COMMUNITIES AND ATTITUDES ON THE USE OF HERBAL REMEDIES IN THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19: A REVIEW

Abstract

The established antiviral properties exhibited by certain medicinal plants, coupled with additional advantages such as minimal adverse effects and cost-effectiveness, have elicited a heightened inclination among the public towards natural therapies for the management of diseases. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, anecdotal reports from residents across seven countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) underscore the inclination of healthcare professionals and spiritual leaders to recommend specific medicinal plant interventions. Notably, Zin- giber officinale, Curcuma angustifolia, and Allium sativum emerge as frequently cited species employed by com- munities in Nepal, with Zingiber officinale Rosc., honey (Mel), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.) being prevalent herbal remedies in Vietnamese communities, especially for addressing res- piratory symptoms associated with COVID-19. The observed self-administration of these herbal medicines may serve as a catalyst, motivating researchers within the pharmaceutical industry to conduct comprehensive scientific assessments to validate their efficacy, reliability, and optimal dosage.