Plants in East Africa with promising antimalarial qualities—ones that have treated malaria symptoms in the region”s communities for hundreds of years—are at risk of extinction, according to research released in anticipation of World Malaria Day.

Scientists fear that these natural remedial qualities, and thus their potential to become a widespread treatment for malaria, could be lost forever.

They have called for more research and conservation of trees to harvest potential for next generation of malaria drugs.

A new book by researchers at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Common Antimalarial Trees and Shrubs of East Africa, provides a detailed assessment of 22 of the region”s malaria-fighting trees and shrubs. Read more