Can I drink tea during malaria? Expert advice on hydration and safety

November 3, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease. As with any fever-inducing illness, maintaining proper hydration is paramount, leading many to question: Can I drink tea during malaria, or are there better options to aid my recovery?

Quick Summary

During a malaria infection, it is generally advised to avoid or limit caffeinated tea to prevent dehydration and sleep disruption. Focus instead on clear fluids and specific herbal alternatives like ginger or tulsi tea, which can soothe symptoms and support hydration.

Key Points

Avoid Caffeinated Teas: Traditional black, green, and oolong teas contain caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and can worsen dehydration during a malaria infection.
Opt for Herbal Teas: Herbal options like ginger or tulsi tea are excellent caffeine-free alternatives that can soothe symptoms and provide hydration.
Prioritize Hydration: Staying well-hydrated with water, coconut water, and broths is crucial to compensate for fluid loss from fever and sweating.
Never Use Herbal Tea as a Cure: While some herbal teas have historical use, they are not a substitute for prescribed antimalarial medication. Relying on them can be dangerous.
Consult a Doctor: Always seek professional medical advice for malaria treatment and follow your doctor's recommendations for diet and hydration.

Can I Drink Tea During Malaria? Understanding the Risks

When battling a serious infection like malaria, your body's focus is on recovery. Fevers and other symptoms increase the risk of dehydration, making fluid intake critically important. While tea is a common beverage, the type of tea and its caffeine content are the primary factors to consider. The general medical consensus advises limiting or completely avoiding caffeinated drinks, including traditional black and green tea, to support a smoother recovery.

The Problem with Caffeinated Tea and Malaria

Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes your kidneys to produce more urine, potentially leading to fluid loss. For a malaria patient already at risk of dehydration from fever and sweating, this effect can be counterproductive and worsen symptoms like fatigue and headaches. Beyond dehydration, caffeine is also a stimulant that can disrupt sleep patterns, a crucial aspect of the body’s healing process. When you are fighting off a parasitic infection, restful sleep is a significant aid to your immune system.

Hydrating Alternatives to Caffeinated Tea

Instead of caffeinated tea, several safer and more beneficial fluid options are available for malaria patients. These alternatives provide much-needed hydration and can offer additional therapeutic benefits without the negative side effects of caffeine. The focus should be on easily digestible, nutrient-rich fluids to help replenish electrolytes and energy.

Herbal Teas: Options like ginger tea, tulsi (holy basil) tea, or cinnamon tea can provide a comforting, warm beverage with potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Clear Soups and Broths: These are excellent for rehydration and provide essential electrolytes and nutrients that are easy for the body to absorb.
Coconut Water: A natural source of electrolytes, coconut water is highly recommended for replenishing fluids and minerals.
Fruit Juices: Freshly squeezed fruit juices from citrus fruits like oranges and sweet lime can provide Vitamin C and energy.
Plain Water: The most important fluid of all, plain water, should be consumed regularly throughout the day. Drinking boiled or sterilized water is safest.

A Note on Artemisia Annua (Sweet Wormwood) Tea

Some might hear about Artemisia annua tea being used for malaria. This plant contains artemisinin, a compound used in antimalarial drugs. However, it is critically important to understand that drinking the tea is not a valid treatment and is not a substitute for standard antimalarial medication prescribed by a doctor. Underdosing from the tea can lead to resistance and serious health risks. While research continues on plant-based therapies, relying on a tea for a curative effect is dangerous and ill-advised. A clinical review on this topic is available from the National Institutes of Health.

Best Fluid Practices During Malaria

Here are some key practices to follow regarding your fluid intake during a malaria infection:

Increase your fluid intake significantly. The goal is to compensate for losses from fever, sweating, and potential vomiting. Aim for at least 3 to 3.5 liters per day, as recommended by some experts.
Listen to your body. If nausea or indigestion is a problem, opt for small, frequent sips of fluid rather than large quantities at once.
Boil and sterilize all water. In areas where malaria is endemic, ensuring your drinking water is pure is a basic safety precaution.
Consider oral rehydration solutions (ORS). If you are experiencing significant vomiting or diarrhea, ORS can effectively replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

Comparison of Caffeinated vs. Herbal Tea During Malaria


Feature	Caffeinated Tea (Black, Green, Oolong)	Herbal Tea (Ginger, Tulsi, Peppermint)
Caffeine Content	Contains caffeine, a diuretic and stimulant.	Generally caffeine-free.
Effect on Hydration	Can cause dehydration due to diuretic properties.	Promotes hydration and soothes the body.
Effect on Sleep	Can interfere with sleep, delaying recovery.	Can aid relaxation and promote restful sleep.
Potential Side Effects	May worsen headaches, dehydration, and fatigue.	Minimal side effects; some herbs offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
Contribution to Recovery	Detrimental; hinders hydration and sleep.	Beneficial; supports hydration and offers soothing properties.

Conclusion

While the warmth and comfort of a cup of tea might be appealing when you are sick, the verdict on whether you can drink tea during malaria is clear: standard caffeinated teas are best avoided. Their dehydrating and stimulating effects can hinder recovery. Instead, prioritize caffeine-free herbal teas and other clear fluids to support hydration, promote restful sleep, and aid your immune system. Always remember that proper antimalarial medication is the cornerstone of treatment, and dietary choices should be made to complement, not replace, medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your diet during malaria.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is generally advised to avoid or limit black tea during malaria due to its caffeine content. The diuretic effect of caffeine can increase dehydration, which is counterproductive when you are already dealing with a fever and other symptoms of the illness.

Like black tea, green tea contains caffeine. While it has antioxidant properties, the caffeine content makes it a less ideal choice during a malaria infection due to its dehydrating effects. Caffeine-free herbal teas are a better alternative for hydration.

Several herbal teas are safe and beneficial. Options like ginger tea, tulsi (holy basil) tea, and cinnamon tea can be soothing and hydrating. These are caffeine-free and do not interfere with recovery.

Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic. During malaria, it can worsen dehydration and disrupt sleep patterns, both of which are essential for your immune system to fight the infection effectively. Restful sleep is a key component of recovery.

No, you should not use Artemisia annua tea as a treatment for malaria. While the plant contains antimalarial compounds, the tea does not contain a consistent or sufficient dose to be effective and is not a substitute for proper medication. It can lead to drug resistance and serious health risks.

The best fluids for hydration are water, fresh fruit juices, and electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water and clear broths. These help replace fluids and minerals lost due to fever and sweating.

Dehydration during malaria can lead to various complications, including worsening fatigue, headaches, and increased strain on your kidneys. Proper hydration is critical for helping your body flush out toxins and regulate body temperature.

During malaria, it's recommended to limit sugary drinks, and high-fat foods like cream are harder to digest. If you are having caffeine-free tea, adding a small amount of sugar is less of a concern, but it's best to stick to simpler, more hydrating fluids.