Malaria poses a significant public health challenge worldwide, with transmission occurring year-round and affecting all age groups. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment can significantly lower the risk of severe complications or death. However, prevention is crucial. This includes using mosquito repellents, insecticide-treated bed nets, and taking anti-malaria medications as advised by your pharmacist or doctor.

Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted into the blood stream through the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito.

As drug resistance increases and the prices of antimalarial drugs rise, traditional medicines have emerged as a valuable and sustainable treatment alternative. Often viewed as “a crucial yet frequently neglected component of healthcare in developing countries,” traditional medicine holds significant potential.

The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a program several years ago aimed at determining which traditional medicine systems and practices should be preserved and adapted for modern use, and which should be deemed ineffective or potentially harmful.

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a medicinal plant indigenous to West Africa, is widely used in the region and beyond for various health concerns. In Ghana, it is particularly recognized for treating uncomplicated malaria.

Beyond its role as an anti-malarial in Ghana, research is also being conducted to investigate its potential in treating COVID-19. It has also gained attention in the United States for its effectiveness against several medical conditions, including babesia, Lyme disease, and bartonella, among others.

In Ghana, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is formulated and marketed under the name Malaherb to effectively treat uncomplicated malaria.