When it comes to infectious diseases, malaria is one of the world’s top killers. Yes, TB, pneumonia and diarrhoea are still the leaders in this field (by miles), but malaria needs to be reckoned with. Every minute, someone, somewhere, dies from malaria. Malaria deaths are only the tip of the iceberg, however. About 3.5% of the world’s population gets infected with malaria every year. That’s roughly a quarter billion people. This has massive impacts on health spending and economic growth of countries where malaria is rife.
In South Africa, malaria transmission is seasonal and primarily affects three provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. During the 2022–2023 malaria season, our country reported 5,813 cases and 106 deaths. The majority of cases were among males aged 20–39 years, and children under five accounted for 8% of the cases.
Elsewhere in Africa, children represent about three quarters of all malaria deaths
The current unseasonal and unusually high rainfall in these provinces is likely to extend the malaria season in South Africa well into winter 2025.
One would have thought that the World Health Organisation (WHO) would have been overjoyed to find a solution to this problem. The truth, it turns out, is a little more complicated.
In the year 2000, Doc Frank was part of an international team of scientists and business people developing a “novel” treatment for malaria. It wasn’t novel in concept, but novel in the way technology was used to produce the treatment. The team had managed to selectively isolate two anti-malarial compounds from the Wormwood plant (Artemisia annua).
Wormwood has been known for centuries as a plant with anti-malarial properties. Getting the right dose wasn’t always easy, though.
By the end of 2000, the first privately funded, larger scale trial data rolled in. Artemisinin, the one active compound, cured malaria in 98+% of cases, often within 24 hours, at a cost of pennies. These data were presented to the WHO to obtain more funding for larger trials. Big mistake.
Within a month, the WHO shut down all further trials with artemisinin, claiming they wanted to reserve the compound for treatment of chloroquine resistant malaria. Behind the scenes, Novartis had obtained a patent for a combination of another Wormwood extract with an unpleasant and mostly useless synthetic anti-malarial (lumefantrine). It was branded “Coartem” and launched globally in 1999.
The WHO had no hesitation endorsing Coartem, while shutting down all potential competitors. Sure, Coartem is effective enough as a cure (95+% efficacy), but now comes with unwanted side effects (thanks to the synthetic additive). To date, more than one billion doses of Coartem have been sold globally. Follow the money.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Doc Frank turned his attention elsewhere.
He uncovered two more plant-derived products with great safety and efficacy profiles:
* Eucalyptus bark extract (or “Eubex” for short)
* Papaya seed extract
With no money for clinical trials, all evidence on these products is anecdotal, but hundreds of happy users over two decades have confirmed its benefits in preventing malaria (no anecdotes regarding treatment of active malaria exist).
Each of these compounds seems effective on its own, but combining them is also feasible, since they work on different mechanisms to prevent the malaria parasite from reproducing.
One of our products, made with Eubex, is called Phaphama Vitality Solution. Here is a testimonial from a missionary:
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“I can’t thank Doc Frank enough for introducing me to Phaphama, the immune-boosting and tropical disease-fighting product!
For nearly two decades I worked in a malaria ‘red zone’ area in tropical Africa. Taking prophylactic drugs long-term was just not an option, as many of them are designed for short-term use only and also have severe side effects. I tried gentler prophylactics, but the mosquitoes in our area often became resistant to these. The result was that, over a period of about 12 years, I contracted malaria dozens of times. Eventually nothing helped but quinine plus an antibiotic (like tetracycline or doxycycline), along with primaquine as a sort of ‘radical cure’. But these had terrible side effects too. Needless to say, my body received an absolute pounding and it eventually led to a near immune collapse.
Enter Integrow Health, and Phaphama. What a life-changing experience! For the last 5 years of my stay in the tropics I was completely malaria free! It felt like a miracle. My immune system was slowly strengthened too – I didn’t even suffer from ‘simpler’ diseases like colds or the flu.
I am so grateful to Doc Frank for this great product, and cannot recommend it enough!
PS Last year I recommended Phaphama to my sister-in-law, who was visiting Uganda on a short business trip. She remained malaria free and felt great throughout.”
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Please note: We are not claiming that Eubex, Papaya seed extract or Phaphama will stop you from getting malaria. There are no clinical trials. What we are saying is this: If you’re going to a potential malaria area and you’re not planning on taking any protection (because of the poor safety and low efficacy), then at least consider using one or more of these products. They’re completely safe and have no reported side effects.
When in doubt: Listen to what your doctor is recommending (but you are allowed to ask questions).
Soon it will be that time of year when many of us head north for a warm winter holiday. Generally speaking, mozzies aren’t a problem in winter, but this year may be different (Al Gore, we should have listened to you!). Don’t take chances!
To your (malaria-free) health!
The team at Integrow Health
