Coronavirus: Unusual treatments going viral

Garlic cloves boiled in water - the homebrew is being touted on various social media platforms as something that can cure the virulent virus responsible for the deaths of more than 300 people in China.

A hotel owner in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, claims that eating small onions can help prevent #coronavirus.

He says, "According to Siddha medicine system, small onions provide resistance to flu based diseases. So, we are offering Uthappam with small onions to the customers".

A claim by Chinese scientists that a liquid made with honeysuckle and flowering plants could help fight the deadly coronavirus has sparked frenzied buying of the traditional medicine, but doubts have quickly emerged.

Shoppers have swamped China's pharmacies in search of "Shuanghuanglian". The rush came after influential state media outlet Xinhua reported Friday that the esteemed Chinese Academy of Sciences had found the concoction "can inhibit" the virus.

Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, president of Hindu Mahasabha, on Friday said cow urine and cow dung can be used for treating novel coronavirus disease. He also said that a special yagna will be performed to "kill the novel coronavirus and end its effects on the world". "Consuming cow urine and cow dung will stop the effect of infectious coronavirus. A person who chants Om Namah Shivay and applies cow dung on body, will be saved. A special yagna ritual will soon be performed to kill coronavirus," said Chakrapani.

The Indian ministry that promotes the country's booming yoga, naturopathy and homeopathy sectors released an advisory listing herbal oils to be rubbed into the scalp to purportedly ease the symptoms. It also suggested ingesting Arsenicum album-30, a homeopathic treatment. "The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule in case coronavirus infections prevail," the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy) said in a statement"

Unani medicines are useful in symptomatic management of the infection, says AYUSH. "Drink Shadang Paniya (Musta, Parpat, Usheer, Chandan,Udeechya & Nagar) processed water (10 gm powder boiled in 1 litre water, until it reduces to half). Store it in a bottle and drink it when thirsty,” said ministry of AYUSH.

Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, has advised his followers to chant the Tara mantra to contain the virus, a post on the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) website said

Coronavirus has killed more than 300 people and spread to 24 nations. If you find yourself suffering from any symptoms, go to your nearest hospital for a check-up. Gulf News endorses the note of caution by Ministry of Health and Prevention, which calls for a prudent course of action and keeping a watchful eye on official sources for information.