Medicinal plants and the communication on precautionary use of herbs during COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand

Abstract

COVID-19 has become a new global health issue that spreads easily and has high mortality rates across the world. Consequently, it is essential to discover new treatments rapidly. According to Integrative Medicine, certain herbs are useful for treating COVID-19 when taken with standard treatments. Thailand is one of the countries experiencing outbreaks and treating patients with herbs. For instance, some Thai patients are treated with Fah Talai Jone (Andrographis paniculata) at a different quantity limit used for treating fever and sore throats. Fah Talai Jone must be used with high precaution in renal insufficiency, hepatitis, or drug induced liver damage patients.  In addition, finger root (Boesenbergia rotunda) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) are also used for managing COVID-19, but there is insufficient evidence about quantity limits and side effects of using them.  Therefore, specialists need to do more research about the herbs to ensure the efficiency and safety of treatments.Keywords: herb in COVID, Fah Talai Jone, andrographolide, finger root, ginger, COVID, herb communication