TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF COVID-19 RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS THROUGH MEDICINAL HERBS IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has once again prompted individuals to seek treatment through traditional and alternative approaches. Due to their therapeutic properties, chemical makeup, and biological activities, plants with medicinal properties have the ability to both prevent and treat illness symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of medicinal plants used to treat and prevent respiratory symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic in Islamabad, Pakistan. To gather primary information about the herbal remedies used throughout COVID-19, which extended from January 1^st to March 30^th, 2021, this study used a web-based survey. The poll received responses from 914 participants in total. The data was collected using a 10-item structured questionnaire via Google Forms. The parameters associated with the utilization of botanical medicines in combating the COVID-19 and the management of respiratory symptoms during the pandemic were evaluated using qualitative statistics and multivariate later multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analysis. This empirical study shows that a total of 914 participants reported their usage of medicinal plants; out of which, 78.44% (n=717) said they used them as preventives, and 68.17% (n=623) were of the view that plants are used for the treatment of respiratory problems. When exhibiting more than one of the respiratory symptoms, no less than 22% of respondents utilize medicinal plants, while a minimum of 10% utilized plants to treat fatigue. The MLR analysis revealed that the majority of respondents used ginger and eucalyptus for both prevention and treatment, while garlic and matico were utilized mainly for prevention. Several community factors and participants having COVID-19 were connected with the considerable usage of medicinal plants for treatment as well as prevention.