Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alstonia scholaris has been traditionally used in various parts of Asia, particularly in India, for the treatment of malaria and other febrile conditions. Its bark, often referred to as “dita bark,” features in several ethnobotanical texts and Ayurvedic formulations as an antimalarial remedy. The rationale is rooted in folk medicine, where decoctions or extracts of the bark have been administered to reduce fever and treat intermittent fever, a symptom commonly associated with malaria.

Scientific studies investigating Alstonia scholaris’s antimalarial efficacy are limited. Some in vitro and animal model research has identified the presence of alkaloids (such as echitamine and scholaricine) that exhibit moderate antiplasmodial activity, but these results are preliminary and lack robust clinical validation. No large-scale or high-quality human trials have confirmed its efficacy or safety as a standalone antimalarial agent. Major pharmacopoeias and modern treatment guidelines do not recognize Alstonia scholaris as a standard intervention for malaria.

In summary, the use of Alstonia scholaris for malaria is primarily based on traditional knowledge, with only modest scientific exploration and no conclusive evidence supporting its routine clinical use for this purpose.

More about Alstonia scholaris
More about Malaria

Other ingredients used for Malaria

Other health conditions supported by Alstonia scholaris

Products containing Alstonia scholaris