WHO Advises Caution Against Use of Untested COVID-19 Remedies

The pandemic has brought a wave of information overload, with the government constantly broadcasting about the correct guidelines and procedure or practice to follow; social media has also made it difficult by spreading misinformation. This gets a little hard for the general public to know what to believe and what not.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that medicinal plants touted as possible treatments such as Artemisia annua for COVID-19 should be tested for efficacy and side effects.

The WHO confirmed that it supports only scientifically proven traditional medicine, adding that complementary and alternative medicine might have many benefits.

A renewed interest in plants, such as Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood has been sparked in the race to find a cure for COVID-19. 

A cure based on the plant is promoted by Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina. The part which is uncertain is that the heads of several African countries have announced placing orders, or received consignments of it, even though the herbal mix has not been scientifically tested yet.

The sub-Saharan Africa regional office of the WHO cleared in the statement “Even if therapies are derived from traditional practice and natural, establishing their efficacy and safety through rigorous clinical trials is critical.” 

The WHO pointed out that it was working with research institutions to choose traditional medicine products that can be investigated for clinical efficacy and safety regarding the treatment of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

It warned that necessary caution must be taken against misinformation, especially on social media, about the effectiveness of certain home remedies as efforts were underway to find treatment for COVID-19.

It further added that many plants and substances are being proposed without the minimum requirements and evidence of quality, safety, and efficacy which puts the risk at people’s lives.

It also warned that the use of products that have not been robustly investigated could put people’s lives in danger, give them a false sense of security and distract from useful genuine preventive measures.

Over to you

Beware from trusting or experimenting with wrong practices or measures which are not clinically approved or guidelines that are not issued by the government. In this pandemic, we encourage you to practice social distancing and avoid going outdoors, if not necessary.