Coronavirus: Avoid self-made herbal medicines, seek professional help – Medical Herbalists

The Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists has advised Ghanaians who have resorted to the use of herbal preparations to boost their immune systems to fight COVID-19 and for their general well-being to seek help from professional herbalists as some herbs if wrongly prepared can be dangerous to their health.

Many Ghanaians are advocating herbalists be given the chance to find the cure to COVID-19 with some resorting to the use of herbs for their general well-being.

But the association in a statement said: “Much as we attest to the health benefits of herbs generally, it is worthy of note that herbs may contain several different active phytochemicals with varying physiological effects and hence should be sourced and prepared through standard processes, and taken in required doses in order to be useful to the body. Generally, herbs may be safe yet they could pose varying degrees of consequences if not rationally sourced, processed or taken”.

“It is advised that herbal medical care should be sought from qualified registered professionals rather than resorting to self-home-made remedies,” the statement added.

The medical herbalists further directed Ghanaians not to rely on every herbal combination shared on social media as some could be detrimental to their health.

Instead, the herbalists insist people should avoid excessive sugary foods and self-medication, exercise regularly and ensure to have adequate rest and above all observe the preventive measures such as social distancing, use of face masks, frequent washing of hands with soap under running water and use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser to prevent COVID-19.