One of the deadliest and most widespread diseases of the world is malaria. Spread from the saliva of the infected malaria mosquito, it has spread much terror in the hearts of people all over the world, especially those who travel to tropical and subtropical regions where it is most prevalent. Causes of malaria vary, but when the Anopheles mosquito gets infected with the malaria parasite, Plasmodium and upon biting the humans, it spreads the disease.
For malaria treatment, many antimalaria medications are now available to combat the issue but, in many regions, it has been observed that the malaria parasite is becoming resistant to them. In such cases, many home remedies for malaria help in reducing the menace of this disease. Please take into account that these are not proven treatments, and if you have malaria, you will need to get yourself medically treated. Look at some of our home remedies for malaria:
These are the known immune-boosters. Available in all tropical regions, citrus fruits are not hard to get hold off. Vitamin C helps in controlling fever, halts the infection from spreading and accelerates healing in the body. Lemon water, orange and sweet lime are good options. Eat as fruits or have as juice depending upon your condition.
Fever, headache and diarrhoea are the most common malaria symptoms. Cinnamon has an anti-inflammatory nature. It reduces the pain and other symptoms present in malaria. It reduces the pain and other symptoms present in malaria. You can boil a mixture of one teaspoon cinnamon powder and honey, with a little bit of pepper powder in water. Drinking this once or twice daily is considered a valuable remedy for treating malaria.
Ginger is also a useful antimalaria medicine. It can be boiled with water and reduced into a delicious concoction that will effectively help you with the recovery process. The antibacterial nature of ginger ensures that the disease does not increase further.
This is the elixir of life when it comes to malaria disease. Grapefruit has a component similar to quinine and helps in neutralising the harmful effects of the malaria parasite in the body. Eating grapefruit regularly helps in combating this disease and recovering rapidly. Please note that in case you are taking quinine medicines, do not have grapefruit as it reduces the stomach’s capacity to absorb this medicine.
Holy Basil, is popularly known as Tulsi, it is antibacterial and has Eugenol, an active component that is hugely therapeutic and eliminates the infection. Holy Basil is found extensively in tropical countries and is used in ayurvedic medicines. It can alleviate joint pain, inflammation and other common symptoms of malaria. You can drink the water boiled with Tulsi leaves in it and can also add it to your tea. Read more on the health benefits of tulsi (basil)
Using mosquito nets and mosquito repellents help in preventing mosquitoes in the first place, so you don’t catch the dreaded malaria disease. Ensuring that there are no stagnant pools of waters and there are no open drains also provides that mosquitoes don’t get breeding grounds.
Using a cloth dipped in a concoction of apple cider vinegar and water has been known to reduce fever during malaria infection. Add a spoonful of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Drinking this helps with dealing with nausea and vomiting. Also, read 6 health benefits of apple cider vinegar
As the name suggests, fever nut helps in reducing body temperature. The seeds are individually considered effective against malaria symptoms and make for a great option as home remedies for malaria. The seeds of fever nut can be ingested with water.
Having 2 cups of herbal tea or turmeric milk every day is an effective treatment for malaria. Herbal tea is hygenic and should be made using boiling water. The dried leaves or stems must be boiled properly, filtered and then you can add milk to it, stir well and drink. With regular consumption, you will notice positive results.
We are all aware of the numerous benefits of turmeric. It is a super spice with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It flushes out harmful toxins from the body and helps in killing malaria parasites. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help in reducing muscle and joint pain, which are common symptoms of malaria. You can drink a glass of turmeric milk every night to quickly recover from malaria.
Read More: Malaria Prevention Tips To Remember
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
When one thinks of Monsoons, the thought of Malaria is not far behind. It is a protozoal disease that weakens the immune system. This happens because of the heavy antibiotics used to treat the disease. Malaria is characterised by chills followed by fever, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, etc.
It is associated with high-grade fever that is transmitted by female Anopheline mosquitoes. This mosquito transfers the parasite of the disease from one sick person to another. The parasite, when in the bloodstream, infects the red blood cells.
To treat malaria, there is no specific diet, but one needs to ensure adequate nutrition to help the body fight the disease. A diet for malaria should focus on boosting the immune system without causing harm to other organs like the kidney, liver or digestive system. It is best that a malaria patient has smaller meals throughout the day.
The diet for malaria patients should include the following:
When the patient has a malarial fever, the body’s calorie and nutritional requirement increases. This is known as the BMR or Body Metabolic Rate. Also, the need to increase calorie intake depends on the rise in body temperature.
Consume a high carbohydrate diet. Choose rice over wheat and millets. Rice can be digested easily and can release energy faster. Fresh fruits and vegetables work wonders for malaria patients. According to studies, vitamin A and vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables like beetroot, carrot, papaya, sweet lime, grapes, berries, lemon, orange help to detoxify and boost the immunity of the patient suffering from malaria.
When you have malaria you need to incorporate more phytonutrients into your diet that help to tackle antioxidative stress caused by an infection. Nuts and seeds are powerhouses of phytonutrients as well as healthy fats and proteins. When you feel like munching on something in between your meals and are wondering what to eat during malaria, nuts and seeds are always the best options as processed foods are completely out of your reach at this point in time.
I would like to share a helpful tip for dealing with malaria. Red palm oil contains antioxidants that might protect your body’s cells. It may reduce tissue damage and manage oxidative stress caused by malaria and other factors. Always remember to consume it in moderation and consult with a healthcare professional for comprehensive malaria management.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
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Unfortunately, at the time of fever, one experiences appetite loss, less tolerance and therefore, eating food becomes a challenge. To compensate for such a situation, one must drink glucose water, fresh fruit juices, coconut water, a sorbet made with lemon, salt, sugar and water and electoral water.
While drinking water, make sure it is boiled or sterilized. Take in fluids in every way possible- milkshakes, juices of fruits and vegetables, rice water, pulse water, stew, soup, etc. Doctors recommend a daily fluid intake of at least 3 to 3.5 litres, if not more. Fluids will help in washing out the toxins from the body via urine and stools and help you get well sooner.
Ajwain water is a wonder drink that you should add to your diet when you are suffering from malaria. Ajwain being a carminative (flatulence relieving property reflecting of drugs), reduces bloating and gas and works to keep your digestive system healthy.
I believe that it’s crucial to take precautions against mosquito bites to protect yourself from malaria. Applying mosquito repellent to exposed skin might be very helpful. Additionally, using mosquito nets over beds is highly recommended, especially while sleeping. By following these simple steps, you may significantly lower your risk of contracting malaria.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
There is an increase in the requirement of protein as one loose a lot of tissue. A diet of high carbohydrate and high protein is helpful as the body can utilise the protein for anabolic and tissue repair and building process. Eating curd, lassi and buttermilk is highly beneficial.
High temperature makes the body weak and reduces appetite. Food rich in protein helps to synthesize immune bodies, which can help to fight parasites. Try to incorporate fish stew, chicken soup, eggs and pulses in your diet.
According to my knowledge, the seeds of the fever nut plant might be a helpful remedy for malaria. They possess special properties that may help fight against the malaria-causing parasites. Additionally, these seeds also have anti-inflammatory effects!
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Also Read: Do Eggs Have Carbs? Debunking Nutritional Myths
Fats are necessary for the body, but moderation is the key. Using dairy fats like cream, butter and fats from milk products aid indigestion. These foods contain MCT or medium change triglycerides. Using excessive fats or eating fried foods can increase the risk of nausea, indigestion and loose bowels.
Keep fats as far as possible from your malaria diet. Load up on Omega 3 fats such as fish, fish oil supplements, flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts. They work well in reducing inflammation in the body. Also, read top anti-inflammatory foods to include in your diet.
Avoid very high fibre foods like green leafy vegetables, fruits with thick skin, whole grain cereals. Stay religiously away from food high in fat content like fries, chips, pastries, anything with a lot of cheese in it, food made from maida, etc. Refrain from having food that is spicy and/or hot. It will result in unnecessary stomach problems and heartburn. Sauces and pickles shouldn’t be included anywhere in the diet for a malaria patient. Avoid intake of coffee, tea, cocoa, cola or any other caffeinated beverages.
It is important to work on vitamin loss by drinking electrolytes. Eating soups, stews or drinking fruit juices or dal water, coconut water, etc. are important. Vitamin C and A rich foods such as papaya, beetroots and other citrus foods, etc. with vitamin B complex are important for a malaria patient.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
