The Truth about Vitamin C Enriched Plants and Vegetables Used in Nigeria for the Management of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the dexterity and wits of Nigerians in the face of dire challenges. The low fatality recorded by Nigeria during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic attests to this. A minimal death rate bewilders experts, despite the speculation that Nigeria might experience a high death rate. Nigerians resorted to home remedies for prophylaxis and curative measures using available vitamin C enriched plants and vegetables. This brief review explored various plants and vegetables reported to have been utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The obvious is that many Nigerians use one or more plants and vegetables as a home remedy. This spurred the interest of Nigerian scientists in more researches in Nigeria with the aim of standardization and registration for use.

MUSTARD OIL – GARLIC COMBO MASSAGE- AN EFFECTIVE KNEE PAIN HOME REMEDY

Background: Knee pain is one of the most prevalent disorders affecting the quality of life of elderly age group and geriatric population. This can occur due to numerous reasons including obesity, constant weight bearing rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis as well as osteoarthritis that may lead to swelling, redness, warmth, weakness, tenderness, and stiffness of the joint. A number of pain reliever formulations are available in the market that include NSAIDs based creams, intra synovial injections and steroid based formulations however none of them proves to be completely effective in improving the quality of life of geriatric population. In addition to it, there are a number of reported side effects/adverse events related to these formulations. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a home remedy prepared from Mustard oil and garlic as mentioned in ancient texts of Ayurveda in the knee pain subjects for improving quality of life. A quasi-experimental study (two group pretest and posttest design) was conducted in 70 subjects in two groups of 35 each with knee joint pain meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pain was assessed using numeric pain scale. Data analysis was done using inferential and descriptive statistics. Majority of the samples in both group I and group II had moderate and severe level of pain. Results: After intervention, the pain level had reduced to mild level in experimental group as compared to conventional group. The mean pretest values of pain score in experimental group had significant difference during posttest measurement of mean pain score. The difference was found to be significant in experimental group with warm mustard oil massage, but in conventional group difference was not significant. Conclusion: Mustard oil-garlic combo massage proved to be a good home remedy in knee pain Key words: effectiveness, mustard oil with garlic massage, knee pain

Patients’ Perspectives on the Use of Non-pharmacological Home Remedies in Geneva: a Cross-sectional Study

Background: Home remedies are anchored in patients’ everyday life, but their use in Western cultures remains scarcely explored. Our objectives were to investigate primary care patients’ perspectives and use of non-pharmacological home remedies in Geneva (Switzerland).Methods: In spring 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among adult primary care patients in randomly selected general practices (N=15). Patients were recruited in the waiting rooms and asked to complete a questionnaire about their sociodemographic characteristics, their home remedy use, and their expectations and reasons for using (or not using) home remedies. We employed descriptive statistics to summarise the data and logistic regression adjusted for clustering within practices to explore associations between home remedy use and participants’ sociodemographic characteristics.Results: 314 of 390 patients agreed to participate in the study (participation rate 80.5%). Home remedies were used by 64.4% of patients. The main reasons given were for preventive purposes (55.3%), self-care (41.0%), as an alternative to conventional medicine (40.5%) and to avoid or delay a medical consultation (38.5%). One-third of patients considered that it was the GP’s role to spontaneously inform them about home remedies (36.4%), another third considered that it was the GP’s role to inform them, but only upon specific request (32.3%), and the last third of patients declared that it was not the GP’s role to provide information about home remedies (30.3%). Patients living in an urban zone (adjusted OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.0-4.4; p 0.05) and those with a tertiary education background (adjusted OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.0-3.6; p 0.05) believed that it was their GP’s role to inform them about home remedies.Conclusions: Home remedies are used by a majority of primary care patients in Geneva. For a comprehensive and safe health-care management in the context of patient-oriented medicine, more evidence-based research on efficacy and safety of home remedies as well as their place in primary care consultation is required.

An Exploratory Study on home remedies used by the mothers of under five children in the Management of Upper Respiratory tract Infection in selected rural areas of Haldwani and their relevance in Ayurvedic System of Medicine

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infections in under-five children are one of the main public health problems in India. The researcher felt that the study on home remedies used by the mothers of under five children in the management of Upper respiratory tract infections and their relevance in Ayurvedic system of medicine would provide baseline data to improve the health practices of mother of under five children and quality of life among under five children. Hence the present study, proposes to explore the home remedies being used by the mothers as first hand remedy to protect the children from upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore, it is essential to identify the home remedies being used and whether these remedies have passed on by local tradition. Methodology: To achieve the objectives of the study quantitative research approach was used. The researcher adopted exploratory research design for the present study. The sampling technique adopted for the study was non probability purposive sampling technique with sample size of 75 mothers of under five children. The instruments, used for data collection, were developed in three sections, such as; Section I- Demographic variables, Section II- Semi-structured questionnaire on home remedies and Section III- structured checklist on reason for resorting to home remedies. Major findings of the study: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Most of the children, 49.3% (37) were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections. Maximum mothers, 90.6 % (68) got information about the use of home remedies from their family members and majority of the mothers, 70.6% (53) were home maker, who were using home remedies for the management of upper respiratory tract infection in their children. Maximum mothers, 36% (27) mentioned that they were using zinger+ honey+ black piper in their child while 28% (21) mothers were using milk with turmeric powder for their child. Maximum mothers, 32% (24) informed that their child was having running nose and watery eyes during upper respiratory tract infection while 22.6% (17) mothers mentioned that their child was having throat pain/irritation. Most of the mothers, 28% (21) noticed their child lethargic. Most of the mothers, 78% (58) noticed improvement in their child as they started administration of home remedy/remedies while 22% (17) mothers did not. Most of the 29% (22) mothers mentioned that the recovery from the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection took four days and same number of mothers mentioned six days. Most of the mothers, 42% (31) were using home remedy quarter times in a day and 38.6% (29) mothers were using home remedy thrice in a day. Majority of the mothers, 65.4% (49) observed positive effects and 17.3% (13) mothers mentioned that they were using two systems of treatment (Allopathic and home remedies), so they were not sure for the effectiveness of used home remedy. Maximum mothers, 36% (27) mentioned the reason of resorting home remedies that they were advised by the old family members, 18.6% (14) mothers informed that home remedies are easily available at home and 18.6% (14) mothers found positive effect of home remedies during previous experience.

Determination of essential and non-essential elements in Xylanthemum macropodum of Balochistan, Pakistan

Background: Medicinal plants have been used to treat various diseases for several years throughout the world. Xylanthemum macropodum is a medicinal plant with a vast application as a home remedy in Balochistan. Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the levels of essential and non-essential elements in Xylanthemum macropodum collected from Quetta (Balochistan, Pakistan). Methods: Analysis was conducted for eleven elements by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and flame photometer. Results: The essential and non-essential elements that were detected in Xylanthemum macropodum are K, Na, Ca, Fe, Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb, respectively. The result of the concentration of determined elements are in the order of K> Na> Ca> Fe> Cu> Co> Ni> Mn> Cd> Cr> Pb in Xylanthemum macropodum 3000> 1600> 790.25> 92.36> 85.31> 49.24> 40.94> 20.94> 6.655> 1.61> 1.18 µg/g respectively. Conclusions: Mn, Na and Pb were found within the permissible limit given by World Health Organization, while Ca, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cd and Cr were beyond the permissible limits. However, there is no permissible limit for K and Co.

COVID Stage 5 Vrs Punica Granatum – Best Recorded of Cure Case Series; API: Ellagic Acid & Ellagitannins

Stage 5 covid-19 case with ground glass effect of lungs is considered as fatal/end stage. An Indian medicine (Ayurvedic\herbal) made of the dermis of the indo native Punica Granatum (dalim) was given. Named AVIR (anti virus india research). Contains ellagic aacid & ellagitannins (e.acid {gallagic group} being the principal therapeutic moiety. X-Ray & HRCT were availed pre to treatment. X-Ray only post recovery. Resulted in eventless smooth swift recovery. The results are presented & discussed. Posits as a possible for home remedy. Rapid Brief Communication. Keywords : Covid-19 stage 5 case; Punica Granatum; Ellagic acid; ellagitanins; Ground glass effect

Therapeutic Role of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - A Review

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a common kitchen spice that belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. It is rich in phytochemistry that is promoting health benefits. It is used as a home remedy to support the common cold, headaches, and pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiemetic, antiulcer, and anti-cancer, antiplatelet, anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering activities. Gingerols are key ingredients found in ginger that convert into zingerone, shogaol, and parasols, giving flavor and odor. Zingerone and shogaol are present in limited quantities in fresh ginger and more in dried or extracted goods. Especially 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol are pharmacological properties that are effective in antipyretic, analgesic, and hypotensive. The present review is about different therapeutic properties of ginger, including antioxidant properties, anti-diabetic properties, anti-cancer properties etc.

Patients’ perspectives on the use of non-pharmacological home remedies in Geneva: a cross-sectional study

Background Home remedies are anchored in patients’ everyday life, but their use in Western cultures remains scarcely explored. Our objectives were to investigate primary care patients’ perspectives and use of non-pharmacological home remedies in Geneva (Switzerland).Methods In spring 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among adult primary care patients in randomly selected general practices (N = 15). Patients were recruited in the waiting rooms and asked to complete a questionnaire about their sociodemographic characteristics, their home remedy use, and their expectations and reasons for using (or not using) home remedies. We employed descriptive statistics to summarise the data and logistic regression adjusted for clustering within practices to explore associations between home remedy use and participants’ sociodemographic characteristics.Results 314 of 390 patients agreed to participate in the study (participation rate 80.5%). Home remedies were used by 64.4% of patients. The main reasons given were for preventive purposes (55.3%), self-care (41.0%), as an alternative to conventional medicine (40.5%) and to avoid or delay a medical consultation (38.5%). One-third of patients considered that it was the GP’s role to spontaneously inform them about home remedies (36.4%), another third considered that it was the GP’s role to inform them, but only upon specific request (32.3%), and the last third of patients declared that it was not the GP’s role to provide information about home remedies (30.3%). Patients living in an urban zone (adjusted OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.0-4.4; p 0.05) and those with a tertiary education background (adjusted OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.0-3.6; p 0.05) believed that it was their GP’s role to inform them about home remedies.Conclusions Home remedies are used by a majority of primary care patients in Geneva. For a comprehensive and safe health-care management in the context of patient-oriented medicine, more evidence-based research on efficacy and safety of home remedies as well as their place in primary care consultation is required.

Population Awareness and Attitude towards First Aid in Burn in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia – A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Worldwide, an estimated 180, 000 deaths per year are caused by burns. Majority occur in low- and middle-income countries. Inadequate awareness of burn first aid has been reported in both developed and developing countries. In Saudi Arabia, studies reported inadequate level of knowledge of general population of first aid in burns emergencies including communities of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Majmaah and Hail. Objective: we aim to assess the general knowledge and attitude regrading burn first aid among Makkah Al-Mukarramah population. Thus, the results of this study could help to understand the need of community to more implantation of Health Awareness Campaigns to help burn injuries managements. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using an online survey. A total of 1390 participants completed the questionnaire from 15 February to 15 March 2019. Results: Around 51.4% believed that washing burned area with cold water is the immediate first aid in 1st degree burns, 38.3% and 61.7% believed that going to the nearest emergency department is the immediate first aid in 2nd and 3rd degree burns, respectively. Around 46.7% agreed to remove the clothes stuck to the burned skin in case of burns , 34.5% applied traditional home remedy including toothpaste, honey, tomato paste or egg. Conclusion: we found that population of western region have fair knowledge and attitude towards first aid in burns. However, traditional home remedy practice still present. Health Awareness Campaigns still needed to improve community attitude towards burn injuries managements furthermore.