Covid drinks: strange remedies against corona

Hanna Helder studied German language and literature at the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg. In addition to her studies, she has gained a lot of experience in radio and print journalism through internships and freelance work. She has been at the Burda School of Journalism since October 2018 and writes, among other things, as a trainee for

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

Good ideas are needed in the fight against the coronavirus. But around the world some people are treading unconventional paths: from alternative and bizarre to absurd or even dangerous remedies.

Some examples of the bizarre ideas from different countries and cultures:

Madagascar

Herbal remedies are deeply rooted in many cultures. The president of the spice island of Madagascar upstream from Africa recently presented a health drink called “Covid Organics”. The drink made on the basis of the local Artemis plant is said to strengthen immunity, protect against numerous viruses and fevers - especially against lung diseases. The drink was distributed to schoolchildren in the country, and other African countries have now also ordered deliveries. However, the head of the island's medical academy warned that the scientific success of the drink had not been proven.

India

In India, the Ayurveda Ministry announced shortly after the first corona cases became known that traditional medicine could help against Covid-19. But after criticism, the government only said that alternative medicine could strengthen the immune system against the novel coronavirus, but was not a cure. The ministry initially also claimed that Prince Charles had been cured of Covid-19 by an Ayurveda treatment - but Charles's office rejected this.

Venezuela

In Venezuela there was a similar proposal from Nicolás Maduro: The president first recommended a herbal mixture on Twitter as a cure for the coronavirus. The post has since been deleted.

Bolivia

"In Bolivia we have plants that can help," said the deputy minister for traditional medicine, Felipe Quilla Muni, recently. A steam made from eucalyptus and chamomile is popular. People breathe it in; for example in steam cabins that have been set up near some hospitals and banks.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, the demand for red ginger, which is said to particularly strengthen the immune system, has increased since the beginning of the Covid crisis. As a result, prices skyrocketed. It was similar in Sri Lanka with turmeric powder. The government then set a price ceiling there.

Nepal

Some lean a long way out of the window when it comes to suggestions for do-it-yourself remedies. In Nepal, for example, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli recommended that you can protect yourself from coronavirus infection by drinking hot water and doing steam therapy. The video went viral.

United States

Donald Trump also shared some unusual ideas with the public: At a press conference, the President of the USA encouraged researchers to examine ways of injecting people with disinfectant. He also pondered options to bring strong light "into the body" to treat corona infections. He later emphasized that this was just "sarcasm".

Caution!

But with all the hype about herbal medicines against Covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently urged caution. Even with traditional medicine and practices, "efficacy and safety must be tested through rigorous clinical studies". (hh / dpa)

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