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| Dr. Winsome Christie |
Globally (Silveira, et.al.,2020), it
is interesting to note that China, India, the African Continent, and the
European nations have been cautiously allowing the use of these agents in
Covid-19 related illnesses.
In China (Xu
XW, et. al. 2019), since the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 the General Office of the National Health and the
Office of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine has
encouraged the combination of herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and
Western Medicine in the treatment of
respiratory complications in Coronavirus infections. These prescriptions are
recommended to be used at different stages of the viral illness once there is
evidence that clinical trials prove the efficacy and safety of the herbs
compared to standard antiviral therapies.
Currently many TCM practitioners across China are working with regular
medical doctors to control Covid-19 disease using these protocols.
The herbs used include Boneset (eupatorium perfolatum), cordyceps, echinacea purpurea, blessed
thistle (Criticus Benedictus) to mention a few. (Wollumbin, 2020)
In India (Silveira,
et.al.,2020), the Ayurvedic Practitioners have also worked out clear
protocols which includes their millennial historical medical system. The herbs
are used as a first line of defense for early-stage patients include Zingiber
officinale (ginger), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
Moringa oleifera (moringa) Piper nigrum (black pepper). These are just a few
that I picked out of the established protocol because in Jamaica and the
Caribbean we are quite familiar with these.
The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for
Africa (Silveira, et.al.,2020),
has issued a statement supporting the use of traditional medicine that is based
on scientifically and evidenced based medicine which can be supported by
rigorous clinical trials. In Madagascar there is a self-proclaimed COVID-19 “herbal
cure” being promoted at high governmental level under the name COVID Organics.
The African Union is also giving support to this initiative for the use of the
herb artemisia in the product branded COVID Organics, ("COVID-Organics: Madagascar seeks South Africa’s scientific
assistance | Africa news", 2021)
In Europe Traditional Herbal Medicine Products (THMP),(Silveira, et.al.,2020), are regulated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA ) and
may be used for non-prescription medicinal products for the relief of mild , self-limiting
conditions, including flu symptoms and cough. In the absence of a positive
result test Covid-19 patients are just flu patients and are allowed to self-medicate
with THMP and other non-prescription medications like paracetamol, codeine, and
other preparations.
Currently on our side of the globe
which is Western medicine based, the integration of herbal medicine is not
allowed especially in the U.S. and the FDA considers fraudulent the selling of
any herbal products with attached claims. The FDA have even sent warning
letters to companies who are offering products which claim to treat or cure the
symptoms of Covid-19 according to Silveira, et.al., (2020).
In the U.K. (Silveira,
et.al.,2020), herbalists are being encouraged to integrate herbal advice
with any conventional treatment or management strategies that are appropriate
for their patients and observe the infection control and management guidelines
formulated by the Department of Health. The College of Medicine recommends
dietary adjustments to boost the immunity against the coronavirus by turning to
vegetables and fruits which possess many antioxidants and polyphenol compounds.
Currently in Jamaica (Silvera,2021) with the current spike
of Covid-19 cases and the fact that the hospital system is stretched to
capacity many Doctors are advocating for home care and are recommending
prescriptions which include regular conventional medicines interspersed with
elements of complementary care such as inhalations of aromatic substance(s).
Dr. Winsome Christie
President of The Pharmaceutical Society Of Jamaica
References
COVID-Organics: Madagascar
seeks South Africa’s scientific assistance | Africanews. (2021).
Retrieved 24 August 2021, from https://www.africanews.com/2020/05/06/covid-organics-african-union-madagascar-who//
Wollumbin, J. (2020). The Five Stages of Covid-19. Presentation, Academy Of Integrative Health and Medicine La Jolla California.
Silvera, J. (2021). Doctors are Pushing for early home care for Covid-19. The Gleaner. Retrieved from http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com
Xu XW, Wu XX, Jiang XG, Xu KJ, Ying LJ, Ma CL,
Li SB, Wang HY, Zhang S, Gao HN, Sheng JF, Cai
HL, Qiu YQ, Li LJ Clinical findings in a group
of patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus
(SARS-Cov-2) outside of Wuhan, China:
retrospective case series. BMJ. 2020 Feb 19; 368():m606
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2 comments:
Long article that is vaguely useful but is interesting in the sense that someone who knows about drugs and particularly ayurvedics is willing to write outside the box.She should explore/translate Neem which has properties similar to Ivermectin and I suppose a competent pharmacologist.
Interesting reading, thank God for the vaccines. As for me and my house, we have taken the vaccine.
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