Although there is currently no known cure for Covid and no major breakthroughs in terms of plant-based treatment, South African researchers have not ruled out the plant pharmacopeia as a possible solution for treating Covid. Many of our modern medicines are synthesised from natural ingredients; asprin for instance was derived from the plant medicine willow bark.
In May 2020, science minister Blade Mzimande said that R15 million would be diverted from existing indigenous knowledge systems programmes to fund traditional medicine evaluation for Covid-19. Among the key ingredients under the microscope were African wormwood (Mhlonyane), also known as Artemisia afra and cannabis.
CBD is already showing promising results in reducing inflammation in the lungs for people who are experiencing the dreaded cytokine storm that is often a critical point for Covid patients. Experts are suggesting that people do not attempt to treat Covid with plant medicines unless under medical supervision but we are hopeful that natural medicine will come to the rescue in combatting this terrible illness.
