MALARLIFE • ABOUT ARTIMISA ANNUA

DESCRIPTION:
Artemisia annua is known for 2000 years for its effects for fever, haemorrhoids and skin diseases. The latest research has shown its strong effects on malaria. The active ingredient artemisinin effectively treats malaria in human subjects with no apparent adverse reactions nor side effects. The herb, however, contains more anti-malarial products than just artemisinin. This makes it more difficult for the plasmodium to create resistance in comparison to isolated substances. It also allows a reduction in the amount of artemisinin used to treat malaria effectively.

USES:

  • Malaria caused by all forms of Plasmodium, especially Plasmodium

  • Falciparum, and malaria that is resistant to most other drugs.
  • Chronic dysentery.

  • Bilharzia in animal-prophylaxis.
PHARMACOLOGY:
In oral and rectal applications, artemisinin has been proven to be effective in treating all types of malaria including Plasmodium falciparum in areas with a high rate of resistance against other antimalarials. In trials conducted in African countries, artemisinin derivatives showed the same efficacy. Beside artemisinin, Artemisia annua contains other sesquiterpen-lacton-peroxides. The antimalarial activity of Artemisinin P has already been demonstrated. Other ingredients are flavonoids like casticin and artemetin. These enhance the antimalarial activity of sesquiterpen lactons. In clinical trials in three different clinics in Congo, over 90 % of 164 malaria patients were healed using tea made out of Artemisia annua. The sesquiterpen-lacton-peroxides in this plant act essentially as a blood schizontocide. The presence of the endoperoxide bridge is essential for the antimalarial activity. The inhibition of the protein syntheses leads to morphological damages in ribosomes and in the endoplasmatic reticulum.

INDICATIONS:
Treatment of malaria caused by all forms of Plasmodium, especially Plasmodium falciparum and multiple drug resistant malaria. Treatment of chronic dysentery

On approval: treatment of haemorrhoids
On approval: supportive treatment for AIDS patients by immunostimulation.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION IN CASE OF MALARIA:
(MALARLIFE can also be taken as a tea which is prepared by pouring 1 litre boiling water over 6 tablets in a glass or plastic container ( Iron pots reacts with artemisisin.) Leave to draw for 15 minutes. Do not filter. Never boil tablets with water. The heat kills the active ingredient. Stir well and drink 250 ml four times daily.) Adults: 2 (two)Tablets 4(four) times per day for 7 days.

Children:
Children between 11and 13 years:make tea out of 5 tablets
Children between 9 and 11 years: make tea out of 4 tablets
Children younger than 7 years should be treated only on advice of the doctor, according to their body weight.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION IN CASE OF HAEMORRHOIDS OR AIDS:
Adults: can also be taken as a tea which is prepared by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tablets. Leave to draw for 15 minutes. Do not filter. Treatment is recommended for up to one month.

  • Do not boil tablets: the heat destroys the active ingredient.
  • Do not make tea in iron pots. Use plastic or glass containers.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Tea made out of Artemisia annua has been used in China for 2000 years without showing any serious drug related adverse effects. The use of isolated artemisinin in several million patients, including post-marketing surveillance of over 4600 patients in Thailand, also showed no remarkable side effects. Complaints like nausea, headache, vomiting, occasional diarrhea etc. may be due rather to the disease than to the medicine.

PRECAUTIONS:
Because of lack of experience, MALARLIFE should not be given to pregnant women in the first three months of pregnancy. Safety during the first tri-mester has not be proven. If there is no improvement after 2 days of treatment, other antimalarials should be added to the treatment. Always consult your doctor before use of MALARLIFE.

INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS:
Not known. From the isolated substance Artemisinin it is known that it can easily be combined with substances like chloroquine, amodiaquine or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Please note: In the event that a patient swallows the tablets as they are instead preparing tee out from it, there is no danger.


Validity (shelf life): Three years

Storage: Store in airtight containers, in cool place and protected from light. Package quantities: Each treatment pack contains 56 tablets


Malarlife is a product of
Doctors For Life
Address: P.O. Box 1647, KLOOF, 3640, South Africa

For more information contact: malarlife@dfl.org.za



© All Materials 2004 Doctors for Life International