Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina on Monday launched a local herbal remedy that he claims can prevent and cure the novel coronavirus, reported CGTN. He even drank a bottle of the drink called “Covid Organics” or CVO.
The herbal drink has been produced by the country’s Institut Malgache de Recherches Appliquées (IMRA) from a local plant named, Artemisia annua or sweet wormwood. Dried leaves from the plant are considered to have medicinal properties.
Rajoelina said the drink is effective against the virus as it strengthens the body’s immune system. In a tweet, he said the drink will be distributed free of charge to the poor and sold at very low prices to others. He said all the profit made by selling the product will be donated to IMRA to fund scientific research.
“Let us believe in our ability to cope and move forward”, the Madagascan president said.
“Covid-Organics will be used as prophylaxis that is for prevention but clinical observations have shown a trend towards its effectiveness in curative treatment,” said Dr. Charles Andrianjara, IMRA’s director-general.
The herbal drink’s safety and effectiveness are yet to be tested internationally.
Madagascar has so far detected 121 novel coronavirus cases and no reported deaths as of Monday afternoon. A national emergency was declared in the country after the first confirmed cases were reported on March 20. Major cities such as Toamasina, Antananarivo, and Fianarantsoa were put under lockdown. However, earlier this week, Rajoelina eased some restrictions in these major cities.
The global coronavirus pandemic has triggered a rush for herbal formulas, lemons and ginger in the belief that they can protect against the virus.
“There is no scientific evidence that any of these alternative remedies can prevent or cure the illness caused by COVID-19. In fact, some of them may not be safe to consume,” the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said referring to claims for herbal or tea remedies.
