The president of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina has now launched a local herbal remedy claimed to prevent and cure the novel coronavirus.
Tests have been carried out — two people have now been cured by this treatment,” Rajoelina told ministers, diplomats and journalists at the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), which developed the beverage.“This herbal tea gives results in seven days,” he said.Downing a dose, he said: “I will be the first to drink this today, in front of you, to show you that this product cures and does not kill.
The drink, which has been called Covid-Organics, is derived from artemisia — a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment — and other indigenous herbs, according to the IMRA.
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But its safety and effectiveness have not been assessed internationally, nor has any data from trials been published in peer-reviewed studies.
Mainstream scientists have warned of the potential risk from untested herbal brews.Rajoelina brushed aside any such reservations and said the concoction would be offered to schoolchildren, as it was his duty was to “protect the Malagasy people
