As we enter into the late months of the year, we begin to stand at an increased risk of contracting the malaria disease. Malaria fever is caused due to the transmission of pathogens from a specific type of mosquito known as the female Anopheles mosquito – which is a plasmodium parasite. This mosquito transmits a parasite present in its saliva into the blood of its host.
The parasite then begins to reproduce and multiply within the body of the host until internal organs begin to take a hit, causing malaria disease. The extent of this disease has run so high that more than three billion people worldwide have been affected by it, spanning across 106 different countries.
Let us understand more about the malaria disease and how we can take simple measures to stop it.
Causes Of The Malaria Disease
Malaria disease is primarily caused by a protozoa based parasite that is referred to as plasmodium. Taking all of its mutations into consideration, modern science has categorised this parasite into five different kinds, all of which can severely affect the health of humans. These types are:
- P. Falciparum: This is the most dangerous type of the plasmodium parasite. It causes malaria disease with very extreme symptoms, resulting in death in most cases.
- P. Vivax: One of the most common carriers of malaria fever, and is primarily responsible for relapses.
- P. Ovale: Known to cause a rare kind of malaria fever called tertian malaria.
- P. Malarie: Is a major factor behind several chronic infections that disrupt the immune system.
- P. Knowlesi: Begins off as a relatively unnoticeable condition, rapidly progressing into full fledged malaria disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Malaria
One of the most important things that you need to do is to prepare yourself for identifying the signs and symptoms of malaria fever right from the early stages so you can get started with the malaria cure. Spreading awareness and letting people know about these symptoms is especially vital during the monsoon season, as the transmission of bacteria is usually at its peak during that time.
While mild fever and muscle pain are two of the standard symptoms that anyone can experience with the onset of malaria, depending on the severity of it, there are also two different types of malaria itself, i.e:
- Uncomplicated Malaria: This type of malaria fever is categorised into three different stages during which the fever manifests itself. The first stage being the cold stage which causes shivering and chills. The second stage is running a high temperature.
The final stage includes unstoppable sweating, lethargy, and even nausea in some cases. This session of malaria can last anywhere from six to ten hours and is repeated within 48 hours of the onset of the first attack. The initial stages of this malarial fever are caused by three tertian parasites known as P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. falciparum.
A fourth kind of quaran parasite known as the P.malariae is responsible for the onset of the sudden malarial attacks from the third day of this cycle.
This type of malaria can be easily combated by simple home remedies for malaria. Symptoms experienced by a person experiencing this type of malaria disease include:
- Tiredness
- Body pains
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Sweats
- Fever
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Severe Malaria: This type of malaria occurs when the parasites have multiplied to the point that they have reached the internal organs, causing organ failure and other complications. Severe malaria requires immediate malaria cure by substituting the right types of prescription medicines or even home remedies for malaria.
Some of the symptoms of severe malaria include:
- Abnormalities in the blood coagulation process
- Metabolic acidosis
- Cerebral malaria
- Severe anemia
- Respiratory conditions
- Hypoglycemia
- Low blood pressure
- Hemoglobinuria
Home Remedies For Malaria
As long as the symptoms are not too serious, malaria is completely manageable and can be dealt with by following simple home remedies for malaria. Given below are five ways that you can follow for malaria treatment at home:
1. Drinking Ginger Tea
This malaria cure is one of the easiest and effective remedies as the active components of ginger such as gingerol are a rich source of both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Drinking just two cups of ginger tea a day is highly useful in relieving the pain experienced during malaria fever, as well as boosting the growth of healthy microbacteria in the gut and aiding digestion.
You can make your own ginger tea by following this quick and simple recipe.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups of water
- 2 inches of fresh ginger
Instructions
- Chop up your ginger into fine pieces and set aside.
- In a saucepan, add in your water and bring it to a roaring boil.
- Throw in your chopped ginger and let it infuse until you get a nice golden colour.
- Strain the ginger pieces out and drink the concoction. You can also add artificial sweetener or honey if you would like.
2 Drinking Cinnamon Infused Tea
Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used ingredients in malaria remedies as it contains compounds such as catechins, procyanidins, and cinnamaldehyde which are rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Drink this mixture first thing in the morning to give your immune system a boost for the day.
Here is a simple recipe for some cinnamon infused tea that you can follow:
Ingredients
- A pinch of pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
- A glass of water
- 1 teaspoon coarsely ground cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Add water to a saucepan and bring it to a roaring boil. Add in your pepper and cinnamon powders to the water.
- Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes and strain using a cheesecloth or a mesh strainer.
- Add honey to this tea. Mix well and serve.
3 Drinking Orange Juice
Oranges are one of the most potent sources of Vitamin C, a nutrient that is rich in antioxidant properties that eliminates the presence of free radicals and enhances the functioning of the white blood cells. Regular consumption of orange juice throughout the day is useful for reducing the symptoms of fever experienced during malaria as well as boosting gut health.
You can further boost its effect by consuming vitamin c supplements in combination with a balanced diet to maximise the health benefits offered by it. A simple malaria remedies would be to develop the habit of drinking freshly squeezed orange juice between meals.
4 Drinking Tulsi Tea
Tulsi is one of the most ancient herbs found in the Indian system and has been used as a component in several medications including malaria remedies. Rightly known as the queen of herbs, tulsi aims at boosting the immune response of the body by enhancing blood cell action on free radicals and pathogens.
It is an inherent source of antimalarial properties which is useful for combating symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It is recommended that you consume this concoction at least thrice a day during the initial stages of contracting malaria disease.
Ingredients
- 12-15 tulsi leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 2 teaspoons honey
Instructions
- Add water to a saucepan and bring it to a roaring boil. Add in your pepper and tulsi leaves to the water.
- Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes and strain using a cheesecloth or a mesh strainer.
- Add honey to this tea. Mix well and serve.
5 Eating Soaked Fenugreek Seeds
Natural foods such as fenugreek seeds are one of the best ways to go about malaria treatment at home. They can help with recovering your body from the after effects of malaria fever by enhancing the immune system and fighting off the parasites in our body.
Soak about 5 grams of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water and let them sit overnight. Drink the water and consume the soaked seeds first thing in the morning to get the most health benefits, and repeat this process until completely free from the symptoms of malaria.
Conclusion
While these malaria treatments at home remedies are quite effective for battling the symptoms of malaria fever, they were only designed to be preventative in nature. In case you are someone who is experiencing severe malaria symptoms, immediately consult with a medical health practitioner and get yourself properly checked for any serious underlying issues and complications.
