Malaria

Symptoms of Malaria

Symptoms of malaria include high-grade fever, moderate to severe shaking chills, body ache including joint pain and muscle ache, headache, general malaise, vomiting or nausea, convulsions, and a diagnostic blood test that reveals disintegration of red blood cells.

These symptoms usually develop after 10-15 days of the mosquito bite. If malaria is not treated in a timely manner, it may interfere with the blood supply in the body and result in a coma or death.

Natural Cures

There are a few alternative treatments that can be used as an attempt to cure malaria. Some of these cures may be used to alleviate the symptoms that are associated with malaria such as high grade fever, body ache, and nausea.

Artemisinin



Artemisinin is a primary component of the herb Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood. Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the therapeutic powers of Artemisinin over malaria patients. It has been extensively used in China and Vietnam to cure malaria, especially drug-resistant malaria. Recommended oral dosage of Artemisinin is three grams of herb each day for 3 to 5 days.

Holy Basil (tulsi)

Holy Basil or tulsi has been traditionally used in India for curing numerous ailments. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties and can be used to soothe the symptoms that are associated with malaria. Here are a few suggestions:

	Boil water and add a few fresh tulsi leaves into it. You may also add black tea leaves. Let the mixture stand for a while. Strain it, add sugar and milk to it, and drink this soothing tea two to three times each day.
	Alternatively, add one pinch of cardamom powder to this tea and consume this healing beverage a couple of times throughout each day. It is believed to lower the body temperature.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is believed to have a natural quinine-like substance that acts as a prophylactic drug to prevent and treat malaria. Include a grapefruit in your diet on a regular basis, preferably everyday for optimum benefits.

Preventing Malaria Malaria outbreak can be easily prevented by taking a few precautions. Try the following simple tips to control and prevent the spread of this disease: Eliminating the disease-carrying mosquitoes can significantly reduce the chances of malaria. Disinfect the mosquito breeding areas such as the corners of walls, the areas under beds, water tanks, garden, and garage. Especially watch out for water logged areas. Use insect repellants, bed nets, and insecticidal sprays in and around your home to avoid mosquito bites. Be especially careful when you are doing outdoor activities such as hiking or camping in the woods or spending time in the garden. Seek treatment for the infection as soon as it is diagnosed. Any delay may lead to a potentially life-threatening condition. When traveling to endemic regions, take preventive anti-malarial medications that can be used to treat as well as prevent malaria. Common prophylactic drugs are quinine, mefloquine, and oxycycline. Wear protective clothing such as pants and long-sleeved shirts during active mosquito hours (usually from dusk to dawn).

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