Malaria
Overview:
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The most common species responsible for malaria include Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae.
Allopathic Remedies
1. Chloroquine
Used for: Treatment and prevention of malaria caused by P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae.
Dosage: 600 mg base initially, followed by 300 mg at 6, 24, and 48 hours after the first dose.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision.
2. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)
Used for: Treatment of P. falciparum malaria.
Common Combinations: Artemether-lumefantrine, Artesunate-amodiaquine, Artesunate-mefloquine.
Dosage: Varies by combination and patient weight.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness.
3. Mefloquine
Used for: Treatment and prevention of malaria.
Dosage: 250 mg once weekly for prevention; 750 mg followed by 500 mg at 6–12 hours and 250 mg at 24–36 hours for treatment.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, vivid dreams.
4. Atovaquone-proguanil
Used for: Prevention and treatment of malaria.
Dosage: 250 mg/100 mg once daily for prevention; 4 tablets once daily for 3 days for treatment.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache.
5. Primaquine
Used for: Prevention of relapse of P. vivax and P. ovale malaria.
Dosage: 30 mg base daily for 14 days.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
Herbal Remedies
1. Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood)
Active Component: Artemisinin.
Usage: Dried leaves or extracts used in teas, capsules, or tinctures.
Side Effects: Mild gastrointestinal upset, potential toxicity at high doses.
2. Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Usage: Leaf extracts or oil used for prophylaxis.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, liver toxicity at high doses.
3. Cinchona Bark
Active Component: Quinine.
Usage: Bark extracts in teas or tinctures.
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, cinchonism (tinnitus, headache, dizziness).
Chinese Remedies:
1. Qinghaosu (Artemisinin)
Derived from: Artemisia annua.
Form: Extracts used in combination therapies.
Side Effects: Similar to allopathic artemisinin derivatives.
2. Chuanxinlian (Andrographis paniculata)
Usage: Decoctions or extracts.
Side Effects: Gastrointestinal upset.
3. Chang Shan (Dichroa febrifuga)
Usage: Decoctions or extracts.
Side Effects: Gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting.
Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathy treats malaria by addressing the unique symptoms presented by each individual. Remedies are selected based on the totality of symptoms. Here are some commonly used homeopathic remedies for malaria:
1. Cinchona officinalis (China)
Symptoms: Weakness after loss of fluids (diarrhea, sweating), periodic fevers with chills, bloating, and flatulence.
Potency: 6C, 30C, or 200C, taken 1-3 times daily depending on severity.
Detailed Symptoms: Exhaustion with trembling, headache with throbbing pain, bitter taste in the mouth, sensitivity to touch, enlarged spleen.
2. Arsenicum album
Symptoms: High fever with restlessness, anxiety, burning pains relieved by warmth, weakness, intense thirst but drinks small quantities frequently.
Potency: 6C, 30C, or 200C, taken 1-3 times daily.
Detailed Symptoms: Chills at 3 AM, prostration, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats, fear of death, periodic fever, worse at midnight.
3. Natrum muriaticum
Symptoms: Fevers with severe chills, especially at 10 AM, bursting headache, severe weakness, craving for salty foods, dry mucous membranes.
Potency: 6C, 30C, or 200C, taken 1-3 times daily.
Detailed Symptoms: Coldness with sweating, headache as if hammers were beating the brain, aversion to bread, thirst for cold drinks, fever blisters on lips.
4. Nux vomica
Symptoms: Fevers with intense chills, frequent desire to urinate, irritability, sensitivity to light, noise, and touch.
Potency: 6C, 30C, or 200C, taken 1-3 times daily.
Detailed Symptoms: Chills worse in the morning, fever with gastric disturbances, vomiting, constipation, headache over the eyes, alternating chills and heat.
5. Eupatorium perfoliatum
Symptoms: Fevers with severe bone pains (“bone-break fever”), thirst before chills, vomiting of bile.
Potency: 6C, 30C, or 200C, taken 1-3 times daily.
Detailed Symptoms: Aching in limbs and back, thirst with chill, sweating does not relieve fever, headache with throbbing pain, sore eyeballs, periodic fever.
6. Pulsatilla
Symptoms: Fevers with no thirst, changing symptoms, weepiness, better in fresh air.
Potency: 6C, 30C, or 200C, taken 1-3 times daily.
Detailed Symptoms: Chills with one-sided sweats, headache relieved by cold applications, mild and tearful disposition, fever worse in warm room, chilliness without thirst.
Summary:
Malaria treatment involves a variety of approaches depending on the type and severity of the infection. Allopathic medicine provides highly effective treatments, while herbal, Chinese, and homeopathic remedies offer alternative or complementary approaches. Homeopathic remedies, in particular, are individualized based on the patient’s symptoms and constitution, offering a holistic approach to treatment.