With the threat of malaria looming large these days, it is important that we fortify ourselves and our loved ones from this disease. While there are anti-malarial medications that help to fight off this disease, the best possible thing you can do is to strengthen your body so that you don’t catch the disease in the first place. People who have low levels of immunity are more likely to be afflicted with malaria; hence the importance of restoring immunity of the body.

Malaria is mostly common in tropical and semi-tropical regions of Asia, Africa and South America. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito. These mosquitos live and breed near dirty, stagnant water; therefore the first thing you must do to prevent malaria is to ensure that your living surroundings are clean and hygienic.

However, once the mosquito bites and infects the person with the parasites, it may take anything from 10 days to 4 weeks for the first symptoms to appear. The most common symptoms of malaria include high fever, severe chills, headaches, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating etc. If untreated for long, malaria can lead to anaemia, kidney failure, jaundice and even coma.

Unfortunately, some forms of malaria have developed resistance to standard drugs based on quinine. Therefore, in addition to the normal course of treatment, the knowledge of some home remedies to treat malaria can be very beneficial. Here are some common foods that can help in preventing and treating malaria:-

1. Grapefruit

One of the oldest and most common remedies for malaria, grapefruit is a necessary addition to your diet if you are afflicted with it. The best thing about grapefruit is that it has a natural quinine-like substance in it which is effective against the malarial parasites. This substance is found in the fruit’s pulp and can be extracted for use in a simple and easy manner. Simply boil a quarter of a grapefruit and after sometime, strain its pulp. In addition to your regular treatment, the grapefruit pulp juice can be consumed a couple of times a day to supplement it.

2. Basil or Tulsi

Basil or tulsi as it is known in India is a wonderful herb that provides countless health benefits for your body. In addition to all those, it can also come handy if you wish to treat malaria due to its mineral and nutrient composition. The tulsi leaves have two important flavonoids – orientin and vicenin – and these two protect the red blood cells in our body. Also, tulsi also has several essential oils that are known to have anti-parasitic properties. And finally, tulsi can also help bring down the fever that is a part of a malarial attack.

You can find out more about the benefits of tulsi for treating malaria here.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is of great help in alleviating the accompanied symptoms of malaria. Due to the presence of a compound known as cinnamaldehyde (which exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties) it is possible to counter symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion, cramps etc.

Find out more about the properties of cinnamon by clicking here.

4. Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds can be of great help to someone with low immunity as they have an anti-bacterial property which is useful in fighting off the malaria parasites. By consuming fenugreek seeds, your body is prepared for the parasites and is better equipped to beat them if they enter your body.

You can learn additional information related to fenugreek here.

5. Kirayata Powder

Besides including these great foods in your diet, there are certain concoctions you can make easily at home which will further strengthen your body in its fight against malaria. One such drink is based on the herb Kirayata, which is a known analgesic and capable of fighting fever.

In order to make this drink, mix two tablespoons of Kirayata powder with 250 ml hot water, one teaspoon cinnamon powder and two cloves. Heat this mixture for at least 2-3 minutes, after which you must strain this liquid. Store it in jar and consume three tablespoons of this mixture 4-5 times a day.

In order to learn more about Kirayata Powder, click here.