The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said medicinal plants such as Artemisia annua that are being touted as possible herbal remedies to treat COVID-19 should be tested for efficacy and side effects reported Reuters.
“Even if therapies are derived from traditional practice and natural, establishing their efficacy and safety through rigorous clinical trials is critical,” the sub-Saharan Africa regional office of the WHO said in the statement.
The WHO said it only supports scientifically proven traditional medicine. The statement comes as many African countries are turning to Madagascar to import an herbal tonic touted as a cure for Covid-19. The alleged herbal medicine is produced from the artemisia plant – the source of an ingredient used in malaria treatment. It was launched as Covid-Organics after being tested on fewer than 20 people over a period of three weeks.
Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, is himself promoting the herbal drink. While the herbal mix is yet to be scientifically tested, the heads of several African countries have announced placing orders, or received consignments of it.
The WHO said it has collaborated with different research institutions to find out traditional medicine products that can be investigated for clinical efficacy and safety for treatment of COVID-19. The international body warned against misinformation spreading on social media about the effectiveness of certain remedies as efforts were under way to find treatment for COVID-19.
“Many plants and substances are being proposed without the minimum requirements and evidence of quality, safety and efficacy,” the WHO said.
It added that the use of products that have not been scientifically tested could put people’s lives in danger.
Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) has said it is in discussion with the Madagascar government over the herbal drink that is said to prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus, the AU said it is trying to obtain technical data regarding the safety and efficiency of the herbal remedy for COVID 19.
