The Ministry of Health in Brunei advises against using Covid-19 natural remedies

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

The Brunei Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a warning against using Lianhua Qingwen and Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang products for the treatment or prevention of Covid-19, citing unfounded claims for the herbal remedy's ability to treat the virus.

It claims that Lianhua Qingwen or Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang products include ephedra, a plant that contains active alkaloids like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

According to the ministry, long-term use of ephedrine without supervision can result in anxiety, headaches, sleeplessness, nausea, high blood pressure, irregular pulse, and heart attack.

 

The Ministry of Health has cautioned the public against using it and/or continuing to use it without first receiving medical advice from a licenced medical practitioner.

While some Lianhua Qingwen products have been listed as Chinese traditional medicine with approved use for the relief of cold and flu symptoms by a medicine regulatory authority in a neighbouring country, the products are not indicated for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19, according to the ministry.

 

According to the Ministry of Health, any product claiming to treat Covid-19 must present sufficient scientific proof from clinical trials to prove its safety and efficacy.

Before herbal items, such as Lianhua Qingwen, may be certified and imported into the nation, complete documentation must be presented to the ministry for evaluation, according to the MoH, which also stated that the government has not provided any approval for Covid-19 prevention and treatment.

 

The ministry warned the public to be wary of herbal or supplement goods that make unsubstantiated promises.

The government also reminds suppliers and retailers (including online retailers on social media) that making false or misleading statements about illness prevention or treatment is illegal.

Conviction carries a fine of not more than BND5,000, or a sentence of not more than two years in prison, or both.