Treatment of coronavirus with non-traditional and exotic methods

For two years, the whole world has been fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease COVID-19. To date, the number of people infected with coronavirus has reached 400 people ^[1]. The numbers actually broke all the records of the 21st century, because the health care system of any country where the disease was discovered was not ready for it. Today the situation is somewhat easier – vaccines have been developed, treatment protocols have been prepared. And, despite the constant mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it became easier to deal with it. Therapy of the disease depends on the condition of the patient. And although there is still no single drug that all doctors would use, doctors in each country are coping with COVID-19 with their own methods and medicines. For example, the American treatment protocol approved the drug Remdesivir because it is able to inhibit RNA viruses. Plaquenil is used in China, while the Japanese prefer drugs based on Favipiravir ^[2].

In addition to the medicines approved by the protocol, there is a lot of information that coronavirus infection can be treated with folk and non-traditional methods, but it’s worth figuring out what can help and what can harm.

Pros and cons of phytotherapies for COVID-19

Serious damage to the respiratory system, the formation of blood clots in the coronavirus, high mortality seriously frightened ordinary people around the world. Trying to protect themselves, to prevent illness, many believed almost all the information that could be found on the Internet. Some participants in the online trading market took advantage of the panic, offering “miracle remedies” to protect and treat COVID-19. Most often, this “panacea” was herbal preparations, essential oils, foods rich in phytoncides (onion, garlic). A lot of information has appeared that the Chinese themselves were able to overcome the coronavirus, using traditional medicine for treatment. In January 2020, the Chinese Ministry of Health even published a list of herbal preparations that were considered effective during the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003. Chinese doctors recommended using them for COVID-19 as well ^[2]. This list includes:

• mint;
• licorice;
• sage;
• honeysuckle;
• red peony;
• safflower.

All these herbs really have healing effects: licorice has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects, sage is effective for bronchitis, peony anesthetizes, helps to remove phlegm from the bronchi, mint is an excellent antiseptic, safflower thins the blood and fights infection. But we must not forget: along with plants, traditional medicines were also prescribed to patients, so whether to believe the information or not is a moot point. That is why it is definitely not advisable to abandon official medicine in favor of only folk medicine in case of coronavirus.

Garlic, onion and ginger will not help to defeat the disease ^[3]. Despite their usefulness for the body and even the proven antimicrobial effect, such products cannot be compared with antiviral drugs. Refusing to use ginger, onion or garlic, of course, is not worth it. On the contrary, it is advisable to introduce them into the diet, because during the epidemic, the body needs useful vitamins and minerals that they have. And these products give the dishes a pleasant, unusual taste that brings gastronomic pleasure.

As for herbs, they can also be used as an addition to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor. They can be drunk instead of tea, because a large amount of liquid quickly removes toxins from the body. But before that, you need to consult with your therapist to avoid possible adverse drug interactions.

Unusual treatments for coronavirus

Even after two years, not everyone believes in the coronavirus and adheres to their opinion about its treatment. On the Internet, you can find a lot of exotic tips on how to deal with COVID-19. There are those who repeat them. In this case, you may be lucky, and everything will end positively, or an unconventional method of treatment will cause a complication of the disease.

Among the most exotic ways are leading:

• drinking alcohol – there is still an opinion that vodka helps the body fight viruses due to its disinfectant properties. If you use it to wipe your hands and surrounding objects, then the method will really work. But ingestion only opens the door for the virus to enter the body. In addition, the liver, cardiovascular, circulatory and endocrine systems suffer from alcohol. Human immunity is weakening, so there can be no talk of recovery ^[4];
• solarium visits – during the pandemic, the popularity of the solarium has increased significantly, but the possibility of “killing” the coronavirus with the lamps that are used there turned out to be a myth. In solariums, A and B radiation spectra are used, which do not have such an effect. Devices with spectrum C can only be found in surgical departments of hospitals and are not safe for the skin. However, there is still one positive moment from the solarium: vitamin D begins to be intensively produced, which is responsible for many important processes in the body. ^[5];
• winter swimming, rubbing with snow – hardening of the body as a whole has a positive effect on reducing susceptibility to respiratory infections, but it cannot become a prevention of coronavirus. And if a person is already sick, then in no case should you plunge into cold water and rub yourself with snow. Hypothermia of the body only contributes to the development of the disease and can cause serious complications;
• Balloon Inflation – Lung damage common to most strains of SARS-CoV-2 may require lengthy recovery. Some pulmonologists recommend inflating a balloon to develop the respiratory muscles. However, an effective method for asthma and obstructive bronchitis does not work with coronavirus. On the contrary, due to the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity, pleural pneumothorax is possible. ^[6];
• bloodletting (hijama) – a similar method of non-traditional treatment at the beginning of the epidemic was especially popular in Kyrgyzstan. Not receiving effective medical care, the inhabitants of the country resorted to unusual methods of dealing with coronavirus. Hijama, as a salvation from pneumonia in the coronavirus, was “advertised” by the popular pop singer Kural Chokoev. His compatriots immediately jumped at the opportunity to recover, unquestioningly believing the results of the procedure. Due to the wide distribution, the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan had to officially refute the myth about the effectiveness of cupping massage and bloodletting. ^[7]

There are many more ways that people around the world are trying to cope with an epidemic that has not left the planet for the second year. Some of them can be used, others – absolutely not.

In any case, you should first trust traditional medicine, because during the pandemic, safe and effective treatment regimens against COVID-19 have been developed.

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