Evidence supporting the use of: Myrobalan
For the health condition: Malaria

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Myrobalan, commonly referring to Terminalia chebula (also known as Haritaki), has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In these contexts, myrobalan is revered as a general health tonic and as an ingredient in various polyherbal formulations aimed at supporting immune function and treating a broad spectrum of ailments, including fevers and infectious diseases. Malaria, being a febrile illness, has at times been addressed through such traditional remedies, especially in regions where modern antimalarial drugs were historically unavailable.

However, there is scant direct historical documentation explicitly linking myrobalan to the treatment or cure of malaria in traditional texts. Most references are indirect—myrobalan is included in general fever remedies or tonics, which may have been used for malarial symptoms by default. Scientific research on myrobalan's antimalarial efficacy is minimal; a few preliminary in vitro studies suggest some extracts might have weak antiplasmodial activity, but this evidence is not robust nor clinically validated. As such, while myrobalan’s use for malaria is rooted in traditional herbal practice, there is currently little high-quality evidence supporting its effectiveness for this specific condition, and it should not be relied upon as a substitute for proven antimalarial therapies.

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