The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said Lagundi has a substance that can cure cough and sore throat.
“Mayroon kasi siyang anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, pati…So kaya siya nakakapagpagaling ng ubo (It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial features. That is how it can help in treating cough),” BPI Crop Research and Production Support Chief Mary Ann Guerrero explained.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has also the same reason for approving the clinical trial for Lagundi for those infected by COVID-19.
The study aims to make Lagundi a supplemental medicine for patients who are in the mild stage of COVID-19.
“Ang objective ng clinical trials na ‘yan ay para maipakita kung ‘yan nga ay makakapagpaginhawa sa mga pasyente (The objective of the clinical trial is to find out if it can help ease the patient’s suffering),” DOST Sec. Fortunato Dela Peῆa stated.
“Iyong mga pasyente niyan ay baka sakaling bumaba ang probability na magtuloy sa moderate o severe (It might lessen the probability of the patients’ condition getting moderate or severe),” Dela Peῆa added.
The clinical trial is set to start on August 1 at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a go signal.
Meanwhile, the clinical trial for virgin coconut oil (VCO) which started last May is also ongoing at the Santa Rosa Community Hospital.
“Iyong mga participants namin sa Santa Rosa, marami nang nakauwi dahil bumuti na. Kailangan pang ituloy iyong pagbibigay sa kanila ng VCO (Many of our participants in Santa Rosa were sent home since their situation has improved. The use of VCO must still be continued),” Dela Pena reported.
Latest data of the DOST show that there are only 21 patients participating in the VCO clinical trial in the said hospital. Ninety are needed for trial to determine its efficacy. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
