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Treatment of Malaria in Ancient India

Amit Kumar Singh

Malaria is a common diseases mainly found in the tropical and subtropical 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 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..." 2
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
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

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..." 3
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 Samhita even
associated fevers with the bites of the insects.4
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.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 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.

3 Lehrer , (1979), Steven Explorer of the body, New York: I Universe.inc, page
251
4 RMRC News Bulletin, (2007) ,Vol-7, No-1, (Jan-June)

5 Online Web , accessed at 13 July 2014, URL: BMJ 2004; 329 doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7475.1156 (Published 11 November 2004)Cite this
as: BMJ 2004;329:1156
Susrut Samhita Chapter 39 ,[Online Web] accessed
at 16 July 2014 ,URL :
http://archive.org/stream/SushrutaSamhitaVolumeIii/SushrutSamhitaTritiyaKhanda1_djvu.txt
6

Ayurvedic treatment of Malaria is depending on TRI DOSHA 8. Inclusion of


Sapta Dhatu9 and MALA10. 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,
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.11
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,
The Madhava NIdana Of Sri Madhavakara accessed
https://archive.org/details/TheMadhavaNidanaOfSriMadhavakara
7

at

13

July

2014,

URL:

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.

11 Bhava Prakash Samhita is authored bu Acharya Chandra Datta Sharma and


works as Materia Medica of Ayurveda

Guruchi Ghanstava Vati, Amritrista. These medicines are totally safe and have
no side effects.
Use of herbal plants in the treatment of malaria
Apart 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 is


passed 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 and


errors. 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.
medicinal practices and

plants

is

Knowledge about traditional

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 Activities12
S.

Botanical Name

Indian

NO.
1

Clerodendrum

Common Name
Viti , Bhat Pata

viscosum Vent

Name/ Parts Used


Leaf,

Family
Lamiacieae

Route,
Flowers.

12 Bahekar, , Satish and Kale, Ranjana, Herbal Plants Used For the Treatment of MalariaJournal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1, (6), 123-149.

2
3

Duranta Repens
Laltana Camara L

Kata- Mehandi
Shefali

Leaf
Leaf

Verbenaceae
and Verbenaceae

Bark
Decoction
4

Zanthoxylum

Tsihanihimposa
A

tsihanimposa Bak

Rutaceae
decoction
of the leaf
and bark

Nymphaea lotus

A
Voahirana or
decoction

Rutaceae

retsimilana
of the leaf
and bark
6
Bridelia

micrantha

Mshamako

Root

(Hochst.) Baill

decoction

Senna occidentalis

Root
Omwetanjoka

Euphorbiacea

Fabaceae

Rauwolfia

serpentina Sharpgandha

Benth
Ocimum sanctum Linn

10

Root

Apocynaceae

Tulsi

Plant

Apocynaceae

Nimbima

Extract
Plant

Asteraceae

Cryptolepis

11

Extract

Sanguinolenta
Artemisia annua

sweet wormwood

aqueous
extract

Hydrangeacea
e

12

A.amazonicus Ducke[

Indian Beer

Ground
Root

Apocynaceae
and

13

Cymbogon citratus[

Lemon Grass

Leaves
Vapours of Lamiaceae
a decoction

14

Coula edulis

Walnut

Leaves and Asteraceae


root bark

15
16

Vernonia amygdalina[
Tamarindus indica

Bitter leaf
Tamarind

Stem Bark
Root

Asteraceae
Fabaceae
Lindl

17

Azadirachtaindica

Root,

Meliaceae

A. Neem

Juss

Stems,
Bark,

18

Ficus bussei Warb.ex Rudraksha


Mildbr.&

Leaves
Moraceae

Fruit

Burret
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. 13


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


14
Means the home with Tulsi is like a pilgrimage where no grievances and
sickness can enter into.

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


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

14 Online Web accessed at 13 July 2014, URL http://www.abhivyaktihindi.org/prakriti/2010/tulsi.htm

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 15.
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. 16 A perfume for cows that will make them smell like
humans is the next frontier in the fight against malaria.
According to The Times in London, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has
already

donated

$100,000

(Sh8.7

million)

for

development

of

the

perfume meant to confuse mosquitoes and 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 bovine perfume. The backers of the
project believe that by making cattle smell like humans, mosquitoes will be
duped into biting cows instead of human beings.
Cows will be treated with an insecticide that kills mosquitoes that attempt
to feast on them. However, the cows that are bitten will not contract human
malaria. This project

will

work to divert

disease-carrying insects

like mosquitoes from people to animals that have been pre-treated to resist
15 Bahekar, , Satish and Kale, Ranjana, Herbal Plants Used For the Treatment of MalariaJournal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1, (6), 123-149.

16 [Online Web] accessed at 14 July 2014 , URL ed


http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/bugbitten/2014/03/27/can-cows-protect-againstmosquito-bites-2/

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,17
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

17[Online Web] accessed at 14 July 2014 , URL : http://time.com/2843428/cowmalaria/

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. 18
These are the ways through which Ancient Indian wisdom were trying to cope
against Malaria to which modern Medical Science approves.

18 Saraswati, Satyananda (1997). Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Munger, Bihar India: Bihar
Yoga Bharti. p. 422.

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

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