Narrative Review of Herbal Remedies for Malaria

Nambi Namusisi H.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains one of the most pressing global health challenges, disproportionately affecting populations in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The rise of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium strains, coupled with the limited effectiveness of current vaccines, underscores the urgency for alternative therapies. Herbal remedies have historically provided the foundation for antimalarial drugs such as quinine and artemisinin, and they continue to represent a promising resource for new drug discovery. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the role of herbal remedies in malaria prevention and treatment, examining their phytochemical constituents, mechanisms of action, safety profiles, and integration with conventional medicine. Several plants, including Azadirachta indica (neem), Artemisia annua, and Vernonia amygdalina, demonstrate significant antimalarial potential in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical settings. Despite encouraging results, challenges remain, including limited clinical trials, variability in extract standardization, and potential herb–drug interactions. Nonetheless, traditional herbal medicine offers an accessible, culturally acceptable, and cost-effective adjunct in malaria management. Bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern pharmacological validation is essential to harnessing herbal remedies as effective tools in global malaria control and eradication efforts.

Keywords: Malaria, Herbal remedies, Antimalarial plants, Phytochemicals, and Drug resistance.

CITE AS: Nambi Namusisi H. (2025). Narrative Review of Herbal Remedies for Malaria. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 5(3):203-211. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJSES/2025/531203211