Since last year, many pharmaceutical experts are placing a lot of emphasis on the research and development of medication and products that can fight against the rising tide of COVID-19 infections. Although the recent rollout of vaccines specifically designed to cure symptoms of SARS-CoV2 disorders, that doesn’t mean that the looming threat of COVID-19 has been outright remedied.

Ever since the first few months of the pandemic, many experts and organizations have been placing a lot of emphasis on safety measures. This is usually in the form of wearing face masks and an organized form of social distancing. But with recent technological innovations, many products such as nasal rinses and throat sprays can help protect against viral pathogens.

There’s no doubt that many individuals living in urban centers with hospitals and clinics won’t have a shortage of medication and treatment since it’s in high demand. However, many residents living in remote areas with lower population densities won’t necessarily have the same luxury. In many third-world countries, small villages will need to rely on herbal medicine to stave off endemics and diseases that might spread from one person to another.

Typically, these herbal medicines are grown at home and are designed to treat relatively simple symptoms, such as colds and fevers. But other than the different blends of herbs that are brewed into teas or simple ointments, much of the public are not quite sure of the effectiveness of herbal medicine.

So how do herbal medicines fair when it comes to COVID-19? Can it be a viable substitute for medical treatments and medication? Here are some essential things that you’ll need to know.

What Is Herbal Medicine, and Is It Viable?

As the name suggests, herbal medicine has origins in natural ingredients usually grown in the wild or living areas. In most cases, these products have been tested for decades or passed down through generations. Contrary to what most people believe in, many of these ingredients feature active compounds. Although some results are hit-and-miss, most cases can cure diseases.

Like most modern medications, this will usually affect certain bodily functions and the body’s chemistry. That said, it has a good amount of potential in curing serious diseases that can linger in the body for a while. But the fact that it can be beneficial to the body also implies that there is a chance that it can harm the body.

Still, it’s important to remember that even though most of this herbal medicine is deemed “organic” and natural, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are entirely safe. This means that it’s not a substitute for conventional medicine.

Fortunately, you won’t have to rely too much on herbal medicine since some companies have state-of-the-art pharmaceutical development and technology known for perfecting their standards in conventional medicine. Not only will this help with the fight against severe ailments and diseases, but this can also clear up any uncertainties that individuals have regarding modern medicine.

Is It Effective Against COVID-19?

But how is herbal medicine holding up against the COVID-19 pandemic? There are many efforts in developing a cure for the highly contagious disease.

Since last year, there were claims in China that the state-approved herbal medication in treating COVID-19. Some of this traditional Chinese medicine came in the form of Lian Hua Qing Wen, which came in capsules. However, these were only used for milder conditions and weren’t necessarily that effective in the long term.

Although these were some possible treatments to COVID-19 in China, there were no official research and studies that would suggest that it was effective.

Although many in the medical community would say that herbal medicine doesn’t have the same scientific backing that most pharmaceutical and medical organizations have, it’s still a valid field of medicine that people have been practicing for hundreds of years. Many have been impacted by this field. But it’s still important to remember that this does not mean that herbal medical treatments are safer than tested modern medicine.

Compared to modern types of medication, herbal medicine has not been subjected to extensive testing. As of the moment, there are no herbal treatments that are effective against COVID-19. Caution should be taken when taking them for this virus. As with any other type of sickness, it’s best to consult with a medical professional who is well-versed in the field. Since the current strain of coronavirus is highly infectious, it’s heavily advised that you use approved medication from trusted sources rather than mainly using herbal medicine.