African countries import herbal tonic bottles claiming to be COVID-19 cure

By Team Newsable | First Published May 4, 2020, 12:55 PM IST

The World Health Organisation has remained firm on its stand that there is no proof of any definite cure yet. Tanzanian President promised to import Madagascar's 'cure' for coronavirus.

Bengaluru: As the world reels under coronavirus pandemic, countries in Africa are already importing a 'cure.'

The countries of Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville, and Guinea-Bissau in Africa are importing a herbal tonic from Madagascar, which is being dubbed as the cure to coronavirus, even though the World Health Organisation has remained firm on its stand that there are no proof of any definite cure yet.

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The President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina officially launched a local herbal remedy believed to prevent and cure patients suffering from COVID-19.

The tonic is produced from the artemisia plant, which is one of the sources of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment, reported the BBC.

The drink, which has been launched as COVID-Organics was being marketed after being tested on fewer than 20 people over a period of three weeks, the Tanzanian President's chief of staff Lova Hasinirina Ranoromaro told the BBC.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine should be shared across the world, says Pope Francis

Artemisia is cultivated in Cameroon, Kenya,Ethiopia, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia – all in high-altitude regions and regions with a pronounced cool period.

“The Covid-Organics will be distributed free of charge to our most vulnerable compatriots and sold at very low prices to others. All profits will be donated to IMRA to finance scientific research,” the President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, wrote on Twitter.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that there were "no short-cuts" to finding effective mediation to fight coronavirus.

International trials were underway to find an effective treatment, the WHO added.

The US based National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health has also warned against 'remedies' for coronavirus, including herbal therapies and teas, maintaining that the best way to avoid the virus was to avoid exposure.

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