‘Home remedies not the answer to Covid-19’

Don’t self-diagnose and steer clear of home remedies.

This is the advice of Dr Peters Mathebula from Netcare Pholosho’s Emergency Department, when asked his advice on the use of home remedies to combat Covid-19.

Mathebula says your self-diagnosis and home remedies could do more harm than good.

“Even those who have contracted the virus, should not rely on home remedies or any medication that has not been prescribed by a doctor,” he added.

Mathebula says one is most likely to feel better through home remedies, but these do not have an effect on the virus itself.

“We need to rely on medication that has been tried and tested. There is no research that supports the success rate of home remedies and we do not know for sure what the side effects are.”

He says he understands that people are becoming anxious for a cure, “but from a medical point of view, there is no logic in treating a virus before you contract it or trying to steam away a virus”.

He advises residents to instead opt for non-pharmaceutical measures of preventing the virus such as sanitising, maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks.

“It is important to also wear your face mask the proper way because if you don’t, it defeats the purpose.”

Dr Mathebula tells us he has noted a prevalence of complications that might be caused by the usage of home remedies.

Homemade concoctions

Any homemade mixture might alleviate the signs or symptoms of the virus, but it will have no effect on the virus. Using these mixtures to fight off the virus will only delay the necessary intervention by healthcare professionals.

“People who use these mixtures will very often stay away from the hospital, thinking they are better, only to need admission at the last hour when the virus has spread out into the body.”

Mathebula says he has has noted an increase in patients with kidney and liver failure, which can be attributed to homemade mixtures.

“When you rely on these things, the dosage and the mixture will differ from patient to patient as it is not regulated. Anything that has not been prescribed, will in the process lead to more damage and derangements.”

According to Mathebula, no home remedy is recommended at any stage, including for those who have not contracted the virus.

Steaming

Mathebula says the belief that steaming will “burn the virus” is merely a myth and while it may ease congestion, there is no scientific proof that it will kill the virus.

He says steaming creates complications such as scalding, burns and dehydration.

“The medical profession does not at any point recommend steaming regardless of what you use to steam. Almost 90% of people who contract Covid-19 show mild to moderate symptoms that do not warrant hospital admission.

“This does not mean you should isolate at home and steam.”

Those who do show symptoms need to look out mainly for shortness of breath and even then, they need to seek professional help and not self-medicate.

“The steaming is currently the most abused form of intervention. If one has tested positive, you need to approach your general practitioner and let him be the one to prescribe any medication to use. This medication should also not be passed on to other patients.”