Clinical trials show that lagundi, a native shrub traditionally used as herbal medicine, and virgin coconut oil (VCO) are effective in treating mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said on Thursday, Jan. 20.
In the “Laging Handa” public briefing, DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said that lagundi is effective against mild COVID-19 symptoms based on the clinical trials that ended on August 2021 joined by 278 participants.
“Maganda ang naging resulta dahil naibsan ang sintomas ng mga mild COVID-19 cases lalo na ang pagkawala ng pang-amoy. Wala adverse event o incidents kapag ginamit ang lagundi sa mga mild COVID-19 cases (The results were good because the symptoms of mild COVID-19 cases were alleviated, especially the loss of sense of smell. There were also no adverse events or incidents when lagundi was used in mild COVID-19 cases),” Guevara said.
For adults, the suggested dosage of lagundi is 600 milligrams (mg). This should be taken three times a day for 10 days, Guevara explained.
“Ito ‘yung lagundi na capsule or syrup na available sa ating mga pharmacies (This is the lagundi capsule or syrup which is available in our pharmacies),” she added.
Guevara likewise stated that in taking lagundi as a natural remedy against COVID-19, no side effects are expected, especially if the prescribed dosage is followed.
Meanwhile, during the same interview, Guevara disclosed that patients may also “drink” VCO as a treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms.
“Bukod sa paglalagay ng VCO sa pagkain ay maaari rin inumin ng mga mild COVID-19 symptoms upang maibsan ang mga sintomas (In addition to putting VCO in food, patients with mild COVID-19 may also drink it to relieve the symptoms),” Guevara said.
According to Guevara, the clinical trials held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna showed that VCO is effective when mixed with the food of participants with mild COVID-19. This reduced the patients’ symptoms and helped their cases not to become severe.
Meanwhile, the latest study in Valenzuela revealed that “drinking” VCO directly likewise showed effectiveness in treating mild COVID-19 symptoms.