The wellness industry has capitalised on the coronavirus public health crisis with many alternative medicine practitioners pushing false claims about cures
As the coronavirus threat gets worse, sotoo does the misinformation surrounding the novel disease.
From miracle minerals to herbal remedies and supplements, it seems the wellness industry will stop at nothing to capitalise on the worst public health crisis in a generation.
Homeopaths have claimed they have a cure. Aromatherapists are selling anti-viral essential oils. Chiropractors claim spinal treatment can boost the immune system and natropaths have recommended eating garlic to prevent an infection.
None of these claims are true. There is no cure for Covid-19, and scientists across the world are racing against the clock to develop a vaccine for it. Yet with people desperately rushing to supermarkets to get their hands on anything that can reduce their risk of infection, many are falling for this false health advice.
Here are some of the top coronavirus wellness scams to look out for and why they wont work
Eating garlic can get rid of coronavirus
During the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak a post on social media, shared by hundreds of thousands of people, claimed drinking boiled garlic water would improve and cure people afflicted with the virus overnight. Several naturopaths have claimed eating garlic, along with other immune boosting food such as ginger and veg, can also prevent catching Covid-19.
Throughout history many cultures have hailed garlic for its alleged ability to treat and prevent various illnesses, including colds and flu. However, scientific evidence supporting such claims are weak. The World Health Organisation (WHO) even addressed this rumour in their myth busting guide to Covid-19.
WHO said: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
The NHS says eating fruit and veg and drinking plenty of water will, in general, keep you healthy. But there is no evidence specific foods will help fight this particular virus.
Herbal remedies and supplements will boost your immune system
On that note, its worth pointing out that the whole concept of boosting your immune system, whether by eating superfoods, doing a juice cleanse or taking herbal remedies and supplements, is scientifically suspect.
Charles Bangham, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Imperial College London, has previously warned against the idea that the immune system is some kind of internal force field that can be boosted or patched up. In an interview for The Guardian way before anyone had ever heard of Covid-19 he said: This couldnt be further from the truth. As the name suggests its not a single thing but a system incorporating many organs and biological functions.
Of course, this has never stopped Instagram influencers and alternative medical practitioners claiming conveniently expensive products can do exactly that. Even at the best of times, immune- boosting is a popular marketing trend, never mind during a global pandemic.
The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has said it is taking swift action after a number of homeopaths in the UK claimed they had remedies to cure Covid-19 (again, there is no cure for the virus). A Telegraph investigation found these remedies include colloidal silver to boost the immune system, the side effects of which include turning the skin a bluish grey colour, whichcan be permanent, and kidney damage.
In the US, the Food and drug administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are pursuing legal action against seven companies for selling unapproved herbal remedies and other supplements to treat or cure the novel coronavirus.
One of those companies has ran out of anti-viral herbals due to overwhelming demand, but advises people to google immune herbs as they are being sold across the nation.
Homeopathy is hugely popular in the states and proponents may genuinely think they notice health benefits when they take special remedies. But, according toDr Ben Neuman, the head of the biology department at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, this is down to the placebo effect when your brain tricks you into thinking that this works.
Addressing claims about supplements, Medicine researcher Dr Melanie R Graber from the University of Connecticut has explained: Unless you have a vitamin deficiency, it is believed that supplements arent really necessary. Focus on eating a diet full of various fruits and vegetables to meet your vitamin and mineral needs.
This is inline with NHS advice, which says there is no good-quality evidence that homeopathy works as a treatment for any health condition and that most people dont need to take vitamin supplements if they already have a balanced diet.
Drinkable Silver
Another myth gaining popularity amid the coronvirus pandemic is that colloidal silver tiny particles of the metal suspended into liquid can cure the disease. This false claim was brought to the attention of US authorities after it was promoted on televangelist Jim Bakkers show.
A guest said it hadnt been tested on Covid-19, but claimed the liquid solution had been tested on other strains of coronavirus, and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours. Not only does silver totally eliminate the virus, the so-called natural health expert claimed, but does it, also kill it, deactivate it and then boost your immune system.
Bakker is now being sued by the State of Missouri for refusing to take the produce off his website, insisting the treatment does work. His belief has been widely shared on Facebook, particularly by medical freedom groups which are extremely suspicious of mainstream medical advice.
DIY hand sanitiser
Due to a global hand sanitiser shortage sparked by panic buying, many are taking it upon themselves to promote their own recipes online. While this may be well-meaning, it can harm your skin if made wrong.
The World Health Organisation has published a guide on how to make a safe and legitimate hand sanitiser. But some experts say soap and hot water is a better option than doing it yourself as it is not an easy process.
Hand gels usually contain emollients, which make them gentler on skin, on top of their 60-70% alcohol content. Thats stronger than anything you would find in a store even vodka only has 40% alcohol (and we dont recommend using that!)
Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. said there is no real need to make your own hand sanitiser as soap and water works just fine.
Here is a guide on how to wash your hands properly, as advised by the NHS.
Drinking water to flush out the virus
The NHS advise drinking six to eight glasses of water a day as part of a healthy diet. But some on social media have taken it upon themselves to proclaim it has the power to heal when consumed in excess amounts (spoiler: it doesnt).
One post that appeared on multiple Facebook accounts quotes a Japanese doctor who recommends drinking water every 15 minutes to flush out any virus that might have entered the mouth. Meanwhile, there is a version in Arabic that has been shared more than 250,000 times.
University of Oxford Professor Trudie Lang says there is no biological mechanism that would support the idea that you can just wash a respiratory virus down into your stomach and kill it.
Meanwhile, Dr Neuman, called it bonkers, explaining that once the virus enters your body it will quickly infect your cells and, over time, spread to your lungs. Although in some cases it does reach the intestines, gulping down water wont have any effect as the intestines actually have more of the virus receptor than the lungs, and would offer a potential route of access to the bloodstream.
Essential oils
I think weve established by now that there is no cure for Covid-19. Needless to say, anti-viral oils will not help you fight off symptoms of the pneumonia-like flu.
US beauty influencer Michelle Phan has come under fire for making such a claim on her Instagram account to over two million followers. Posting a picture of her essential-oil diffuser she wrote: If you are burning antiviral essential oils around you this will kill off the virus before it enters your system.
She was forced to apologise when Dr Sandra Lee known more commonly as Dr Pimple Popper shut down her claim, writing Sorry, antiviral essential oils DONT EXIST.
Aromatherapists would disagree and several have written articles on the best antiviral oils to ward off the novel coronavirus, promoting ingredients such as cinnamon bark, lemon and clove bud.
We asked a couple of experts who both agreed with Dr Pimple Popper that oils cant fight viruses. That being said, theyre not completely useless for alleviating some symptoms of a common cold.
Antiviral essential oils are an alternative form of treatment for some of the symptoms of colds and flu and can alleviate conditions like a blocked nose, or aid sleep to improve recovery times, explains Dr Simran Deo at UK-based online doctor, Zava UK. However, there is no evidence to suggest that inhaling or applying essential oils to the skin can prevent infection in the first place, she adds. Viruses are spread by coming into close contact with someone who has one, or touching infected surfaces or objects and then putting your hands in your mouth.
Dr Diana Gall agrees on the lack of evidence. She doesnt think essential oils can have a preventative effect against viruses. While they may help to soothe the symptoms of viruses such as flu, they have very little effect in stopping viruses making their way into the body, she said.
Miracle Minerals
YouTuber Jordan Sather, who has thousands of followers across different platforms, has been falsely claiming that a miracle mineral supplement, called MMS, can wipe out coronavirus.
It contains chlorine dioxide a bleaching agent.
He and others promoted the substance even before the coronavirus outbreak, despite numerous warnings from health authorities accross the globe about the dangers of drinking it ( it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and symptoms of severe dehydration).
The FDA has warned: Miracle Mineral Solution does not cure COVID-19 and has not been approved by the FDA for any use. The solution, when mixed, develops into a dangerous bleach which has caused serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
So, how do you protect yourself from coronavirus?
Symptoms
The early symptoms of coronavirus include a dry cough, a high temperature or fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and a sore throat.
While many of those affected have shown only mild symptoms, scans on some patients have shown fluid in the lungs which is consistent with viral pneumonia. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have advised that older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease seem to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
For more information about symptoms, click here. To read more about what counts as an underlying health condition, click here
How to protect yourself To protect yourself from coronavirus, advice from WHO includes: Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
For more advise on how often you should wash your hands, click here
When to see a doctor If you develop symptoms including a high temperature, cough, runny nose, sore throat or difficulty breathing, the NHS advises that you stay at home for avoid public transport, work places, your GP, hospitals and schools for seven days.
At present, you do not need to contact the 111 helpline to tell them youre staying at home.
The NHS says you should contact 111 if:
Social distancing & self-isolating
Boris Johnson has urged people to work from home and avoid social contact and non-essential travel as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grip the UK.
The Prime Minister has also said that those over the age of 70 should be prepared to self-isolate for at least 12 weeks, and that anyone who is living with someone who has symptoms should also self-isolate for 14 days.
For information on how to self-isolate, click here
See the article here:
Coronavirus wellness scams being pushed by homeopaths, aromatherapists and naturopaths - Metro
- Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms | Menopause Treatment Options - Medriva - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Breast cancer survivor Jayne Pritchard talks alternative therapies over tea - MidlandToday - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- 12 unusual ways Israelis are volunteering during the war - ISRAEL21c - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Complementary and alternative medicine - NHS - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Alternative Treatment (CAM) for MS: Types, Side Effects & Cost - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Complementary and alternative medicine | History & Facts - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Alternative medicine: Definition, examples, benefits, and risks - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Alternative Medicine: The Science Behind 10 Alternative Therapies - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Detoxification (alternative medicine) - Wikipedia - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Alternative Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing - Psychiatric Times - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- New practice focuses on dental sleep medicine, providing an alternative for patients who use CPAP machines - PennLive - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Dr. Deepak Chopra Aligns with Plant-Based Therapeutics Company ProVEDA to Highlight Topical Pain Relief Solutions - Yahoo Finance - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- True REST Float Spa Offers Free Floatation Therapy Session to Veterans - AccessWire - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Youve been told you need surgery for degenerative disc disease and stenosis of the spine. Now what? - Sonoran News - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Can you take Paxlovid and heart disease medications at the same time? - Medical News Today - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Kardashian fans think theyve unlocked Kourtneys secret to hiding her pregnancy after spotting key detai... - The US Sun - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Cabinet approves B5bn for 'Andaman International Health Center' - The Phuket News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Eye health and dynamics of the modern world - The Citizen - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The Holistic Review on Occurrence, Biology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Cureus - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- 10 Deeper Causes of Tinnitus, and How to Treat It - The Epoch Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - GoodTherapy - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- India's alternative medicine industry grows, boosted by COVID-19 pandemic - CNA - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- QC Kinetix (Charlotte) Offers Alternative Treatments for Knee Pain and Sports Injuries - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Plant Extracts Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 85.09 Billion by 2030, Globally, at 6.33% CAGR: Verified Market Research - Yahoo... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Neuroplasticity Nonsense Is Full of Red Flags - Science Based Medicine - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Diabetics won't be made to pay for alternative medicines, Pharmac says - Stuff - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Lili Reinhart Becomes A Reiki Master: My Journey Into Reiki Healing Cant Be Simplified - IMDb - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The DRIPBaR is Coming to Clarksville, TN on Oct 16, 2022 - PR Web - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How Dr. Oz Boosted an Osteopath Who Became a Top Spreader of Covid Misinformation Mother Jones - Mother Jones - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- World Arthritis Day: Arthritis and Women - Times of India - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- What Is Alternative Medicine? - American Cancer Society - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Herbal medicine: Types, uses, and safety - Medical News Today - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- WCI Health LLC, Your Alternative Health and Wellness Hub Will Be a Vendor and Presenter at Wonderland Miami by Microdose - StreetInsider.com - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- The Viral Real - Journal #130 October 2022 - E-Flux - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Pregabalin Market to Grow by USD 153.03 Mn from 2022 to 2026, Driven by Presence of Large Patient Pool Related To Neuropathic Pain - Technavio - Yahoo... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Woman, 37, dies after herbal supplements led to liver failure: coroner - Insider - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- What Is Vitiligo? All About This Unique Skin Condition That Impacts Skin Pigmentation, and How To Treat It - Parade Magazine - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Herbalist's Resource Guide to Cannabis and Other Plants That Can Prevent Cancer - PR Web - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Tasly Pharmaceuticals to Exhibit at BioJapan 2022 -- Bio-Pharmaceutical Company to Join with Maryland-Bas - Benzinga - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- "Sh*t, I just want to get better. Thats what pushed me to do it, and it worked well" Chauncey Billups and other NBA stars on acupuncture -... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- People Science and Symbiome Partner to study the microbiome in the real world - Benzinga - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Bob Newhart Proves 93 Is the New 39 - Eat This, Not That - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Medical cannabis could be better alternative to opioids in managing pain - The Tribune India - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Woman killed by herbal remedies she took to treat arthritis - Evening Standard - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Get To Know The Best Natural Adderall Alternatives - Over The Counter and Non Prescription - Outlook India - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- King Charles III Has a History of Promoting 'Quackery' Alternative Medicine - Newsweek - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Remedy Place: The Fashionable Social Wellness Club Where You Can Bring All Your Friends - Vogue - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Thailand heightens its healthcare hub ambition with integrative medicine - PR Newswire UK - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- How bogus cancer treatments prey on the most vulnerable - Coda Story - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Management of Chronic Migraine in Children and Adolescents | PHMT - Dove Medical Press - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Mouth Taping: Is It Safe? - Health Essentials - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Queen Elizabeth: Seven things you need to know about the Queens passing - Toronto Star - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Building an Alternative Medical Economy in Response to 'Tyranny': Telehealth CEO - The Epoch Times - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Sesame oil: Nutrition, benefits, and more - Medical News Today - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Regenerative Medicine: An alternative to surgery and pills | Loop Cayman Islands - Loop News Cayman - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Find Euphoria: the luxury Greek spa retreat to visit now - Tatler - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- What Is Synthetic Urine & How Does It Help To Pass A Drug Test? - The Island Now - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- The science behind the healthtech startup must be understood well - Express Healthcare - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Best-in-class second-line HIV treatment rolls out in Zambia and Nigeria - Clinton Health Access Initiative - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Therapeutic effect of HFNC and NIV in patients with AECOPD | COPD - Dove Medical Press - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Five years after Kymriah: Ensuring the next cell and gene therapies reach patients - STAT - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Meet these renowned healthcare professionals who assist us in leading healthier lives - Oneindia - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Diet and Vitiligo: The Story So Far - Cureus - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Fatphobia Sucks, Especially If You're Trying to Have a Baby - VICE - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Orthomolecular Medicine, A Predictive Tool - Nation World News - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- COVID-19 vaccines and the Nuremberg Code - Science Based Medicine - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Bolstering the Blood-CNS Barrier Could Lead to New Treatment Approach for Multiple Sclerosis - University of Utah Health Care - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Lockdowns Postponed the Inevitable. Is That a Bad Thing? - Science Based Medicine - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Insomnia: A Systematic Review - Cureus - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Ayurveda As Alternative Medicine: Research And Development To Be Taken Ahead By Heal In India - Entrepreneur - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- French Doctolib platform accused of 'promoting alternative medicine' - The Connexion - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Best Ways for Treating This Condition - Healthline - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Ellen White reveals "traumatic" incident that played huge role in her retirement - GIVEMESPORT - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Curcumin and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Does It Help? - Healthline - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- In Denial: When Patients Don't Want to Believe They Have Cancer - Medscape - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Piotr Szyhalski depicts living through COVID-19 and other extreme historical phenomena - MinnPost - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Researchers identify chemo alternative for targeted treatment of leukemia patients - Devdiscourse - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- India Can Show The World The Right Path For Medical Pluralism - News18 - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Complementary and Integrative Medicine - Reeve Foundation - Christopher Reeve Foundation - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]
- Back pain: Exploring alternative treatments - Health - Life & Style - Ahram Online - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]