Treatment should be started within the first 24 hours after the first symptom manifests. While Tertian and Quartan Fevers can be treated at home, Malignant Tertian must be treated in a hospital. Complications of malaria include anemia, dysentery and kidney failure.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Lemon – take the juice of 1 lemon and add 3 grams of lime. Mix this with 60 ml of water. Take this mixture before you think an attack is about to occur.
- Holy basil – mix 11 grams of holy basil leaf juice with 3 grams of powdered black pepper to be taken in the cold stage of malaria. This can check the severity.
- Datura – for Tertian Fever, use 2-1/2 freshly sprouted leaves. Make these leaves into a pill by rubbing them with jiggery and take them 2 hours before the next attack.
- Cinnamon – take a teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon and boil it in a cup of water and a pinch of pepper powder and honey.
- Guarana - reputed to offer protection against malaria.
- Wormwood – the active constituent artemesinin in this plant is very effective against malaria. Thought to be particularly useful in treating drug resistant malaria.
- Garlic – a natural antibiotic, garlic has been used to treat malaria as well as many other diseases. Take capsules as directed or eat raw garlic cloves.
- Fenugreek – add the seeds to your diet to increase your immunity and fight against the parasites.
External Applications
- Neem – mix the oil of this herb into a paste with other herbs and spices and apply to the afflicted area or add it to a warm bath for a soothing malaria treatment.