Malaria and Homeopathic Remedies 

ABSTRACT

Malaria caused by plasmodium parasites remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the disease covering its epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies. And also this abstract delves into the potential of homoeopathic medicine as an adjunct or alternative therapy for managing malaria.

Keywords: #Malaria#Treatment#Homoeopathy#Hahnemann#Holistic

INTRODUCTION

Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium type. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells. Malaria symptoms typically include fever, headache, chills, and vomiting, and can sometimes progress to severe illness and death if not treated promptly.

Malaria is a significant global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where the Anopheles mosquito thrives. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of malaria cases and deaths, although the disease also affects parts of Asia, Latin America, and to a lesser extent, the Middle East and parts of Europe.

CAUSES

Malaria is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are several species of Plasmodium parasites that can infect humans, including:

Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium knowlesi.

Once inside the human body, the Plasmodium parasites multiply in the liver before infecting red blood cells. This leads to the characteristic symptoms of malaria, including fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

1. Who estimates that in 2021 there were 247 million new cases of malaria resulting in 619,000 deaths.
2. Children under 5 years old are the most affected.
3. About 125 million pregnant women are at risk in 2019.
4. Climate change is likely to affect malaria.

CLINICAL FEATURES

1) Fever: Fever is one of the hallmark symptoms of malaria. It may be intermittent (coming and going) or continuous and is often accompanied by chills and sweating.

2) Headache: Headaches are common and can range from mild to severe, often accompanied by a feeling of pressure or throbbing pain in the head.

3) Muscle and Joint Pain: Malaria infection can cause muscle aches and pains, as well as joint pain, which may be generalized or localized to specific areas of the body.

4) Fatigue: Feelings of tiredness, weakness, and lethargy are common symptoms of malaria, often accompanying the fever and other symptoms.

5) Nausea and Vomiting: Many individuals with malaria experience nausea and may vomit, especially during episodes of fever.

6) Diarrhea: Diarrhea can occur in some cases of malaria, particularly in children, and may contribute to dehydration.

7) Abdominal Pain: Some individuals with malaria may experience abdominal pain or discomfort, which can be accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or cramping.

8) Jaundice: In severe cases of malaria, particularly those caused by Plasmodium falciparum, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) may occur due to liver dysfunction.

Some Severe Symptoms include seizures, confusion, impaired consciousness, respiratory distress, severe anemia, and organ failure. This is more commonly seen with Plasmodium falciparum infections.

INVESTIGATION

1. Rapid antigen test
2. Serological test
3. Nucleic acid amplification test

PREVENTION

 Mosquito control

                                     (I) insecticide treated nets

                                     (ii) indoor residual spraying

                                     (iii)house modifications

1. Community participation and health education strategies promoting awareness.

HOMOEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS :

Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by the plasmodium parasite that affects millions worldwide. So over centuries various remedies have been explored ranging from traditional herbal treatments to modern pharmaceutical interventions. In the context of malaria, homoeopathy offers wonderful medicines, management, treatment and cure at its fullest. With its emphasis on individualized treatment and the stimulation of the body’s innate healing mechanisms, homoeopathy has garnered attention as a potential remedy for malaria. 

So the remedies are polyporus pinicola, menyanthes, chininum sulphuricum, chininum arsenicosum, cedron.

 POLYPORUS PINICOLA

CLINICAL: ANUS PROLAPSE, CONSTIPATION, HEMORRHOIDS, INTERMITTENT FEVER, LIVER DISORDERS, MALAR BONE, PAIN NEURALGIAS,RHEUMATISM, TONSILS ENLARGED.

1. Hale said it is a remedy for ague in the middle and southern states.
2. Quotidian fevers are most suited to it. 
3. Useful in intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers with headache, yellow tongue, constant nausea and faintness.
4. Deep dull ,severe pain in shin bones preventing sleep.

DURING FEVER:

 Great lassitude, congestion of head, with vertigo, face hot and flushed, prickling sensation all over, restless at night from pain in wrists and knee: rheumatic pains, profuse perspiration. headache about 10 am, with pain in back, ankles and legs increasing until 3 pm. then gradually got better. 

 MODALITIES: Better by rest. Worse in damp air, after stool, motion, walking.

 MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA

CLINICAL: HEADACHE, CHEST AFFECTIONS, CRAMPS OF, INTERMITTENT FEVER, JERKINGS, PARALYSIS

1. Remedy for certain headaches, intermittent fever, twitchings, sensation of tension and compression
2. Pain in vertex , better by hard pressure with hand.
3. Cracking in the jaw and twitching of facial muscles.
4. Icy coldness of hands and feet.
5. Cramp like pain in extremities.
6. No thirst at any time.
7. When the patient lies down, legs jerk and twitch.

DURING FEVER:

Cold clammy night sweats driving him out of bed. Complaints increase during sweat. Drawing and tearing in all the limbs worse at night in a warm bed with profuse sweat which gives no relief. Stitching pain through the right lower lung to back when coughing.

MODALITIES: worse during rest, better by pressure on affected part, stooping, motion. 

 CHININUM SULPHURICUM

CLINICAL : RHEUMATISM, INTERMITTENT FEVER, REMITTENT FEVER, VARIOLA, TYPHUS- FEVER, HEADACHE, EAR AFFECTIONS, ASTHMA, NOISES IN THE HEAD, MENIERES DISEASE.

1. A remedy for suppressed malaria.
2. Indicated homoeopathically whenever there is marked periodicity and spinal sensitiveness.
3. An immediate and rapid decrease in red blood cells and reduction in haemoglobin.
4. Tendency to polynucleated leukocytosis.
5. Headache in forehead and temples increasing gradually at noon of malarial origin with vertigo.
6. Falling in street due to fevery condition, inability to remain unstanding.

DURING FEVER :

Chill daily at 3 pm. Shivering even in a warm room. Thirst in all stages. Increasing fever and prostration with profuse night sweats. Typical malaria. 

MODALITIES :  better by profuse sweat but exhausts. 

 CHININUM ARSENICOSUM

CLINICAL:  DIPHTHERIA, HECTIC FEVER, INTERMITTENT FEVER, SPINAL IRRITATION, SORE THROAT, ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS.

1. In diphtheria with great prostration and cases that are prolonged especially in malarial affections and it has been found curative.
2. Asthmatic attacks which recur periodically with great prostration.
3. Tired feeling with dull headache that is in frontal and occipital.
4. Darting type of pain running up into the head.
5. Coldness of hands and feet with weak limbs
6. Sudden attacks of vertigo.
7. Many symptoms come during sleep.

DURING FEVER :

 Malarial fevers. Continuous fever with oscillating temperature. Sweat profuse and exhaustive especially at night. Fever without chill only in the afternoon and evening. Burning fever more at night. Sensitive to cold. Cannot sustain any physical exertion. Aversion to motion. I Want to lie down. Every symptom is better by a warm room. Desires to uncover.

MODALITIES: Worse at night, open air . better by a warm room and drinks.

 CEDRON

CLINICAL: RHEUMATISM, SNAKE BITES, INTERMITTENT FEVER, NEURALGIA, COMPLAINTS AFTER EPILEPSY, GOUT,CHOREA.

1. Periodicity is the most marked characteristic of this drug.
2. It has been found curative in malarial affections, especially neuralgia.
3. It is particularly useful in tropical or in damp, warm, marshy countries.
4. Pain from temple to temple across eyes.
5. Crazy feeling from pain across my forehead.
6. Whole body seems numb with a headache.
7. Scalding lachrymation.
8. Lancinating pain in joints, worse feet and hands.
9. Antidotes the effect of snake bite and stings of insects.

DURING FEVER:

 Malaria. excitement before chill. Chillness towards evening with frontal headache extending into the parietal region. Red eyes ,heat with itching of eyes. Tearing in limbs , numbness of limbs.

MODALITIES: worse by lying down, after sleep. Better by standing erect.

Other remedies like  Ammonium picricum, Baptisia, Ars alb, Muriatic acid, Arnica, Gelsemium, Eupatorium also  show wonderful results.

CONCLUSION

These remedies in homeopathy show promise as a potential adjunctive therapy for malaria symptoms. However, rigorous clinical studies are necessary to validate its effectiveness and safety. Malaria remains a significant global health concern, demanding prompt diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of healthcare professionals. In a medical condition, a holistic approach that combines conventional medicine with complementary therapies may provide the best outcomes for patients.

REFERENCE

1. World Health Organization (WHO). “Malaria.” Accessed April 21, 2024. https://www.who.int/health-topics/malaria#tab=tab_1
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Malaria – Symptoms & Causes.” Accessed April 21, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html
3. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).   “Malaria.” Accessed April 21, 2024.    https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/malaria
4. Munjal YP, Sharm SK. API textbook of medicine, two volume set. JP Medical Ltd; 2012 May 18.
5. Walker BR, Colledge NR. Davidson’s principles and practice of medicine e-book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013 Dec 6.
6. Massarelli JJ. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. JAMA. 1984 Feb 10;251(6):807-.
7. Murphy Robin ND. Lotus Materia medica 1400 homeopathy and herbal remedies.
8. Nash EB. Leaders in homoeopathic therapeutics. Boericke & Tafel; 1913.
9. Boericke W. New manual of homoeopathic materia medica and repertory. B. Jain Publishers; 2002.

About the Auhor

Dr Sanjay Thomas Raj (Pg Scholar)

Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica

Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College

And Hospital, Manglore, Karnataka.

Guided By: Dr Amitha P Baliga