Burundi: Catnip and Artemisia plants to be used in the fight against Malaria

JOHN

Burundi Miniter of heath Dr. Thaddée Ndikumana, Thacien Masharabu, a researcher at the University of Burundi and Ginette Karirekinyana founder and director of the Consultative Agency on Ethics of International Cooperation (ACECI) said that catnip seedlings and artemisia will soon be planted in the country to fight against malaria.

“A recent study found that the Malaria-borne female mosquitoes sting during the day, which is unusual. This has led to the research for other strategies to prevent the disease at any time of day, hence the introduction of these medicinal plants, “said the Minister of Public Health in Burundi, Thadée Ndikumana.

“The research initiated by the University of Burundi, and approved at the EAC level, in collaboration with the BioInnovate Africa Program, has revealed that the catnip contains mosquito repellent elements that can prevent malaria,” the report said.

THE BIG PICTURE: The introduction of these mosquitoes repellents in Burundi comes as various reports of Malaria disease report that the latter has become an epidemic according to the UN report. However, Burundi  Ministry of Health denied this UN report as ‘over-exaggerated’. The UN put it that Malaria had already affected almost half of Burundians.

The multiplication will be launched Tuesday, August 27 at the Hotel Source of the Nile, by the Association of the Natives of Bujumbura-Mairie “.

Sample of mosquitoes repellent plants(Pic: Jimbere)

These plants are also used essentially as oils, soap, insecticides, etc. These plants are said to have been tested in some parts of Burundi and will soon be planted throughout the country, as Thadee Ndikumana put it.

“These plants will soon be planted throughout the country via the project” Ewe Burundi Urambaye “The mosquito nets impregnated certainly protect, but only at night”, the Minister said.

What are Catnip and Artemisia plants?

The catnip plant is a plant of the mint family, with downy leaves, purple-spotted white flowers, and a pungent smell attractive to cats. Its strong smell could be repellent to mosquitoes.

The Artemisia plant is an aromatic or bitter-tasting plant of a genus that includes wormwood, mugwort, and sagebrush. Several kinds of artemisia are used in herbal medicine and many are cultivated for their feathery gray foliage.

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