Artemisia annua and the fight against malaria
Malaria is an infectious disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes and was once rampant around the world, mostly in the tropical regions of the world. The disease is caused by unicellular parasites, so-called plasmodia, which attack and destroy the red blood cells.
According to a 2019 WHO report, 409,000 people died from malaria worldwide, most of them in Africa. According to the report, the number of malaria cases has fallen slightly over the past 20 years (from 238 million in 2000 to 229 million in 2019) However, the number has stagnated for four years. “We need renewed commitment in the fight (…) against malaria,” said WHO Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.
Malaria has a strong impact on the economy and social structures in the affected endemic areas. The annual global expenditure of 2.5 billion euros to combat malaria is no more than a drop in the ocean, especially since the economic damage caused by the disease in Africa alone is estimated at over 10 billion euros. The regions of sub-Saharan Africa are particularly affected by the disease; Poverty, corruption and environmental disasters make the situation even worse.
Sarsarale e.V. is committed to preventing malaria in the Senegalese region of Casamance. Poverty, a long-lasting political conflict and an inefficient health system mean that malaria cases have not declined here in recent years either. Pharmaceutical malaria drugs are also hardly affordable for many families in Casamance.
Hence our approach of self-help, growing Artemisia annua.
The active ingredient artemsinin, obtained from Artemisia Annua, effectively destroys the plasmodia and has no side effects to speak of. Artemisin has been a first-line drug for acute malaria for many years, but only in combination has it proven to be an effective acute agent and is recommended by WHO as a component of combination therapy.
We recommend the tea, in which not only the main active ingredient artemisinin, but also other ingredients work against malaria in the body. Artemisia annua can be easily grown by anyone with a garden. Artemisia annua also has effects in other diseases, in particular there are a large number of studies that suggest an effect also in cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Sarsarale e.V. has been cultivating and processing Artemisia products in the Jama-Rek garden since the association was founded and is proud to have contributed to the fight against malaria.
For further information: The WHO World Malaria Report 2020
Here are a few links to organizations dealing with Artemisia annua that we have already worked with and trust in: