UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

Africa: Turning to Traditional Medicines in Fight Against Malaria

4 November 2009


Nairobi — Encouraging the use of traditional African herbal medicines could prevent some of the one million malarial deaths on the continent, according to specialists attending a conference in Nairobi.

Many poor communities, especially in rural settings, cannot afford modern malarial drugs and many people die due to inaccessibility of treatment.

"Malaria kills many people in Africa, both children and adults, despite the availability of free treatment in certain African countries. While it is true many governments in Africa, with development partners, give free pediatric treatment for malaria, many still cannot access this facilities and resort to home treatment," says Merlin Wilcox of the Research Initiative on Traditional Antimalarial Methods and the University of Oxford.

Some specialists at the ongoing 5th MIM Pan African Malaria Conference in Nairobi said medicines drawn from plants that abound in the continent could be utilized to save many people, especially those in poor settings, from malaria.

BN Prakash, a researcher with the Foundation for the Revitalization of Local Health Traditions, based in Bangalore, said Africa could draw on experiences in India where medicinal plants have been used with great success in the control of malaria-related deaths.

"Research in India has shown a 5-10 times reduction in malaria-related deaths among communities who use traditional medicinal plants like Guduchi [tinospore coeditdia], a local medicinal plant found in India," said Prakash.

Preserving traditional knowledge

Another speaker, Gemma Burford of the Global Initiative for Traditional Systems of Health, said while there had been increased cases of loss of knowledge about traditional medicinal plants, student-led research could be used to preserve knowledge and create a database on these plants.

"When we carried out research involving school children in rural Tanzania about traditional Maasai medicines, we found out that 48 percent of these children already had knowledge about these plants. We used [this knowledge] to create a database for the purposes of preserving the knowledge and these plants too," said Burford.

"It is important to note that many malarial drugs are still bought from commercial pharmaceutical shops and not many of them are that cheap. Costs also involve how easy or not it is to access these government facilities, especially in Africa where medical facilities are far-flung," Burford said.

Educating the youth

Speakers at the conference called on African governments to introduce educational programmes that would teach the younger generations about the traditional methods of treating malaria and other diseases plaguing the continent.

"The biggest obstacle to use of traditional medicines is lack of interest from the youth and teaching them about these medicines would be the best way to let them appreciate their values. Evangelical churches and development agencies must also be persuaded to stop fighting traditional African medicine because modernity and tradition can be married to provide a formidable force against malaria," added Burford.

Effectiveness and dangers

Doumbo Ogobara, director of the Mali Malaria Research and Training Centre, and a lecturer at the University of Bamako, said there should be more research to ensure the effectiveness of traditional medicinal plants in the treatment and management of malaria.

Relevant Links

"More research must be directed towards finding out the effectiveness of these traditional medicinal plants and their safety and efficacy because initiatives on using them could be counter-productive if this is not done. More emphasis therefore must be laid on research for plant-based prophylactics for malaria," said Ogobara.

Mahamadou Sissoko of the Centre called for caution in taking the traditional medicinal route, arguing that many malaria-related deaths have occurred even among communities that have relied heavily on traditional plants for treatment.

"People are dying even in places where there is still widespread use of traditional medicinal plants and unless the efficacy of a traditional plant on malarial treatment can be ascertained through vigorous research, we could have our backs against the wall. Many traditional healers will abuse this and give anything as medicine so long as it is a plant - we must urge caution," said Sissoko.

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]

Read comments. Write your own.

Pan African Malaria Conference

More News on allAfrica.com

Copyright © 2009 UN Integrated Regional Information Networks. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

AllAfrica - All the Time
Author: Ayak SDN
Wed Nov 11 05:17:03 2009

Majority of the population living in Africa are carreirs of the malalria parasite.Africa is still unable to eradicate polio, talk abouth Malaria.people ared ying of the complications of the disease and not the disease per say, should our approach be by other primary prevention, because vaccination is definately impactical everyone in Africa has at least had an episode of Malaria

Author: wlwccg
Tue Nov 3 05:41:13 2009

At what point are we going to insist on using DDT to combat malaria. With over a million people dying of this disease, why don't we return to the use of the most effective way of undoing this major problem. The environmentalists have blood on their hands for having this banned, and should be required to first hand observe this malady. God bless the people of Africa for all they have suffered. Bill, Whittier, CA

Author: foryohjonathan0000
Tue Nov 3 15:34:23 2009

As long as we "Africans" have some puppit leaders in Africa, the Africans living in Africa will continue to suffer, perish and die. That means, with the help of our puppit leaders DDT will never be use to combat this cronic desease that is ravaging and massively killing our people. Why selling your prestige, dignity, the country, the continent and the lives of your people for mediocre aids that can ONLY last for one day ???? Why?? Africa needs to invest in her people for a last and everlasting good standard of living and development.. May God Bless Africa..

Author: upliftdarace_144
Wed Nov 4 12:37:50 2009

FIGHTING AGAINST MALARIA NATURALLY

- According to Ghanaian Naturopaths such as Dr. Kofi B. Asare & Nana Amena Here’s how we should treat Malaria & Why : 1) Drink Lots Of Water 2) Eat Lots Of Natural Laxatives aka Fruits WHY ? – To Flush the toxicity out of your system that has clogged itself up [ Personally- I recommend fasting on Water only or juice and water after you have had a few days on the above-noted recommendations] As Naturopath Nana Amena says, fasting helps your body to use up access and reset your body, getting all of your body involved in the process of life. (paraphrased)

Insect repellent DEET is toxic to brain cells [http://www.naturalnews.com/026982_DEET_insect_repellent_insect_repellents. html ]

What has the rich Computer Man Bill Gates III Done With Those Mosquitoes He Released On A Crowd (Allegedly To Vaccinate Them ? [ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,488348,00.html ]

PEST CONTROL * Flies – use spray bottle of bleach-water

* 5 Simple Tips for Repelling Pests [http://www.care2.com/greenliving/repelling-pests-five-simple-tips.html ] Natural Plant-Based Pesticides: Ready for Use [ http://www.naturalnews.com/026967_pesticides_cleansing_food.html ]

Natural Mosquito Repellents You Can Use Right Now [http://www.naturalnews.com/026676_mosquito_repellents_health_sunscreen.htm l] * Minty Herbs such as Peppermint, Cloves,& Rosemary

Mosquito-Free Naturally – citronella, soy oil, catnip, neem seed oil, lavender essential oil, and garlic [http://www.care2.com/greenliving/mosquito-free-naturally.html ]

* THAILAND BANDS 13 HERBS ( Many of these are natural insect repellerts)

[http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/11379/farmers-up-in-arms-at-herb-lis ting] – [ Neem, Citronella, Tumeric, Ginger, Chinese Ginger, African Marigold, (Siam Weed or Bitter Bush), Tea Sea Cake , Chilli, Chinese Celery, Ringworm Bush, Glory Lily & Stemona ]

DOCTOR SEBI – Electrical Wholistic Nutrition & Products

[http://www.drsebiproducts.com/index.html]

(310) 838-2490 / (Fax) = (310) 838-8726

* Cancer , AIDs, Diseases Don’t Stand A Chance With Him.

* Check Out His Youtube Videos He’s Like George Washington Carver Might Have Been

Remember the 120 ! in the Upperroom, Gideon’s 300, One(1) believer can chase 1,000 demons & Two (2) can make 10,000 run .

How many will 1 million chase ?

Here’s An abbreviated Spirit Bomb prayer that I’d like for us to say to God The Creator Of All :

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN , HOLY IS YOUR NAME, YOUR KINGDOM COME , YOUR WILL BE DONE, IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN .

- In Jesus Name We Pray – Amen

Pray twice per day once around sunset & once around sunrise .

Have prayer lists which include Family, Christians, Truthseekers ,& Worthy Causes , etc…

SOME OF OUR LEADERS ARE UNDER DEMONIC INFLUENCE , SOME OF OUR

WORLD IS UNDER THE SAME,. OUR UNITED , CONSISTENT, CONTINUOUS

PRAYERS WILL HELP US TO SEE THROUGH JESUS’ EYES. REMEMBER , HE’S

THE HEAD, WE HAVE NO EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, ETC..WITHOUT THE

HEAD. THAT IS WHY WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT, SOUND, TASTE

OR ANY OTHER NATURAL DISTRACTION. WE ARE SPIRITUAL WARRIORS !!!

Make a Habit Of Praying Twice a Day (Sunset / Sunrise). Have A Daily Prayer, Weekly

Prayer , Monthly Prayer, even Yearly Prayer ; keeping persons, organizations and causes

in mind that you’d like to pray for at these intervals of time ( Daily-Weekly-Monthly-

Yearly).

Some prayer list suggestions –

(DAILY PRAYER LIST ) -

Christian & Natural Family -

TOP-PRIORITY Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

(WEEKLY PRAYER LIST ) -

MID-LEVEL Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

(MONTHLY PRAYER LIST ) -

- Persons, Causes & Oragnizations ( For Example – Heads Of Countries)

(YEARLY PRAYER LIST ) -

LOWER LEVEL - Persons, Causes & Oragnizations

MATTHEW 10:26 DON’T BE AFRAID OF THEM, FOR THERE IS NOTHING COVERED THAT WON’T BE REVEALED AND THERE IS NOTHING HIDDEN THAT WON’T BE KNOWN.

[God Bless You Readers To Want To Know And Seek To Know The Truth] - MAY GOD BE A HAVEN OF PEACE IN OUR TIME OF TROUBLE --

WE ARE BEING INFILTRATED BY WEEDS ACTING LIKE WHEAT ! PRAY & ACT ON YOUR FAITH AND HOPE WITH LOVE. EVEN FOR THOSE MISLEAD ACTING LIKE THEY LOVE YOU.

CLINGING FLATTERERS – [Daniel 11:34 ]] Now when The Saints shall fall, they shall be given a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries

And Vision Exalters [Daniel 11:14 ]] And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the ROBBERS OF OUR PEOPLE shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; BUT THEY SHALL FALL !

The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]

Check Out :

1) [ JohnAlanMartinsonJr.com] 2) His You Tube Video : URL = [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuzhnKy63io ] 3) Who Brought The Slaves To America ? [http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=911]

The Black Athena (Part1) [ Spiritual Reparations ] URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4maNtzhL9Q ]

[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/] [ www.Libradio.net ] WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]

Author: upliftdarace_144
Wed Nov 4 12:44:25 2009

Daniel 11: 34 Now when the Saints shall fall, they shall be given a little help: but many shall cleave to them with FLATTERIES.

#1 Don’t Be tricked Into Allowing Yourself And Your Families To be Quietly Killed By These So-Called Vaccinations.

#2 VACCINATIONS FRAUD AND DANGERS Vaccine Safety Manual By Neil Z. Miller "for Concerned Familiesand Health Practitioners" ( 548 pages) [http://thinktwice.com/ ]

#3 Check Out This Directive : Called The Georgia GuideStones

[The Agenda Of The Antichrist aka The Georgia Guidestones] 10 POINTS LIKE THE 10 HORNS OR RELIGIONS OF THE BEAST

1) MAINTAIN HUMANITY'S POPULATION UNDER 500 MILLION IN PERPETUAL BALANCE WITH NATURE

2) GUIDE REPRODUCTION WISELY —IMPROVING FITNESS AND DIVERSITY

3) UNITE HUMANITY WITH A LIVING NEW LANGUAGE

4) RULE PASSION — FAITH — TRADITION AND ALL THINGS WITH TEMPERED REASON

5) PROTECT PEOPLE AND NATIONS WITH FAIR LAWS AND JUST COURTS

6) LET ALL NATIONS RULE INTERNALLY RESOLVING EXTERNAL DISPUTES IN A WORLD COURT

7) AVOID PETTY LAWS AND USELESS OFFICIALS

8) BALANCE PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH SOCIAL DUTIES.

9) PRIZE TRUTH — BEAUTY — LOVE — SEEKING HARMONY WITH THE INFINITE

10) BE NOT A CANCER ON THE EARTH — LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE — LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE

[Revelations 13:1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having 7 heads (Kings) and 10 horns (Religious Kingdoms), and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy

#4 - Here is evidence of Point 2 of the Georgia Guidestones on Reproduction . Don't be deceived : [http://www.infowars.com/?p=7259]

Daniel 11: 14 (Babylon see Rev 17 & 18 - Jer 50 & 51 ) And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the ROBBERS of your people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but THEY SHALL FALL.

#5 SHOCKING INFORMATION ON VACCINES !!!!!!!!

* [http://www.drcarley.com/] - Continuing to put the TRUTH on top of the mountain of vaccine lies If you wish to contact Dr. Carley for a consult to learn how to reverse your disease with natural remedies, please call her at 828-294-0662 9A-9P/EST [http://www.drcarley.com/contact_dr_carley.html] – ONLINE CONTACT FORM

– YOU TUBE Vaccinations VIDEO : Vaccines : The Real Weapons Of Mass Destruction

[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6dffXhewVE ]

- CHILDREN OF GOD FOR LIFE - Many Vaccines Made From Aborted Fetuses [ http://cogforlife.org/ ]

- [ http://uniteforlife.org/ ]

Journalist Files Charges against WHO and UN for Bioterrorism and Intent to Commit Mass Murder [ http://www.naturalnews.com/026503_pandemic_swine_flu_bioterrorism.html ]

Bob Coen & Eric Nadler (Via-Webcam) on Alex Jones Tv 1/4:Anthrax-War ( Souih Africa & Dr. Death Mentioned In Another Segment..Not This One ) URL – [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itxr3zC9B1w ]

MARK OF THE BEAST : PREVIEW ?

REVELATIONS 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count ( Compute) the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

EU666 Biodefense Stockpile and US666 Biodefense Stockpile Are You Going to Take Your 666 Vaccine ? [http://www.infowars.com/eu666-biodefense-stockpile-and-us666-biodefense-st ockpile/] YOU TUBE VIDEO ON VACCINATIONS [ Revelations 18:23 ] URL = [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOOn_HXy5MQ] URL – [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvIN1U_KPSk ]

Take The Word “ V-A-C-C-I-N-A-T-I-O-N “ Letter-By-Letter • Multiply Each Letter’s Numerical Value By 6. • Then Add All the Totals Together What Do You Get ? • V (22nd letter times 6 = 132) – A (1st letter times 6 = 6) – C (3rd letter times 6 = 18) – C (3rd letter times 6 = 18) I (9th letter times 6 = 54) – N (14th letter times 6 = 84) A (1st letter times 6 = 6) - T (20th letter times 6 = 120) I (9th letter times 6 = 54) – O (15th letter times 6 = 90) N (14th letter times 6 = 84)

REVELATIONS 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count ( Compute) the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]

WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!

[ www.libradio.net]

[gcnlive.com]

Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6

See all comments (9).


SELECT
SELECT

Most Active Stories: Africa

Topics