Treatment of Malaria in Ancient IndiaAmit Kumar Singh

Malaria is a common diseases mainly found in the tropical and sub-tropical parts. It is mostly caused because of protozoan parasites of the species Plasmodium. Common symptoms of malaria are high fever come with chills, headache and trembling. Malaria can also result in other problems, like kidney failure, anaemia and dysentery.History of Malaria is as old as Mankind. Over time, malaria spread from Africa along travel/shipping routes to Europe, India, China and Indonesia[footnoteRef:1]. It is an amazing fact that Malaria was considered as a Deity, in Greek mythology, who lives in marshes. Around 500 BC , the father of medicine in Greece , Hippocrates throw light on the root cause of Malaria that the stagnant water is the very reason for the birth of mosquito . He wrote "Those who drink [stagnant water] have always large, stiff spleens and hard, thin, hot stomachs, while their shoulders, collarbones, and faces are emaciated; the fact is that their flesh dissolves to feed the spleen..." [footnoteRef:2] [1: Cheston B. Cunhaa & Burke A. Cunhab , (2008) , Brief History of the Clinical Diagnosis of Malaria: from Hippocrates to Osler, J Vector Borne , pp. 194199] [2: Lehrer , (1979), Steven Explorer of the body, New York: I Universe.inc, page 232]

In Hinduism, God of Death is Lord Shiva; Malaria might be his weapon for apocalypto. Vedic literature and Brahmanical Literatures describe many fevers akin to Malaria. Dhanvantari, the Doctor of Deities in Hindu mythology mentions Malaria fever and its symptoms. He wrote, "Their bite is as painful as that of the serpents, and causes diseases... [The wound] as if burnt with caustic or fire, is red, yellow, white, and pink colour, accompanied by fever, pain of limbs, hair standing on end, pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst, heat, giddiness, yawning, shivering, hiccups, burning sensation, intense cold..." [footnoteRef:3] [3: Lehrer , (1979), Steven Explorer of the body, New York: I Universe.inc, page 251]

Charaka Samhita in 300 BC and Shusrut Samhita in 100 BC describes the symptomps and Ayurvedic treatment of Malaria. The Charaka Samhita classifies the fevers into five different categories, namely continuous fevers (samatah), remittent fevers (satatah), quotidian fevers (anyedyuskah), tertian fevers (trtiyakah) and quartan fevers (caturthakah)and Susruta Samhitaeven associated fevers with the bites of the insects.[footnoteRef:4] [4: RMRC News Bulletin, (2007) ,Vol-7, No-1, (Jan-June)]

In Ancient India there were innumerable Herbs and plant which were being used in treatment of Malaria. 1277 plant species from 160 families used to treat malaria.[footnoteRef:5] Ayurveda mentions numerous herbs and plants which were used in treatment of fever. Ayurveda has identified Malaria fever since hundreds of thousands years before and founded the foolproof treatment of this diseases, conditions and its syndromes. Ayurveda termed it as VISHAMA JWAR[footnoteRef:6] which has classified according to their symptoms and natures. Madhava Nidana is the classic book of Ayurveda which describes all kinds of fever in detail. [footnoteRef:7] Ayurvedic treatment of Malaria is depending on TRI DOSHA[footnoteRef:8]. Inclusion of Sapta Dhatu[footnoteRef:9] and MALA[footnoteRef:10]. The diagnosis of these three is the base of the selection of right medicine for Malaria of any fever. For the treatment of Malaria it is essential to clear the Bowl and Ayurveda uses Trifla , Amaltash and Nisotha to clear the bowl easily, [5: Online Web , accessed at 13 July 2014, URL: BMJ2004;329doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7475.1156(Published 11 November 2004)Cite this as:BMJ2004;329:1156] [6: Susrut Samhita Chapter 39 ,[Online Web] accessed at 16 July 2014 ,URL : http://archive.org/stream/SushrutaSamhitaVolumeIii/SushrutSamhitaTritiyaKhanda1_djvu.txt] [7: The Madhava NIdana Of Sri Madhavakara accessed at 13 July 2014, URL: https://archive.org/details/TheMadhavaNidanaOfSriMadhavakara] [8: There are three Doshas or in capabilities in human according to Ayurveda and that is VATA, PITTA, KAFA, ] [9: Ayurveda classifies 7 elements of the body. These are Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Majja, Asthi, Meda, Shukra, ] [10: Mala are the substances or waste matter to be thrown out of the body. They are actually by products formed as a result of various physiological activities going on in the body. Purish (stool), Mutra (urine) and Sweda (sweat) are considered as main excretory product of the body.]

Some very common Ayurvedic Herbs to cure Malaria are Veronia Cineria, Adina Cardifolia, Gentiana kurroa, Momordica Charantia, Momordica cochin chenensis, Alastonia Scholarasis, Ciasalphinia Bundisella, Leweas cephalotas, Ocimum Sanctum, Swertia Chiraita. These herbs solely or in combined form can cure the Malaria. Apart from these herbal medicines there are many more complimentary Herbs which are widely mentioned in the famous Ayurvedic Book Bhav Prakash. This book is classic one which contains wide range of medicines for different fever including Malaria.[footnoteRef:11] [11: Bhava Prakash Samhita is authored bu Acharya Chandra Datta Sharma and works as Materia Medica of Ayurveda ]

Some Herbal medicines which are useful for Malaria and mentioned in Bhav Prakasha are Sudarshan Churna, Maha Sudarshan Churna, Sudarshan Ghan vati, Saptpam Ghan Vati, Nimbadi Chrna, Kalmegha Shava, Nimbashava, Guruchi Ghanstava Vati, Amritrista. These medicines are totally safe and have no side effects.

Use of herbal plants in the treatment of malariaApart from the pharmacological treatment, various options are being used since ancient timesfor many health ailments. Nearly 80 % of the global population still depends upon the herbal drugs for their health care. In India, the use of several medicinal plants to cure specific ailments has been practiced since ancient times. Various cultural traditions are associated with use of wild plants as medicinal herbs. This medico-lore ispassed over generations traditionally all over the world. Reliance on plants is primarily due to their safety, effectiveness, cultural preferences, Inexpensiveness and abundant availability all the time. The medicinal virtues of plants are identified by instinct/intuition or by trial anderrors. Globally, traditional healers are using various medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria; however, this practice is not really completely recognized by modern medical Science. Knowledge about traditional medicinal practices and plants is currently transmitted from generation to generation principally by word of mouth. Large number of plant species has been identified as anti-malarial medicinal plants.

Plants Having Anti- Malarial Activities[footnoteRef:12] [12: Bahekar, , Satish and Kale, Ranjana, Herbal Plants Used For the Treatment of MalariaJournal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1, (6), 123-149.]

S. NO.Botanical Name Indian Name/ Common Name Parts Used Family

1Clerodendrum

viscosum Vent

Viti , Bhat PataLeaf, Route, Flowers.Lamiacieae

2Duranta RepensKata- MehandiLeafVerbenaceae

3Laltana Camara LShefaliLeaf and Bark DecoctionVerbenaceae

4Zanthoxylum tsihanimposa BakTsihanihimposa

A

decoction

of the leaf

and bark

Rutaceae

5Nymphaea lotusVoahirana or

retsimilana

A

decoction

of the leaf

and bark

Rutaceae

6

Bridelia micrantha

(Hochst.) Baill

Mshamako

Root

decoction

Euphorbiacea

7Senna occidentalis

Omwetanjoka

Root

Fabaceae

8Rauwolfia serpentina BenthSharpgandha RootApocynaceae

9Ocimum sanctum LinnTulsi Plant ExtractApocynaceae

10Cryptolepis

SanguinolentaNimbimaPlant ExtractAsteraceae

11Artemisia annuasweet wormwood

aqueous extract

Hydrangeaceae

12A.amazonicus Ducke[Indian BeerGround Root and LeavesApocynaceae

13Cymbogon citratus[Lemon GrassVapours of a decoction

Lamiaceae

14Coula edulisWalnutLeaves and root barkAsteraceae

15Vernonia amygdalina[Bitter leafStem BarkAsteraceae

16Tamarindus indicaTamarind

RootFabaceae Lindl

17Azadirachtaindica A. JussNeemRoot, Stems, Bark, LeavesMeliaceae

18Ficus bussei Warb.ex Mildbr.&BurretRudrakshaMoraceaeFruit

Beside all these Herbs some more Useful Herbs which contains anti Malarial

properties are -

Caper-bush, Teclea nobilis Governor plum,Shrub verbenas, Curry bush,

Sibipiruna, Bankanas, False yam, Bitter Oleander, Viola serpens var. , Grains of

paradise , Ginseng, Toothache Plant, Alstonia, Cheesewood, Damsisa,

Um Galagel, El-Handal, Um-Geleigla, Kamun-Aswad, El-Hargel, Sunkurtae,

Chugughee, Feaxxo, Bissano etc. [footnoteRef:13] [13: Ahmed et al., (2010 ) Antiplasmodial Activity of Some Medicinal Plants Used in Sudanese Folk-Medicine. Environmental Health Insights, 4:1-6.]

Some Traditional Indian ways to cure the Malaria:

Tulsi- this is mentioned in Charka Samhita and shusruta samhita for its anti malarial properties. In Charaka Samhita the essence of Tulsi leaves is described as efficient medicine for Malaria. It is written as-

, , [footnoteRef:14] [14: Online Web accessed at 13 July 2014, URL http://www.abhivyakti- hindi.org/prakriti/2010/tulsi.htm]

Means the home with Tulsi is like a pilgrimage where no grievances and sickness can enter into. One more modern Research throws its light on anti Malarial properties of Tulsi essence. In nut shell the conclusion is Tulsi leaves can kill the Malarial Parasites [footnoteRef:15]. [15: Bahekar, , Satish and Kale, Ranjana, Herbal Plants Used For the Treatment of MalariaJournal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1, (6), 123-149.]

Neem- Ancient Health wisdom knows that the area surrounded by Neem Tree remains free from Malarial parasites. Cow- Cow can prevent Malaria; the cow dong has some properties which prevent malarial parasites. [footnoteRef:16] Aperfumeforcowsthat will make them smell like humans is the next frontier in the fight against malaria. [16: [Online Web] accessed at 14 July 2014 , URL ed http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/bugbitten/2014/03/27/can-cows-protect-against-mosquito-bites-2/]

According to The Times in London, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has already donated $100,000 (Sh8.7 million) for development of the perfumemeant to confusemosquitoesand help prevent the spread of malaria, a disease that kills a child every minute.A Californian company, ISCA Technologies, which specialises in producing chemicals to lure insects, invented the bovineperfume. The backers of the project believe that by making cattle smell like humans, mosquitoeswill be duped into bitingcowsinstead of human beings.Cows will be treated with an insecticide that killsmosquitoesthat attempt to feast on them. However, thecowsthat are bitten will not contract human malaria. This project will work to divert disease-carrying insects likemosquitoesfrom people to animals that have been pre-treated to resist infection. Insects that typically target animals will be confused or repelled by the altered odours emanating from the treated animal hosts, the Gates Foundation said. The cow cologne builds on research that has suggested that livestock can be used to lessen malaria. In 1999, a research team led by Dr Mark Rowland of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in the UK, showed that treating livestock with insecticides could kill mosquitoes.The results of tests carried out in villages in Afghanistan were dramatic. Treating livestock with insecticide produced a 56 per cent fall in falciparum malaria, the most deadly form of the disease. The treatment was found to be as effective as spraying homes to kill mosquitoes, but cost 80 per cent less,[footnoteRef:17] [17: [Online Web] accessed at 14 July 2014 , URL : http://time.com/2843428/cow-malaria/]

Treatment of Malaria by Mudras:In Ancient book Hatha yoga Pradipika, mudras are mentioned as complimentary Yoga. Mudra works basically on Panch Tatwa of the body and Prana (Vital Force). Five fingers of mans hand represent five elements (panch tatwa) Mudra science suppose that any disease effects the human body due to imbalance in natural setup of the 5 elements and prana. So Mudra creates Balance in those

essential elements. PRANA MUDRA APANA MUDRA In Malaria , Prana Mudra and Apana Mudra are very useful. Prana Mudra activated the immunity of the Body whereas Apana Mudra eradicates the foreign empurities and this way Mudra is useful in treatment of the Malaria. [footnoteRef:18] [18: Saraswati, Satyananda (1997).Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Munger, Bihar India: Bihar Yoga Bharti. p.422.]

These are the ways through which Ancient Indian wisdom were trying to cope against Malaria to which modern Medical Science approves.

References

Abhivyakti Hindi Patrika , [Online Web] accessed at 13 July 2014, URL http://www.abhivyakti- hindi.org/prakriti/2010/tulsi.htm

Ahmed et al., (2010 ) Antiplasmodial Activity of Some Medicinal Plants

Used in Sudanese Folk-Medicine. Environmental Health Insights, 4:1-6.

Bahekar, , Satish and Kale, Ranjana, Herbal Plants Used For the Treatment of MalariaJournal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1, (6),

Cheston B. Cunhaa & Burke A. Cunhab , (2008) , Brief History of the Clinical Diagnosis of Malaria: from Hippocrates to Osler

Lehrer , (1979), Steven Explorer of the body, New York: I Universe.inc,

RMRC News Bulletin, (2007) ,Vol-7, No-1, (Jan-June)

Saraswati, Satyananda (1997).Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Munger, Bihar India: Bihar Yoga Bharti.

Susrut Samhita, Chapter 39 ,[Online Web] accessed at 16 July 2014 ,URL :

http://archive.org/stream/SushrutaSamhitaVolumeIii/SushrutSamhitaTritiyaKha

nda1_djvu.txt

The Madhava NIdana Of Sri Madhavakara [Online Web] accessed at 13 July 2014, URL: https://archive.org/details/TheMadhavaNidanaOfSriMadhavakara