ACCLAIMED MEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019: CONCERNS ON SAFETY LEVELS

Medicinal plants are being used all over the world for the prevention, treatment, and management of diseases. Most consumers assume that medicinal plants have no toxic effect because they are plant natural products. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 which originated from Wuhan in China, is a current pandemic that is spreading globally. This disease has led to mortality of humans all over the world. There are reports from research that plants with antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or immunostimulatory activity might help in the treatment and prevention of this disease; and these have led to the increase in intake of medicinal plants with these activities all over the world. However, preclinical and clinical studies have not been carried out on some of these plants to confirm their use in prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, the actual dose of some of these plant products for the prevention of the disease is unknown. This review discusses the use of medicinal plants including turmeric, garlic, and ginger for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and their possible toxic effects. In conclusion, medicinal plants should be taken in moderation in other to prevent adverse effects which include inflammation, nausea, vomiting, fever, and mortality