Table of Content

• What are the Causes of Malaria?

• What are the Symptoms of Malaria?

• Risk factors of Malaria

• 18 Effective home remedies for Malaria

• Prevention of Malaria

• When to See a Doctor for Malaria

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on Natural Remedies for Malaria

Introduction 

Malaria is transmitted by Mosquito bite, Malaria is limited to warm and humid climates, the region of Africa and South Asia.

According to WHO reports, Only in India there are 1 million documented cases of malaria with more than 1,000 deaths, but these numbers are far beyond the reality that our country faces in terms of the burden of malaria.

In India, the spread of Malaria usually occurs during monsoon season. It is important to be aware of the causes, prevention, symptoms and complications of Malaria as it is a life-threatening disease.

In this blog, we’ll be discussing what causes malaria, symptoms of malaria, home remedies for malaria, and malaria treatment, So that you can take essential steps if your loved one is suffering from malaria complications or early symptoms of malaria.

What are the Causes of Malaria?

Malaria is caused by mosquito bites, but do all mosquito bites lead to malaria? The answer is No, only bites of female anopheles Mosquito which are carriers of plasmodium species(mentioned below) can lead to malaria.

The Species of Plasmodium like:

• Plasmodium vivax

• Plasmodium falciparum 

• Plasmodium malaria

• Plasmodium ovale

• Plasmodium knowlesi

These are the main species of plasmodium that cause malaria. Malaria is spread by Mosquito bites.

When Anopheles mosquito bites, the saliva of the mosquito transfers plasmodium larvae into blood, then they head down to the liver causing symptoms of malaria like RBC rupture(hemolysis) leading to fevers and chills.

What are the Symptoms of Malaria?

Malaria can be uncomplicated or complicated depending on Symptoms of malaria, whether symptoms of malaria are mild or severe. Symptoms of Malaria can take up to 10 days to 1 month to develop after infection by plasmodium species.

Symptoms of malaria (uncomplicated type) include:

• Fever and Chills 

• Sweating  

• Shivering  

• Nausea and vomiting  

• Shivering  

• Diarrhoea  

• Headache and muscle ache  

• Fatigue  

• Chest pain

Symptoms of Malaria(Complicated type) include: 

• Cerebral malaria – which can present with neurological symptoms like seizures.

• Severe anaemia

• Hemoglobinuria 

• Bleeding abnormalities( like defective blood coagulation system)

• Respiratory symptoms, such as ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome)

• Kidney failure

• Hypoglycemia(decreased blood sugar) 

• Low blood pressure

• Metabolic acidosis

Risk factors of Malaria

Although anyone can suffer from malaria, there are certain predisposing risk factors that make one susceptible to having a mosquito bite further causing malaria or dengue.

Risk factors for malaria include:

• Geographical location: Malaria cases are more prevalent in sub-Saharan, African, tropical and subtropical regions because warm and humid climate which becomes a perfect arena for anopheles mosquitoes to breed.

• Monsoons: Malaria cases rise during monsoon, due to an increase in humidity and Increased breeding of Mosquitoes.

• Stagnant water: Mosquitoes usually breed in stagnant water. It is a perfect breeding point for mosquitoes, like stored water in water coolers, and water lodging in gardens. 

• Children: Children playing outside during monsoon season(rainy), have more risk of getting a mosquito bite, hence malaria.

• Visit from friends or relatives: If some relative or friend is having malaria, then a mosquito bite from them can transfer malaria causing plasmodium to you also.

• Immune system deficiency: Immune-deficient conditions like AIDS, make one more susceptible to malaria infection.

• Blood transfusion: Blood transfusion from a person who has not yet developed symptoms of malaria (remember symptoms of malaria can take 10 days - months to develop) can transfer infected blood cells through blood transfusion.

18 Effective home remedies for Malaria

Malaria treatment involves the use of modern medicine. However, you can help recover your body by combining malaria home remedies and herbal remedies. Here's a list of home remedies for malaria that you can use to help relieve malaria symptoms and supplement malaria treatment.

1. Krishna Musali: Golden eye grass in English. Although there aren’t many studies suggesting its benefits, it can help boost immunity and overall well-being. Hence it can be one of the home remedies for malaria

2. Coconut water: Coconut water can help prevent dehydration caused by vomiting in malaria.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can help reduce symptoms of fever in malaria. For using it as a Home remedy for malaria, one can dilute apple cider vinegar, then soak a cloth and put it on the forehead or calves.

4. Ginger: People experience nausea and vomiting during malaria, Ginger can be one of the home remedies for malaria, Several studies have shown that ginger decreases vomiting and nausea.

5. Tulsi: Tulsi's benefits in malaria have been shown in studies. Tulsi has many health benefits, and its health benefits have also been discussed in Ayurveda. One can take tulsi leaves by boiling them in water as one of the home remedies for malaria.

6. Neem: Neem can be used in malaria as it boosts immunity and helps reduce fever. For taking it as a home remedy for malaria, one can boil neem leaves in water and drink, one can also add honey to add flavour.

7. Cinnamon: The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of cinnamon help deal with symptoms of malaria. It can be used as one of the home remedies for malaria by mixing in water with black paper and drinking once a day.

8. Fever Nut: Fever nut has antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used to decrease fever. It can be found at any herbal store and can act as one of the natural remedies for malaria.

9. Orange Juice: Orange juice contains Vitamin C, Vitamin C boosts immunity and also has antioxidant properties. It can act as one of the malaria home remedies, one can take orange juice or whole orange between meals.

10. Grapefruit: Grapefruit contains quinine-like compounds that can help fight malaria, hence can be one of the best home remedies for malaria.

11. Lime Juice: Lime juice also contains Vitamin C, like Orange juice. It also helps in boosting immunity and helps in fighting malaria infection.

12. Basil leaves: Basil leaves are known as the ‘queen of herbs’. They help relieve symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhoea. For using them as a home remedy for malaria, One should take basil leaves daily during the infection period. 

13. Alum: Alum has antimicrobial properties, hence can be used as a home remedy for malaria, you can roast an inch of alum and take half a teaspoon of alum before the expected attack of malaria fever.

14. Herbal Teas: Green tea as a home remedy for malaria can help boost the immune system and help fight fever, which is bothersome in malaria. It is one of the effective natural remedies for malaria.

15. Datura: Datura leaves can be used as natural remedies for malaria as leaves of datura can be used for relieving fever.

16. Fenugreek Seeds: Fenugreek seeds help in recovering from weakness associated with malaria, hence can be used by people who are feeling weak as malaria home remedies.

17. Mustard Seed Oil: Mustard oil can be used as a home remedy for malaria, as one can cook food in mustard oil to get its benefits.

18. Turmeric: Turmeric has amazing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, hence it can be used as one of the home remedies for malaria. It helps in relieving body pain, joint pain and fever in malaria. Turmeric is best taken as turmeric milk at night.

Prevention of Malaria

Although there are many malaria treatment options available. Malaria is a life-threatening disease, therefore Prevention becomes an important aspect of the disease.

WHO introduced the first vaccine for malaria-Mosquirix. The RTS, S/AS01 vaccine is used against Plasmodium falciparum malaria for children living in regions of high-risk areas.

Here are preventive measures which you can take to prevent mosquito bites:

You can use: 

1. Mosquito repellent on the skin(containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin)

2. Mosquito Nets while sleeping

3. Window mosquito nets

4. Coils and Vapourizers

5. Full Sleeve Clothing.

When to See a Doctor for Malaria

If you’re experiencing symptoms of malaria like fever and chills, muscle aches, and headaches. You should immediately reach out to your healthcare provider for early diagnosis and treatment.

Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent the progression of uncomplicated malaria to complicated malaria and also prevent the spread of Malaria to other family members. 

Take-Home Points

• Malaria is transmitted by Mosquito bite, Malaria is limited to warm and humid climates

• Plasmodium, a protozoan, causes malaria. There are many species of plasmodium like plasmodium falciparum, vivax etc are involved.

• Malaria can be uncomplicated or complicated depending on Symptoms of malaria, whether symptoms of malaria are mild or severe.

• Symptoms of malaria(uncomplicated type) include Fever and Chills, Sweating, Shivering, Nausea and vomiting, Shivering, diarrhoea etc.

• Home remedies for Malaria include Apple Vinegar, Ginger Water, Cinnamon and Honey Water, Fresh Juice, Herbal Tea etc.

• Prevention of malaria is important as it is a life-threatening disease. One can use mosquito repellent, Mosquito Nets, full sleeves clothing etc.

• If you’re experiencing symptoms of malaria like fever and chills, body aches, headaches, diarrhoea or vomiting, you immediately visit your doctor for consultation.