An expert in malaria treatment, Dr Peter Feleshi, has firmly rooted for the use of the local herb Artemisia Annua in the treatment of malaria in Tanzania, highlighting its proven effectiveness over the past seven years in curing over 1,000 malaria patients.
Dr Feleshi, the Chairman of Action for Natural Medicine in the Tropics (ANAMED), shared these insights with an elders’ Coffee Group of the Friends of Golden Rose Hotel in Arusha.
He elaborated on the herb’s ability not only to treat malaria but also to boost immunity when used regularly. Another long-time user, Ms Christine Dach, confirmed the herb’s benefits, stating she repeats a one-week Artemisia cure every other month whenever her immune system feels low.
Technical Advisor of ECH East Africa, Mr Charles Bonaventura, endorsed Artemisia, emphasizing that it has no residual effect on internal organs like the liver or kidney.
Known also as Sweet Wormwood, Artemisia Annua originates from traditional Chinese medicine. Its active compound, artemisinin, forms the foundation of modern Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), recognized globally for malaria treatment.
Dr Feleshi also mentioned its other uses, including in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and stress-relief practices such as adding the leaves to hot baths. He urged Tanzanians to grow the herb domestically, emphasizing that seedling distribution could empower many to guard against malaria.
Despite the nation’s efforts, malaria remains a major public health concern in Tanzania, with about 26,664 deaths and 7.9 million cases reported in 2022, placing the country among the top ten globally.
