MANILA, Philippines — The clinical trials on herbal medicine “lagundi” as a supplemental treatment for COVID-19 patients have shown “promising results” in decreasing the symptoms in mild cases, especially the loss of the sense of smell, according to Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña. “In stage two, they found promising results on the effects of lagundi in decreasing the symptoms during mild COVID disease, especially for anosmia or loss of the sense of smell, and overall relief of discomfort due to other symptoms,” Dela Peña said. For the hospital trials handled by the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), 77 COVID-19 patients participated regardless of the severity of their case. For hospitalized patientsAccording to Dela Peña, the initial findings of the hospital trials for VCO have not yet established any benefit for hospitalized patients. Herbal medicines such as lagundi and VCO are only considered as adjunctive, or supplementary, treatments to be used in addition to medicines that are proven to be effective against COVID-19.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 27, 2021 02:52 UTC