In a press conference held on August 13th, the Ministry of Health has said catnip can help to fight against malaria.
Thaddée Ndikumana (in the middle) calls on Burundians to grow catnip
Thaddée Ndikumana, Burundian Minister of Health says mosquito nets were made to protect people from mosquitoes in the night.
“However, due to climate change, we have realized that mosquitoes can bite people even during daytime,” he adds.
Mr. Ndikumana says the Health Ministry has conducted a scientific research in collaboration with the University of Burundi and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on catnip. “Results have shown that the plant’s oil helps to repel mosquitoes,” he says.
The Health Minister calls on Burundians to grow catnip and other medical plants from which malaria medicines are extracted. “Natural medicines are not dangerous to health,” he adds.
Tatien Masharabu, Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Burundi says researches have been conducted by the same university so as to promote medical products made in Burundi.
The Researches done by the University of Burundi aim at preventing malaria, he says, adding that there are many plants in Burundi which are important to people’s health once they are manufactured.
“Catnip has oil from which soap and lotion can be made,” he says, confirming that products made from catnip oil repel mosquitoes.
Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is more effective at repelling mosquitoes than many other insect repellents.
The Health Ministry has recently said 4,3 million of Burundians have suffered from malaria in the period of six months of 2019. According to the same report, 1400 people died of malaria in the same period.
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