Traditional Herbal Medicines For Malaria Traditional Herbal Medicines For Malaria | Page 2

Traditional Herbal Medicines For Malaria
Malaria, the scourge of the tropics, no longer remains localized and has spread across the globe. In the early
60’s, widespread use of DDT and other pesticides against the vectors of Malaria led to the control of the
disease to a considerable extent. However, in a few years, malaria returned with more severity, and most
insecticides became ineffective. In the early 50’s quinine which is a derivative of Chinchona bark was widely
used. However the discovery of synthetic anti-malarial stated to be used, and gradually, use of Quinine was
discontinued.
However the arrival of Chloroquine-resistant malaria in the 80’s once again sent the medical fraternity to the
earlier drugs, and it was discovered that Quinine and the new wonder drug, Artesunate derived from
Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood was useful in complicated and drug-resistant Malaria.
Traditional and herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of malaria since ancient times and today
are the basis of two major drugs artemisinin and quinine derivatives for the treatment of resistant disease.
Drug resistance has become a bane of anti-malarial therapies, especially the Plasmodium Falciparum variety
of malaria. This coupled with the exorbitant costs of hospitalization makes it difficult for the economically
weaker section of the society to get proper treatment.
Artemisia annua is listed in ancient Chinese treatise as a remedy for malaria and different grades of fever. The
herb contains a well established antimalarial compound artemisinin. The traditional method of treatment
envisages extraction by simple tea preparation methods and the aerial parts of the plant contained 0.63–
0.70% artemisinin per dry weight, and approximately 40% of this artemisinin could be extracted. Artemisinin
is a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide derived from the plant Artemisia annua and has become the
treatment of drug-resistant malaria.
Malaria kills more than one and three million people and affects 515 million people. With the rising global
temperatures, more and more countries which do not have an incidence of malaria will be facing the scourge
of the 21st century. The gradual warming of temperate regions means that vectors will have more and more
friendly atmosphere to propagate. Antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine which was the mainstay of treating
malaria are ineffective today, and once again the medical fraternity is turning back to its roots and traditional
medicines.
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