Alternate treatment methods for coronavirus: Do they work?
Coronavirus pandemic has spared no country. With over 70,000 cases in India alone and 4 million cases globally, the infection shows no signs of stopping. Experimental allopathic treatments, even with promising results do not come without side-effects.
02/8Ayurveda clinical trials to start soon
Even as the government will be starting the Ayurvedic clinical trials in the coming weeks, several other alternate therapies and potential ‘cures’ have been touted as useful course of treatment, however, they have no medical evidence. We tell you about a few of them:
03/8Homeopathy
Ever since the pandemic started spreading in India, there have been tall claims surrounding the usage and effectiveness of homoeopathy. Experts suggested that homoeopathic drugs and preparations, such as ‘Arsenicum album 30C’ could work as prophylactic medicine and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus and even said that homoeopathy has been used in treating patients during the time of Spanish Flu, considered to be just as deadly. However, without any proven result of scientific study, there is no evidence to suggest that this alternative branch of medicine could work.
04/8Traditional Chinese Medicine
In China, which was the first big epicentre of the infection spread, doctors experimented with the usage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to combat the life-threatening side-effects of some conventional drugs used in treatment. Select Chinese medicines were used in the initial stages to treat patients, including the use of traditional herbs like liquorice root, bitter orange and many other herbs. However, some of the medicinal preparations have been banned for use in several countries, including America, making many doubt the claims of traditional herbs working in the treatment of coronavirus.
05/8Consumption of alcohol in excess
From drinking alcohol to using alcohol sprays, there were countable claims on social media against fighting coronavirus. Till now, there is no conclusive proof that these work. More so, these experimental treatment methodologies have far-reaching consequences. Drinking alcohol in excessive amounts, can not just damage your liver but contrary to certain claims can also lead to immunosuppression. Hence, alcohol in no way can help contain the spread of COVID-19.
06/8Usage of household products to clean the airways
There were also some controversial messages and claims which said that inhaling chemical solutions, like bleach, sprays, hydrogen peroxide or any sterilizing solution could kill coronavirus looming inside the body. Some American theories also suggested inhaling a colloidal silver solution which could potentially “kill” coronavirus and several other pathogens. Not only are they actually lethal and dangerous, but no way can also they actually curb COVID-19.
07/8Other ‘unnatural’ cures
Apart from these, there have been several other claims floating on the internet which suggested people inculcate certain dietary hacks to stop coronavirus from entering the body. Many ‘natural’ cures included eating ginger, garlic, onion, gargling with warm water, drinking hot tea, bitter gourd juice was widely circulated on social media. While these foods and natural drinks may hold promising health benefits, there is no clear evidence which suggests that it can actually cure coronavirus.
Rumours surfaced from China which stated that consuming bat soup could kill the virus.
08/8Disclaimer
Till now, there is no one proof that alternate therapies could possibly work and Word Health Organisation (WHO) doesn’t support it either.
In critical care times like this, instead of simply following home remedies or alternate treatments, do not give into panic and focus on practising good hygiene and strengthening your immunity.