Medicinal plants used to treat Covid patients

Some 300 Covid patients in the southern provinces will be given plant extracts this week to treat the early stages of the virus.
The move follows successful trials by the Institute of Traditional Medicine under the Ministry of Health using extracts from plants traditionally used to treat various ailments.
The trial involved three plants, namely heartleaf (phak khao thong), Andrographis paniculata (la xa bee), and fingerroot (ka xai khao).
Director General of the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Dr Bounleuane Douangdeuan, told Vientiane Times last week about the plan to provide plant extracts for Covid patients in the southern provinces.
These substances are not on sale to the general public because they are only available for the treatment of people with the early stages of Covid-19.
Trials showed that patients’ condition improved within three days of treatment, he said.
Bitter leaf can be used to ease the initial symptoms of Covid-19 such as sore throat and inflammation.
Modern studies have also focused on the benefits of Andrographis paniculata (green chiretta), a herbaceous plant, for respiratory and digestive conditions.
Heartleaf can help slow the development of Covid-19, Dr Bounleuane said.
Chinese ginger helps to boost the body’s immune system and reduce the early symptoms of Covid-19.
Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith outlined the steps being taken to tackle the virus outbreak during the recent extraordinary session of the National Assembly.
Plant extracts were being used in the treatment of Covid-19 as advised by the Institute of Traditional Medicine, he said.
The experimental treatment is part of the government’s overarching goal to strengthen health services in Laos in line with the national health policy to promote treatment methods using natural remedies.
The use of plant remedies in the treatment of Covid-19 is recommended in Laos because of the abundance of naturally occurring medicines found in forests and plant compounds. These are commonly used by people living in rural areas and provide them with a cheap source of treatment for various ailments, Dr Bounfeng said.
The government’s policy is to encourage the integration of modern and traditional forms of medicine in primary healthcare facilities for the treatment of Covid-19 in local communities.
The goal is to broaden knowledge and capacity in the treatment of the virus using traditional medicine among local communities, an official from the Institute of Traditional Medicine said.
The initiative is an extension of the health sector development plan for 2016-2020 on the promotion, use and preservation of natural medicinal resources.
Most Asean countries have seen success in the use of plant extracts to treat the early stages of Covid-19, including Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, which have centres for the study of traditional medicine.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
  (Latest Update August 22, 2021)