Malaria is a potentially a dangerous disease caused by a parasite carried by a specific type of mosquito. It is one of the most prevalent diseases in tropical areas including Africa, Asia, Central and South America, some Caribbean and Pacific islands, and areas of the Middle East. One of the most significant problems faced by patients as far as malaria is concerned is the fact that many strains are now becoming drug-resistant, rendering it more difficult to prevent and treat this life-threatening disease. This has pushed scientists to begin searching alternative treatments for malaria, including a number of plant-based or natural medicines. One such medicine is marijuana, a plant which has been used as a traditional remedy for malaria for centuries. But the question that runs in the minds of many enthusiasts are does it really work? This article looks at what research has to say what the research has to say.
What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a disease transmitted by parasite-infected mosquitoes when they bite a human being. It triggers recurrent attacks of fever and chills and statistics reveal that kills around 600,000 people every year. Malaria is not common in temperate climates, but is very prevalent in subtropical and tropical countries. The World health officials have been working tirelessly to reduce the incidence of the malaria through the provision bed nets to help protect individuals from being bit by mosquitoes while they’re sleeping. Scientists all over the world are also working to create a vaccine that will prevent malaria. The problem here is the fact that a lot of malaria parasites have become immune to many of the common conventional medications used for treating the disease.
Clinical test revealed that malaria occurs when a host is infected with a type of parasite known as Plasmodium, carried by the female Anopheles genus of mosquito.
The symptoms of malaria usually begin around 7–18 days after infection, and include:High fever, Hot and cold shivers, Sweating, Headaches, Muscle pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea. These symptoms can be difficult to recognize as malaria as they are very similar to the symptoms of influenza as such patients might be confused. Note should be taken that if untreated, malaria can lead to serious complications such as anemia, jaundice, respiratory distress, and kidney failure. It should be noted that in extreme cases, malaria can affect the brain triggering a condition known as cerebral malaria which causes the brain to swell, triggering symptoms such as fits, coma, and brain damage. There are five Plasmodium species that can cause malaria in humans:P. falciparum & P. vivax which primarily responsible for malaria deaths in humans, P. ovale & P. malariae: which cause a milder, generally non-fatal form of malaria and P. knowlesi: which causes malaria in macaque monkeys, and can be transmitted to humans with severe, but usually non-fatal results.
How and Why Marijuana is an Effective Treatment for Malaria?
Cannabis sativa or marijuana has been used as a traditional, herbal medicine for malaria for many centuries. It was first mentioned in the 16th-century Chinese text Compendium of Material Medica, with the leaves cannabis plant being used as an anti-malarial among many other things. Marijuana has also been used as an herbal medicine for malaria in other South-East Asian countries such as Cambodia as well as Argentina. In this case, the root bark is used to make an infusion or taken dry to relieve the fever associated with the disease. According to the clinical studies dose of 30g per liter of water is recommended for infusion, and 15g is recommended if using the dry herb. The ability of marijuana to reduce fever was also noted by the 12th-century Persian philosopher Ibn Sina (widely known as Avicenna), who wrote about its use in the Canon of Medicine.So, the conception is that marijuana may be able to relieve some of the symptoms of malaria and some of the modern research on the herb and whether it can be used to treat malaria has come to shed more light.
Marijuana is well known well for its immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory properties, and most people like because it interacts gently with the body’s endocannabinoid system, implying that it is difficult to overdose and doesn’t display any harmful side effects. Many smokers have acknowledged that CBD is an incredible effective and safe medication. It should be noted that it’s flexible in how you can administer marijuana to both adults and children, according to prescription guidelines. Researchers have revealed that medical marijuana or its CBD might be successful in preserving and maybe even “rescuing” important brain function in people who have suffered from cerebral malaria.
A research published in the journal of Neuroscience in March of 2015, revealed that CBD’s neuroprotective properties have helped prevent anxiety and memory deficits in lab mice,. It equally revealed that mice with the malaria infection that didn’t receive CBD treatment suffered from an increase in anxiety and memory dysfunction and inflammation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain while the mice the mice that were administered the CBD treatment showed: No memory deficits, A reduction of brain inflammation and an increase in a neuron-protecting brain chemical.This clinical trial also revealed that the mice with malaria infection that were administered CBD treatment also regained full cognitive function and lived longer, unlike the mice that didn’t receive CBD. The results of the investigation thus suggested that CBD has neuroprotective effects and could be beneficial as an additional treatment for preventing neurological symptoms that follow this disease.
What are the Side Effects and Symptoms of Malaria that can be treated by Medical cannabis Treat?
According to medical research marijuana can be used to treat many symptoms of malaria symptoms such as: Headache, Joint pain, Nausea and vomiting, Depression, and Anxiety. Research has revealed that medical cannabis can do wonders for joint pain thanks to its two active compunds CBD and THC, which help treat joint pain. Marijuana consumption generates increased dexterity, natural management of pain and overall improved quality of life. CBD has a positive impact on the immune system of the body and naturally helps with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. A research published in the journal Rheumatology revealed that individuals with arthritis have unusually high CBD receptor levels in the tissue of their joints as such the use of marijuana treated helped them in tackling inflammation through their joints by activating the CB2 receptor pathway.
Recorded research findings before 1930 equally suggested that a deficit in endocannabinoids or an endocannabinoid system dysfunction could link to the development of headaches like migraines. The endocannabinoid system in the body helps to regulate various functions such as: Mood, Sleep, Pain responseImmune system function. THC, CBD and other cannabinoids in cannabis interact with the receptors of endocannabinoid system of the body, particularly the CB1 receptor to curb inflammation from causing headache pain.
Best Strains of Cannabis to Use for Symptoms of Malaria
The symptoms of malaria can be severe as such any amount of relief can help a patient get through this tough time. According to research some effective medical marijuana and malaria strains you may want to try to help you cope with some of your symptoms of malaria are outlined below according to each symptom.
1. Strains to try to alleviate joint pain and inflammation include Gorilla Glue # 4, Blueberry Pancakes and Critical Mass.
2. Strains that are suitable for reducing nausea include Chocolope, White Fire OG and Death Star.
3. Some strains capable of easing headaches include Green Crack, Purple Urkle, Kryptonite
4. Some strains that lessen anxiety include Granddaddy Purple, Amnesia Haze and Chocolate Chunk
5. Some strains to try to reduce depressive symptoms are Pineapple Express, Jack Herer and Harlequin
Best Methods of Marijuana Treatment to Use in Treating Side Effects and Symptoms of Malaria
When it comes to relieving malaria symptoms, it is not only essential to find the right strains, but also finding which delivery method gives the most benefit. Some common medical marijuana ingestion methods for malaria include: Topicals, Vaping, Smoking, Beverages, CBD oil or CBD inhaler, Edibles, Transdermal patches, Suppositories. Researchers have revealed that smoking is not the ideal choice to ingest medical cannabis due to potential harmful respiratory effects that accompany the smoke.
Knowledge is power and having the right information is an important first step to getting off to a good start with marijuana treatment for malaria. After reading this article and learning the basics of marijuana treatment, you’ll want to consult with an expert to fill in the gaps. It is advisable to always seek the opinion of a medical doctor to know the right strain to use, the method and the dose.